On average 1,300 church fires are reported each year, don’t become a statistic.

With more than $40,000,000.00 in fire damage occurring in Churches each year, this is a great time to review some basic loss control items around your Church.

Arson comprises 25% of church fires, 30% of church fires result from mechanical failures related to faulty wiring and improperly functioning heating systems, and cooking devices account for another 9% of all fire losses. Those are staggering figures!

With arson being one of the leading causes of fires in Churches this may be the time to consider installing newer hi-tech security for your religious institution.  You may not be able to have security 24-7-365 but leverage technology to reduce the risk and severity of a potential arson loss.

A simple but effective technique to reduce fire risk is to have your staff inspect the building on a regular basis looking for potential fire hazards. You don’t need to be an electrician but by walking through the building(s) with a critical eye many issues can be discovered. Check that all face plates on outlets and light switches are installed and make sure all electrical connections are in junction boxes and covers are on them.

If extension cords are being used, ensure they are in good working order and remember extension cords should only be used on a temporary basis. Make sure all breaker boxes have all openings filled, even slots on the panel that are not being used should have a blank installed. Once your list of concerns is complete have a licensed electrician complete any necessary repair work.

Smoke detectors should be installed throughout the building. Preferably they are wired to the electrical system, have a battery backup and are monitored by a third party. Regardless, batteries need to be checked. Back up batteries don’t last forever, and if you only have local smoke detectors there should be a regular schedule for replacing the batteries.

If your church has a lightning rod check it! If you have installed a new roof or had roof repairs an inspection is key to ensure that the system has not been damaged. For additional information on lightning rods see my blog from September, 2017.

While your team is carefully looking at the electrical system, it can also check that all fire extinguishers have been inspected as required by the local authorities. If you have a commercial kitchen, ensure the fire suppression system over the cooking area(s) has been inspected in the last 6 months or as often as is required by local authorities.

Don’t neglect your building now. The property insurance market is going through drastic changes as it looks to return to profitability. Rates are going up across all classes of business that are suffering a frequency and severity issue relating to property losses. Don’t become a statistic and risk having your insurance non-renewed. Be pro-active in trying to mitigate losses to your Church building.  To receive a sample fire inspection check list, or review your current insurance policy, contact your Trusted Choice Insurance Agents at Richey-Barrett.