The most serious danger any warehouse can face is fire.
A warehouse fire can destroy inventory, damage buildings, and worst of all, take lives.
No-one thinks that a fire will actually ever happen to them. But the truth is that fires can happen at any warehouse, at any time, which is why it’s vital to take precautions.
In this post, we’ll look at seven ways to protect warehouses against fire.
1. Fire alarms
It goes without saying that all warehouses should have fire alarms, but it’s surprising how few warehouses take fire alarms seriously.
Many people view fire alarms as an annoying necessity – something they don’t want but they have to use anyway.
But fire alarms are the best way to save lives in the event of a fire. They alert people to the fire and get everyone to leave the building to safety.
Make sure you test your fire alarms once a week so you know they’re working.
You should also do a fire alarm drill once a year so your staff know exactly what to do in the event of a real fire.
2. Fire exits
All warehouses need to have designated fire exits.
Make sure your employees know where these exits are so they know where to go in the event of a fire.
Also, make sure there are no boxes or crates blocking the exits. A blocked fire exit can cost lives.
3. Fire extinguishers
Fire extinguishers are the best way to prevent a small fire from becoming a big one.
For this reason, every warehouse should have fire extinguishers within easy reach of employees.
Do make sure though to test all fire extinguishers at least once a year. Some can stop working if they aren’t maintained.
4. Fire risk assessments
The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 requires all companies to carry out regular risk assessments.
This isn’t to create headaches and paperwork – it’s to get companies to spot potential fire hazards, so they can fix the hazards before a fire occurs.
5. Proper storage for flammable items
If your warehouse has flammable items like chemicals, then you’ll need to store them in a way so they’re not a fire risk. Comply with the manufacturer’s guidelines and speak directly to the manufacturer if you have doubts.
6. Fire insurance
It’s a good idea to get fire insurance to protect your business against fire damage. In the event of a fire, your insurer will reimburse you for your physical losses.
But keep in mind that insurance shouldn’t be your only measure against fire. You’ll still need everything else – fire extinguishers, fire alarms, and so on.
7. Fire doors
Fire doors are a good way to block the progress of a fire. These are doors are specifically designed to withstand fires.
If you’re interested in getting a fire door, then look no further than us! We sell fire doors and shutters with a range of fire-resistance ratings, from 1 hour all the way up to 4 hours.
What’s more, all our fire rated roller shutters have been independently tested to ensure they block even the hottest of fires. We assess our fire shutters by sitting them next to a 1,000°C furnace, and only if they withstand this level of heat do we then sell them to our customers.
If you’d like more information about anything we’ve covered, give us a call!