As a property manager, keeping tenants safe is one of your most important responsibilities. Fire safety planning is a crucial part of this, but even with the best intentions, oversights can occur that put lives at risk. The good news is that many common fire safety mistakes can be avoided with proper planning and the right tools.
Here are five of the most common fire safety mistakes property managers make, and how you can avoid them using the WPS Residential Evac App.
1. Failing To Regularly Update Fire Safety Plans
Fire safety plans are not static documents. As buildings undergo changes—whether through renovations, new tenants, or adjustments in layout—the fire safety plan needs to be updated to reflect these changes. Unfortunately, many property managers overlook this step, leading to outdated and inaccurate plans that could endanger lives in an emergency.
How to Avoid It: The WPS Residential Evac App makes it easy to keep fire safety plans up to date. With cloud-based technology, you can update your plans quickly and ensure all changes are automatically synced to tenants’ mobile devices. This guarantees that everyone has the most current information when they need it most.
2. Not Conducting Regular Fire Drills
Fire drills are essential for helping tenants understand what to do in an emergency. However, many property managers fail to schedule regular drills, or they don’t take them seriously, leaving tenants unprepared when a real fire occurs.
How to Avoid It: The WPS Residential Evac App allows you to schedule and manage fire drills effortlessly. You can send notifications directly to tenants, ensuring they know when a drill is coming up. Additionally, the app helps you track participation and follow up with tenants who missed the drill.
3. Overlooking Communication During Emergencies
In the midst of an emergency, clear communication can mean the difference between life and death. However, many property managers don’t have an effective communication system in place, leaving tenants in the dark about what’s happening or what they should do.
How to Avoid It: The WPS Residential Evac App provides real-time communication tools that allow you to send alerts to tenants. Whether it’s a fire, a drill, or an evacuation, you can relay critical information through push notifications, SMS, or TTS, ensuring everyone knows what to do at each stage of the emergency.
4. Neglecting Tenant Education
Even the best fire safety plans are ineffective if tenants don’t understand them. Some property managers assume tenants will read the fire safety materials provided, but in reality, many people are unaware of evacuation routes or emergency procedures.
How to Avoid It: The WPS Residential Evac App includes features that promote tenant education. Tenants can access fire safety plans on their mobile devices at any time, and you can use the app to send out reminders about emergency procedures. You can also use the app to provide on-demand training to ensure everyone is familiar with the safety protocols.
5. Inadequate Evacuation Tracking
During a fire or other emergency, it’s critical to know who has evacuated the building and who may still be inside. Many property managers rely on manual headcounts, which are often inaccurate or take too long to be effective when every second counts.
How to Avoid It: The WPS Automated Roll Call feature solves this problem by providing a digital system for tracking evacuations. Tenants can mark themselves as safe or request help directly through the app. This feature ensures that no one is overlooked during an emergency.
Conclusion
Fire safety oversights can have serious consequences, but with the right strategies and tools, property managers can ensure their buildings and tenants are well-protected. By using the WPS Residential Evac App, you can avoid common mistakes, streamline fire safety management, and save lives. Take proactive steps today to make your building safer and more prepared for any emergency.
