You probably heard in the news about a fire in healthcare facilities that caused significant damages and injuries to patients and personnel. Such unfortunate events can be prevented by using the right fire suppression systems. One of the reasons why fires start in hospitals and clinics is that these establishments incorporate a plethora of electrical components, health-monitoring systems, and other similar devices. A single short-circuit is enough to cause a problem.

Fortunately, you can do a lot to prevent fires from starting in the first place. Here are some of the best tips and tricks you can take advantage of to avoid fires in your healthcare facility altogether.

Monitor Kitchens Properly

Believe it or not, most fires in healthcare facilities and commercial buildings start in the kitchen. This might happen because of unattended cooking appliances, untrained staff, and other reasons. You should prioritize fire containment and prevention in your kitchens. For example, make sure that you have a few fire extinguishers placed in every kitchen and ensure that your personnel knows how to use them. Secondly, you might want to consider installing hood sprinkler systems. These devices are placed above the cooking appliances and they can immediately spray water and put out fires if they occur.

Inspect Fire Suppression Systems Regularly

Having a poorly-functioning fire suppression system is equal to not having it at all. These devices can save lives and thousands of dollars in damages if they are properly maintained. An annual fire inspection is required by law, so you should prioritize having your fire sprinkler systems checked by professionals on a regular basis. For example, the fire experts will look at your fire extinguishers and see if they are expired. They will check the sensitivity of heat and smoke detectors, see if the sprinkler systems are clogged, and so on. Inspecting your fire suppression systems regularly also gives you more peace of mind.

Educate Employees on How to Use Fire Extinguishers

As mentioned earlier, you should train employees on how to use fire extinguishers. Although using one is not difficult, periodic training about this topic will help the information to sink in at a deeper level. This is necessary because if a fire starts, employees shouldn’t waste time trying to remember how to use a fire extinguisher. Also, keep in mind that a fire starting in your establishment is an emergency situation that can create panic and confusion. You need to rely on trained employees to keep their composure and act quickly to put out the fire.

Designate Smoking Areas Away from Oxygen Tanks

Oxygen tanks and smoking cigarettes don’t make a good pair. Make sure that you create smoking areas outside the perimeter of your healthcare facility and most importantly, away from oxygen tanks. Employees smoking near oxygen tanks is one of the leading causes of fires in hospitals and clinics.

Healthcare facilities should go the extra mile to prevent fires in the first place and contain them if they occur. Protecting the lives of patients and valuable personnel working in hospitals and clinics should be a top priority for owners and managers. Contact ASCO Fire today to learn more about the various fire protection systems that can be implemented in healthcare facilities today.