Five Tips To Reduce The Chances Of A Disastrous Fire In Your Apartment Building
Posted on: 9 July 2018
If you own or manage an apartment building, one of your worst nightmares is probably waking up to a call that your building is on fire. Fires in apartment buildings are unfortunately more common than you might think, and with so many people living in one space, such fires often cause numerous injuries and even deaths. Rather than sit around hoping that this tragedy will never happen to you, why not take action? Here are five ways to reduce the chances of a disastrous fire in your apartment building.
1. Stay up to date on sprinkler inspections.
If a fire does break out, a well-maintained sprinkler system can put an end to it before anyone is hurt. So, make sure you have your sprinkler system inspected annually and have any repairs made to keep it in tip-top shape. If the fire department starts recommending upgrades to your sprinkler system, have those upgrades made. Even if they are not mandatory, they will make your property safer.
2. Hand out fire safety pamphlets to residents.
Find a good fire safety pamphlet that speaks about hazards like using extension cords improperly, leaving the stove on when nobody is home, and burning candles unattended. Hand this pamphlet out to new residents when they sign a lease, and encourage them to look it over.
3. Name a fire safety enforcer.
Find a resident who is willing to volunteer to be the fire safety enforcer in the building. This person should kindly remind other residents of fire hazards when they see them and report back to you in the event that anyone is breaking fire safety rules. You can give this person a discount on their rent in exchange for their services.
4. Attend fire safety seminars.
If you see fire safety seminars being put on by your local fire department or a sprinkler company, attend them. You will probably learn something new about fire safety, and you will also form connections with fire safety personnel who can give you the inside scoop on the latest safety tips and systems.
5. Hold fire drills.
Once or twice a year, hold a fire drill with your residents. Sound the alarm, and have anyone who is home practice evacuating the building as they would in the case of a real fire. This may sound silly and like something you do in elementary school, but it can help keep residents safe and calm when a real fire does occur.
For information about fire suppression systems, contact a company like Universal Fire Equipment.
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