When it comes to protecting your business in the aftermath of a fire, there are a number of different factors to consider. A fire does not just damage the premises of a business but can have long-lasting consequences on the daily running of the company too. These can include damage to a company’s reputation, serious injury and potential legal action. Every business is required by law to ensure they have adequate fire safety measures in place, including fire alarm systems and fire safety plans.
Here are a few other points to consider when it comes to the secondary effects of a business fire, to help you understand why it is so important to ensure the correct measures are in place.
Protecting Your Business from Property and Inventory Damage
A fire can cause devastating damage to both property and inventory. The consequence of this can mean a loss of revenue and see businesses closed for months, sometimes even permanently, whilst the damage is repaired and any lost stock recuperated. So that you can avoid the damage that a fire can cause, it is important to install a business fire alarm. This means that if a fire breaks out an alarm will alert you as quickly as possible, helping to get things under control and avoid devastating damage. Being adequately covered by your business insurance policy is also key should the worst happen.
Protecting Your Staff and Customers from Injury and Avoiding Fatalities
When it comes to the secondary effects of a fire on your business, it is not just the property and inventory that should be of concern. If staff, customers or clients are on the premises during a fire, taking swift action and having the right safety measures in place is crucial. Even if there are no fatalities, a fire can still cause long-term health damage, especially as a result of smoke inhalation, with potentially permanent damage to the lungs and throat. Should a person lose consciousness as a result of smoke inhalation, this is where things get very dangerous and can inhibit everyone from being able to evacuate the premises effectively. Choosing a reliable company, such as KBO Security, to set up your fire alarm systems for your business is a vital step in making sure that in the event of a fire, everyone has enough time to evacuate the premises safely. Such measures can include installing the appropriate business fire alarm, extinguishing systems, and the ability for you to monitor the premises 24/7 for fire safety alerts.
Making Sure Your Business is Covered Legally
Should a fire occur, having the right legal cover will help to get things back on track as quickly and easily as possible. The correct insurance cover will mean that in the event of any fire damage, your business will be able to claim back the funds needed to keep your company running. It can also help to protect your business from any potential litigation should staff or clients have been present during the fire. To qualify for business fire safety insurance, most insurance companies will expect that the correct preventative and business fire safety measures are already in place. Companies such as KBO Securities will be able to advise you as to what fire safety options are best for your particular business premises.
Ensuring a Fire Doesn’t Damage a Business’s Reputation
Failure to preempt the damage and safety implications a fire can cause doesn’t just mean damage to property and heighten the risk of potential injuries, it can also mean long-term, sometimes irreparable, damage to a business’s reputation too. A business that does not prioritise the safety of its staff and customers can quickly find themselves embroiled in legal action, with word of mouth often then resulting in loss of staff and difficulty in rehiring. It can also mean that potential clients choose to take their custom elsewhere, and result in financial losses that may be very hard to recover from.
When it comes to the secondary effects of a business fire, the results can cause long-lasting devastation to all areas of your company. This is why it is so important to ensure the right fire safety measures are in place to prevent leaving your business open to litigation, unrecoverable financial costs and long-term damage to company reputation. Choosing KBO Security to help create a bespoke fire safety plan for your business is the best way to ensure you are not only taking the right steps to prevent a fire in the first place but are also making a responsible plan for the future should the worst happen.
Get in touch with a member of our team today to find out more.
