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Do Not Neglect Fire Safety System Maintenance
Neglect Me Not! Fire Safety System Maintenance
A vital system in a large commercial structure is the fire safety system. It consists of a group of devices and utilities working together to help inform people of the danger, give occupants the safest exit routes, and begin to extinguish flames at the source. Fire code requires regular Fire Safety System Maintenance on these devices and systems, and like many routine tasks, it is tempting to delay or ignore them.
Delaying or neglecting the fire safety system can put the lives of all occupants of the structure at risk, since building fires do not give early warnings. The risk of property and equipment damage is also a factor. Here are some recommendations to help you get a handle on these tasks:
- Call a leading fire safety company like Fire Safe for an inspection and a complete list of devices/systems that need to be tested.
- Assign the task to someone on staff or to yourself, with a scheduled start and completion date.
- Provide the resources necessary to complete the task
- Inspect what you expect—the follow-up to make sure the task is complete.
What type of devices needs to be inspected? What are the consequences of failing to maintain them properly?
Fire Safety System Maintenance. Your building was fitted with the fire safety equipment as an integrated system. The way they interact together during an emergency is quite remarkable. However, if one or more parts of the integrated system fail during an actual fire emergency, it may result in catastrophic failure. The time to test the system is not in the heat of the moment—no pun intended. Equipment that functions together include:
- The fire alarm system, which alerts occupants and first responders of the fire emergency. The system may use voice commands and/or directional lighting, to direct occupants to the nearest safe exit. Alarm sensors, spread throughout the building, might sense smoke or heat. Generally, each device will be tested to ensure it works properly.
- Fire suppression equipment might include water sprinklers and/or chemical/gaseous suppression, for spaces that would be harmed by water. The system will be inspected for corrosion or blockages that can cause devices to fail.
- Fire extinguishers require high pressure to push the suppressant out of the cylinder. Extinguishers must be tested regularly and sometimes they need to be recharged.
In a fire emergency, it is vital that these systems work together; any mistakes can lead to staggering losses. A fire safety company will work with you to schedule inspection and testing that meshes with your scheduled workday.
Easy Access. Having properly maintained equipment is only a part of the inspection. The equipment must have unfettered access to the space it is designed to protect, and occupants must have adequate access to the devices in emergencies.
- Work areas can develop clutter and clutter might block sprinkler heads or cover smoke detectors. Office equipment or furniture might be moved by mistake to block a fire extinguisher or fire pull station.
- Hallways and stairs must be free and unobstructed. Emergency personnel must have ready access to electrical boxes and suppression systems.
Emergency Lighting. Just like any other light, emergency light bulbs fail and must be replaced. Signage reduces the confusion for people in emergencies: they are generally scared, in-flight mode, and may experience smoke or sprinkler spray. Since electricity will be disrupted, emergency and exit signs have battery backup. Batteries will also need to be changed regularly.
Emergency Action Plan is a part of Fire Safety System Maintenance. The most significant portion of your fire emergency system is the evacuation plan for staff and customers. The fire safety company will review and improve the plan if possible. The inspection and testing are not complete until the fire safety plan is published, distributed, and groups receive training for implementation.
Have questions about Fire Safety system maintenance?
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 Do Not Neglect Fire Safety System Maintenance.