Safety is a top priority in commercial buildings, and without it, many owners and builders will be flouting standards and codes. News reports indicate that 2021 recorded a 46% increase in commercial property fires, and following that, there have been several calls for more stringent regulations. So whether you own an office space, a retail store, or a warehouse, your primary concern must be safeguarding your customers, employees, and assets. It’s best to identify potential hazards and take the necessary precautions to mitigate them. This page focuses on three safety checks to maintain a secure commercial building.
- Fire safety inspections
Commercial buildings always have people trooping in and out at all times of the day, making it prudent to ensure the highest safety standards. First, conduct regular fire safety inspections to help you identify hazards and loopholes you might have missed during previous checks. During these checks, ensure the fire extinguishers are easily accessible throughout the building. Checking for their expiry dates and container conditions helps avoid mishaps during fire emergencies. Secondly, test all the smoke alarms throughout the building to be certain about their working conditions. It would help to check and replace batteries regularly and install them in strategic locations throughout the commercial building. Weak batteries in smoke alarms can be a critical loophole in a commercial building’s fire safety measures. While at it, ensure all fire suppression systems are in excellent condition. Remember to check for emergency exit routes because obstructions can be a grave hindrance if a fire breaks out.
- Electrical safety checks
Many things can cause a fire, but the most prevalent is electrical. Faulty wiring or overloaded circuits are often the causes of such fires in commercial buildings. When that happens, the risk of electrical shocks and other fire hazards increases dramatically. Therefore, please pay attention to signs of wear and tear on all electrical outlets throughout the building. Another noteworthy point is to test for Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters or GFCIs. These are particularly important in the bathrooms, kitchens, and where water is usually present. As the owner of a commercial building, avoid investing in cheap electrical products for the building. You will save a lot of money when you collaborate with reputable suppliers like Meteor Electrical, electrical wholesaler, to meet your building’s needs. However, it pays to ensure that all electrical connections are secure before any installation is embarked upon. It seems like a lot of work, but being proactive will save you millions of Pounds in the future.
- Building security assessments
You risk endangering the lives of occupants and losing assets when you take security assessments for granted. These assessments are carried out to identify vulnerabilities that you may not have noticed. It usually takes a professional eye to notice these loopholes. The good news is that a commercial building will have these risks dramatically reduced when suitable measures are put in place. That includes access control systems, surveillance cameras, alarm systems, and so on. Check all entry points, parking lots, and the positioning of all high-level assets within the building. It is also important to review all alarm protocols while ensuring that only a select few know those security details.
Your commercial building can be a safe environment for occupants and all critical assets when you apply the tips above.