Commercial Office and Now Home Fire Safety

ESI, Emergency Systems Inc., North Florida’s premier security alarm company has been providing fire safety tips for offices, commercial establishments, and even the home for many years. But with more and more companies sharing employees’ time between home and office we thought it a good idea to once again review the prudent steps that should be taken in the case of fire breakouts, where ever they occur. Now that many homes in and around the Jacksonville area have become places of business, it is important to not take for granted what all commercial offices have in place in the event of a fire, “An Action Plan”.

In these times, workplace safety is just as important at home as it is in the office. Fire breakouts can strike anytime, anyplace so we have to be on our toes and ready for it should it ever happen and that includes where ever we work from. Office fires occur for many reasons, chief among them are the conditions that are ripe for a fire breakout in kitchens, the lack of attention given because of the concentration of work processes, and the constant flow of people and practices.

These conditions exist in the home where business work is being conducted, and where, just as easily, fires and the potential of a fire is just as real.

Fire Safety at Home and Office – The Emergency Action Plan

Absolutely one of the most critical things that all businesses have in common is the need to have in an emergency action plan, EAP in the case of a fire. Employees should learn it when first hired and then go through the necessary practice as frequently as needed, to stay familiar with it. That means at the bare minimum an annual office training.

The same is true for employees working from home and risks of a possible fire when performing their essential work tasks.

First, What Should an EAP Include?

• Methods for warning employees and any at-home household members in the event of an emergency 
• Reporting an emergency to the proper authorities
• Understanding designated emergency evacuation routes and exits 
• Having procedures for assisting workers, visitors, household members with disabilities or the aged
• Having procedures to account for all employees, and any household members, especially children
• Rescue and medical procedures in the event of a fire
• Installation of a comprehensive security alarm shield in workplace homes

It is now the employer’s and employee’s responsibility to create this plan since many are working from home while on the company payroll. But it is also important for everyone to understand and participate in the plan, making suggestions for improvement wherever possible from both, employees, spouses, and significant others. Workplace and home-bound employees that actively practice the plan, will see opportunities for improvement, making everyone safer.

Consider Having Commercial-Grade Fire Detections Systems Installed

As part of that EAP, are the methods for detecting a smoke or fire breakout in both the home and office and notifying the proper authorities if one exists. Professional offices have commercial-grade fire alarm products installed, and professionally monitored by trained technicians, and usually these systems are integrated into a comprehensive security alarm package. But what about all of these homes that workers are now using as their place of work? If businesses eliminate brick and mortar structures, and employees are forced to work from home, what are the protections that need to be put in place to protect those dwellings?

The most obvious answer is a professionally installed and monitored fire alarm system by a commercial security alarm specialist like ESI. Making sure your home or office is properly outfitted with fire alarm and suppression systems as needed is the first step. Hardwired smoke detectors that are monitored 24/7 by professional technicians in the event of a smoke or fire breakout are an absolute must. No longer is it responsible to have simple battery-operated smoke detectors installed with no professional monitoring or oversight.

Creating a solution to this ensures all employees, and their home or office building occupants are aware of the emergency, wherever they may be working when the alarm goes off. Additionally, homes that are now being used as a business workplaces need security protection provided by a commercial security alarm company. Assets from the office into the home become more valuable and need protection.

Why Hire ESI for All Your Home or Office Security Alarm Needs?

Since 1979, ESI, Emergency Systems Inc. has been designing, installing, and repairing security alarm products developed by the worlds cutting edge technology companies. Consider this……. Now that you are working from home, either part-time or full-time, do you have the right security alarm protection your former office environment offered?

Do you have the knowledge and experience to know what security alarm products you should install and at what price?

Is protecting your office environment more important now than ever before now that part of the time it’s housed in your home? The answer to these questions and many others can be found in one easy-to-conduct call to a security technician at ESI. We have affordable solutions for all types of security applications for home, office, commercial business, or any combination of the two. Give us a call for a free, no-obligation consultation at 904-388-3975. We have over 40 years of experience protection residential homes, commercial properties, retail, governmental and industrial businesses throughout Florida and South Georgia.