When discussing fire alarm systems in business premises, it is always centered around the safety of workers in the building. Of course, the safety of everyone, customers, or staff, is extremely important but what effects can fire have on a business’s site?
When a fire strikes commercial property the effects can be devastating. This can cause considerable issues to a business, including immense issues to the running of the business.
Fire Risk Assessments
Checking with users' insurance companies can help to dictate what type of system is required
Firstly, it is important to mention Fire Risk Assessments. This is a legal requirement for all businesses and legally needs to be written down if there are 5 or more regular occupants. Fire Risk Assessments are the cornerstone of fire safety plans. They can help users to identify what fire alarm system is most suitable for their building.
Additionally, checking with users' insurance companies can help to dictate what type of system is required. Following are some of the effects a fire can have on a business and why it is so important to protect business premises with a professional fire alarm system:
1) Temporary Loss Of Premise
Smoke from a fire can cause a lot of damage to property. Even if a fire is found and dealt with quickly there will most likely be considerable damage to the room and, obviously, the burned materials. Depending on the extent of the damage, this will require at least redecoration or even full refurbishment for the building to return to use.
During the time that potentially this work is taking place, the user will need to either provide staff with the resources to be able to work from home or move them to a temporary premise. This can be costly and disruptive to a business.
2) Relocation
A business will need to work away from this property for a longer period or permanently, which can be costly
Leading on from the previous point, a building may be so badly damaged that it is unfit for purpose. Fires can spread incredibly fast and can quickly ruin not only the interior of the property but also the structural soundness.
In these circumstances, a business will need to work away from this property for a longer period or permanently, which can be costly and time-consuming for an organization.
3) Damaged Equipment
For most companies, there is likely to be equipment used and stored on the premises which are essential to the running of the business. Whether this is machinery, kit, or computers with data on all of this can affect the running of the business.
Operational downtime can often not be avoided as users may have to hire or buy new equipment in the place of the damaged equipment.
4) Loss of Goods
If the fire does not burn the stock, it will be significantly damaged by the smoke and the water used to extinguish
Companies that sell products or goods, will often have a considerable amount of goods or stock in one place. This can lead to an issue with supplying to customers as well as the significant costs of replacing items or even manufacturing new ones.
Often even if the fire does not burn the stock it will be significantly damaged by the smoke and the water used to extinguish the fire.
5) Loss of Earnings
All these factors contribute to a loss of earnings for a company. The effects of a fire on a business premise can leave a business struggling to run or even out of action for a long duration of time.
During this time businesses can struggle to fulfill commitments and deadlines for projects or orders with customers and suppliers. This can lead to a loss of custom and a loss of income which can make this time even more testing.
Installing a fire alarm system
Fire alarms are a great investment and smoke detectors have a life of up to 10 years
Installing a fire alarm system at business premises whether commercial, agricultural, retail, or industrial is crucial. Having a professionally installed alarm is what could be the difference between your business premises being damaged or completely ruined.
Not only is a fire alarm system part of users' duty to protect their staff and customers within the business but it is something that could save users' business in the long term. Fire alarms are a great investment and smoke detectors have a life of up to 10 years.
Maintenance
Maintenance is also important for the system as to comply with British standard 5839, the user fire alarm system needs to be checked at least every 6 months. Unfortunately, APE does not carry out risk assessments as they believe this can be a conflict of interest.
APE does have a third party to carry out risk assessments either on behalf of ourselves or on behalf of a customer. Alternatively, a customer can supply their fire risk assessor but for businesses, fire risk assessments are a legal requirement.
