Emergency Action Planning & Business Continuity

Overview

Every year, tens of thousands of fires occur in commercial occupancies in the U.S. The impact of these fires can be devastating; both in terms of property damage and loss of business. Most small businesses that experience a structure fire never re-open. Is your business taking precautions to ensure safety and maintain normal business operations? Prevention and preparedness are the key! We have some tools to help you.

Emergency Action Planning

At the very least, every facility should develop and implement an emergency plan for protecting employees, visitors, contractors and anyone else in the facility. 

Business Continuity of Operations Planning

When business is disrupted, it can result in lost revenues, extra expenses, or reduced profits. Insurance does not cover all costs after an emergency and insurance cannot replace the customers that are lost to the competition. Having a business continuity plan (BCOOP) to continue business through an emergency is essential to short- and long-term success. 

Business Self-Inspection Fire Safety Checklist

Contact our Community Safety Division for a Self-Inspection Checklist form to assist you in identifying potential hazards in and around your business. This easy-to-use tool will help you to recognize and eliminate dangers where you work. If you need assistance or require a formal fire safety inspection, please contact our office at 970-962-2497.

Fire Alarm and Fire Sprinkler Systems

If your business has a fire alarm system or a fire sprinkler system, be sure that inspections, testing, and maintenance are done regularly. This work should be performed by qualified technicians. If you have questions about your building's fire protection systems, you may find the information you need our Construction Development page.

Smoke Alarms

Some small businesses don't have automatic fire alarm systems. In that case, residential smoke alarms may be used to increase safety for your staff and customers. At a minimum, ensure that your facility has working smoke alarms and carbon monoxide alarms. Test your alarms monthly and replace the batteries as recommended by the manufacturer. Visit the FEMA website to download a fact sheet on Smoke Alarms.

Emergency Preparedness for Businesses

Be prepared for emergencies! Have a plan, and practice it! Smoke and fire can spread rapidly in any type of structure, quickly incapacitating or trapping occupants. Knowing your escape routes and having a pre-designated meeting place outside that all of the occupants of your building know about can save time and save lives during an emergency. Ensure that your business has an established emergency evacuation plan that includes pre-designated meeting places outside the building. Share the details of the plan with all employees and practice the plan regularly. Visit our Emergency Management page for more tips and information.

Fire Extinguishers

Ensure that your business has fire extinguishers ready for use in the event of a fire emergency and that they are inspected annually by a qualified technician. Train employees on the proper use of fire extinguishers and other fire safety and emergency planning topics. Visit the FEMA website to download instructions on selecting and using a fire extinguisher.

Please note: Loveland Fire Rescue Authority does not perform servicing of fire extinguishers. For fire extinguisher service needs, please check the Yellow Pages or search the internet for area businesses that may provide that service.

Knox-Box (Fire Department Access)

Does your business have a Knox box (external key box for fire department access)? If so, are the keys up to date? If your business changes keys or access cards, duplicates of those items need to be maintained in your building's Knox box. Call us at 970-962-2497, or send us an email if you need to verify or change the contents of your building's Knox box. For more information, visit our Knox-Box page.

Other Hazards

Be aware of your potential hazards. Some of the leading causes of fires in business occupancies include arson, cooking fires, and electrical, and heating equipment. Some commercial occupancies have additional or increased hazards based on the nature of the business. Ensure that chemicals and other hazardous materials are handled, used, and stored properly. Many of the potential fire hazards that businesses face are the same as those we face in our own homes. Visit our Safety and Preparedness page for more information about fire prevention and safety behaviors that may be effective at work and home.