Why Invest in Your Fire Prevention Plan?

 

Protecting your commercial building and assets from fire involves much more than just having a fire alarm and sprinkler system. The ability to maintain safety and security involves the cooperation of you and your employees, working cohesively to meet a common goal: fire safety and security. Creating a fire prevention plan for your business is the best and most effective way to meet this goal.

Unfortunately, fires affect thousands of people and companies each year, and the results are devastating. Fires result in loss of life, injury, building damage, and the loss of your customers’ trust. Creating an effective workplace fire prevention plan provides vital protection against expensive damage, injuries and fatalities to employees or residents and possible fines to your business.

Training Employees in Fire Safety is Key 

Many of us will never experience a fire while at work and take on the notion that these things happen to other businesses and other people. This is completely the wrong attitude to have when it comes to fire safety. When employees attend safety meetings with a disinterested and unengaged attitude, it not only affects the morale of the entire group but can also put people’s lives in jeopardy.

The best way to reduce these influences is to hold regular fire safety meetings and demonstrations. Doing this communicates to your employees the seriousness of fire safety and demonstrates that it should be taken seriously. Additional ways to keep your employees safe and informed on fire safety are:

●      Ensure each employee is trained on how to use a fire extinguisher

●      Reinforce that fire safety protocols are understood by all employees

●      Employees who smoke should only smoke in designated areas

●      Train employees on the correct way to store flammable materials

●      Educate employees on keeping exit pathways clear

●      Ensure employees have a firm understanding of fire alarm monitoring protocols

More Tips for a Commercial Fire Prevention Plan 

The following fire safety tips help ensure workplace safety and strategies to prevent fire damage as much as possible.

●      Always have your company’s evacuation route easily accessible to employees. All employees should know where to find the company’s fire safety plan and what their evacuation route should be.  For example, employees located in upstairs offices should have access to an escape ladder that can be hung from a window to escape a fire if the stairs are inaccessible and should know how to use it.

●      The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) offers fire safety resources, including Standards, Hazards, and Possible Solutions, Additional Resources including training and education, and information on Workers' Rights.

●      The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) provides leading information and knowledgeable resources on fire, electrical and related hazards, including a list of Codes and Standards that reflect changing industry needs and evolving technologies to help ensure safety in the workplace.

When creating a fire prevention plan, employers must make sure they are meeting all fire safety requirements issued by OSHA and NFPA. Speak with a commercial fire alarm and life safety specialist to ensure you are code compliant with all OSHA, NFPA, and building code requirements in your location.

Inspections of Electrical Equipment 

Faulty electrical equipment is a primary cause of hazardous fires in the workplace. These fires can quickly become unmanageable and can be the result of overloaded plugs, loose or faulty wires, or bad connections.

Having your electrical equipment regularly inspected by a commercial fire alarm specialist is the best option for keeping everyone safe. All employees should be educated on how important it is to keep equipment in good operating condition. Do not use broken or frayed electrical cords, and do not overload extension cords or outlets.

Why Choose HRSS for Your Fire Safety Planning 

High Rise Security Systems, HRSS, employs fire safety specialists with vast experience and in-depth knowledge of all fire, life, and safety code requirements. We work with your business to design the best commercial fire alarm system for your unique building and property. HRSS offers commercial fire alarm system design services to meet all safety code requirements by OSHA, NFPA, and other regulations, including the International Building Code (IBC), Chicago Building Code, and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

HRSS provides commercial fire alarm system design and comprehensive fire safety services such as regular fire alarm inspections, maintenance, testing, and monitoring 24/7/365. We are equipped to handle emergency response needs promptly, keeping your safety and protection as our main priority. HRSS will assess your commercial fire safety needs and design a commercial fire alarm system that meets your requirements, including assessing any future updates or possible expansions.

HRSS offers commercial fire alarm and life safety inspections and provides recommendations for your commercial fire prevention plan. We use reputable, high-quality equipment known for delivering consistent and dependable fire detection and notification. HRSS prioritizes saving lives and protecting your property as an important part of your commercial fire prevention plan. Contact us today.

This article was originally published at: https://hrsschicago.com/fire-alarm-and-life-safety/why-invest-in-your-fire-prevention-plan/

 

 

The Purpose of Duct Smoke Detectors

 
 

During a fire, the ducts of an HVAC system can serve as a literal superhighway for smoke, carbon monoxide, and carbon dioxide throughout a commercial building. In addition, the airflow from an HVAC system feeds a fire oxygen, supercharging the process. It is essential and may be required by commercial fire alarm code regulations to have a functioning duct smoke detector in your building. 

How do Duct Smoke Detectors Work?

Duct smoke detectors test air currents to determine if fumes or smoke are present in air handling equipment. The detection system will stop blowers and fans, close dampers, and trigger a visible and loud signal at the fire control panel if anything is detected. Code requirements may vary based on the governing code in your jurisdiction, however, duct smoke detectors are most common in buildings with 5-ton plus HVAC units, if 2,000 cfm (cubic feet per minute) or more are processed through the supply side of air handling units, or if the return side exceeds 15,000 cfm and serves more than one building floor. 

A duct smoke detector is a perforated pipe affixed to a smoke detector. The pipe extends into the duct and is placed so that duct airflow passes through it. The pipe then pushes the air it gathers into the smoke detector. A return pipe moves the air back into the duct.

Duct smoke detectors are connected to a circuit board. The detector notifies the circuit board when the airflow sampling process identifies smoke. The board then sends a signal to activate the fire alarm, which shuts down the HVAC fan, and damper closure begins.

Maintenance is Very Important for Duct Smoke Detectors

NFPA 72 states that duct smoke detectors must be visually inspected twice per year. These inspections should be performed by qualified staff or a trained fire safety professional. It should ensure the following: 

●        The Circuit board has no apparent signs of damage

●        Remote annunciators are working properly

●        Airflow through the duct near the detector is not affected by any holes or cuts 

●        Trouble signals on the control unit are clear

●        Sampling system fittings and piping are airtight 

●        The sampling pipe is marked in a visible spot, and samples are clear of debris

●        Filters are clean

●        The detector is securely mounted to the duct and shows no damage  

Like all commercial fire alarm systems, duct smoke detectors must have an annual inspection and testing performed by a qualified fire safety professional. NFPA 72 requires the following steps for duct smoke detectors:

●        A test to make sure smoke can enter the sensing compartment of the detector

●        A test to verify that the pressure differential between the sampling pipes is within the manufacturer’s specified range

●        Sampling pipe testing to ensure that the duct airflow follows the manufacturer’s recommendation 

Fire alarm technicians may use compressed air, a vacuum cleaner, or dry nitrogen to remove debris and dust if sensors require cleaning. The proper local authorities should be notified the system will be down when the testing takes place. 

Duct Smoke Detectors Important Part of Commercial Fire Alarm Systems 

A duct smoke detector is an important part of many commercial fire alarm systems. If the HVAC unit is not working, the duct smoke detector will not detect smoke by design. Duct smoke detectors should be considered another component of a comprehensive fire and life safety system. A commercial building still requires area smoke detectors to meet local, state, and federal fire safety regulations. 

Duct smoke detectors are an excellent investment in protecting your people and property and provide added protection in a building where regular smoke detectors either may malfunction or were not maintained properly.

HRSS provides high-quality commercial fire alarm system equipment from the leading manufacturers in fire safety.  We offer advanced fire alarm systems that monitor safety conditions throughout a building or complex with quality fire alarm equipment, including detectors, initiators, visual and audible alerts, and remote features with full integration.  Contact us to learn more about when and where duct smoke detectors are required in your commercial fire alarm system.

This article was originally published at: https://hrsschicago.com/fire-alarm-and-life-safety/the-purpose-of-duct-smoke-detectors/

Why Elevator Recall is Important

 

An elevator recall ensues when a fire alarm system triggers and commences to automatically send the elevator cab and its occupants to the building’s primary or pre-determined floor. If the smoke detector that set off the alarm is on the primary floor, the elevator will recall to an alternate floor.

Keeping People Safe is the Primary Goal

The idea is to get people in the elevator to safety as quickly as possible. Elevator shafts can fill with smoke and fumes exceptionally quickly in a fire emergency. A recall also tells firefighters that fire could be in the machine room or shaft and to not use it.

Since elevators require inspection and testing of recalls, it is critical for building managers to educate themselves on the fundamentals of the process.

Maintenance and Testing are Critical 

For a facility’s elevator to receive certification, it must go through annual testing and inspection of elevator recalls, among other things. Trained elevator and fire alarm technicians should be the ones to test how the recall functions.  Both the Authorities Having Jurisdiction (fire department) and the local elevator inspection department are tapped with administering the regulations.

There are varied code requirements, including the Chicago Building Code, International Building Code, standards issued by the National Fire Protection Association, and more affecting businesses in and around Chicago.  This makes it complex to understand which regulations apply to your company and your property.  Working with an experienced fire alarm and life safety professional will ensure that your elevators are tested and properly maintained.

The Regulations That Guide Elevator Recalls

 There are general regulations found in NFPA 13, 70, 72, 101, and ASME A17.1 that detail the requirements for elevator recalls and fire alarm systems. 

Here are a few highlights:

●        Smoke detectors are prohibited in the shaft without sprinklers.

●        Just heat detectors may be acceptable in a parking garage elevator lobby where smoke detectors may not be required. 

●        Only automatic detectors located in elevator shafts, elevator lobbies, and machine rooms are permitted to initiate the recalling of elevators.  An elevator should never be recalled by a manual pull station or by detectors in other facility areas unless specified by the AHJ.

●        Many older fire alarms comply with code and may be appropriate for elevator recall, while some systems may require an upgrade of fire alarm technology. 

●        Many fire departments may mandate a complete overhaul of the building’s fire safety system to achieve code compliance. 

A building manager’s essential function in fire alarm system and elevator recall testing is to organize the process and its multiple moving parts. Scheduling a time for the testing and inspection that works for fire alarm and recall technicians is a big part of the role. 

After hours when few or no tenants are in the facility is the best time to test and inspect elevators. Businesses should notify occupants in advance of the testing. Posting signs that indicate necessary testing is occurring and not just “out of order” will help avoid some frustration and let occupants know you are working for their safety. 

High Rise Security Systems Provides Elevator Recall Assistance

 High Rise Security Systems, HRSS, can assist building managers in meeting all code regulations regarding elevator recall and provide documentation to the authority having jurisdiction (AHJ). We ensure that your facility’s fire alarm system meets all code regulations such as NFPA 101 Life Safety Code®, NFPA 72 National Fire Alarm and Signaling Code, and other applicable code regulations. HRSS also provides businesses with updated commercial fire alarm modifications based on changes in the demands of society and technological innovations.

HRSS offers the latest in commercial fire alarm code compliant technology, including elevator recalls. We provide full-service AutoCAD design of commercial fire alarm systems and service from field-trained, NICET certified technicians. Contact us to learn more about protecting your properties with code complaint commercial fire alarms and elevator recall service. 

This article was originally published at: https://hrsschicago.com/fire-alarm-and-life-safety/why-elevator-recall-is-important/