Fire safety is an important area of concern, especially when it comes to long-term rental properties and commercial complexes seeing higher footfall. There are key additions that all owners can make to their apartments to be compliant with fire safety laws and general best practices.
Install the necessary carbon and smoke alarms
All properties should have functioning smoke alarms attached in key areas, especially above the kitchen stove. These smoke alarms can alert neighbors in the event of a fire and enable someone to call the fire station in time. Functioning smoke alarms cut the risk of fatal incidents by 50 percent within the home.
Carbon monoxide alarms are important to install as well, as carbon monoxide poisoning could lead to long-term health related consequences. Renters can also be exposed to slow releases of carbon monoxide poisoning, which can create chronic respiratory problems.
Ensure that there is no gas leakage
Any gas lines that are faulty or leaking should be repaired immediately. This is so there’s no chance of a sparking incident or a gas stove that’s left on for too long in a locked room. Gas leaks are some of the more common forms of fire hazards presenting themselves in unknown ways.
Additionally, gas leaks should be fixed immediately upon recognizing the first signs of a leakage. The gas line should be shut off completely in the event that a leak is detected. Landlords can work with a maintenance firm to review where the leakage could have emerged from.
Electrical safety is key
Certain electrical outlets can cause electrical fires that could rapidly spread to the entire home. That’s why it’s important to follow all electrical safety compliance measures within the home, so that tenants can live peacefully within the space.
Landlords generally perform a comprehensive check-up on the electrical outlets of the rental properties. Since electrical safety is a key issue, it’s important to work with premier firms in the space of maintenance and repairs.
Fire-fighting equipment should be ready
Fire-fighting equipment should be present on every floor of the property developed. This is important to ensure that every home within that floor space can be covered by a fire hose, and all doors can be unlocked easily.
Fire extinguishers should also be present at a nearby distance, along with fire safety/refuge areas designed for every floor. By regularly maintaining the trees and bushes within the property, a fire can be contained within a certain parameter if it spreads out.
Performing timely fire assessments
Landlords need to perform timely fire assessments for all their rental properties across locations. While it’s important to remain compliant to safety protocols, landlords can perform regular tests to ensure that everything is secure.
From checking the batteries on the smoke alarm to ensuring that the extinguisher hasn’t expired, it’s important to perform regular tests so a fire doesn’t break out into other homes from a single source.
Designing and communicating a viable fire escape route
All landlords must put together a robust fire escape route that all tenants can take advantage of. The fire plan must have a specified route through which all tenants can escape the building.
Adding to that, the landlord must communicate the plan to all tenants living in the building so that they have a viable route to use. Providing simple tips, along with some basic strategies, can aid in the safety of every tenant in the event that a fire breaks out.
There are multiple platforms online that offer fire safety checklists along with free tenant screening that all landlords can use. These platforms can also help you stay compliant to all regulations concerning your particular property.
