Wildfire protection solutions safeguard commercial properties from the devastating effects of wildfires. This expert guide will detail why businesses must be proactive with wildfire protection strategies and outline the customized solutions available to protect assets and prevent fires from spreading.
The Growing Need for Wildfire Protection in Business
Wildfires are a growing threat to businesses due to the increasing frequency and severity of extreme weather events. Those located in areas where hot conditions and a paucity of rain are common are most at risk, but wildfires are becoming more widespread even in temperate climates.
Latest data shows that 7.8m hectares of tree cover was burned in Canada in 2023 alone. The costs for business can be disastrous: PG&E filed for bankruptcy and eventually agreed to pay a $45m settlement for its role in a massive wildfire in California.
The importance of dedicated wildfire protection systems cannot be overstated – for the environment, for safety, and for your business.
Understanding Wildfire Protection Systems for Businesses
Wildfire protection systems are specifically engineered to detect, combat and mitigate the effects of external wildfires. This contrasts to general fire protection measures designed to prevent and control fires within buildings and internal spaces.
There are a range of effective wildfire protection systems available for businesses. These include:
Wildfire Sprinkler Systems for Commercial Properties
Wildfire sprinkler systems act as a first line of defense in protecting commercial properties when a wildfire approaches.
Sprinklers for commercial properties have unique features: self-activating heads, special nozzles, full circle spray patterns, and biodegradable foam. All of these help to create a barrier by saturating surfaces and surrounding vegetation, which slows the spread of fire or stops it in its tracks.
Installation is versatile too; a wildfire sprinkler system for business can be mounted on roofs and exterior walls, and around the perimeter of premises to protect your infrastructure from fire. They also activate automatically when fire is detected within a certain distance for rapid response.
Tailoring Wildfire Protection for Commercial Businesses
Every business is unique, and has specific fire-related risks and challenges to address. That’s why a tailored solution is required. Wildfire protection must be customized based on a business’s building materials, size, location, and industry.
For example, an oil and gas business might need a sprinkler with a “diffusion” system to cover stored fuels, while a winery might opt for a trailer unit to protect large areas of vegetation.
The aim is to integrate these systems into commercial infrastructure and to coordinate wildfire protection with existing operational processes. This enhances safety, and improves response times during emergencies.
Advantages of Proactive Wildfire Protection Solutions
For businesses with crops, animals, data centers, distribution centers, warehouses, factories, and other large-scale infrastructure, commercial wildfire protection is critical to business continuity.
But being proactive is key. Early detection and preparation minimizes the risks of fire and reduces the financial and operational damage caused by extreme weather; it keeps critical assets safe, prevents disruptions, and reduces potential downtime after a wildfire.
The immediate, tangible benefits of fire prevention are complimented by long-term advantages. Businesses with wildfire protections can qualify for insurance benefits, such as reduced premiums or improved coverage, which further enhances financial resilience.
Monitoring and Maintaining Wildfire Protection Systems
Wildfire protection is not a “set and forget” solution. It is crucial to regularly monitor and maintain your wildfire protection systems once they are in place. We recommend undertaking seasonal checks, especially when planning for the next wildfire season, which typically runs from April to September in Canada.
Upgrading and enhancing systems with new equipment and better emergency response strategies is the best way to keep your business safe, year-round.
