Preventing Office Fires: Key Causes and How to Safeguard Your Workplace

By Coggin Security

As summer is coming and the temperature is rising, your office should be the place where you cool off and get a break from the heat. Here at Coggin Security, we know the importance of security and fire protection services in your place of work. According to the National Fire Protection Association’s research and report, office fires in the United States cause over $110 million in damages per year.

Importance of Commercial Fire Protection

It is required by law to have commercial fire alarm systems in your office, and it is crucial to make sure they also work efficiently and are the perfect fit for your space. These systems include smoke detectors, sprinklers, control centers, pull stations, annunciators, and more. These work in tandem to detect potential fires, raise the alarm, and ideally extinguish the fire before there is any damage.

This blog post covers the top 5 causes of these devastating fires and how you can be proactive in keeping yourself, your colleagues, and your office safe.

Cooking Equipment

Nearly 1 in every 4 office fires is caused by cooking equipment. Whether you have a large commercial kitchen, individual microwave or anything in between, this spot of your business is the most likely place to go up in flames.

Prevention tips:

Never leave any kitchen appliances turned on or unattended
Regularly clean and maintain all cooking equipment
Clear the nearby area of any and all flammable materials

Defective Electrical Equipment

Faulty wiring, overloaded circuits, and lighting equipment are the second leading cause of office fires. This can happen if the initial work was done incorrectly, or due to wear and tear over time. It is often hard to know if this has occurred until it is too late.

Prevention tips:

Schedule thorough, routine examinations and maintenance by a qualified electrician to confirm that all of your electricals and equipment are working properly
Avoid overloading electrical outlets and power strips
Use extension cords wisely and only temporarily

Excessive dust

We know that most people don’t love to clean. However, when dust and dirt build up on your machinery and heating equipment, it is at higher risk of overheating and catching on fire.

Prevention tips:

Implement a regular cleaning schedule to dust and wipe down all office surfaces.
Pay extra attention to areas that are more prone to dust build-up, such as vents and electronics.

Smoking

The hot ashes of cigarettes, cigars or other smoking materials can lead to fires if they are not put out properly.

Prevention tips:

Designate specific outdoor smoking areas that are away from the building and any flammable materials
Provide the right disposal units for cigarette butts within these designated areas
Enforce smoke-free policies inside and close to your office

Arson

Unfortunately, there are still vandals out on the street. It is hard to plan for when your business could be the target of an attack. This is one reason why it is so important to have reliable business fire protection systems in place. This is why we also recommend and sell business security solutions and products so that everyone is protected all of the time.

Prevention tips:

Implement security measures such as security cameras and alarms to deter arsonists
Monitor these alarm systems consistently and be cautious of any suspicious activity

Don’t Wait Until Disaster Strikes

While there are many proactive efforts and measures you can take to prevent an office fire, these incidents are ultimately inevitable. That is why it is so necessary to install a commercial fire alarm system in your office space. We sell and install fire protection services that help our clients gain peace of mind. We have certified, expert technicians available on-call to help you with whatever you need, whenever you need it. We also monitor your serviced properties 24/7 and provide annual, comprehensive inspections of your systems.

We offer a variety of smoke detectors, alarm systems and pull stations, so that you can find the right commercial fire alarm system for you. Whatever your needs may be, we would be happy to work with you to find the best fire protection system for your business.