It can be said that fire is one of the most severe losses your property could face. It is right alongside theft and severe weather occurrences due to climate change.
With fires in a structure or home occurring every 64 and 89 seconds respectively, the potential for property loss or damage is enormous. It does not only cause billions of dollars in losses and damages but may result in deaths and injuries as well.
That’s why if ever a fire hits your home or a building, there is no time to waste. Fires can move quickly and grow in intensity in a short span of time.
Within 30 seconds, a small flame can become a major fire. It only takes a few minutes for your home or building to immediately be filled with thick black suffocating smoke. Add in a few more minutes and your property can be engulfed in flames.
Imagine your years of hard work to buy your property going down the drain in just an instant!
That’s why we need to be on guard when it comes to fires. But how exactly can we prevent property loss in case a fire does break out?
Keep reading to find out.
Here’s the secret to preventing property loss in the incidence of fire.
There’s no magic bullet when it comes to fire protection and safety. If you want to ensure that you do not lose your property, you have to prevent a fire from occurring as much as possible.
Of course, there’s no surefire (excuse the pun) way of preventing a fire. No matter how careful you are, a fire can and will happen. It may not be of your own doing, but you can’t be responsible for the actions of other people on your property who are not as careful as you.
Plus, fires can also happen because of so many outside factors, like too high temperatures or the weather.
And again, while there’s no 100% sure way of preventing a fire, you do have the next best thing: fire protective measures.
Here are some steps you can take to prevent or minimize property losses.
1. Have a fire safety plan in place
Being prepared for the possible occurrence of a fire is a good mindset to have. With this in mind, having a basic fire safety plan is a good first step. People at home or at work should know which exit to proceed to with lighted signs.
The plan should be made with every possible building occupant in mind, most especially children and the elderly. They may need more assistance in case of a fire. Also, identify at least two exit points to give options in case the fire behaves erratically.
It is also a good idea to have regular fire drills at the office, or even at home. That way, occupants won’t be in the dark about what to do in case a fire does occur.
And since things may not go as how you planned them, it’s also good to have a backup plan in place for extreme fire incidents.
2. Have the necessary fire mitigation equipment.
Your home or place of business should have basic fire mitigation equipment as part of your fire protection measures. These should include fire alarms, fire extinguishers, sprinkler systems, and fire blankets.
Having this equipment will help you become aware of the initial stages of a fire incident and put them out as soon as possible. That way, the fire won’t have to be one that causes severe damage or loss of lives.
3. Have a structural design that slows the spread of fire.
This action should be done before you commence construction of the property. You can actually incorporate fire protection measures in the property design.
Examples of these are self-closing fire doors since they can withstand the heat of fires for up to three hours, depending on their grade. They’re especially important if you deal with hazardous, flammable chemicals on your property. The same goes for fire dampers that automatically help slow the spread of fire.
You should also be mindful of the duct system that transports heat, ventilation, and cool air from air conditioning. In a fire, this system can help smoke, heat, and flames to travel from one room to the next, making the fire spread faster.
And of course, make sure that the building design actually follows fire codes for your protection. It’s best to talk to your architect about these things before you approve a design.
4. Follow fire safety protocols.
Your home or building should have a fire safety protocol as part of its fire safety measures. This includes regularly cleaning up dust and debris which can easily ignite even from small embers. Good housekeeping is not just for aesthetic purposes, it is also a fire prevention measure that can easily be done.
You should also be mindful of where you store your flammable liquids and gases. There are suitable containers for these types of materials to withstand extreme heat and flames in a fire.
5. Get a regular inspection of your fire safety equipment.
Have your fire alarms and sprinkler heads regularly inspected to make sure that they are working properly. Also, have your fire extinguishers regularly checked to ensure they have the right amount of chemicals inside to put out fires.
You do not want these fire safety equipment to conk out just when it is needed most. A busted fire alarm or sprinkler is of no use and value to homeowners.
Fire prevention is always better than damage or loss
If you are responsible and proactive, you can save yourself, your property occupants, and your properties from devastating fire losses. Yes, fire prevention takes a lot of work and careful planning. But once these fire prevention measures are in place, you can breathe easier, knowing that these measures provide you with a level of assurance against unwanted fire incidents.
It is always better to think ahead and work hard on preventing disasters from happening, instead of being reactive to fires.
Prevent loss with Fire Alarm Testing Inc.
Fires are unexpected occurrences, but there is a certain level of control over the damage or loss that they can cause. You do not have to be at their mercy at all.
If you need to consult with experts about preventing fires and their resulting damages or losses, we at Fire Alarm Testing Inc. are here for you. We are a California fire inspection company that cares for your home’s safety and that of your place of business. We provide you with experience-based information that conforms to standards and regulations.
We are proud of our solid reputation as Bay Area fire inspection experts. Our pool of trained, friendly, and experienced technicians can provide you with the information and other services that you need. We offer the best services for fire inspection in the Bay Area and testing.
If you are looking to prevent property loss through proactive planning and preparation, contact us today! Let’s discuss how best we can help you protect your property from fire.
We look forward to hearing from you!
