The Importance of Training Your Staff on Fire Suppression Systems

Fire safety involves more than installing alarms, overhead sprinklers, and keeping extinguishers charged and ready for use. There's also the need to ensure that every member of the staff knows how to make the best use of the fire systems in place. A combination of information and practical training will accomplish several important goals. Here are some examples that illustrate why the specialized training is so important.

Using the Systems to Contain the Fire

If a fire should break out, there's only a limited amount of time to act. Every second counts in terms of containing the fire and allowing staff the time to get out safely. Only If the staff is trained and know how to use the fire extinguishers it may slow the spread of the fire, the fire department should always be notified and staff should evacuate the buliding.

Engaging Manual Activation Processes

Automatic fire suppression systems are highly unlikely to fail, provided they receive the proper maintenance and upkeep.

It pays to ensure that the staff knows where the manual controls are located and how they can be utilized if the need arises. Along with slowing the progress of the fire, that manual activation will notify authorities and alert people to exit the building.

Avoiding Unnecessary Risk

Proper training will also ensure the staff members do not take risks that could increase the danger to themselves or others in the building. It's all too easy to master the art of using a fire extinguisher and assume that putting out the fire will be easy. That's not always the case.

With the right type of training, staff members will understand when to use extinguishers in conjunction with other safety systems to keep the fire at bay while others get out, and then exit the building as well.

Recognizing When Repairs are Required

Having a service contract in place goes a long way toward ensuring all the equipment is in proper working order. Choosing to train the staff to recognize when something seems out of line with that equipment increases the level of safety in the building.

Whether the business is operated with a small staff or with dozens of people, do not consider fire safety or training to be a task that can wait. Contact a local professional today and arrange for the training to take place as soon as possible. A refresher course at least once a year is not unreasonable. By educating the staff properly, the possibility of keeping everyone safe is much greater.