Preparing For a Fire & Life Safety Inspection

There are many things that companies can do to prepare for a fire safety inspection and being a business owner in Chicago requires a regular commitment to maintaining fire safety.  Knowing what to look for in your building and on your property to pass a fire safety inspection will help business owners to maintain code compliance.  When a fire safety inspector visits your property to conduct an inspection, make sure that you are prepared.

How to Prepare for Fire Safety Inspection

Maintain fire alarm protection systems

Maintaining your entire fire alarm protection system is critical to passing a fire safety inspection. The inspection will include making sure all systems are in working order including smoke alarms, sprinklers, visual and audible notification equipment, and communication systems. HRSS provides commercial fire alarm system inspection and testing services to ensure code compliance.

Certify portable fire extinguishers

All portable fire extinguishers will be inspected during a fire safety inspection. Every property owner must have the right type of fire extinguishers on-site and it is the responsibility of the business owner to know the type of extinguisher needed for their material and property. Extinguishers must be certified and operational and in proper working order. Faulty or expired fire extinguishers are a sure way to fail an inspection. HRSS is licensed to provide fire alarm extinguisher services in Illinois and can help you to ensure you have the right type of extinguisher in the right location.

Emergency exits and lighting

Every commercial building in Chicago must provide the right type of emergency lighting and exits in case of fire as required by their building type and code regulations. HRSS offers extensive knowledge of all code requirements for emergency exits and lighting including where and when strobes are needed. We go above and beyond code compliance to ensure that your notification and evacuation system is functioning properly and designed to save lives. Some exits require a lighted exit sign, and all exits must be clearly marked for safe evacuation in case of a fire.

Clear Access and Sightlines

The outside of your building must also allow for easy access and clear sightlines for emergency responders. The fire department must be able to clearly see your address and recognize your building. Fire hydrants must be accessible on the property and clear from debris.  Make sure that landscaping or bushes have not grown up and blocked a fire hydrant that a department will need quick and easy access to when extinguishing a fire.

These are a few key areas that business owners must maintain on a regular basis to pass a fire safety inspection. Be sure to have an assigned individual responsible for ensuring the upkeep and maintenance of building safety and fire alarm equipment.

HRSS is leading fire alarm and safety consultant, providing complete services including commercial fire alarm system equipment. We help business owners to maintain complete code compliance with fire alarm system inspections, testing, maintenance, and repairs. Contact us to learn more and passing a commercial fire safety inspection in Chicago. 

This article was originally published at: https://hrsschicago.com/fire-alarm-inspection/preparing-for-a-fire-life-safety-inspection/

 

 

 

How to Avoid Common Fire Safety Code Violations

Fire safety code regulations are in place for a reason and endorsed by many different agencies. In Chicago, businesses must comply with safety regulations as outlined in the:

 

●       Chicago Building Code

●       International Building Code, IBC

●       National Fire Protection Association, NFPA

●       Americans with Disabilities Act, ADA

Commercial properties must meet the safety regulations set forth by these organizations and other applicable agencies. Working with an experienced commercial fire alarm system consultant and provider is the best way to ensure code compliance, protection for your property and people and is the best way to avoid common fire code violations.

How to Avoid Common Fire Safety Code Violations

Business owners must have protection systems in place to ensure the safety of all customers and employees at all times in the event of an emergency or a fire. Even when business owners think they are doing everything right, mistakes can happen that leave them in violation of fire safety code regulations. The following are some of the most common fire safety code violations and how to avoid them:

Faulty smoke detectors - smoke detectors need to be inspected regularly as faulty detectors are one of the most common issues that fire inspectors find. Battery-operated smoke detectors can develop issues with amplification of sound or needing new batteries. Faulty smoke detectors are found in many instances of catastrophic fires where lives are lost. All smoke detectors must be inspected regularly to ensure they are always operating properly.

Blocked fire alarm pull stations - the manual pull stations to sound a fire alarm in commercial properties are there for a reason, although are often overlooked until an emergency occurs. Many businesses with manual pull stations inadvertently pile up storage, boxes or other debris that may conceal or block the manual pull alarm. Manual pull stations where access is blocked is one of the most common, quickest, and easiest ways businesses fail an inspection and will be an instant violation. Always keep manual pull stations free and clear with easy access in case of emergency.

Improper fire safety equipment inspections- all fire safety equipment including portable fire extinguishers require regular inspections. Business owners who fail to maintain inspections on fire extinguishers and replace expired extinguishers will quickly fail a fire safety inspection. Always be sure that you have the right type of fire extinguisher to use in your place of business and for the materials on-site. Be sure to inspect them monthly and document internal inspections as well as maintain required annual inspections from a commercial fire alarm system inspection company.

Improper use of humidifiers - humidifiers and air diffusers should never be placed near smoke detectors as the mist that they emit can affect the proper performance of smoke detectors. This may cause an alarm to not sound at all or can lead to false alarms. Make sure that your smoke detectors are not located near humidifiers and that they are inspected regularly and working properly.

Commercial Fire Safety Consultant Prevents Violations

HRSS is an experienced commercial fire alarm and life safety system provider, offering consultation, inspections, and solutions for businesses to maintain code compliance. We offer high quality UL listed fire alarm system equipment from the top manufacturers, customized fire alarm systems designed to meet your unique building requirements, regular inspections, testing, maintenance, and upgrades to ensure maximum protection.

HRSS is a leading fire alarm safety consultant for commercial properties in and around Chicago. We help businesses to maintain complete code compliance to all local, state, and national building and fire safety code regulations. Contact us to make sure your property is protected and to avoid common fire safety code violations. 

This article was originally published at: https://hrsschicago.com/fire-safety-consultants/how-to-avoid-common-fire-safety-code-violations/

 

Security Systems For Businesses in 2022

 

Protecting your business is an important part of ownership. Business owners have often invested years into their company and ideas, focusing on what they love and providing quality products or services. A lot of time and energy is put into business ownership, the same effort put into running a business needs to be put into protecting that business with reliable fire safety and security systems. 

Go Above and Beyond Fire Safety with Integrated Security

Commercial fire alarm systems are a critical part of protecting people and property but going above and beyond fire safety with integrated security provides maximum protection.  As we start a new year, it’s a good time to talk with your fire and life safety system provider about identifying any gaps that may be in your business security system. High Rise Security Systems, HRSS, is a leading commercial fire alarm system consultant and provider, helping companies to go beyond fire safety with integrated security systems.

Chicago is a busy city with some of the strictest fire alarm regulations in the nation. HRSS is familiar with all local fire safety regulations including the Chicago Building Code as well as state and national code regulations. We offer complete commercial fire alarm system design, going beyond code compliance for customized and integrated security systems. Integrated security systems include many components such as:

●       Quality UL listed fire alarm system equipment

●       Security systems such as key card entry access

●       Video surveillance equipment for 24/7 monitoring

●       Reliable system monitoring with dispatch to emergency providers

●       Notification system such as strobes and audible evacuation procedures

 HRSS protects your people and property with all of these integral components of integrated security systems and in-depth knowledge of all code regulations. We customize your integrated security system to meet your needs and protect what matters most.

Stay up to Date with Fire Alarm System Technology

 Fire alarm system technology is continually evolving with the leading fire alarm equipment manufacturers providing enhanced, innovative life safety solutions. NOTIFIER™ by Honeywell offers some of the most advanced, integrated fire and life safety technology on the market.  NOTIFIER’s 3-pronged integrated solution includes the first UL listed smoke detectors that test themselves. This saves fire alarm inspection companies a lot of time, saving companies money and ensuring reliable smoke and fire detection even from smoke detectors in hard-to-reach places.

Combined with smart fire alarm control panels and a networkable software system, companies are in complete control of their fire safety and security with instant access to compliance reports and more.

Combine innovative fire alarm system technology with a carefully planned out commercial fire alarm system design, and customized components such as key card entry access, video surveillance and monitoring for a commercial fire alarm system that provides reliable protection against various safety threats.

HRSS leads the industry with commercial fire alarm and life safety system services including integrated security for maximum protection. We offer comprehensive services including fire safety consulting, quality equipment, testing, inspection, maintenance, and upgrades. Contact us to learn more about protecting your business with customized, integrated fire alarm, life safety and security systems.

This article was originally published at: https://hrsschicago.com/security-alarms/security-systems-for-businesses-in-2022/