Seven best methods to ensure fire safety for buildings 20^th November 2021

In the wake of the catastrophic fires in India these days, building owners have become more concerned about fire safety for their residential and commercial buildings. Once a fire starts spreading, it is hard to control it. Even though we have efficient modern firefighting methods, it is always better to be cautious about things that can cause destruction.

Ensuring fire safety for buildings is essential, as even a minor fire outbreak in a building can ignite the most extensive fires, sufficient to destroy the whole structure. No one can predict fire mishaps; therefore, improving our fire safety methods is necessary.

This article will look at the best methods to ensure fire safety for buildings that you can implement right away.

1. Educate people on fire safety:
Prevention is better than cure, and the saying cannot have a better real-life example. Unfortunately, most casualties and deaths occur during fire incidents because of insufficient knowledge on fire safety. Therefore, everyone in the building should be made aware of the fire protocols and guidelines.

2. Emergency escape route:
If a building catches fire, there is a possibility of a power breakdown, and the lift too will stop working immediately. Constructing emergency escapes or fire exits is a necessity in almost all high-rise buildings. It is important to ensure that nothing blocks the fire exit route.

3. Create designated smoking areas:
Always ensure the proper disposal of used cigarettes to avoid the possibility of sparks turning into flames. It is also mandatory to monitor smoking zones as several fires initiate from there. Nowadays, most of the premises maintain a smoke-free zones with the designated smoking areas in the building. Smoking anywhere other than the designated areas should be strictly prohibited.

4. Have a sound fire detecting system:
The first step that the maintenance department should take is to instal a fire detecting system in the building. There have been regular technology upgrades in fire sensors, and you must stay up-to-date with their handling to use them during an emergency. These sensors often send an alert to the local fire department, informing them of your location.

5. Display fire safety signs:
Signs are one of the most effective methods of cautioning people of danger. Fire safety warning signs, fire fighting equipment signs, and the labelling of piping that holds toxic compounds are examples of illuminated signs that communicate safety information.

6. Install a fire extinguishing system:
You do not always require the local fire department to put out the small fires. Modern buildings contain sprinklers and fire extinguishers to control minor fire outbreaks. We advise you to use fire sprinklers rather than fire extinguishers because people might not handle extinguishers because of a lack of training. On the other hand, sprinklers will equally spray water everywhere in the building, thus putting out any fire.

7. Inspect your fire doors:
Fire doors have helped save many lives and have considerably reduced the damage by slowing down the fire. Therefore, regularly check your fire doors and replace them immediately if they have undergone even a small fire.

Fires are not in our control, but the least we can do is prepare ourselves for them. Regular monitoring of fire safety equipment, maintaining them, following fire safety norms for the building, and mock fire drills are essentials for the buildings. Remember that, apart from following the above tips, you also need to choose fire insurance for the building. Fire insurance can immensely help you financially against any fire mishaps. During a fire, even a single second can make a massive difference. Always act immediately and sensibly during these incidents. Don’t hesitate to leave all your belongings and evacuate the place in case of a massive fire outbreak. You need to understand that you can get a new home, but what about your life?

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Disclaimer: The information provided above is for illustrative purposes only. To get more details, please refer to policy wordings and prospectus before purchasing a policy.