Author: Titan Alarm

Few work environments pose a bigger fire hazard than a construction site. U.S. Fire Administration figures indicate that there are more than 4,800 construction site fires each year, resulting in approximately $35 million in property damage. Construction fires are difficult to contain for a wide variety of reasons, such as the high volume of flammable materials on the site and the absence of adequate fire protection systems.

Common Construction Site Fire Hazards

There are numerous potential construction site hazards that can cause a fire:

• Combustible materials: Most construction sites are filled with materials that can easily catch fire, such as liquid fuel, lumber and protective coverings for equipment. These types of fires can spread quickly and cause extensive damage in a short period of time.

• Electrical wiring: Faulty, exposed or improperly installed electrical wiring is a major fire hazard at many construction sites.

• Unattended heating units: The use of space heaters is common at many construction sites in colder climates. However, they pose a significant fire hazard if they’re left unattended or placed too close to flammable materials.

• Careless smoking: While there may be rules in place that prohibit smoking on a construction site, they don’t always prevent construction workers from smoking on the job. It only takes one carelessly discarded cigarette to ignite a deadly blaze.

• Arson: Many construction fires are intentionally set by vandals or disgruntled workers.

Construction Site Fire Safety Tips

While it may be impossible to eliminate all building site hazards that can cause a fire, there are a variety of preventive steps site managers and employees can take to minimize the risk. These include:

• Substituting flammable building materials with flame retardant products wherever possible
• Keeping the site free of discarded trash
• Strictly enforcing no smoking policies
• Restricting the use of space heaters in high-risk areas
• Properly training workers on safe work practices
• Storing combustible materials away from buildings that are under construction
• Ensuring all electrical work complies with all applicable fire and building codes
• Keeping all equipment in proper working order
• Placing fire extinguishers at individual work areas and ensuring workers know how to operate them

Taking Appropriate Security Measures

Tight security can help to prevent acts of vandalism and arson. Consider installing perimeter fencing around the site and all equipment and material storage areas. If hiring trained security personnel is not a practical alternative for your construction operation, a high-quality security system including strategically placed video cameras, motion detectors and access control devices can provide reliable around-the-clock site surveillance.

If you manage residential or commercial construction sites in the Phoenix, AZ area, Titan Alarm, Inc. can design and install an effective security system that will fully protect the property and give you peace of mind. We offer the most innovative site security products on the market, including IP cameras, access control systems and motion detection devices. We can also install a fire alarm system with 24/7 monitoring that ensures early detection if a fire breaks out. Contact us to schedule a no-obligation consultation today.

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Updated by Titan Alarm on November 2, 2018.

It’s hard to pick up a newspaper or watch a newscast without coming across a story about a devastating fire in a business establishment. Approximately 80,000 commercial fires occur in the U.S. each year, resulting in about 18,000 injuries, 3,000 deaths and billions of dollars in property damage. Fire is also one of the major causes of accidents in the workplace.

Exploring the Numerous Fire Hazards at Work

The many potential causes of fires in the workplace include:

• Careless cooking: While we tend to think of cooking-related fires as only occurring in the home, they are also a leading fire hazard in the office and other work environments. The NFPA reports that about 25 percent of fires in office buildings are caused by cooking equipment. Many workers do not exercise the same degree of caution when cooking at work as they do at home. Preparing food outside of kitchens or other designated cooking areas also poses a significant fire hazard in many workplaces.

• Electrical issues: There are numerous sources of electrical fires in a commercial establishment. Examples include faulty or loose wiring, overloaded circuits and other electrical systems, the unsafe use of electrical equipment and the failure to maintain adequate spacing between electric heating units and combustible materials.

• Careless smokers: These days, most workplaces are required by law to establish designated smoking areas. However, the heavy concentration of smokers in one area can pose a fire hazard. Fires can also be caused by smokers who attempt to “sneak” a cigarette in off-limits areas and fail to properly extinguish it.

• Neglected commercial heating systems: Timely heating system maintenance is often overlooked in many commercial buildings. A neglected heating system will not only lead to increased energy costs, but it can also pose a serious fire hazard.

• Inappropriate storage/handling of combustible materials: Many workplaces are filled with flammable or combustible materials. The failure to safely handle or store these materials can increase the risk of fire. For example, one of the most significant office fire hazards is the improper storage of paper files and documents.

• Improper disposal of waste materials: Some work procedures produce combustible byproducts or require the use of hazardous materials. If not properly disposed of, these materials could ignite and cause a fire.

• Arson: Whether due to acts of vandalism or an effort to collect insurance proceeds, many workplace fires are intentionally set. The commercial buildings most susceptible to arson are those that are unoccupied or abandoned, although virtually any business structure is at risk.

Protect Your Workplace With a Custom-Designed Fire Alarm System

Installing an advanced commercial fire detection system can dramatically reduce the risk of a destructive fire at your facility. The most effective systems feature a combination of fire alarms, smoke detectors and sprinklers and include 24/7 monitoring services. If you own a business in the Phoenix area, Titan Alarm, Inc. can design and install a customized fire alarm system that will provide reliable around-the-clock protection for your facility. Contact us to schedule a no-obligation on-site consultation today.

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Updated by Titan Alarm on November 2, 2018.

Except for the summer months, kids probably spend more time at school than anywhere else. As parents, we want to make sure the school environment is as safe as possible for children. The following kids’ school safety tips can help you keep your kids out of harm’s way and give you a little extra peace of mind:

• Become familiar with school policies: At the beginning of each school year, review the school’s handbook to learn about its policies regarding potential child safety issues such as bullying, fighting and visitor access. You’ll also want to know what plans are in place in case of an emergency. Contact the school administration if you have questions or concerns about any safety procedures.

• Teach your kids how to handle difficult situations: Bullying is a common problem in many schools that can sometimes evolve into a dangerous situation. Instruct your kids on how to react if they feel threatened by another student. Explain how talking about the problem with you or a teacher or simply walking away are much better alternatives than responding to the bully and getting into a fight.

• Keep an open dialog: Children often will not volunteer information about what is going on at school, especially if they are being bullied or have gotten into trouble. Open communication can go a long way toward keeping children safe in school. The simple act of asking open-ended questions about your child’s day at school can often reveal whether they may be experiencing any difficulties.

• Get involved with school activities: Getting involved in school activities such as PTA and clubs can actually contribute to the safety of children at school. You’ll have a better insight into the school’s environment, and the interaction with other parents can sometimes provide information about what is happening at the school. You will also become a stronger presence in your child’s life.

• Inform school officials of any health conditions: If your child has a chronic health condition that may prevent them from engaging in certain activities, bring this to the attention your child’s teachers. Make sure your child has all medications with them before heading to school.

• Safety to and from school: Safety threats can also occur outside of school, especially when kids are heading to school or on their way home. If your kids walk to school, have them walk with another classmate, if possible. Also avoid placing an open label with your child’s name on their backpack, as this can allow a stranger to call out their name.

Bullying can even occur on a school bus, too. If your child rides the bus, get to know the bus driver and touch base with them periodically to determine if there are any concerning issues.

A Titan Alarm Security System Can Help Keep Kids Safe in School

An advanced security system with features such as video cameras and access control devices can also help keep children safe in school. If you are a school administrator in the Phoenix, AZ area, contact Titan Alarm, Inc. to explore your security options.

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Updated by Titan Alarm on November 2, 2018.

Safety and security is always a top concern for restaurant owners. Restaurant workers face a relatively high risk of injury and illness, many of which can easily be prevented through proper training. Restaurants are also vulnerable to robberies and burglaries, and internal theft by employees is not an uncommon occurrence, either.

In this post, we will provide a few restaurant health and safety tips for employees, as well as offer some practical crime prevention advice to help you create a more secure environment.

Restaurant Safety Tips

Restaurant safety practices should focus on three basic areas: (a) removing potential hazards where possible, (b) finding ways to improve work procedures, and (c) making use of protective clothing and equipment. Appropriate restaurant safety training can positively impact the latter two areas. Specific training measures include:

• Teaching employees to follow manufacturer instructions and wear protective gear when operating equipment featuring sharp blades or parts (meat slicers or other cutting tools) or equipment that poses a high burn risk (deep fryers, griddles).

• Instructing employees in proper hand-washing techniques and making sure they wash their hands after handling food, utensils and equipment as well as after using the restroom.

• Slipping and falling is a common cause of injuries in restaurants, so employees must be trained to thoroughly clean and dry the floor after a spill.

• Good personal hygiene is essential for protecting the health of all restaurant workers and patrons. Be sure your employees are well-groomed, wear clean clothing or uniforms and avoid coughing or sneezing in food preparation areas.

• Develop an action plan and train employees on how to implement it in the event of a kitchen fire or other emergency situation.

Restaurant Crime Prevention Tips

Implementing the following security measures can make your restaurant less vulnerable to criminal activity:

• Thieves can’t steal something that isn’t there. Don’t leave a lot of cash lying around — make frequent bank deposits of your restaurant’s cash proceeds.

• Make sure at least two employees (or you and another employee) are there to execute your restaurant’s opening and closing each day.

• Employee theft is the most common restaurant crime, and thefts are often perpetrated by “trusted” employees who help to run the establishment. Keep a close watch on all employees, particularly those who handle cash or are involved in any type of sales transaction.

• Install security cameras to monitor vulnerable areas of your business including the kitchen, office, cash register and building entrances.

• Install alarms/intrusion detection systems to deter burglaries and immediately alert first responders in the event of an after-hours break-in or fire.

 Contact Titan Alarm for Your Restaurant Security Needs

Installing a state-of-the-art, fully integrated security system consisting of elements such as access control, alarms and alerts, video surveillance and intrusion detection is a critical security measure for any restaurant. If you operate a restaurant in the Phoenix, AZ area, the security professionals at Titan Alarm, Inc. can help you design and implement a customized security solution to protect your establishment against theft, fire and other hazards. Contact us to schedule an on-site consultation today.

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Updated by Titan Alarm on November 2, 2018.