In 2021, 116,500 non-residential building fires caused 1,025 injuries, 115 deaths, and $3,697,200,000 in dollar loss. As a business owner, you should think about the potential impact of fires on your operations. Regular electrical inspections can help to reduce your safety risk exposures.
An electrical inspection checks the property’s electrical system to determine its condition. It aims to protect people and property against potential electrical hazards. It also strives to ensure compliance with local, state, and federal regulations.
Here are various reasons to schedule electrical safety inspections for your commercial building.
Ensure Building Safety
Electrical safety does matter to people who frequent your business. This includes employees, customers, suppliers, and vendors.
If someone to whom you owe a duty of care suffers an electrical injury, they may sue your business. This can result in huge payouts, which may affect a business’s bottom line.
Regular inspections help find and fix electrical issues that cause accidents and injuries. This helps ensure employee safety and the safety of other building users. Fewer workplace injuries translate to reduced liability risks for your business.
Prevent Fires
Acquiring a commercial property requires significant financial investment. That’s why you should protect your investment property at all costs as a business owner.
Having fire insurance is a smart way to protect your business against fires. However, your insurance company will investigate any fire incidents before processing your claim.
If they find that a business fire was a result of negligence, they may reject your claim. This can result in significant financial loss or even business closure.
Routine electrical inspection can help with your fire damage claim. This is because you can show proof of electrical maintenance to rule out neglect as the cause of the fire. Some common causes of fire in commercial buildings include:
- Frayed wiring
- Faulty switches and outlets
- Aging appliances
- Defective lighting fixtures
Routine inspections will help prevent loss from electricity-related fire damage to your property. You can also reduce financial losses due to disruptive work events. Modern electricians use advanced inspection tools like infrared thermography to troubleshoot issues.
Improve Employee Retention
Money isn’t the only thing employees think about money when choosing jobs. Safety matters too. Safe workplaces mean fewer accidents, happier employees, and lower turnover rates.
Doing regular electrical inspections shows employees that you care about their safety. This can help your company keep its top talent longer. When employees feel valued and secure, they are more likely to stay loyal and committed to the company’s mission.
Extend the Life of Your Electrical System
Your commercial electrical system costs a significant amount of money to install. As a building owner, you want to protect this investment. One way to achieve this is to invest in preventative electrical maintenance.
Electrical inspections can enhance the reliability and durability of your business electrical system. These inspections will help catch potential issues that could damage your electrical infrastructure.
Early problem detection allows for timely repairs. This keeps your electrical system running well for as long as possible.
Save Money on Future Repairs
Electrical repairs are an inevitable part of building maintenance. And the total costs can add up fast depending on the type and severity of electrical issues involved. Unnoticed issues lead to higher repair costs.
Electrical inspections allow you to catch electrical faults early. This helps prevent them from causing bigger problems over time. This can help avoid expensive repairs or replacements in the long haul.
Increase Employee Productivity
About 2 in 5 employees were away from work for more than one full week due to nonfatal electrical injuries. 21 percent of these victims missed work for 31 or more days.
If electrical hazards remain unaddressed, your workers can get injured on the job. These injuries can cause them to miss work. A high absenteeism rate will affect employee productivity, slowing down business growth.
With frequent electrical inspections, you can reduce potential electrical hazards at work. This will help reduce the causes and costs of absenteeism.
Ensure Your Building Is Up to Code
Every business must follow building safety regulations. Non-compliance can result in:
- Hefty fines and penalties
- Loss of business reputation
- License revocation
To stay compliant, get regular electrical inspections by a qualified commercial electrician. They’ll help you meet National Electric Code (NEC) standards and building safety requirements.
Improve Your Company’s Reputation
A commitment to safety enhances a company’s reputation. Different stakeholders care about your business reputation for different reasons. For example:
- Government agencies expect you to run a compliant business operation
- Employees want to work for companies that value workplace safety
- Customers want to transact with a company that has a positive brand image
By conducting frequent electrical safety inspections at work, you can decrease safety issues. A good business safety record shows your prowess at mitigating safety risks. This will enhance your brand image and increase the business’s growth potential.
How Often Should You Perform Electrical Inspections?
Every business operation has unique electrical needs. Therefore, the frequency of electrical inspections can vary from business to business. Some of the factors that can influence the how often you should inspect your electrical system include:
- The nature of your business
- The size of your business building
- Industry best practices
- Types of electrical equipment used
- State and local building laws and regulations
Use a qualified commercial electrician to determine how often you need electrical inspections. They can assess your electrical needs and suggest the perfect electrical maintenance regimen.
Are You Ready to Schedule an Electrical Inspection for Your Business?
Electrical problems can pop up at any time. If left unaddressed, they can exacerbate and cause significant issues down the road. An electrical inspection helps tackle these minor issues before they get out of hand.
This will help you avoid costly repairs and replacements in the future. It also provides peace of mind knowing your business meets electrical safety requirements.
At Houston Electric, we offer a wide array of services to cater to your growing business needs. If you want to ask a question or request a quote, get in touch with us today. Whatever your electrical needs, trust us to deliver exceptional service at great prices.
Matt Huston was born and raised in Lafayette, IN. During the summers beginning at age 13, Matt worked for the family electrical business, Huston Electric, first as a warehouse helper and then truck driver delivering material to jobsites. After graduating from Harrison High School, Matt attended Purdue University and finished at Indiana University-Purdue University (IUPUI) in 2013. Matt started his career as the Electrical Service Manager in Huston’s Lafayette location. Hitting the ground running, Matt built countless service-based relationships and has grown and morphed Huston Electric’s service division and market offerings. Matt was promoted to Director of Electrical Services in 2019 and was the driving force behind Huston’s solar division that launched in 2020. Currently, Matt serves as President of Huston Electric and is leading the company into its 85th year in business. Matt is excited and humbled to be able to follow in the steps of his father (Jon), grandfather (Dave), and great grandfather (Don) and looks forward to carrying on the legacy and growth at Huston Electric. Matt is an active member in many industry peer groups, community events, and trade conferences. He is a member of the Region4 Workforce Board and is Huston Electric’s appointed representative to ELECTRI International.