The destruction caused by structure fires can be tough to wrap your head around. According to the National Fire Protection Association, an estimated 522,500 structure fires in 2022 caused 2,910 civilian deaths and 11,720 civilian injuries. They also caused $15 billion worth of property damage. That said, there are a lot of myths out there about structure fires that you may think are true. Let's take this opportunity to debunk those myths so you can better protect yourself.

1. You Only Need Sprinklers and Fire Extinguishers to Control Structure Fires

We all want to believe there's an easy solution to preventing structure fires. Once you acquire fire extinguishers and install sprinklers, you can rest easy knowing you have the necessary protection. Unfortunately, things are never that simple when it comes to fire safety.

The problem with relying only on those items is that they aren’t guaranteed to work all the time. Sprinklers can fail due to plumbing issues or poor maintenance, while fire extinguishers may not suffice for roaring infernos. You need additional layers of protection to keep everyone safe in your commercial or residential establishment.

Round out your protection with the help of a commercial fire alarm. Install the fire alarms in areas most likely to be hit by fires to detect potential threats as soon as possible. Adding more layers of fire protection is always recommended, so don’t rely only on sprinklers and fire extinguishers.

2. You Should Open Windows During Structure Fires

Upon seeing a structure fire, some people may instinctively head for the windows to open them. It's not hard to understand where they're coming from because one would think that strong winds can help extinguish the flames. However, the open windows can actually cause more problems.

According to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, a small fire can grow in under 30 seconds. Strong winds can accelerate that. Refrain from opening windows when you hear the commercial fire alarm. Focus on getting to safety instead.

3. You Have Plenty of Time After a Fire Alarm Goes Off

One more persistent myth related to structure fires involves fire alarms. Even if you have the best commercial fire alarm, you should know that it will only provide an alert when it has already detected smoke. At that point, a fire has likely already started inside your commercial building. You don't have to panic when the alarm sounds, but you should evacuate immediately.

Structure fires are deadly enough. As you can see, we don't need misinformation to hyperbolize their destructive potential. Installing the right fire safety features is necessary, so be sure to reach out if you need help. Contact Effective Alarm Systems, Inc today, and we'll supply the high-quality fire alarms your establishment needs!