Fire Prevention Tips for Building Owners And Their Tenants
The NFPA has released a five-year report that found the US experiences an average of 346 800 home structure fires each year. Many of these fires can easily be avoided. Learn how building owners can prevent property fires.
For Building Owners:
A simple property modification or system test can help prevent a fire from erupting in your home.
Inspections: According to the NFPA, electrical system failure is one of most common causes of fire-related property loss. To have your electrical systems checked regularly, you can partner with the local fire department or third-party electrician.
Sprinklers: sprinklers save lives. A qualified contractor should test and maintain sprinkler systems on a regular basis.
Smoking Safety: Provide your tenants with the proper receptacles to dispose of their cigarettes safely if you do not have a no smoking policy in your building policy. Proper signage and metal receptacles can help tenants avoid smoking near flammable objects (e.g., a dumpster, plastic pot, mulch, leaf pile, or wooden floor). To prevent fires from spreading to your building, lay a few inches between your building's landscaping and the stone, gravel, or even lava rock. Find out more about safety when lighting a fire.
Fireplaces: Install grates for all fireplaces. Make sure that the floor in front of the fireplace has tile or stone. Chimneys should be cleaned by a professional at least once per year.
Fire Doors: To reduce the number of high-touch surfaces, many people opened their fire doors during the pandemic. These doors are meant to prevent fires spreading and smoke from entering stairwells. They won't work if they are open.
Fire extinguishers: Make sure you have fire extinguishers available for your tenants, and have them maintained by a qualified contractor. You can store them in the kitchen sink, nearby closets or common areas so that your tenants are able to reach them quickly. Do not forget to include the basement!
Smoke Detectors: Never skip your smoke detector testing! Although most smoke detectors need to be tested monthly, each state has its own rules. For assistance with maintenance and inspections, contact your local fire department or fire protection agency.
For Tenants:
You'll need to make sure your tenants are safe now that you have prepared your property. You can set policies to prevent fires such as:
No space heaters. A bonus tip: If you can control the temperature of your building, make sure the heat is high enough to keep your tenants comfortable without the use of a space heater.
Extension cords should not be used in an improper manner. Electrical fires can often be caused by improperly connected extension cords or seasonal lights being used as extensions cords.
No smoking on premises. Smoking is the leading cause of fires in homes and is also the leading cause of death from home fires.
Grills and other outdoor cooking equipment should be kept at least ten feet away from any building structure, including balconies or decks. Find out more about summer fire safety and grills.
No candles. According to the NFPA, an average of 20 candle-lighting incidents in homes are reported each day.
Clear passageways and hallways of equipment, bikes, shoes, or other debris. If the pathways are clean, emergency personnel and firefighters will have an easier job rescuing people in the building. It will also make it easier for tenants to escape in an emergency.
Encourage your tenants and landlords to get renters insurance. Even if the fire isn’t in the unit of one tenant, smoke, fire hoses and sprinklers can cause a lot.
Safety for Everyone:
It is essential to have an emergency plan. It is important to clearly mark and communicate all exits and evacuation routes. You should immediately get to safety and dial 911 if there is a fire in your building. After the smoke clears, call your agent. It's not enough to deal with the aftermath of a fire alone.
Article reprinted from https://www.arbella.com/insights/residential-building-fires.
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