According to the National Fire Protection Association, electric fires are consistently one of the most common causes of commercial building fires.
This is a particularly troubling fact, as electrical fires do more damage than most other types of fire. A U.S. Fire Administration study found that electrical malfunction was one of the leading causes of more than 4,000 fires in medical fires between 2004 and 2006, leading to $34 million in property damages. What’s more, electrical fires, and lightning did about $14.9 million in property damage between 2003 and 2006, according to the National Fire Protection Association.
In order to mitigate the risk of electrical fires, commercial fire protection services recommend taking certain steps. Here are just a few.
Training Employees. – One of the most important things that can be done to prevent electrical fires is to ensure that each and every person has been trained properly. Employee safety programs should address such topics as identifying electrical hazards, the safe distance away from exposed electrical conductors, using personal protective equipment, understanding proper work practices, proper lockout/tag-out procedures, safety requirements for electrical installations, and OSHA rules.
Watch Out For Warning Signs. – Electrical fires don’t just happen. There are warning signs that can be seen ahead of time. Some of the signs that an electrical fire could start include frequently blown fuses, tripped circuits, getting shocked when touching appliances, unplugging appliances, worn out outlets, and flickering lights. Each of these is a symptom of an electrical problem, and needs to be watched out for.
Installing the Right Equipment. – In order to properly guard against any type of fire, each commercial property should be outfitted with a fire suppression system. This may include a very early warning system, a sprinkler system, and more. It’s best to talk to the professionals about what sort of equipment your facility may need so as best to prepare.
If you have any questions, feel free to share in the comments. Find out more here. This is a great source for more.