Starting Workplace Fire Evacuation Drills | SERVPRO® of Van Nuys South

6/24/2020 (Permalink)

If your business experiences any fire damage, you can count on us. SERVPRO of Van Nuys South specializes in commercial fire restoration.

Preparing to handle changes and adversities that may face your business is a component of a business owners’ job, especially when it comes to emergency preparedness. Workplace fires occur often enough that they should be considered in your emergency planning efforts, especially because of how devastating they can be.

Considering all the fire safety information out there makes it difficult to know where to start, so we always suggest starting with safety as your signpost. Creating a system for workplace fire drills is perhaps the most important thing you can do for you and your staff’s safety, as you will equip everyone to calmly and quickly exit the building if flames begin.

Creating a System for Workplace Fire Drills

Consult with your local fire officials. You have so many options for online research regarding workplace fire safety, but make use of your local resources as well to create the most effective plan. You can often get in touch with your local fire department for personalized recommendations on evacuation routes and other safety measures based on the specifics of your buildings.

Communicate and mark fire evacuation routes. Once you have consulted the local fire department regarding the best escape pathways, mark them clearly and alert staff of the upcoming drill. Preparing everyone for the drill will make it go much more smoothly, as your staff can study the evacuation routes ahead of time instead of making decisions in the moment.

Have fire drills frequently. Having fire drills too often could make them lose their impact, but they should occur with enough frequency that the lessons learned in them are not forgotten. Many businesses find doing drills quarterly or even every six months to be a good level of practice for their organizations.

Run different fire scenarios. Workplace fires can be unpredictable, as they can be caused by numerous things—something your fire drills should reflect. Change up the routes and exits you have employees use in the drills so they become familiar with all of them and can make quick decisions in a real situation.

If your business has experienced fire damage, you can count on us. We specialize in commercial fire restoration and will be here for you at any hour—contact us today.