Covid-19 has highlighted another potential problem for corporates and small business owners – the threat of fire in empty buildings.
Fidelity Fire Solutions GM Andrew Worthington said continuous maintenance and upkeep in buildings is a big factor in preventing fires.
“With so many corporates having opted to work from home this past year, there is a much higher chance of maintenance and upkeep being neglected and a fire going undetected or starting unexpectedly,” said Worthington.
He said due to lockdown, many organisations have left their office buildings unattended for extended periods of time and in some offices, desks and equipment may have been left as they were when the office was occupied.
“This poses a fire risk as rodents are more likely to infest a neglected building and in so doing may chew through the insulation of the building’s wiring, which in turn causes electrical shorts and potentially fires.
“This risk is even greater in completely deserted buildings, since there will be no one to spot the pest problem until it is too late and this is all the more reason to take fire safety seriously in these locations.
“If the worst does happen, the issue can be detected and dealt with before it spreads.”
Worthington added that the same can happen with office equipment and appliances which were left on.
Fidelity Fire Solutions advised commercial property owners to:
• Ensure proper care is taken to switch off the power or equipment not in use.
• Have someone regularly check offices for possible risks.
• Follow normal EHS housekeeping practices with regular maintenance for equipment and fire systems.
• Check empty buildings at least once a month and ensure you keep a proper record of all maintenance. Ensure you keep to a regular schedule.
• Consider installing an effective fire alarm/smoke alarm system which is linked to your security system. Detection is key when it comes to fire safety, since the faster a potential fire is spotted, the quicker it can be dealt with.
Worthington said risks like water leakages, pest infestations, mould build-up as well as structural decay pose serious problems that can grow worse over extended periods of building abandonment.
Also Read: Tips for tenants on recovering after the Covid-19 lockdown
