Arson is the single most common cause of fire on business premises and the majority of arson attacks are down to opportunistic vandalism.  A frightening statistic is that up to 80% of businesses never fully recover from a serious fire.

Business 

The threat of arson is ever present for shops and business alike, however, there are steps that can help alleviate the potential for such occurrences:

• The majority of vandalism usually occurs under the cover of darkness. Therefore, care should be taken not to provide intruders with ‘working light’ in concealed spaces or recesses.
• Limit the number of entrances in use (but do not lock fire exits) and utilise staff/guards to manage security.
• Maintain perimeter security – walls, fences and gates.
• Fit approved metal containers to the inside of your letterboxes.
• Install an Automatic Fire Detection System with consideration to the installation of sprinklers also.
• Ensure that all locks to windows and doors are in full working order and any gaps under doors should be as small as possible to prevent lighted ignition sources being pushed into the premises.
• Control keys that access the premises.
• Before leaving the premises a responsible person must ensure that it is left empty and secure.
• All external combustible storage sites should be secure and emptied on a regular basis.
• The prompt removal of graffiti ensures that vandals or arsonists are not immediately attracted to the premises, as it doesn’t pose as an obvious target for anti-social behaviour.

To prevent your business becoming a target for an arsonist click on the link which offers advice from the Arson Prevention Bureau website - Arson Prevention Bureau Business- Arson Prevention is the Business.

For further information please visit the pages on Business Fire Safety.