Fire Extinguisher Safety Basics For Business Owners

Fire extinguishers are among the most important pieces of protection against fires within commercial business’ buildings or facilities – and knowing some basic information about them is essential to get proper coverage and to stay compliant with regulations. In this blog post, we’ll go over fire extinguisher safety basics for business owners.

Make Sure You Have the Right Type of Fire Extinguisher

Fire extinguishers come in several different types, each designed to combat specific classes of fire. Knowing what type of fire extinguisher you should use in each situation is important. An ABC-type extinguisher is typically a good choice for employers since they can use it to fight several types of fires that may arise on the premises.

By understanding how and when to use different types of fire extinguishers, employers can take the necessary steps to protect their employees and property from becoming damaged by a dangerous fire incident.

Inspect and Service Your Fire Extinguishers Regularly

It is important to remember that all extinguishers need proper inspection and service regularly. This means that business owners should not only be aware of the different types of extinguishers and their capacity for various fires, but also their expiration dates, so they know when to replace them. 

Understanding basic fire extinguisher maintenance and inspections can help prevent system failures, and ensure that personnel are prepared for an emergency.

Create a Written Plan for Using Fire Extinguishers in an Emergency

Prevent chaos during a crisis – a written plan detailing where and how to use fire extinguishers is always a good idea. This plan should include information such as the location of fire extinguishers throughout the premises and instructions on when and how to use them safely. 

With this simple precaution, business owners can be confident that their staff and property will know what to do in an emergency.

Provide Fire Extinguisher Training to Your Employees

Having appropriately trained employees who know how to use fire extinguishers in an emergency can save lives and property. The training should include how to recognize when a fire extinguisher may be appropriate, how to use it properly, and how to dispose of burned materials after the blaze is extinguished properly. 

Investing in fire extinguisher training provides employees with valuable knowledge and shows a commitment to their safety above all else.

Do Not Use Fire Extinguishers as Props or Decorations

Fire extinguishers are not toys or decorations – they are only for use in an emergency. So, don’t leave any non-working ones around, as someone who doesn’t realize may try to use it in a fire and cause serious damage to property or even themselves.

Conclusion

As a business owner, you are responsible for the safety of your employees, customers, and visitors. This is why it’s so important to be up-to-date on fire extinguisher safety basics for business owners, and know how to use one properly in the event of a fire. So, why not take a fire safety training class along with your employees? You’ll be glad that you did!

Need to make sure your fire extinguishers are in good working order? We can help with that! Click here to get in touch with Fire-Alert today.