Fire Prevention Guide

A fire can devastate any commercial facility, causing injuries, loss of life, or major property damage in minutes. While there is no way to eliminate the possibility of a fire from occurring, there are effective ways to prevent it and minimize the chances of injuries or property damage if a fire does break out.

At Kauffman Co., we are committed to the safety and well-being of our customers, and we have created this fire prevention guide to help you better protect your facility and staff in the event of a fire. Our team has worked throughout the Houston area to protect small businesses, extensive commercial facilities, government buildings, and residential properties from fires and other emergencies since 2006. We are here to help with all your fire protection needs and offer 24-hour emergency service anywhere in the Greater Houston Area.

General Fire Prevention Tips

Any building is vulnerable to fire, no matter its age or condition, but the best way to avoid the catastrophic damage that a fire can cause is by taking steps to prevent it in the first place. The following tips are a good start:

• Identify fire risks throughout your facility, such as flammable chemicals, electrical panels, or commercial kitchen equipment.
• Place fire extinguishers of the appropriate type at high-risk locations and inspect them monthly.
• Test smoke detectors, duct detectors, and fire alarms monthly to ensure they operate correctly.
• Keep electrical panels, mechanical equipment, and maintenance areas free of debris and flammable materials.
• Make sure pull stations, fire extinguishers, emergency exits, and evacuation routes are marked.
• Keep hallways, stairways, corridors, and emergency exists free of obstructions and add emergency lighting for illumination during a fire.
• Create and follow safe storage and use procedures for all flammable or hazardous materials.
• Dispose of flammable materials like solvent-soaked rags properly, not in the regular trash.
• Avoid using extension cords or outlet strips; do not overload any electrical circuit.
• Exercise caution during commercial kitchen operations, welding, grinding, or soldering.
• Install fire suppression systems in hazardous locations like commercial kitchens or welding stations.
• Lock fire sprinkler control valves in the fully open position.
• Make sure no sprinkler heads are damaged or obstructed.
• Conduct a fire safety check at the end of each shift or workday to ensure your building is safe.

Fire Prevention Plan

Develop a fire safety plan that is tailored to the needs of your facility and equipment. This plan should include the identification of fire risks, fire prevention techniques, using and maintaining fire protection equipment, and establishing a training regimen to ensure your staff is prepared to respond to a fire.

Most importantly, the fire safety plan should include a fire escape plan. This will detail the locations of emergency exits and create the most expedient escape routes possible for each building area. It should also designate staff members to coordinate the evacuation and respond to the fire accordingly.

The evacuation plan should be posted in each facility area where it’s accessible and easily seen. The plan should be studied and practiced often with routine drills to ensure that staff and customers can evacuate quickly while remaining calm and orderly in an emergency. Make sure that all escape routes and emergency exits are clearly marked, and that emergency lighting is in place to make evacuation as easy as possible.

What To Do During a Fire

If a fire occurs, it is important to remember your training, stay calm, and act according to the fire safety plan to evacuate the occupants of the building as quickly as possible. When the fire alarm sounds or if you notice a fire:

• Use a pull station to activate the alarm if it’s not already sounding.
• If the fire is small enough to control with a fire extinguisher, attempt to put it out.
• Proceed to the nearest evacuation route and help others if necessary.
• Feel for excessive heat before opening any doors, and take alternate routes if necessary.
• Never take an elevator and use only stairs during an emergency.
• Close any doors behind you to confine the fire to that space.
• Avoid heavy smoke where possible, and get as low as you can to avoid breathing it in.
• Take another route if the path is blocked by heavy smoke or fire.
• Meet at designated safe areas outside the building.
• Call 911 as soon as you are safe to summon first responders.

If you can’t safely escape, find a safe room away from the fire, build a barrier to keep out smoke and flames, and place wet rags or clothes at any openings to create a seal. Call 911 to relay your position to authorities and follow their instructions until rescue is possible.

Fire Protection Services in Houston, TX

When you want the best protection for your commercial building against fires and other emergencies, talk to our fire protection experts at Kauffman Co. 

We have been serving the Houston area since 2006, and we offer complete installation, maintenance, inspection, and testing for:

• Fire alarm systems
• Fire sprinkler systems
• Fire suppression systems
• Fire pumps
• Fire extinguishers
• Underground fire mains
• And more!

We can design and install a comprehensive fire protection solution that meets your facility’s needs, and our skilled, certified technicians will complete the installation on time while staying within your budget requirements.

We are committed to your safety and offer a customer-focused approach with fast, reliable service, trustworthy technicians, 24/7 availability, and impeccable credentials with a wide range of industry affiliations.

Call (713) 893-1090 today or contact us online to schedule a consultation with our fire protection specialists in the Houston area.