Owner’s of apartment complexes and property managers need to keep the residents and units safe from the risk of fires. Since people live in close proximity in apartment complexes, a fire to one unit could have a significant impact on other units and put them and other residents at risk. It is extremely important for property managers to prepare and protect from fires.
The following are ways to increase fire safety in your apartment complex:
- Perform routine maintenance on all smoke detectors. Check batteries and make sure the smoke detectors are functioning properly.
- Provide the appropriate number of fire extinguishers throughout the apartment complex. Have certified inspections performed on fire extinguishers on an annual basis in order to properly maintain every fire extinguisher. Proper maintenance of fire extinguishers is extremely important. Fire extinguishers must be maintained every year and the agent and cylinder replaced and tested every few years. The most important thing is that a fire extinguisher function properly when needed.
- Make sure your residents are have an updated fire emergency guide on what to do in the event of a fire. The guide should include items such as evacuation procedures, maps of fire exits, locations of fire extinguishers and any relevant emergency numbers.
- Consider sponsoring an annual fire safety training event for your residents. The event should address the different classes of fires they are most likely to face and the proper method of dealing with the fire and the proper handling of the fire protection equipment.