Possible accidents:
- Fire occurs due to outdated or old wiring damaging both the building your business owns and some of your equipment inside
- A roof leak causes significant damage to the goods in your warehouse
- Computers and media equipment are stolen from your place of business over the weekend
How can I protect my building/premises, equipment, and materials from water damage and fires? The following questions point out basic building maintenance and fire prevention controls that should be in place:
- Is the building’s exterior structure, including all equipment, in good condition?
- Are drain pipes, signs, tanks, fences, canopies, etc. secured?
- Is the roof covering free of leaks?
- Is the roof drainage adequate?
- Has the potential for snow/ice/water accumulation on the roof been considered?
- Is the plumbing system properly installed and adequate?
- Are water supply lines and connections for equipment leak-free and in good condition?
- Is the building’s interior structure, including equipment, in good condition?
- Is the electrical system adequate and up to date?
- Has the electrical system been upgraded to accommodate new equipment and increased use?
- Is the heating and air conditioning system properly maintained and safely located?
- Are all combustibles and flammables stored properly?
- Is all refuse removed daily?
- Are “no smoking” rules established and enforced?
- Are electrical extension cords, tools and appliances safely used?
- Are fire protection devices (extinguishers, etc.) and sprinklers properly installed, maintained, tested, and free of obstruction?
- Is high-value equipment protected?
- Are smoke alarms in use, and maintained and tested regularly?
- Are your employees trained to respond quickly and correctly when they smell smoke or see a fire?
- Are valuable assets segregated (preferably to other facilities) so that a fire or flood would not wipe out all your major assets?
How can I protect by business from theft? The following questions point out basic security controls that should be in place:
- Are adequate devices installed to control unauthorized entry onto the premises?
- Do you have a burglar alarm that reports to a central station or a constantly attended monitoring facility?
- Do you have adequate fencing and gates around the building and parking areas?
- Is there adequate exterior and interior lighting?
- Do you have adequate door and window locks?
- Is access to premises controlled by physical barriers and surveillance?
- Do you require the use of company ID badges?
- Do you have appropriate visitor sign-in, badges and escort procedures?
- Are check-in and check-out procedures effective in controlling independent contractors and trades people?
- Do you have an inventory control system in place?
