As a business owner, ensuring the safety of your employees and property should be of utmost importance. One way to ensure your business is protected is by consulting a certified fire protection specialist. However, there are common mistakes businesses make that could end up being costly in the long run. In this article, we’ll discuss three mistakes to avoid when consulting a certified fire protection specialist, and the potential costs to your business. And these costs can be financial, material or even loss of life in a worst case scenario.
Mistake #1: Not Conducting a Thorough Risk Assessment
One of the most common mistakes businesses make when consulting a certified fire protection specialist is not conducting a thorough risk assessment. This can result in inadequate fire protection systems that do not meet your specific needs. Without a proper risk assessment, your business may not have the necessary fire protection measures in place, leaving you vulnerable to potential fires.
In New South Wales (NSW) between 2018-2019, the NSW Fire Brigades responded to 13,067 fires, with a total estimated cost of $991 million in damages. In Queensland (QLD), in 2018-2019, the Queensland Fire and Emergency Services responded to 30,904 fires, resulting in a total estimated cost of $275 million in damages. As technology, infrastructure and response times improve these numbers are decreasing, but ultimately the cost to a business is not only monetary, it is human.
Mistake #2: Focusing Only on Compliance
While it’s important to comply with fire safety regulations, it’s equally important to focus on protecting your business and employees from potential fires. Some businesses make the mistake of solely focusing on compliance and not taking additional steps to improve their fire protection systems. This can result in inadequate protection, leaving your business and employees vulnerable to fires, and failure to comply can result in expensive fines.
Mistake #3: Choosing the Wrong Fire Protection Specialist
Choosing the wrong fire protection specialist can be a costly mistake for your business. Some businesses make the mistake of choosing a fire protection specialist based solely on cost, rather than qualifications and experience. This can result in inadequate protection and potentially costly mistakes.
The Business Case for Employing a Certified Fire Protection Specialist Company
Employing a certified fire protection specialist company can help ensure your business is protected from potential fires. A certified fire protection specialist will conduct a thorough risk assessment of your property and provide customized fire protection solutions that meet your specific needs. They will also ensure your business is compliant with fire safety regulations.
The financial cost of non-compliance with fire safety regulations can be significant. Penalties for non-compliance can range from a few thousand dollars to hundreds of thousands of dollars, depending on the severity of the violation. In addition to the financial cost, non-compliance can also result in damage to your property, loss of inventory, and potentially, loss of life.
Employing a certified fire protection specialist company may require an initial investment, but it’s an investment in the safety of your employees and property. The cost of a fire protection system will vary depending on the size and complexity of your business, but it’s a small price to pay compared to the potential costs of non-compliance and the potential loss of life.
In conclusion, avoiding these three common mistakes when consulting a certified fire protection specialist can help ensure your business is adequately protected from potential fires. Employing a certified fire protection specialist company is a smart investment in the safety of your employees and property, and can help protect your business from potentially costly mistakes. Don’t wait until it’s too late – ensure your business is protected today by consulting a certified fire protection specialist.
