It’s Fire Safety Week: Here are some tips to fireproof your workplace:

With Fire Protection Week set to run Oct. 9 to 15, Canadian employers are being reminded to take fire prevention more seriously.

Annually for the past 100 years, the National Fire Protection Association has organized Fire Prevention Week to help educate Canadians on fire safety. This year’s theme is “Fire won’t wait. Plan your escape”. The NFPA reported almost 500,000 fires between 2015 and 2019, nearly 115,000 of them in non-residential buildings.

“Installing necessary structures and systems to prevent fires is key to ensuring the safety of buildings,” said Dave Widdis, regional service manager at Classic Fire + Life Safety.  “And that is key to offering staff and customers a safe environment in which they can grow.”

“Even with the Fire Code being widely enforced, we still see many businesses forgetting about the important role that they play in the fire safety of their businesses,” said Chris Berwick, vice-president of service at Classic Fire + Life Safety. “Just like our students are getting back into the school mind-set, this October, we want to remind businesses to get into the fire prevention mind-set and ensure that they are doing the important daily checks and inspections that will keep their property, and the people in them, safe.”

Tips for employers

• Keep doorways, corridors, and egress paths clear and unobstructed
• Install and maintain clear signage for exit doors
• Check the power to your fire alarm system and ensure there are no existing troubles on the panel.
• During winter weather, check fire pump rooms to ensure they are above freezing.
• Do not tamper with any fire system equipment such as smoke detectors, pull stations or fire extinguishers
• Establish a Preventative Maintenance Program and make it a priority
• Comply with all local Fire Code requirements