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Fire Protection: Providing Safety with Fire Code Compliance
Fire Protection: Meeting Fire Code Compliance
In 64 A.D., flammable items in a commercial district of ancient Rome caught fire. Wind propelled the flames and before the day ended, 71% of the city was destroyed.1 Throughout history, in various urban centers, in various countries, the lack of adequate fire protection plans has been repeated, resulting in the loss of life, structures, and property.
Since fire danger persists, organizations such as the International Fire Code and the National Fire Protection Association have been completing research, recommending guidelines and standards, compiling data from compliance with the guidelines, and tweaking recommendations.
Federal, state, and local compliance agencies use these guidelines for fire protection regulations that are adaptable for different size facilities and different uses for facilities—commercial, industrial, manufacturing, etc. Building codes prevent fires from starting, extinguish fires quickly, minimize the risk, and ensure occupant safety.
The success of fire code regulations is extremely evident. While fire events still happen, fire protection equipment and procedures greatly reduce the loss of life and property and prevent the spread of most fires in commercial facilities. However, protecting life and property requires maintenance and training. Since we generally put these tasks off, inspection and enforcement visits are required.
Each facility is different, and therefore, fire protection equipment and procedures are different for each facility. Required equipment may include:
- Communication equipment. Smoke detectors and fire pull stations are generally designed into the structure. They communicate with building occupants and may initiate voice directions instructing people to evacuate the structure. They may also communicate directly with local EMS teams. Battery-powered emergency lighting directs building occupants to safety as soon as power is lost.
- Fire sprinklers. A network of pipes transports water to every corner of the facility, at the ready to extinguish a fire while it is small and to prevent the spread of fire by dousing potential fuel sources.
- Fire suppression. Not all fires should be extinguished with water; electrical and kitchen fires are good examples. A part of the customization of fire protection services includes having chemical foam, dry products, and inert gases ready to extinguish fires that should not be put out with water.
Procedures are another important component of fire protection:
- Occupants needing to evacuate must have wide, clear passageways without obstructions or tripping hazards. Stairways and exit doors must always be clear.
- Occupants should know evacuation procedures and routes. Some regulations may require periodic training and drills for staff. Elevators will cease to function, and occupants should be aware of multiple escape options.
- Emergency responders must have adequate access to maintenance closets for both water and electrical supply. It is tempting to use these spaces as storage, but that is not their designed function.
All these systems need to be cleaned, maintained, and held at the ready since a fire event is possible at any time.
- Smoke alarms and sprinkler heads must be tested without setting the system off.
- The water inside the sprinkler system needs to be tested to uncover corrosive compounds or biological growth that may weaken pipe walls or obstruct the pipe.
- Various systems need to be tested and inspected; some quarterly, some semi-annually, some annually, and some at different intervals.
While building and fire code is extremely important, there might be some information overload involved. Running a business or managing a facility is usually a full-time job without adequate time to learn the design and maintenance of fire protection equipment and procedures. Fire Safe is a full-service fire protection company.
If you have questions about Fire Protection and Fire Code Compliance, 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 and Fire Code Compliance questions.
1 https://www.pbs.org/wnet/secrets/great-fire-rome-background/1446/#:~:text=Two%20thirds%20of%20Rome%20had,rebuild%20Rome%20to%20his%20liking