Workplace fires and explosions resulted in 116 deaths in the United States in 2012, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Figures maintained by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) show that such incidents resulted in over 5,000 injuries and cost U.S. businesses a total of about $2 billion in direct losses in 2012 alone. The figures are a grim reminder of why your business needs to have a formal fire safety plan with clearly detailed safety policies, controls, protocols and employee training procedures.
Most states require businesses to have a complete fire prevention program in place for employee safety and loss mitigation purposes. At a bare minimum, your business will need to comply with OSHA or OSHA-approved requirements for fire safety. Typically, this means you need to have clearly marked exit routes capable of evacuating all employees safely in the event of a fire alarm. It also means having a written and an oral emergency action plan as well as a formal fire prevention plan. The fire prevention plan should list all potential fire hazards in your workplace and the measures that you have in place to control each fire hazard. The prevention plan should also provide details on your storage procedures for hazardous materials, potential ignition sources, and the type of protection equipment necessary to control a major fire at your workplace.
As part of an effort to comply with such requirements, a growing number of businesses in Houston and elsewhere have begun installing automatic fire alarm systems that are designed to provide adequate warning and protection in the event of a major fire. Due to the plethora of alarm systems and devices that are commercially available these days, many local fire departments require businesses to obtain an alarm permit certifying the adequacy of their systems. The Houston Fire Department for instance, issues permits for fire alarm and sprinkler system installation, inspection, test and maintenance.
A fire can have a devastating impact on your business. But there are several measures you can take to mitigate the risk of becoming another statistic. A great place to begin is by formulating and implementing a formal fire safety plan for your workplace.
Sources:
https://www.osha.gov/SLTC/firesafety/index.html
http://www.businessinsurance.org/comprehensive-fire-safety-resource-for-businesses/
http://www.tdi.texas.gov/pubs/videoresource/fsfireprevsmall.pdf
http://www.houstontx.gov/fire/business/permits.htm
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