Survival kit

摘要

Fires affect a very small number of businesses. However, according to Norwich Union Insurance, fires are still the highest source of business claims, representing 38% of all claims, compared with just 19% relating to theft. The same insurer believes that true economic losses from fire are some six times higher than the insured losses. The result is that, in all probability, a fire in a commercial building will result in the ultimate demise of the business. These statistics should give businesses a 'wake-up call'. Of the businesses that have a fire, nearly three-quarters never recover; 43% never reopen; and 29% are devastated to the point that they close inside three years. The financial impact alone can cause terminal damage to a business. For example, it is estimated that for every hour a cleanroom is inoperable, it can cost the business up to £22,000; for a banks computer centre the cost rises to over £500,000 per hour; and for an oil production facility, the bill hits £30m per hour.