Tag Archive for: Fire Prevention

6 Smart New Year’s Resolutions for Small Business Owners

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6 Smart New Year’s Resolutions for Small Business Owners

Original By Cheney Insurance

The start of a new year is a good time to reflect on how the past year went for your small business, both the wins and the losses. A thorough, honest review can help you plan for growth and success over the next 12 months.

Here are six New Year’s resolutions that can protect your business and help it thrive – regardless of what the new year brings.

1. Employ strong cybersecurity practices.

Data breaches and other cybercrimes are becoming increasingly common and costly. Here are some ways you can protect your business in the coming year:

  • Install antivirus software and antispyware on all company devices, and always download the latest updates
  • Train employees in cybersecurity principles
  • Change passwords regularly and don’t make them obvious
  • Back up your business data to an off-site location or cloud storage
  • Secure your Wi-Fi networks
  • Develop a cyber risk management plan

2. Develop a disaster plan.

Planning ahead for a disaster can mean the difference between staying in business and losing everything. And it’s one of the easiest ways to help ensure your business survives and recovers.

Sit down and really think about the kinds of disasters that are most likely to affect your business, whether it’s hurricanes, cyber threats, wildfires, earthquakes, tornadoes, labor strikes, or something else. Then, work through each scenario and figure out how you can minimize the potential damage – including transferring the risk via smart insurance strategies.

Before disaster strikes, review your insurance policy with your insurance professional. They can explain your deductibles, your coverage limits, and what you are and aren’t protected against.

3. Shield you and your business from mistakes.

In today’s litigious society, no one is safe from lawsuits. What you think is a simple mistake can be deemed a “wrongful act” and result in a lawsuit. A directors and officers liability (D&O) policy specifically provide coverage for a “wrongful act,” such as an actual or alleged error, misleading statement, neglect, or breach of duty.

Errors and omissions insurance (E&O) is another policy that can fill a gap in your commercial general liability policy. It provides coverage for service errors, contract performance disputes, and other professional liability issues.

4. Learn something new.

As a small business owner who wants to remain competitive, you need to continually expand your skillset and keep up with the latest tools, techniques, and technologies. This helps to enhance innovation and promote operational efficiency.

Seek out professional development opportunities online and in your community. Also, make sure a culture of continuous learning is encouraged at your business and passed along to all employees.

5. Give back.

Incorporate charitable giving into your business plan. It provides a sense of fulfillment and can also help promote your brand. You can give back in one of two ways: your time or your money.

Giving back shows you understand how your business fits into the broader community and highlights a commitment to improving that community for everyone. Consumers would much rather support a business that cares about the well-being of the local community than a company that simply offers services or products.

6. Schedule Inspections.

Start the new year off on the right foot, be sure to include inspections as part of your new year to be sure all of your operations in business are safe & functioning properly. Contact Fire Systems Professionals for our complete inspection services.

Be proactive

As your business’s needs change, so should your insurance.

As you ring in the new year, carve out some time to weigh the risks you and your business face if the unexpected happens. Then, be proactive and contact your trusted professionals at FSP to review your operation practices & safety plans.

Fall Testing: 8 Systems Your Business Should Get Inspected

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Source: summitfiresecurity.com

Fall is the perfect time to book your fire and security maintenance and inspections.

Every building is different; each city and state has special codes and requirements. Please consult your local fire protection and security experts first. Here’s a list of some top building systems that require at least yearly checkups:

  • Video Surveillance Systems
  • Access Control Systems
  • Overhead, Pager, Audio Visual Systems
  • Data Center
  • Fire Alarm Systems
  • Fire Sprinkler Systems
  • Portable Fire Extinguishers
  • Suppression Systems

This list does not include all systems that need annual inspections. If you aren’t sure which systems need to be inspected and how often, fire protection professionals, (like us) will know.

Why should I get my systems inspected?

It’s easy to forget about inspections and maintenance as you’re running a successful business, combating pandemic uncertainties, or settling into a building after a move. Like anything, even the best security and fire protection systems need a tune-up. With an ever-changing environment, the systems need maintenance to better adapt over time and keep your assets safe in the case of an emergency.

For older buildings, it’s essential to keep up on inspections and maintenance. That way you’ll know right away if your property needs an upgraded system and can budget it in. It’s also important to schedule your maintenance to ensure your building’s systems are up to code. Quite often and sometimes without notification, local rules and regulations change. A certified fire safety expert makes it easy to ensure your building is safe and up to date. These experts frequently work with your local fire marshal and understand the necessary fire and security codes. They’ll take the guesswork out of the necessary maintenance, so you can worry less about your building’s safety systems.

Ready to book your inspection and maintenance appointment?

Contact our team of experts today!

4 Fire Prevention Tips for Your Business

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by Justin Metz

Reducing the risk of a potential fire at your business is one of the most important things you can do to help protect your customers, employees, and property.

The U.S. Fire Administration reports that more than 111,000 nonresidential building fires occurred in 2017. Those fires caused 1,200 injuries and more than $2.7 billion in damages. For business owners, these damages can extend beyond physical repairs. It could mean weeks, or even months, of lost revenue while your property is restored.

So what steps can you take to help ensure a crisis like this doesn’t happen at your business? Give these four tips a try:

1. CHECK POTENTIAL FIRE HAZARDS.

According to the American Red Cross, there are a number of common hazards in any home or business that are likely to be the source of a fire. Conduct a survey of your business and examine these potential problem areas:

  • Make sure machines and equipment are clean and well maintained.
  • Keep any combustible objects away from space heaters or furnaces.
  • Properly store flammables away in cabinets and away from ignition sources.
  • Check appliance cords and replace any broken connectors or cracked insulation.
  • Use only one extension cord for each power outlet.
  • Allow room behind any appliances to allow air to circulate and prevent overheating.

2. ENSURE YOU HAVE THE PROPER SAFETY EQUIPMENT.

Every business should have functioning fire extinguishers. But it’s also wise to consider smoke detectors, sprinklers, or a fire alarm. Remember, the life expectancy of a smoke detector is only 8-10 years.

Look into a specialized fire suppression system if your business has large operations or machinery that is capable of overheating; commercial cooking equipment; or especially flammable materials on site.

3. MAKE SURE YOUR EQUIPMENT IS UP TO DATE.

Did you know that fire extinguishers have a shelf life of between five and 15 years – even if there is no expiration date listed? Over time, these pieces of equipment can lose their pressure. So make sure your extinguisher is working properly by checking the pressure gauge every month. If the needle is in yellow or red, it may need to be repaired or replaced.

Be sure to replace your extinguisher if you notice any of these signs:

  • The hose or nozzle is cracked, ripped, or jammed.
  • The locking pin is unsealed or missing.
  • The handle is missing or unsteady.
  • The inspection sticker or service record is missing.

4. COMMUNICATE WITH YOUR STAFF.

Preparation is one of the most important elements of fire safety.  In a crisis, having an emergency plan is a critical element to successfully prevent injuries, loss of life, and property damage. To help keep your employees safe, be sure to regularly communicate your fire safety procedures.

  • Describe where they should go if evacuation is needed.
  • Explain how you will notify them of an emergency, whether it’s through voice communication or a sound like a bell, whistle, or horn.
  • Make sure your evacuation plans accommodate employees with disabilities, such as someone with hearing loss or who uses a wheelchair.
  • Provide training, such as fire drills, to practice your emergency plan.
  • Remind your employees not to store anything on stairways or along your fire escape routes.

As a business owner, you expect your insurance to be there when things go wrong. But did you know that Fire Systems Professionals is here to help you reduce risks in the first place?

Contact our team of experienced professionals with over 20+ years in the business can help your business remain up to date and safe from potential hazards. Click Here to get in touch with us today!

How The Weather Can Affect Your Business

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Weather significantly impacts businesses in different ways ranging from products, employees, customers to property. It is important for a business to stay prepared for challenging situations that could be caused by adverse weather conditions. All types of businesses can be directly or indirectly affected by bad and good weather. Below is a discussion of some of the ways your business can be affected by the weather.

By: IntelligentHQ

Effects on Customers

  • You have to know the behavior of your customers during different times of the year. This is not only important for the tourism industry but also local businesses. A good businessperson should know the impacts of weather on customer’s buying habits to optimize sales. A business should invest in extensive research as well as weather predictions to set prices and offers that meet the demands of consumers.
  • You should not only identify the impacts of weather to optimize current business operations but also predict future performance. If your business performs well in one season, there is no guarantee that the same will occur on the next one. Understanding the different types of growth helps you to prepare for undesirable weather fluctuations that may happen in the future.

Product Prices

  • The prices of most commodities fluctuate depending on weather conditions. For instance, businesses based on agricultural productions are directly affected by seasonal yields. Some raw materials are expensive when they are not easily available during certain weather conditions. If you understand and predict such fluctuations, it can help in your financial projections.
  • The energy industry is also significantly affected by the weather. For example, all businesses are affected by oil prices during certain seasons. During winter, there is a high demand for oil hence its high prices. Transportation becomes expensive as well as the cost of products being transported.

Employee Performance

  • The performance of employees is affected by weather conditions. During warm winter, layoffs do not happen frequently. If the weather is conducive and people are extremely active, a business requires to employ more staff to cater to the need of consumers. The increased number of workers means increased expenses in terms of wages and salaries. If you are not well prepared for the seasonal increase in demand, you will face employee shortage thus reduced profits.
  • The weather also plays a major role in scheduling. The consistency of business operations is determined by the way it prepares for weather fluctuations. Delays in weather could result in delayed projects and slow operations. Catching up the work that was supposed to be done could be expensive thus cutting down profits.

Destruction of Property

  • Weather could also be destructive to your business. Some of the adverse weather conditions that destroy property include floods, ice, storms, strong winds. Other hazards such as fire could result from bad weather. You have to assess risks and protect your business from such terrible situations. You may as well consider visiting WeatherStationAdvisor.com to learn more about the factors to consider when buying a personal weather station that could help you predict weather fluctuations.

As discussed above, weather plays a major role in determining the success of a business. As a business person, it is your duty to study seasonal fluctuations and come up with the most appropriate measures and plan of action to keep your business going and your customers and employees safe!

Does Your Business Have a Security Plan?

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Kim Zimmermann, BusinessNewsDaily Contributor

You probably won’t find many small businesses who have a head of security, but that does not mean they shouldn’t have a plan to prevent loss of property or even life in the event of a burglary or other event.

The most important asset are the lives and safety of all staff, experts agreed, but there are other things that need to be protected, including the physical assets and infrastructure of the business itself as well as stock and finished goods. This usually requires a business alarm system. Any security strategy needs to include protection for both the critical infrastructure, such as telecommunications and technology, as well as the intellectual property, including documents related to research and development.

“A small company faces both internal and external security risks,” said Niall Kelly, the CIO of Netwatch USA, a remote-visual-monitoring company. “Most importantly, however, it is essential that companies provide a risk-free and safe working environment for their employees.”

The best way to address security risks is to carry out a full company risk assessment analysis to identify the key areas of concern and determine the necessary procedures to take to secure all of the company’s assets, experts said.

“From an exposure point of view, the largest risks are being negligent in providing adequate protection to a company’s people,” said Mike Gauer, vice president of business development for Datawatch Systems, a managed security solutions provider for commercial office buildings. “‘Adequate’ is the operative word. What is ‘adequate’ in Toledo, Ohio, may be grossly inadequate in New York City. Accordingly, the goal is to strike the correct balance relative to the risks in a given demographic.”

 

How should a small business owner go about developing a security plan?

“A security plan is essential because it ensures the resulting security system is protecting the right vulnerabilities,” said David Gottlieb, director of marketing communications for Honeywell Security Group, a security equipment provider. “Generally speaking, a small business should first conduct an audit to determine those vulnerabilities. Once those vulnerabilities are identified, the right type of security system can be designed and installed.”

Gottlieb said that questions to ask could include:

  • Is the immediate neighborhood free of crime generators, including late-night social or retail establishments, etc.?
  • Are visitor entry points clearly identified?
  • Is the property designed in such a manner that visitors have to check in at an administrative office or desk before they can access other parts of the building?
  • Are exterior doors not used as designated entry points locked to prevent entry from the exterior?
  • Are all exterior windows easily locked?

The security plan needs to outline how the company’s sensitive data will be protected. “The No. 1 threat is not the bad guy or teenager hacking into your computer system, it is the physical loss of the machines where all of the data is stored,” said Matt Pahnke, senior manager of product marketing for the commercial business unit of NETGEAR, a networking and data-storage provider. He said there should be a clear plan for backing up data offsite, be it on a redundant drive or in the cloud.

Security plans should be flexible enough to cover internal as well as external thefts, experts said. “Do you have a code of conduct and/or employee manual that states how thefts will be handled?” said Annie Searle, principal, Annie Searle & Associates, a risk consulting firm. “Do you spend time explaining to employees what belongs to the company — i.e., intellectual property — and what is available for the benefit of the employee?”

Gauer added that many businesses of all sizes often neglect to outline the precautions to be taken by employees walking to their car if leaving work late at night.

Another area that doesn’t get a lot of attention is the disposal of computers and other devices. “Once these devices have outlived their usefulness, they are often thought of as fair game for employees,” said Kyle Marks, the founder of  Retire-IT, a company that manages the retirement, recycling and remarketing of unwanted computer equipment.

He suggested a reverse procurement process. “You wouldn’t accept a shipment of 99 computers when you were supposed to get 100,” he said. “You should have the same accounting for your computers as they go out the door, and make sure they are wiped clean of all sensitive information.”

Experts said business owners have to use technology to streamline the security checkpoints, especially when it comes to inventory management. “Any security plan has to include information on how you are managing and security your inventory, which can be greatly helped with the use of technology, but sometimes small business owners might want to take shortcuts or rely solely on paper records,” said Elijah Shaw, CEO of Icon Services Corp. “There are so many things that might be in any inventory that would have value on the black market.”

Small business owners can’t just develop the plan and store it away, said security experts. “Preparing for something like a robbery is essential because you want to practice your reaction,” Shaw said. “It is like a scary movie. Once you’ve seen it three or four times, it is no longer quite as scary.”

 

The Most Important Winter Fire Safety Tips

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Winter Fire Safety Tips

Updated: 12/18/20

It’s that time of year when the snowflakes start to fall and temperatures drop to a bitter low. During the winter months, we tend to spend more time at home with our family and loved ones, so what better way to protect them than by making sure your home is protected from any fire hazards.

Have Your Furnace Checked

Although this is something that many people believe they can do themselves, it is often safer to invest in hiring a professional to come and inspect your furnace annually. It’s always better to know when something is not working properly than to have it abruptly break down in those cold winter months when you need heat the most.

Check Your Chimneys And Vents

Fireplaces can produce creosote which has the capability of igniting. If your family lights the fireplace often, you most likely need an annual chimney inspection to make sure that there are no hazards capable of starting a fire. It’s important to always remember that when burning wood, use dry, seasoned wood that produces more flame with less smoke.

Test Your Smoke Alarms

You always want to double-check that your batteries are fresh and will last you through the winter. Always place smoke alarms in the kitchen, bedrooms, and laundry room.

Extension Cord Overload 

In the freezing months, we’re often using a lot of electronics since we’re spending more time indoors. Too many things plugged into one extension cord can be dangerous. This is especially true for any extension cords or outlets in the kitchen that are close to appliances or other heat sources.

Always Cover Your Fireplace With A Screen

Either a metal screen or tempered glass will suffice to protect any sparks from leaving the fireplace. Still, you always want to make sure to keep kids and pets at least three feet away from a burning fireplace.

Beware Of Lit Candles

Although candles can set the mood for a relaxing and calming evening, they can be easily knocked over by kids or pets. Only light candles when you are alert and able to watch them, blowing them out whenever you intend to leave the room.

Beware Of Space Heaters

These devices require a good amount of space to be used without any fire hazards. Just like fireplaces, children and pets should not sit closer than three feet in front of a space heater. Avoid placing heaters near curtains, tablecloths, or other flapping fabrics. Always make sure your space heater has an automatic shut-off switch, which forces the heater to shut-off as soon as it reaches a dangerously high heat level.

Business Fire Alarm

Workplace Fire Safety: What Do They Do?

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WHAT EMPLOYEES SHOULD DO IN A WORKPLACE FIRE

A workplace fire can quickly become a nightmare scenario for any organization. One second, it’s business as usual. The next: an alarm is blaring, ceiling sprinklers have triggered, and employees are in a state of panic. Total chaos. Fear is a natural reaction to any life-threatening situation. But there are precautions every business can take to prepare its people. Running routine fire drills, educating staff with workplace fire tips, and clearly communicating throughout an evacuation drill or fire can ultimately save lives.

Fire Alarms Only Work If Employees Respond

The Society of Fire Protection Engineers (SFPE) is the authority on human behavior during a fire. Their mission: understand the psychology behind what influences decision making when a fire or evacuation occurs in an effort to inform safety programs.

Before we dive into workplace fire do’s and don’ts, it’s helpful to understand some common reasons for the lack of response to an alarm. In addition to your list of behaviors, you’ll want to educate employees on the importance of quickly reacting when an alarm is triggered.

The SFPE has discovered that people often ignore fire alarms for four main reasons:

  • Not recognizing the signal as a fire alarm
  • Being unaware of the proper response
  • Feeling loss of confidence in the system because of nuisance alarms (false alarms triggered within a short period of time)
  • Difficulty hearing the signal

Regular fire drills will help employees associate a specific pattern of sounds with the need to evacuate. When it comes to proper response, education is key. The SFPE recommends thorough training and implementing an emergency notification system to effectively inform employees that a real threat is present. Nuisance/false alarms are typically the result of a system malfunction. If more than three occur in one year, they can undermine trust in the alarm system. Businesses should conduct routine inspections to ensure that systems are fully functional (and false alarms are kept to a minimum). Alarms should also be audible enough to hear over ambient noise and inside closed offices. In addition, the alarm should not be shut off until the emergency situation has concluded. Studies have shown that occupants will assume there is no longer a threat if an alarm is turned off after five minutes.

Workplace Fire Education

Once you’ve thoroughly communicated to your people the importance of fire alarm response, leadership should then educate every employee on what to do (and not to do) during a fire or evacuation drill. The following list of employee do’s and don’ts can be customized to fit the specific needs of your organization. You’ll want to post them in common areas, distribute them to fire safety wardens in preparatory meetings, and send reminders to review the list throughout the year.

In a workplace fire, DON’T:

DON’T panic: While it’s understandable employees will be frightened during a fire, maintaining a level head is crucial to survival. Fortunately, running fire drills should help ensure a calm reaction since everyone will understand exactly what to do.

DON’T gather personal belongings: Fires spread fast. In as little as 30 seconds, a small flame can blaze out of control. Beyond grabbing your mobile device (if nearby), leave items behind. Immediate evacuation is the top priority.

DON’T take the elevator: Because a fire can quickly disable a structure’s electrical system, a stalled elevator can end up being a death trap. Employees should be instructed to use stairwells, fire escapes, or alternate routes.

DON’T attempt to extinguish an out of control fire: Containing a large fire should be left to properly trained firefighter professionals.

DON’T leave doors open: Oxygen fuels fire. Instruct your Fire Wardens to shut doors as they enter/exit them in an effort to keep the fire contained.

DON’T remain in the building/facility: There are numerous (sometimes invisible) dangers present during an office fire. Carbon monoxide poisoning and structural failure can jeopardize workers who remain in place.

DON’T ignore the company plan: Fire drills are designed to provide everyone with a shared plan to safety. By going rogue, employees put their own lives at risk as well as endangering their coworkers.

DON’T return into a burning structure: While it’s human nature to want to ensure the safety of all employees, re-entering a dangerous fire could mean two lives lost instead of one.

DON’T ignore status check-in: Leadership needs to account for every employee. If you receive a mobile check-in requesting your status (and you’re in a safe location), respond immediately to expedite the process.

DON’T flee the scene once safe: It might be tempting to get as far from the site as possible. But if you’re a safe distance away, workers should stay in place until they receive further instruction.

In a workplace fire, DO:

DO remain calm: Part of every organization’s fire drill should be to instruct their people not to panic. While there will be a certain level of anxiety during a fire, reminding everyone to remain calm is always an evacuation best practice.

DO take only a mobile device: As mentioned, fleeing from the fire should be everyone’s top priority. If a worker’s mobile device is immediately accessible, they should grab it in order to stay informed and reply to status check-ins.

DO listen to your leader: A designated company Fire Warden should provide necessary instruction as they help guide all employees to safety. If an individual has questions, they should direct them to the company’s fire safety team.

DO immediately notify proper authorities: Someone on the fire team should be tasked with notifying the fire department at the first signs of a fire. Don’t assume that systems have triggered alerts.

DO assist mobility-impaired coworkers: Whether an employee has a sprained ankle or a permanent mobility issue, some workers will need extra assistance to make it out of the structure safely.

DO close doors behind you: As mentioned, open doors can exacerbate an already dangerous fire. This task should be part of the fire team’s checklist after all employees are safely out of a particular area.

DO use evacuation routes: During evacuation, remind everyone where the nearest exits are (established during your fire drills) and what routes should be avoided.

DO gather in a safe location: Your fire drill will have established a safe meeting place some distance from your building/facility such as a parking garage or lot.

DO account for everyone: Have the Headcount Manager communicate missing or injured employees to first responders/law enforcement.

DO check in with leadership: Once everyone is safely away from the danger, there will undoubtedly be questions surrounding next steps. In order to minimize the risk of false information spreading, the fire team should relate all information.

As a reminder: All employees should be educated on fire safety behaviors and the list of do’s and don’ts should be posted in visible locations. It’s only a useful asset if employees are thoroughly aware of how to react during an incident.

Clear Communication During a Workplace Fire

Both during a fire incident or evacuation, in the immediate aftermath, and as your organization begins the recovery process, how you communicate with your people is essential. When an emergency happens, it’s difficult to find the time or clarity of mind to craft coherent messaging. Some emergency notification solutions offer Workplace Fire Communication Templates that provide pre-set messaging applicable to all phases of a fire. This allows organizations the ability to quickly inform their people across channels (text message, email, voice call, and mobile app pushes).

Because immediate communication is critical throughout a workplace fire, every organization should include fire templates as part of their fire evacuation plan.

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Excerpt from AlertMedia (August 26, 2019)

Could Your Business Survive A Fire?

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Source by AdamMiller

During the year, businesses have an increased concern about damages from hurricanes, severe thunderstorms, flash floods, and even windstorms and tornadoes. However, most businesses forget about one of the more common causes of commercial property damage, which is fire. Fires rank in the top five of the most common and the costliest types of commercial property claims. In this article, we look at businesses surviving a fire, and exactly how companies can be impacted by the fire.

 

Structural Damages
Fire can be absolutely devastating to a business, regardless of industry or business size. A single small fire can cause thousands of dollars in damages to the interior and exterior of the business, including walls, flooring, outdoor signage, plumbing, electrical systems, and HVAC units. All of these repairs cost businesses both money and time, as they must shut down the business for a period of time to complete repairs and renovations. Without proper commercial insurance coverage, businesses could face even longer lengths of time for closure and repairs while they scramble to raise the cash needed to repair and reopen their business.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Loss of Commercial Property
In addition to structural damages, fires can also lead to the partial or even total loss of critical tools, equipment, merchandise, and raw materials. While the costs of repairing and renovating a business structure may be high (especially without the right type of commercial insurance coverage), the added cost of replacing tools, equipment, and inventory can be too much for a company to bear, and the company may have to permanently close. It is important to ensure that the value of business-critical tools, equipment, raw materials, and inventory are well protected with quality commercial insurance coverage.

 

Lost Revenue and Wages
Another devastating setback for businesses that have suffered fire damage is the loss of both revenue and wages for employees. Even if the business owners can survive the financial hit of a fire, their employees may struggle to make ends meet while the business is closed for repairs and renovations. As a result, companies may end losing many, if not most, of their best and brightest employees because of lost wages during the closure, further delaying the business from being able to reopen to full operational status. However, businesses can prevent the loss of valuable employees by having Loss of Income Insurance, which helps companies pay for continuing expenses such as rent, taxes, and payroll.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Company Network, Emails, and Financial Records
Finally, another common loss for businesses that have experienced fire damage is the loss of computer systems, sensitive files, financial records, and corporate emails. Many small and medium-sized businesses fail to consider how valuable these records and files are until they are gone or become inaccessible because of commercial property damage. Even if the building repairs and renovations are relatively minor, the loss of these sensitive and valuable files can ruin a business’s chances of reopening, as many of these files contain contracts and vendor agreements, financial transactions and account information, and business-critical emails and legal documents. The time and expense of recreating or retrieving these digital records may set businesses back even further for reopening after fire damage.

We at Fire Systems Professionals are committed to providing businesses of all sizes and industries with quality, reliable commercial solutions needed to protect against fire disasters.

Prevent Fires Now. Commercial Electrical System Upgrade Signs.

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No matter how well your building’s electrical system was designed, there comes a time when an electrical upgrade is necessary. Upgrading your electrical system improves both the safety and utility of your building. If you find your electrical system no longer meets your needs, there are a few things to consider before contacting an electrician.

Signs You’re Due for an Electrical Upgrade

Many older buildings were designed when demand for electricity was lower. They were typically built with 60 or 120 amps and a few circuits for an entire commercial building. This was enough decades ago, but it isn’t enough to power the amount of electronics and machinery in use today. Nowadays, even small workshops require at least 200 amps.

One of the biggest signs you need an electrical upgrade is that there doesn’t seem to be enough power for everything. Your lights flicker or go out entirely when a large appliance or machine is turned on. Your equipment shuts itself off for no obvious reason. You have extension cords run between different circuits in attempt to balance the load.

You might also notice the breakers frequently trip when you try to run all the electrical equipment you need at once. You may find yourself carefully planning which equipment to use at what time in attempt to avoid tripping your breakers. Worse yet, your breakers fail and don’t trip when they should, allowing your equipment to overheat.

Safety issues are another indication your electrical system is in need of an upgrade. Check your electrical panel and wiring contacts for corrosion or other deterioration. Inspect your wiring for melted wires or melted wiring insulation. Damage like this means your building is at risk of an electrical fire. The need for surge protectors on nearly every outlet is another sign your safety could be at risk.

Even if you don’t have problems like these, consider an upgrade if you’re planning to renovate or bring in new equipment that will add to the load on your electrical system. This is especially true if you want to add air conditioning or electric heating.

Plan Ahead for Your Electrical Upgrade

Before you get in touch with an electrician, take some time to evaluate the electrical needs of your business. Make a list of the electrical appliances and equipment you currently use and any you’re planning to add, including lighting. If you’re existing lighting doesn’t allow you to work efficiently, consider upgrading to higher-voltage lighting or adding lights.

Note any areas where you’d like to have more electrical outlets, such as those where you’re currently relying on extension cords. Also consider whether you’ll be building any additions that will also need an electrical supply.

Your electrician will use this information as well as information gathered by inspecting your building to calculate your building’s total electrical load. If the only upgrade you need to your system is an additional circuit, your electrician may be able to accomplish this by adding a subpanel. This is only possible, however, when your main electrical panel already supplies enough power for the entire building and your wiring is in good condition.

Otherwise, the main electrical panel can be upgraded to provide 200 amps, 400 amps or even more if necessary.

Your electrician will need to open up sections of your walls to access your wiring, which means some noise and mess is unavoidable. Schedule your upgrade for a time when it won’t interfere with your ability to do business. While your electrician will do some basic cleanup, you’re responsible for patching and repainting your walls, so factor this into your budget.

October 30, 2020

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Reference Source: Sobieski Services – www.sobieskiinc.com