Fire Prevention Week 2023: how employers can protect employees from fire risks

October 9, 2023

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Every 23 seconds, a fire department in the United States responds to a fire. In 2021 alone, U.S. firefighters responded to an estimated 1,353,500 fires. It is true the number of fires and fire deaths have decreased in prevalence since the 1970’s, but that should not encourage complacency. Fire Prevention Week (FPW) takes place October 8-14 — a reminder for employers to reevaluate their prevention plans and understand the risks.

Every year in the United States, there are 16,500 office and store fires that cause nearly $1 billion in direct property damage, according to the United States Fire Administration (USFA). In addition to potential loss of life and property damage, people can lose their jobs, and the community may lose vital services provided by impacted businesses.

Fire prevention 

The most successful recipe for fire safety — in the workplace and beyond — is implementing fire safety technologies and practices using the latest codes and standards. According to a 2021 National Fire Prevention Association (NFPA) report on fire safety in the U.S., the biggest single factor contributing to decreasing fires and fire deaths has been the use of smoke alarms — as mandated by fire and building codes — in addition to continued public education about their significance. A holistic approach to fire safety is necessary to ensure that new products and technologies do not cause unintended fire risks. 

As an employer, you have an opportunity and a responsibility to keep employees safe. Guidance from the NFPA helps dictate how.

General maintenance

Smoke alarms need replaced 10 years from the date of manufacture, which can be found on the back of the alarm. Ensuring fire sprinklers are properly installed and functional is of equal importance. Conduct regular checks regarding workspaces and equipment being kept clean, dry and well ventilated. Check the condition of fire ladders and escapes.

To address the risk of aging electrical systems and subsequent electricity exposure, check for damaged or overloaded electrical outlets, cords and cables. Additionally, keep anything that is flammable away from electrical equipment. Educate employees about the dangers of leaving portable heating devices unattended. Ensure windows can be opened and screens can be removed, and remove any obstacles from each exit. 

Code compliance

A workplace is only as safe as its adherence to code, making it critical to support effective code enforcement. This includes applying all standards that are referenced within the primary fire, life safety, building and electrical codes and standards. 

Compliance is not only necessary to keep in mind during the construction phase — it is integral throughout the lifecycle of a building, from planning all the way to demolition. Enacting and enforcing codes and standards, and ensuring on-going inspection, testing and maintenance of facilities and safety systems, is necessary to reduce deaths, injuries and losses resulting from building fires. To do so, sufficient resources must be allocated to ensure construction and maintenance meet code requirements.

Codes and standards are updated (typically on a three-to-five-year basis) to reflect our changing world. It is important to adopt the latest codes and standards developed by experts to ensure protection against potential new risks arising in the workplace.

Invest in safety, emergency preparedness

To prevent fire occurrences requires employers to invest in employee safety from the start. Life safety measures should never be disregarded for the sake of cost-cutting. Instead, focus on the potential of lives saved due to fire prevention efforts and protecting the organization’s most valuable asset: workers. 

To ensure the highest level of safety, create and document an emergency plan in the event a fire does start and communicate it regularly to employees. The plan should detail preparedness capabilities and responses for all parts of the emergency — before, during and after. Employees must be informed. Actively carry out routine practice runs of the plan.

Additionally, implement fire safety measures throughout the building, including the posting of clear fire escape plans on every level of the building. Include fire prevention in employee training, and educate employees about exit locations, escape routes and fire protection equipment. Where possible, reward employees who recommit to fire prevention, protection and education. Invest in sprinklers, smoke alarms and other critical tools that will diminish losses from fire-related hazards.

Take lithium-ion battery safety seriously

Lithium-ion batteries are ubiquitous in our businesses. These batteries supply power to everything from smart phones and laptops to e-scooters, e-bikes, smoke alarms and cars. Due to these batteries storing a large amount of energy in a small amount of space, they present fire risks if a person does not follow product instructions while using, storing or disposing of them. And, like any product, a small number of these batteries may be defective. Minor manufactural imperfections can cause significant problems. In particular, the batteries can overheat, catch fire or explode. 

Be aware of and encourage employees to practice lithium-ion battery safety:

Usage:

  • Only purchase and use devices that are listed by a qualified testing laboratory.
  • Stop using lithium-ion batteries if you notice an odor, change in color, too much heat, change in shape, leaking or odd noises. If it is safe to do so, move the device away from anything that can catch fire, and call 9-1-1.
  • Do not put lithium-ion batteries in direct sunlight or keep them in hot cars.
  • Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions.
  • Only use the battery that is designed for the device.
  • Install batteries in the device properly.
  • Only use the charging cord that came with the device.
  • Do not keep charging the device or device battery after it is fully charged. 
  • Avoid crushing, bending or dropping a device or its charger.

Disposal: 

  • Do not dispose of lithium-ion batteries in the trash. Recycle them at your local battery recycling facility.
  • Do not put discarded batteries in piles.

Storage: 

  • Store spare lithium-ion batteries away from anything that can catch fire.
  • Remove lithium-ion batteries from your checked luggage and keep them with you on the plane.
  • Store lithium-ion batteries at room temperature when possible. Do not charge them at temperatures below 32 degrees F (0 degrees C) or above 105 degrees F (40 degrees C).

Learn more > EFI Global, a leading provider of forensic engineering, fire investigation and environmental services, is your partner in every aspect of business — before, during and after a disaster event. For more information, visit efiglobal.com.

EFI Global expands Canadian offerings through acquisition of Wentzell Engineering Limited

September 9, 2021

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Deal adds diverse local and technical forensic engineering investigation expertise to EFI Global’s robust services

TORONTO, September 9, 2021 – EFI Globala leading full-service international consulting firm specializing in forensic engineering, environmental, fire investigation and specialty consulting services and a division of Sedgwick, announced it has acquired Wentzell Engineering Limited. Wentzell provides professional investigative and engineering services to insurance companies, adjusters, law firms, corporations and law enforcement agencies throughout Atlantic Canada.

With this strategic acquisition, EFI Global expands its fire investigation and forensic engineering service lines in Canada and supports the company’s ongoing growth strategy for North America. Joining forces also opens access to more diverse, localized training and expertise across both teams, while Wentzell will drive new engineering capacity through shared sales service and support from EFI Global.

“We are thrilled to add the Wentzell team to the EFI Global family and fuel our continued growth in the Canadian market,” said Jeremy Mele, president of EFI Global. “Wentzell has deep local expertise, the latest technology and equipment and a skilled talent network that will be vital assets to us in providing the highest quality services to our clients.”

“As the insurance market shifts, this move will provide a new platform for Wentzell to grow and share in the services and support EFI Global provides,” said Ryan Grimm, president of Wentzell Engineering. “Our team has the technical expertise and equipment that, combined with EFI Global’s technical capabilities and excellent service, will provide the Atlantic Canada region with unmatched service in forensic engineering investigations. This acquisition will make EFI Global the largest multidiscipline forensic firm in Atlantic Canada offering engineering, fire and environmental services.”

For more on EFI Global in Canada, visit efiglobal.ca.

About EFI Global

EFI Global, a Sedgwick company, is a well-established brand with an excellent reputation in Brazil, Canada, Colombia, New Zealand, South Africa, U.K. and the U.S. as a market leader in environmental consulting, engineering failure analysis and origin-and-cause investigations. Each year, EFI Global completes more than 45,000 projects worldwide for a wide range of clients, such as commercial, industrial, institutional, insurance, government, risk managers, public and private entities. EFI Global is one of the world’s most respected emergency response firms, capable of providing practical solutions to the most complex problems. Our multidisciplinary team of first responders, project managers, engineers, geologists and scientists are selected for their technical proficiency and in-depth industry knowledge to aid clients in resolving technical problems. For more, see efiglobal.com.

About Sedgwick

Sedgwick is a leading global provider of technology-enabled risk, benefits and integrated business solutions. The company provides a broad range of resources tailored to our clients’ specific needs in casualty, property, marine, benefits, brand protection and other lines. At Sedgwick, caring counts; through the dedication and expertise of more than 27,000 colleagues across 65 countries, the company takes care of people and organizations by mitigating and reducing risks and losses, promoting health and productivity, protecting brand reputations, and containing costs that can impact the bottom line. Sedgwick’s majority shareholder is The Carlyle Group; Stone Point Capital LLC, Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec (CDPQ), Onex and other management investors are minority shareholders. For more, see www.sedgwick.com.