How Can a Fire Impact My Business?

A fire can have disastrous consequences regardless of where it breaks out, and commercial premises are no exception. Whether your business space is full of computers and paperwork or retail products such as furniture or clothes, fires can wreak havoc and cost you in ways that aren’t just monetary. This blog will look at what these potential consequences are, and why your business should always be prepared in the event of a fire.

What Could a Fire Cost My Business?

Staff Absences

If your workplace has recently suffered from a fire, it can certainly put off your staff from coming to work in fear of it happening again, not to mention that they might not even be able to depending on how much damage the building has incurred.

Low Morale

Coming into work after a fire can be potentially stressful or upsetting for employees, and can have a detrimental impact on workplace morale. This will naturally affect productivity as a result.

Building Damage

Depending on its severity, structural damage is a very real threat in the aftermath of a fire. The building might have been significantly weakened, and it goes without saying that this poses a huge safety risk. Your property might have to undergo a fire risk assessment before you and your employees can return to work.

Equipment & Document Damage

Whether you predominantly work on a computer or industrial machinery, fire-damaged equipment is almost always unsalvageable. This can have potentially devastating consequences as important work could be lost or you might find yourself without a way to perform your job at all, not to mention that replacing equipment will be extremely costly.

Documentation is also crucial to many industries, and if they go up in smoke it can also be devastating to your business. From patient records to contracts and invoices, all of these documents contain vital information that your business would be lost without.

Can My Business Survive a Fire?

How High is the Risk of Fire?

The answer to this question tends to differ depending on the specifics of your business, but the method of finding out remains the same across the board: a fire risk assessment. Through conducting a fire risk assessment, you are not only investing in the safety of yourself and your employees, but it will also keep you in the good books of insurance companies.

Fire Safety Plans

Although it might sound extreme, a fire safety plan is essential to any business. Every single employee should be well-informed on what to do in the event of a fire - from evacuation routes to the location of all fire doors. Implementing a fire safety plan is not only vital to the safety of your staff, but it can also minimise equipment and building damage. A fire safety consultant will be able to assist you with the design of a plan that is specific to your business.

Reliable Fire Safety Consultants in Essex

Ensure that your business is fully prepared in the event of a fire with Thameside Fire Protection. As a company with 35 years of experience, you can count on us for the very best fire protection and prevention services. We offer nationwide coverage, so contact us today to find out more.