Operating a business in a city often means leasing space in a high-rise. No matter what type of business you run, it’s important to keep safety as your top priority. Use these four tips to run your high-rise business with care.
Practice Evacuations
There are many reasons why your employees and guests will need to know how to quickly and safely evacuate from your high-rise business. Many famous fires have occurred in high-rise buildings, including the MGM Grand Hotel fire and the fires that resulted from the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001. Bomb threats, suspicious packages or substances, a fire, a gas or plumbing leak and sudden exposure to fumes are a few reasons to practice how to evacuate your high-rise business at least once per month.
Consult With Fire Prevention Experts
When your business is located in a high-rise building, it’s important to know what to do in case of a fire. Consulting with fire protection engineers is a smart decision. They can provide you with tips on how to design the floor plan of your business for optimal evacuation speed. They can also assist you with the setup of a sprinkler system. Working with these fire prevention experts and adhering to their recommendations could even lower your business insurance premiums.
Report Damaged or Malfunctioning Safety Systems Immediately
Never assume that someone else has already reported a fire alarm that doesn’t work or an intercom that just delivers static. Report it yourself. The more reports received by building management, the more likely it is that the problem will be fixed. Report signs of tampering, damaged or missing fire extinguishers and other safety systems.
Learn and Post Emergency Numbers
Your business will have some staff turnover. Be sure to give each employee the correct emergency phone numbers. Those numbers should also be posted by every phone, intercom and computer workstation. There should be more than one number to contact in case of an emergency. Know what to do if the phone lines go down or if the first number you call isn’t answered by someone who can help.
Safety procedures in high-rise buildings require more practice and attention than in single-story and other low-rise buildings that offer easier egress. The sheer number of people in a high-rise building complicates matters around safety. Each of these tips will help you keep your employees and guests safe while working in a high-rise building.
Bio: Rachelle Wilber is a freelance writer living in the San Diego, California area. She graduated from San Diego State University with her Bachelor’s Degree in Journalism and Media Studies. She tries to find an interest in all topics and themes, which prompts her writing. When she isn’t on her porch writing in the sun, you can find her shopping, at the beach, or at the gym. Follow her on Twitter and Facebook: @RachelleWilber; https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100009221637700