With South Africa currently in the heart of winter, the risk of fire incidents in commercial properties becomes increasingly significant. Fires and explosions consistently rank among the top 10 global business risks according to Moonstone, emphasising the necessity for businesses to be fully prepared. This season brings its own set of challenges, particularly with South Africa’s ageing infrastructure and the growing use of solar energy systems, which introduce new fire hazards.
The Role of Ageing Infrastructure and Solar Energy
South Africa’s ageing infrastructure can exacerbate fire risks, particularly in terms of inadequate municipal water supplies and fire services. These weaknesses can make it difficult to combat fires once they have started. Additionally, the increasing adoption of solar energy, while beneficial in many respects, has introduced the risk of fires associated with the use and storage of lithium-ion batteries.
Proactive Fire Prevention
Effective fire prevention starts with a proactive approach to risk management. It’s not just about responding to a fire when it happens; it’s about taking every possible precaution to prevent it from happening in the first place. Businesses must adopt robust fire safety measures to minimise the risk and ensure they are well-prepared to handle any incidents that do occur.
Key Precautionary Measures for Businesses
- Maintain Fire Extinguishers: Having fire extinguishers on-site is critical, but it’s not enough to install them and forget about them. Regular maintenance and inspections are essential to ensure they are in working order when needed.
- Fire Safety Training for Employees: Every employee should be trained in fire safety protocols. This includes understanding emergency evacuation procedures, knowing the locations of fire extinguishers, and being able to operate them confidently.
- Electrical Safety: Electrical fires are a significant risk, especially with old or faulty wiring. Businesses should ensure that all electrical installations are up to date and that wiring and sockets are regularly inspected. Overloaded sockets and tangled extension cords are common fire hazards that should be avoided.
- Compliance with Gas Regulations: For businesses that use gas, it’s vital to comply with all safety regulations. This includes regular servicing of gas appliances and ensuring that gas containers are properly installed and stored. A compliance certificate for gas installations should always be obtained and kept up to date.
- Handle Flammable Materials Carefully: Many workplaces use flammable materials, which must be handled with care. Special precautions should be in place to prevent these materials from igniting and spreading fire.
- Reduce Flammable Material Build-up: Accumulations of paper, cardboard, and other flammable materials can increase the spread of fire. Regular cleaning and waste management practices are essential to minimise this risk.
- Install Smoke Detectors: Smoke detectors should be installed throughout the premises and linked to an armed response system. This ensures that any fire is detected early, even when no one is on-site.
- Implement a Fire Sprinkler System: An automatic sprinkler system is one of the most effective defences against fire. These systems, when professionally installed and regularly serviced, can control or extinguish fires before they cause significant damage.
The Bottom Line
Savvy business owners understand that effective risk management is the key to protecting their premises from fire, especially during the colder months. By implementing these precautionary measures, businesses in South Africa can significantly reduce their fire risk, ensuring that they are well-prepared to protect their properties and assets this winter. At RBS, we’re here to support you in safeguarding your business against the unexpected.
About RBS
Risk Benefit Solutions, better known as RBS, originated as an entrepreneurial-focused services business in 1998 and today is one of the largest fully-fledged black-owned insurance brokers in South Africa and a Level One B-BBEE contributor. Celebrating 25 years in business this year, our growth has contributed to offering clients a unique approach to risk management by positioning our skilled resources as an extension of our client’s risk management team. Our company covers various services, including Insurance Broking, Risk Management, Commercial and Corporate Risk Advisors, and Corporate Vehicle Hire Services. With its head office in Cape Town, RBS has offices in Gauteng, the Eastern Cape and globally, represented through its board membership with WING (Worldwide Insurance Network Group).