Business Safety

Fires in workplaces and businesses can be devastating to our communities. Not only do they risk life and property, but they could result in lost jobs, income, and important community services. There were 18,700 office and store fires in the United States in 2019 that caused $744 million in direct property damage.

Although modern design and fire codes can protect many stores from large fires, there are still important fire safety practices that employers and employees should follow to prevent fires and keep their colleagues safe. Fortunately, there are a lot of resources available to get started and Arvada Fire is here to help! Please let us know how we can help your business or workplace stay safe. 

Employers should:

• Make sure smoke alarms and fire sprinklers are properly installed and working
• Post clear fire escape plans on every level of a building
• Teach employees about exit locations, escape routes, and fire protection equipment
• Conduct regular emergency drills

Employees should:

• Keep anything that can burn away from electrical equipment and never leave portable heating devices unattended
• Keep workplaces clean, dry, and well ventilated
• Plan and practice multiple escape routes and keep obstacles away from exits.
• Practice the same fire prevention strategies at work that they use at home, such as not leaving cooking food unattended on a stovetop.

Workplace Resources

FEMA has a library full of resources to help get you started on creating an emergency preparation plan for your business. Additionally, U.S. Fire possesses some helpful guidelines and resources.

Don't know where to start on making your evacuation plan? We have a great resource for you! Check out OSHA's How to Plan for Workplace Emergencies and Evacuations (PDF) document to get you started.

Don't forget to invite us to a drill. We would love to be able to provide feedback and give our crews an opportunity to familiarize themselves with your evacuation plans.