Although shopping centers may not be as packed as they used to be, they are still drawing some crowds to protect if a fire breaks out. With such large buildings and so many shoppers, what shopping center fire protection should you have in place? Some states require a written evacuation plan with local fire safety codes. Another shopping center fire protection challenge is that it is a public space, and aside from those who work in the mall, most occupants will not know any set procedures. Whether that rule applies to your area or not, it is extremely important to have a plan ready.

Write Out a Plan

Above all, having answers about what to do before an emergency is essential to your shopping center fire protection plan. Figure out how best to notify customers and emergency services about the fire. Determine routes to direct patrons, along with crowd control management techniques. Equipment should also be in place to contain the spread of the fire while evacuation is in progress. It is a good idea to post maps of the building that diagram exact routes and shows all exits and stairs. Include primary and secondary exit routes in case one is blocked. All pull stations and fire extinguishers should be visible and accessible. It is a good idea to post this plan on the website or give a printed copy to all stores and managers in the shopping center.

Conduct Employee Fire Drills

Additionally, it is a good idea to run through some fire drills in the shopping center. The best time to do this is shortly after opening when there are fewer but still some customers in the mall. Inform all retailers of the drill beforehand, so there are no surprises. Doing this periodically is a good way to make sure that all staff are prepared. Employees must know where equipment is and how to operate it when there is an emergency because every second counts. Take out the confusion and keep all necessary shopping center fire protection information fresh with your employees and managers. It may seem like an unnecessary interruption for some customers and personnel but is for the best of all involved.

Ensure Fire Protection Systems are Operational

Finally, inspections are required by local fire marshals to check your emergency preparedness. But shopping centers should be proactive about making sure all shopping center fire protection systems are in proper working order. Annual inspections should be conducted on fire sprinkler systems, alarms, extinguishers, and all aspects of your fire protection system. If you notice a leak in your sprinkler system or a corroding pipe, get it looked at before it becomes a problem.

At Valley Fire Protection & Plumbing, we can help you with your shopping center fire protection by providing your fire sprinkler installation and repair. We also do 5-year internal inspections! If you need any service for your shopping center’s sprinkler system, contact us.

Related Topics: Fire Protection

By: Tom Hartel

I acquired my expertise by directing day-to-day operations of the business for over 20 years. Continuous hard work helped me become a nationally recognized speaker and expert on fire protection, fire sprinklers, special hazards, and plumbing systems. In this blog, I share my knowledge that will hopefully help you make better decisions for your projects.