Common Causes of Fire Damage in Your Business

In the business setting, fire prevention is a matter of extreme importance, as fires put livelihood, productivity, and the lives of business owners and employees at stake. According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), during the five-year period of 2007-2011, fire departments responded to an average of 3,340 fires in office properties per year, leading to a staggering $112 million in damage, several injuries and even death.

As a business owner, a single fire event can incur a lot of losses. Thankfully, there are some steps that can make workplace fires preventable. ServiceMaster by PWF discusses the common causes of fire damage in businesses and commercial establishments, as well as the steps to take to prevent them, in this article.

What causes business fire damage?

Listed here are the most common causes of commercial fires, according to the NFPA:

Cooking equipment

Cooking equipment is the top source of fires in both residential and commercial buildings. Grease fires and poor ventilation are the most common causes of cooking fires.

Electrical and lighting systems

Electrical malfunctions stem from faulty or under-maintained wiring and electrical systems, as well as overloading extension cables. Make sure that your business has routine electrical system maintenance to reduce the risks of fires.

Heating equipment

Based on 2012-2016 annual averages of the NFPA, "most home heating fire deaths (86%) involved stationary or portable space heaters." Heating fire deaths were most often due to placing the heating equipment close to flammable materials, such as bedding, mattresses, or upholstery. Keep this in mind if the business has a living quarters.

Arson

Arson is simply an intentional fire, which often occurs after work hours. This type of fire causes the most damage to property and the highest number of injuries and casualties. To prevent intentional fires, make sure to empty trash bins and dumpsters. Installing motion detector cameras can also help.

Smoking materials

The NFPA states that smoking materials, including cigarettes, pipes, and cigars, started an estimated 17,200 home structure fires reported to U.S. fire departments in 2014. To prevent fires from smoking materials, smoke outside and away from combustible materials. Use ashtrays and never smoke if you are tired, sleepy, or near medical oxygen. Also, create a smoking policy in the office.

Exposure

According to the United States Fire Administration (USFA), exposures "are defined as anything in the immediate range of a fire that is not burning but could start burning if the fire is not contained. When enough oxygen is available, combustible material burns once its temperature reaches its ignition temperature."

In addition, "preventing exposure fires requires protecting the objects from heat spread and thus from reaching their ignition temperatures."

Office or electronic equipment

Fires of an electronic nature could be linked to the improper usage of an electronic device, use of defective electronic equipment, overloading an adapter, and placing combustible materials on or near electronic devices, according to the International Marine Contractors Association (IMCA).

How do I prevent commercial fires?

Aside from the ones mentioned beforehand, here's what else businesses can do to prevent fires in their facilities:

Train your employees. Educate your employees about office kitchen fire safety tips and teach them how to use a fire extinguisher. If an active blaze is uncontrollable, your employees should know the emergency protocols and evacuation routes.

Inspect your office equipment. Check your office equipment regularly and replace items that are not functioning properly. Routine maintenance is also recommended.

Create a fire prevention plan. Take the time to create a plan for workplace fire safety. Create guidelines for employees, make a calendar with inspection dates and important maintenance, and share it with everyone at your business.

Clean house. Making a clear pathway to an exit not only removes flammable items, but also helps you get to safety. Don't forget to clean garbage disposal areas as well.

Install and test smoke detectors. Smoke detectors are one of the simplest, most effective things you can do for fire prevention in the workplace. Install the best ones you can afford and inspect them regularly.

Install sprinklers. Sprinkler systems are an effective part of any workplace fire prevention plan. Automatic sprinklers can help mitigate the impacts of a fire at your business. Use them in conjunction with a warning system like smoke detectors.

Check for hazards. Make time on a regular basis to inspect equipment, areas where chemicals are stored and other identified high-risk areas. Perform maintenance on electrical equipment as soon as problems are spotted.

What to Do After a Commercial Fire in St. Augustine, Florida

When a commercial fire is not prevented on time, you can call a trusted fire damage restoration company in St. Augustine to handle the aftermath of the disaster. ServiceMaster by PWF is the leading restoration and repair company in Northeast Florida when it comes to fire damage repair.

We are a licensed General Contractor and an IICRC-certified firm, and we have skilled, well-trained and experienced employees. Call us at (866) 599-0871 or message us at https://www.servicemasterbypwf.com/contact-us/.

ServiceMaster by PWF services St. Augustine, Jacksonville, Pinellas, Clearwater, St. Petersburg, Green Cove Springs, Ponte Vedra Beach, Fleming Island, Dunedin, Largo, and other parts of Pinellas, St. Johns, Duval, and Clay County. Our Emergency and Disaster Service Division is available 24/7 and responds quickly to any commercial or residential disaster caused by fire or water.

Electrical Safety Tips for Flooding Disasters in Florida

Flooding isn't new to Floridians, considering that the state is a hurricane-prone zone. This disaster brings with it often irreparable damages to life, property, and infrastructure. There are also many risks to consider when facing a flooding event, such as the potential damages or injuries that could be incurred from submerged powerlines or electrical systems.

Although the risks increase with floods and other water disasters, electrical malfunctions and emergencies can occur at any time. The dangers of live electricity must not be taken lightly, which is why it is important to practice proper safety precautions. In this article, ServiceMaster by PWF discusses several electrical safety tips that should be practiced in case of flood and water damage in Florida.

What is an electrical shock?

When a source of electricity, such as an open wire, comes in contact with the human body, an electrical shock occurs. The extent of the damage depends on many factors, such as the type and amount of current involved, the path the electricity took throughout the body, the victim's overall health, and the speed by which treatment was applied.

An electrical shock may leave no injury at all. However, in most cases, it may result to the following signs and symptoms:

Burns

Numbness or a tingling sensation

Vision or speech issues

Difficulty breathing

Irregular heartbeat

Muscle pain or contractions

Seizures

Cardiac arrest

Other internal damages and external injuries

Death in severe cases

If you or someone you know is experiencing the symptoms of electrical shock, the first thing to do is to let go of the electrical source. Attend to burns by wrapping them with sterile gauze or a clean cloth if the former is not available. Do not use anything that may stick to the burnt area.

For minor symptoms, seek medical help. If the shock was severe, call 911 immediately.

How do I keep myself safe from electrical hazards during a flood?

Risks related to electrical systems after a flood are among the most severe. Keep these electrical safety tips in mind during a flooding event:

Stay away from standing water especially when there are submerged electrical outlets or devices in it. It is highly possible that the water is already charged with electric current.

Submerged power lines are another thing to look out for. If you notice damaged or downed powerlines, call your local power provider.

Sparks and popping or buzzing noises after a flood may indicate an open electrical source. Stay away from the areas where they are present.

Electrical fires emit an acrid smell or the odor of burning plastic. Watch out for these smells.

If an appliance or electrical equipment has come into contact with water, do not operate them until they've been checked by a licensed electrician.

Read and follow electrical safety precautions from the Electrical Safety Foundation International (ESFI).

How do I keep myself safe from electrical hazards after a flood?

After a flood, there are still risks concerning electrical systems especially if they had prolonged exposure to floodwaters. As long as moisture is present, they remain vulnerable to mold and bacterial growth as well as structural weakness. Rust and corrosion could also damage these systems beyond repair, aside from the risk of electrical shocks or fires.

These issues are the reasons why it is important to have a certified electrician or inspector check your electrical system. A number of elements and components may have to be replaced, such as:

Wiring, circuitry, switches and outlets Fixtures

HVAC equipment and water heaters

Major appliances, especially anything with a motor

Electronics

After the hazards have been contained and the electrician has indicated that everything is safe, it's time to call professional water damage restoration services in Florida to assess the extent of the water damage and create a plan for restoration and repair if necessary.

Get Water and Fire Damage Restoration Services from an IICRC-Certified Firm in Northeast Florida

No matter what the extent of the water or fire damage is after a flood, the team of experts at ServiceMaster by PWF has the skills, experience, and know-how to deal with it in the most effective and efficient way. We are dedicated to providing the best restoration experience possible, and work closely with insurance agents, brokers, adjusters, and the client to make sure the restoration process is hassle-free.

Call ServiceMaster by PWF at (866) 599-0871 or message us at https://www.servicemasterbypwf.com/contact-us/. We service Clearwater, St. Petersburg, Pinellas Park, Dunedin, Largo, St. Augustine, Tarpon Springs, Ponte Vedra Beach, St. John, Jacksonville, Green Cove Springs, Fleming Island, Lakeside, and other parts of Pinellas, St. Johns, Duval, and Clay Counties.