6 Common Fire Protection Systems Mistakes

Fire Protection Systems Mistakes Business Owners Make

Over the last few centuries, amazing strides have been made in commercial building methods, fire protection equipment, and safety methods. While all of this is true, the threat of fire in commercial spaces remains.1 For this reason, it is important to take measures to keep your staff, guests, and property as safe as possible.

Fire Safe offers comprehensive fire protection services to commercial facility owners since maintaining equipment and complying with codes and regulations is a difficult process. This includes:

  1. Scheduling regular maintenance on fire protection equipment. Each component may have a different schedule and process for testing: fire alarms, sprinkler systems, emergency lighting, communications systems, and fire extinguishers. The appropriate intervals will be planned, and the appropriate testing equipment will be provided.

Most of the equipment consists of mechanical systems that require regular maintenance to ensure proper functioning. Moving parts may show wear, electronics may malfunction, and the potency of the suppressant chemicals may diminish.

  1. Making sure all equipment is properly installed and placed properly. Fire code requires a variety of types of fire extinguishers to be placed in specific locations and specific types of sprinkler heads used in certain areas. Compliance with building codes requires the proper installation of each piece of equipment to ensure they work to prevent the loss of life and property. Improper installation is often not easily discernable without a close inspection by trained professionals.

Improper installation can result in delays in occupant notification, delays in communication with emergency responders, or delays in fire suppression. These delays can result in tragic consequences but can be corrected before they happen.

  1. Installing updates and upgrades. New research and engineering produce improved products and processes. Adding new technology to old technology can be tricky to integrate and will require professional assimilation. Also, occasional fire code changes will require the removal of old equipment and replacement with improved technology. An important step is to make sure the old and new technology integrate properly. Failure to make changes leads to the potential for liability, damage, and loss of life.

Scheduling updates and upgrades requires following the compliance/building code industry with disciplined professionalism. By the time most facility managers are made aware of code changes, the facility is often out of compliance.

  1. Building staff will need to be trained in the proper use of equipment and regular drilling, especially evacuation drills. Training and drilling are part of the building code regulations. Honestly, it is hard to squeeze training and fire drills into a busy business schedule. A fire protection professional can schedule and oversee the necessary training and ensure that compliance is properly reported. Training will include:
    1. Determining who is responsible for using equipment that needs specialized training.
    2. Determining who is responsible for communicating, both internally and externally, with local EMS.
    3. Determining evacuation routes for different parts of the facility and pre-planned meeting spaces.
  2. Fire protection may include simple or complex communication with emergency response dispatchers. Testing the communication system without creating an alarm is an important part of code compliance.
  3. Testing should include simulations of all the individual fire protection components without triggering the actual suppression and sprinkler equipment. This can be planned in conjunction with staff training and evacuation drills.

If you have questions about Fire Protection Systems Mistakes, we can help.

Call Fire Safe Protection Services today at 713-722-7800 or visit our online form, and we will be in contact as soon as possible about your Fire Protection Systems Mistakes questions.

 

1 https://www.usfa.fema.gov/downloads/pdf/publications/workplace-fire-safety-infographic.pdf