Fire Prevention and Safety
Part II

By David Wilhite

According to the U.S. Fire Administration, business-related fires claim scores of livesand cause more than $1 billion in damages each year.

Fire Prevention Week is held once each year to commemorate one of the worst fires inAmerican history--the Great Chicago Fire of 1871. According to popular legend, at about 9p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 8, a cow in a barn behind Katherine O'Leary's cottage at 137 DeKovenStreet kicked over a lantern, which started the blaze. Unusually brisk fall winds causedthe fire to quickly race out of control and, by 1:30 a.m., the entire downtown businessdistrict was in flames. By dawn, nearly 300 Chicagoans were dead and more than 17,500buildings had been destroyed.

In 1922, President Warren G. Harding established National Fire Prevention Week to honorthe memories of the victims and to help drive home the importance of fire safety. Today itis important to remember that fire prevention should be practiced every day, not just oneweek of each year. By following safety procedures and recognizing potential hazards, youand your employees can prevent fires and help save lives at your facility. Remember, thebest way to survive a fire is through prevention. Start by becoming aware of any potentialhazards that exist on your premises, and take steps to correct them immediately.

General Fire-Prevention Guidelines

What To Do in the Event of a Fire

Knowing what to do in the first few minutes after a fire breaks out on your facility isessential to minimizing property losses, preventing injuries and saving lives. In theevent of a fire, call the fire department immediately, regardless of the size of theblaze. (Never assume this has been done). Many businesses have been destroyed by smallfires that got out of control in the time it took for the fire department to arrive. Youshould also activate the nearest fire-alarm pull station if there is one available on yourpremises. Special note for indoor-storage owners: If you or your employees have any doubtabout the size of a fire or your ability to contain a blaze, you should evacuate thepremises immediately, and be sure to close all doors and any windows behind you. If youencounter smoke, take an alternate exit or crawl underneath it, staying low to the floorwhere the air is cleanest.

Remember, as a facility owner you are responsible for a number of items:

As part of your operation's safety program, your employees should know the following:

Fighting Small Fires

The very first thing you or any employee should do in the event of a fire is to callthe fire department (or dial 9-1-1) and ensure everyone has evacuated your premises. Oncethat has been done, you may attempt to control a small fire with a fire extinguisher thatis properly rated for the type of fire you are fighting (paper, electrical, etc.).Remember, the most important concern when a fire breaks out is the safety of you, yourtenants and your employees. Keep the following three points in mind:

Arson

Arson is one of the leading causes of commercial fires. In fact, fire-safety expertsestimate that nearly one-quarter of all fires affecting businesses may be the work ofarsonists, many of whom are vandals or burglars attempting to destroy evidence of theirbreak-in. Listed below are some commonsense guidelines that you and your employees canfollow to reduce the likelihood of arson in your facility:

Finally, remember no matter how large or small your self-storage facility may be,securing adequate insurance coverage is essential for protecting your business and yourpeace of mind.

David Wilhite is the marketing manager of Universal Insurance Facilities Inc.Universal offers a complete package of coverages specifically designed to meet the needsof the self-storage industry, including loss of income, employee dishonesty, comprehensivebusiness liability, hazardous-contents removal and customer storage. For more information,contact Universal at Box 40079, Phoenix, AZ 85067-0079; phone (800) 844-2101; fax (602)970-6240; Web: www.vpico.com/universal.