Even in smaller buildings, it can be difficult to keep track of all your employees and patients. Fire safety becomes even more important in all of the confusion because, with all of those people and delicate medical equipment inside, evacuations can be tricky.
Hospitals and other medical facilities are busy places. Even in smaller buildings, it can be difficult to keep track of all your employees and patients. Fire safety becomes even more important in all of the confusion because, with all of those people and delicate medical equipment inside, evacuations can be tricky.
Watch the Kitchens
Cooking mishaps in the kitchen cause most hospital fires. That’s why you need to watch the kitchens and look for any problems that could lead to a fire in there. However, it’s rare that kitchen fires spread to other parts of the building, but that doesn’t mean you can’t attempt to control and extinguish any fires that do spring up. These fires also tend to start more frequently during meal preparation times – around eight in the morning or four in the afternoon. So how can you stop kitchen fires from endangering your hospital?
- Clean out the grease traps on all kitchen appliances as often as possible. This can help decrease the incidence of grease fires.
- Keep oils and other flammable liquids well away from heating elements or other heat sources.
- Clean grills, stoves, and ovens as often as possible. Negligence can lead to disaster.
- Electrical safety also matters, so make sure all electrical cords are in good condition.
- Keep fire extinguishers and train staff on how to use them properly.
Check Electrical Systems
As we’ve noted, checking electrical systems in the kitchen is important. But once you’ve finished that, you need to look at the electrical outlets and wires throughout your campus. Avoid using extension cords whenever possible. Although they are useful in residential settings, in a hospital, they should only be used temporarily. Cords in poor condition, left in areas where they could be stepped on or tripped on, and overloaded plugs all need to be dealt with in a timely fashion to avert the risk of an electrical fire.
Make Sure Fire Extinguishers Work
It’s also essential to make sure that all of your fire extinguishers are fully charged. They also need to be kept in easy reach, so make sure every floor of your hospital has multiple fire extinguishers, and that everyone knows where to find them in case of emergency.
Commercial and Residential Fire Prevention from Judd Fire Protection
If you want to ensure your home and business are safe throughout the year, trust Judd Fire Protection, LLC. We have over two decades of experience in designing, installing, inspecting, and repairing residential and commercial fire protection systems. We serve clients throughout Maryland, Pennsylvania, Washington, D.C., Virginia, and West Virginia. If you are interested in finding out more about our services and protecting your home and business, give us a call at 410-871-3480 or contact us online. For more fire safety tips, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest.