No matter the industry your business deals in, it is important to have an evacuation plan put in place should a fire ever break out. While no business manager or business owner expects a fire will ever occur, it is best to practice fire safety just in case. Failing to do so can lead to a lack of preparedness and result in serious or fatal injuries, which could have been avoided. Paul Davis Restoration of North Dallas is located in Carrollton, serving North Dallas and surrounding areas. Here, we offer tips to help you create a fire evacuation plan for your business and keep your employees safe.
Fire Safety in the World of Business
A commercial fire evacuation plan is a detailed procedure illustrating how employees will safely exit the premises in the event of a fire. Although the goal of everyone reaching safety is the same, commercial evacuation plans differ from residential ones because of the number of obstacles and potential hazards that may be present. Tips for creating your commercial fire evacuation plan include:
Begin by Identifying Any Hazards
Before you write up your evacuation plan, you should first inspect your building to identify any potential hazards or obstacles that may pose an issue. Hazards and obstacles can include loose cables on the ground or locked doors. Knowing where these are in your building will help you navigate a safe route for your employees as you create your fire evacuation plan.
Consider Assigning Roles
Fire safety works best if everyone comes together as a team. When thinking of a proper fire safety plan, consider assigning roles to your employees. Different roles can include delegating someone to grab the first aid kit or keeping someone in charge of making sure everyone exits swiftly but calmly. Another employee can be tasked with enforcing proper fire safety techniques and regulations. By assigning everyone a role, employees will be encouraged to work together to reach safety.
Think About Communication
Depending on the size of your business, employees may be spread out. If a fire is occurring in one area of the business, employees in different areas will need to be notified. This is when communication is a must. Your fire evacuation plan should include notifying all employees that they must exit the building immediately. In addition, your fire safety plan should include a list of contact information for emergency first responders, as well as fire damage and restoration repair professionals.
Make Your Evacuation Plan Readily Available
After you have made all possible considerations, you are ready to create your evacuation plan. Finalize your plan by putting it in writing and sharing it with your employees. Your plan should be posted throughout your building and kept on file for easy access. Every employee must know where the fire safety evacuation plan can be found.
Practice Routinely
Even after you’ve completed your fire escape plan, your job as a manager or business owner is not done. During an actual fire, tensions are high, and it can be easy for employees to feel panicked. Routinely practicing the plan you’ve put in place can help employees feel more confident in the event of a real fire. While practicing your plan when there isn’t a real threat of a fire can seem redundant, it may help save the lives of your employees.
Trust the Experts at Paul Davis Restoration of North Dallas
In the case of a fire, the first priority of every manager and business owner is to ensure their employee’s safety. You can help keep your employees free from harm by implementing a fire evacuation plan and regularly practicing proper fire safety.
The damage a fire can have on a commercial business can be devastating. To help businesses return to normal business operations, Paul Davis Restoration of North Dallas provides professional repair and restoration services for clients in North Dallas and the surrounding areas. Our fast-acting team will work diligently to clean up the debris leftover from the fire and begin building strictures to make your business look new again. To learn more about proper fire safety and our services, please contact us today.