Arson is the most common cause of fires in commercial buildings and the effects can have a devastating impact on any business. A serious fire, whether caused by an accident or arson, can destroy lives as well as livelihoods.
Trying to get back on track after a fire can be an immense job, with repairs to carry out, the maintenance of your sprinkler systems or fire extinguishers to fix, liaising with your customers and catching up on any delayed orders or services. The aftermath of a fire can be make or break for any business, whether big or small.
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But you can minimise the risk of an arson attack happening, and give you and your employees peace of mind, by following our simple tips.
Security
- Check that all entrance and exit doors, windows and roller shutters are locked and are in good working order.
- Check any fencing and gates around the perimeter of your premises are strong and secure to prevent any intruders gaining access.
- Reduce any gaps under doors to make sure they are as narrow as possible and that any combustible materials can’t be pushed under them.
- Look at the potential routes intruders may use such as flat roofs and secluded areas and add additionally security, such as alarms, gates, warning signs or lights.
- Keep all storage bins locked and stored away from your main buildings so intruders can’t use them to gain access.
- You can prevent mail being set alight by installing a metal container on the inside your letter box.
Separation
- You should keep all combustible materials away from your buildings, especially any escape routes which your employees may use in an emergency.
- Ensure foliage, trees and weeds are trimmed, particularly in summer, to prevent them being set alight or used to disguise any criminal activity.
- If you have large amounts of pallets or industrial waste, then split up where it’s stored to prevent the possibility of a larger fire if they ignite.
Surveillance
- Installing security lighting is a simple and effective deterrent as any arsonist won’t want to risk being seen. Either movement-activated lighting or a constant light will minimise the risks of someone starting a fire deliberately.
- If your fire alarm system has smoke detection, then this should be connected to a monitoring centre to ensure the emergency services are alerted at the earliest opportunity. This will also give you peace of mind that any fire will be tackled quickly.
- Most security companies offer cost effective patrol services, which involve security experts visiting your premises throughout the night. They also usually provide signs to display on your premises to help deter arsonists.
- CCTV is the most common and cost effective deterrent in combating arson. Some CCTV systems can also be remotely monitored, allowing contact with a security call centre if any untoward activity is detected. This means the police can be contacted quickly, hopefully preventing any damage.
For more information about how to secure your business premises to protect against arson, contact Matt Spivey at Synergy Fire Engineering on (0)843 658 1310 or email [email protected].
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