Preventing Fires

A fire can be devastating for everyone. Property damage can be significant. Tenants can have their possessions destroyed and be displaced. Insurance payouts are notoriously slow. However, the real tragedy is that each year thousands are injured or die in home fires. Although you cannot predict a disaster, the majority of the time, a fire in a rental property does not have to happen. Preventing a fire in a residence involves teamwork between property owners, the property manager, and residents.

As your property management company, we do our very best to ensure smoke detectors are working, necessary maintenance is completed and that tenants are counseled on their responsibilities toward preventing fires. However, the property owner needs to take a proactive role in fire prevention as well. Taking practical steps inside and outside the property is important to avoid liability and property loss.

Fire Prevention Tips for INSIDE a Rental Property

Every property has different maintenance requirements. Many older properties have outdated electrical components and air-conditioning units as well as other fire prevention considerations. As your property manager, we use qualified repair people to reduce your liability. Below are items we address as soon as possible:

• Ensure all smoke detectors are working at Check-In and that tenants are instructed never to disable smoke detectors as well as how to change batteries as needed. Even if a fire happens, you don't want to have an unnecessary tenant injury or death.
• FEMA recommends that all battery powered & hard-wired smoke detectors be replaced every 8 to 10 years.
• Investigate breakers that "trip" or fuses that "blow" frequently. This is often a sign of an overloaded circuit or a wiring problem of a serious nature.
• Consult with the owner about changing out overloaded circuit breakers, panel boxes, or fuse boxes immediately.
• Repair any loose or defective wiring immediately.
• Flickering lights or intermittent power surges that frequently occur can indicate a bad connection.
• Check individual breaker connections, especially in outdoor panel boxes. They should be checked for corrosion, signs of thermal damage such as smut or smoky residue near terminals, splices that are poorly taped or chafed, and any damaged wire insulation.
• Repair wiring in attics and crawl spaces damaged by pests or insects. Some old wiring is insulated with a material that insects eat or chew on and rodents will often chew the thermoplastic insulation off modern nonmetallic cable (Romex).
• Natural gas/LP gas systems should be checked for loose fittings, leaking valves, faulty pilot lights, debris or improperly stored flammable materials in areas near these appliances. If there is a smell of gas or a leak suspected, a professional is immediately called to inspect gas plumbing (pipes), valves and regulators. We recommend combination carbon monoxide/smoke detectors in properties serviced with gas.
• Have periodic checks of air conditioning units and repair as needed. This can prevent a fan motor from being overworked and can save money in the long run.
• Window air conditioners should never be plugged in via an extension cord.
• If there is a fireplace, have a periodic inspection of the chimney and the condition of the fireplace.

Fire Prevention Tips for OUTSIDE a Rental Property

Fires can easily happen outside the property, particularly in an area where there are brush fires or wildfires. Here are more steps for prevention, depending on the needs of your property.

• Remove vines from house walls; move shrubs and other landscaping away from house walls.
• Remove highly flammable and low-branched trees when possible.
• Remove tree debris, such as fallen leaves and limbs.
• Remove debris beneath decks and other overhangs; remove debris from gutters.
• Consult with the owner about removing wooden exterior structures, such as decks and patios, or replacing them with materials that are more fire resistant if they present a hazard.
• Consult with the owner about installation of fire resistant landscaping, particularly in a high fire danger area. Creating a "defensible space" may even be necessary under certain drought circumstances.