How Do I Keep My Building Secure After a Fire?

10/2/2022 (Permalink)

Board up building

How Can I Maintain Building Security Following a Fire?

When you're dealing with a fire, your primary concern is extinguishing the flames and helping those affected. Once the flames are under control and everyone is safe, it's time to address other issues: securing your property from looters or vandals and making sure that everything gets repaired quickly.

Secure The Building

If you've experienced a fire in your building, it's important to secure the building for the safety of those who will be entering and leaving. A damaged building is more likely to experience other issues like structural damage, water damage, and mold growth. These problems can lead to electrical issues as well.

To ensure that your property and employees are safe, follow these tips:

• Keep entryways clear of debris so people can get through easily.
• Board up the opening of the building and ensure the building cannot be entered by someone off the street.
• Turn off electricity if necessary—and make sure that an electrician has been hired before turning it back on!

Keeping Looters Out

To keep looters out of your property, consider these options for boarding up the building until work can begin on repairs:

Cover Large Openings 

Cover large holes in walls with plywood or metal sheets and secure with screws or nails that are long enough to go into a stud. If your building has large holes in the walls, such as from broken windows or missing exterior siding, you will want to cover them with plywood or metal sheets as well.

Put Up a Perimeter 

Put up wire fencing around the perimeter of the property to deter intruders. If you have a fence around your property and it was damaged in the fire, you will need to replace it with a new one. The fence should be at least 6 feet high, made of strong materials that cannot easily be climbed over or cut through.

Install Security Cameras

Install security cameras that feed into a centralized system. Security cameras can be a deterrent to theft and vandalism. If you have security cameras in place, it's easier to identify the person or people who are responsible for the damage.

Neighborhood Watch

In an effort to make your property as secure as possible, we encourage you to encourage neighbors to report any suspicious activity at your property. By reporting suspicious activity, the police can better keep an eye on the surrounding area and take action against any illegal activity that may be occurring. Encourage the neighborhood residents to report anything they see by calling 911 immediately. If you see something suspicious, calling 911 is the best option. In addition to reporting suspicious activity, if you witness a crime in progress or see someone attempting to break into a building, also call 911 immediately.

One of the best things you can do to secure your building after a fire is to make sure that it's visible from the street. This will help deter criminals from attempting break-ins or other crimes.