An Introduction to Fire Sprinkler System Maintenance

Fire sprinkler systems are a great way to keep your structure and the people inside it safe from harm. However, the system requires maintenance to work correctly. Fortunately, a lot of the process is something anyone can handle with just a little instruction. If you need help, though, call an expert immediately.

If your building is outfitted with a sprinkler system, you’re right to feel a bit safer. You can rest easy knowing that, should a fire break out, your system will immediately react to keep everyone safe by containing the outbreak until the fire department arrives. However, this will only happen if you’ve been practicing sound fire sprinkler system maintenance. Systems that aren’t properly maintained may not work as they’re supposed to and that could end up costing you the ultimate price. So let’s take a look at what goes into fire sprinkler system maintenance and then take action to ensure you’re doing what’s necessary.

How Sprinklers Work
First, however, let’s take a quick look at how your fire sprinklers actually work. In the movies, at the first hint of fire, every sprinkler on the building’s floor goes off, covering the entire area in water.
That’s not how it actually works though. Each sprinkler head is designed to only go off when the area around it is hot enough to melt the fusible link blocking the flow of water. So a fire could actually only activate one or two heads, which then work to contain the flames until the authorities make it to the scene.

Why is this important? We’ll elaborate shortly, but the takeaway is that each head needs its own maintenance. It’s not like they all run on a single activation system and if one isn’t working correctly, the others will just pick up the slack.

The Control Valve
Any discussion on fire sprinkler system maintenance needs to touch on the control valve. It’s an essential part of any fire sprinkler system, and also an easy one to inspect. Essentially, there’s a valve in your building that must remain open in order for the water supply to flow. If this valve is off, your sprinklers will get no water and be useless in the case of a fire. Unfortunately, closed valves are the leading cause of widespread fire damage.

The good news is that checking the valve is probably the easiest component of fire sprinkler system maintenance. Just take a look once a week to ensure it’s still locked in the open position.

Also, sometimes the valve needs to be shut off to conduct maintenance or handle repairs on your system. When this is the case, be sure water is only shut off to the one area where the work is being done and only for as long as completely necessary. There’s no reason to take unnecessary risks.

Inspecting Sprinklers
When you want to inspect the actual sprinklers, you need to turn off the valve, as we just mentioned. It’s a good idea to put a brightly colored tag or ribbon on the valve when you do this as a visual reminder to you or anyone else who passes by that the valve needs to be turned back on later.

Also, alert the local authorities that you’re conducting fire sprinkler system maintenance. Your alarm company should know too in case you need to set yours off for a drill or as part of repairs. It’s also not a bad idea to tell your insurance company. Sometimes this is mandatory if it means keeping yourself covered by conducting regular fire sprinkler system maintenance.

Like we already said, keep your inspection to only as many sprinklers as necessary and allow the rest to operate as normal. You also want to make sure that you keep any ignition sources out of the area for the duration of the inspection.

In terms of how often you should conduct maintenance on your sprinklers, check NFPA 25: Standard for the Inspection, Testing, and Maintenance of Water-Based Fire Protection Systems. Depending on your municipality, you may need a certified contractor to handle your inspections and testing for you.

General Understanding
When it comes to your fire sprinkler system maintenance, no matter what rules you’re bound to by local powers and your insurance company, make sure your staff has a general understanding of the system. This should include:
•    Where the valve is and what it looks like when it’s open and closed
•    What a sprinkler looks like if anything’s wrong
•    Ensuring sprinklers are never blocked

Maintaining your fire sprinklers doesn’t need to be demanding, but it does need to get done. The simple steps above could be enough to save lives someday.

Having specialized in the fire sprinkler system maintenance signs trade for over 25 years, USAFP now works tirelessly to promote affordable fire safety for home and for business.

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Protecting Your Warehouse: Fire Safety

Warehouses pose a unique challenge when protecting commercial buildings from fire.  They often are overstuffed with machinery, paper, and other materials that can catch ablaze easily.  While protecting your warehouse with a fire sprinkler system is common practice, there are many other things to consider when discussing the subject.  If you are a warehouse manager or run a small business, take note of the ways listed below to protect your place of business by using warehouse fire sprinkler system. The list is a mix of traditional approaches like a quality fire sprinkler system along with a few tips you may not have thought of.

Below are some ways to integrate fire safety practices into the warehouse:

Don’t Be Fooled – Just because you own a warehouse fire sprinkler system or passed an OSHA inspection; do not be fooled into thinking your business is protected from fires starting in the building.  There are many other potential dangers that could be hidden within your structure along with poor practices by your employees or contractors.

Protect Against Arson – While the majority of fires are set accidentally, some warehouse fires are caused by arson at the hands of other people.  To protect the warehouse from arson and break-ins, protect it with a quality alarm system.  These systems can offer motion detection or perimeter protection depending on the physical structure of the building and personal preference.

Store Pallets the Right Way – Wooden pallets are a huge help to carry loads and cargo in and out of the building.  They speed up processes and keep the plant moving.  These wooden carriers also pose a fire danger because of the material they are constructed of and the large amount of units that can be stored together.  Wooden pallets should be kept at least 3 inches apart when stored side-by-side.   When storing back to back, leave a 6 inch gap between the pallets. Vertically, your warehouse workers should also leave a 1 ½ to 2 foot gap between your pallet stacks and the fire sprinkler system.

Smoking Rules–Lit ambers from cigarettes are a huge threat to combustible materials and those items prone to catching fire such as paper and wood.  Employ reasonable smoking policies for your employees keeping their cigarettes away from these threats.  Regardless of your personal choices, no employees should smoke within the warehouse building.  One can also develop guidelines on how far employees must be away from the building to light a cigarette.  Another suggestion is to establish a designated smoking area away from potential fire hazards.

You could take the initiative one step further and make your business a non-smoking campus. With this rule, employees would not be able to smoke anywhere on business property and would have to leave during breaks to keep up their habit.

Taking your warehouse’s fire safety practices from the minimal warehouse fire sprinkler system to an all-encompassing protective program will keep your workers, products, and equipment safe from deadly fires.  By employing these tips, you are taking a pro-active approach sure to set your company apart from the rest.  If you are unsure of where to begin or don’t have the time to implement these tips, you may want to consider contacting a local professional for help.  They will have the resources and expertise to take your business to the next level in fire safety.

If you are eager to know about warehouse fire sprinkler system, then you can contact us for assistance. We have experience in installation, repairing and maintenance of fire sprinkler contractor and are always ready to serve you again and again.

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7 Tips for Fire Safety in the Workplace

Back in a previous life, I worked in retail. You could hear the serious gulps from my manager anytime he saw a certain person walk in the door – a firefighter.  He would dart his eyes my way and I knew what to do.  I would quickly, but discreetly, make my way to the back room and shove as many boxes away from the service door as I could.  I didn’t care where they went or how they landed; I just wanted us to pass inspection.

Looking back, this was not a safe practice for the employees, the customers shopping, or our merchandise.  Fire safety in the workplace is serious business.  How does your business rank on its fire safeguards?

Below I cover seven tips for fireplace safety in the workplace.
Never Block the Exits–Every business, including retail stores in the mall, should follow this rule every single minute of every single day.  Blocking the exits with garbage, boxes, or displays prevent people from getting out in the event of a fire.

Keep It Clean – Debris on the floor can make someone trip or fall if heading to the exit during a fire.  Also overflowing garbage or dust and other rubbish near electrical outlets and electronic machinery can create prime conditions for flames to start.

Use a Fire Sprinkler System–A good quality fire sprinkler system can help your business put out a fire during its early stages resulting in less fatalities and property damage.  Smothering the fire before it can grow, a fire sprinkler system is an effective and reliable tool to implement.  Not sure what your need?  A fire safety contractor can help find a model right for your needs.

Hire Out – Hiring a fire safety contractor to address safety concerns, train your employees, and devise fire plans in case of an emergency can be helpful for those without a safety manager on staff.

Assess the Risk – Either your own EHS professional or a reputable fire safety contractor should complete a fire risk assessment at your place of business.  During this time, they will check for potential hazards, evaluate your fire suppression tools, and offer suggestions on how you can better protect your building.

Have a Plan – Devise a practical plan on what to do if a fire should occur at your business.  Address different scenarios and places of fire origin as well.  Make sure to inform your employees of the plan and have them practice it.  This practice will help them feel confident in following through with the correct steps you have set forth.

Train your Employees– Provide education and training to all employees, not just managers, on correct fire safety procedures.  Make them aware of local laws and ordinances that affect your company and show them how to conduct their own fire safety checks on a regular basis.

If you are a small business owner, follow these seven fire safety tips at your workplace for a safe, hazard-free work environment.  When in doubt, reach out to a professional for help.  And always make sure to follow your local laws and ordinances.

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What You Need to Know about Fire Sprinkler Inspection

If your building is outfitted with fire sprinklers, you probably benefit from peace of mind that, should the worst happen, you and others will be protected. Those sprinklers may also save plenty of your property too. Obviously, it’s important that you’re meeting building code demands as well. However, if you don’t conduct a regular fire sprinkler inspection, that peace of mind may be a mirage that goes up in smoke if your building ever catches fire. The following is what you need to know to ensure your fire sprinkler inspection is working to keep you, others, and your property safe.

How Often You Need to Conduct a Fire Sprinkler Inspection

The National Fire Protection Association recommends that you check the control valves of your system every week if they’re not assisted by electronic supervision. This way you know they’re in the open position and ready to send water to your sprinklers should a fire break out. Fortunately, this inspection won’t take long at all.

If your system is aided by electronic supervision of some sort, check your manufacturer’s manual for a recommendation. Checking the control valve should probably be unnecessary, but given how quick you can do it, many might consider it worth a few minutes a week.

 

Fire spinkler inspection

 

About every three months, a more comprehensive fire sprinkler inspection should be carried out by a knowledgeable and credentialed professional. Once again, your need may differ some here depending on the city and state your building is located in. So check with both to ensure you’re not violating code requirements.

Fortunately, many fire sprinkler companies offer long-term service agreements. This will guarantee regular and affordable inspections by a knowledgeable professional that is familiar with your specific system.

Even if yours doesn’t, many local contractors will essentially offer you a similar detail. Plus, they’ll be familiar with local codes, so you’ll be assured your sprinklers are operating within the law.

Lastly, your insurance company may have their own requirements. Even your local fire department might have their own, separate from those of the city and state. Obviously it pays to make sure you’re inspecting in accordance with these demands. Should a fire occur, your insurance company may not be liable to help if they can prove you were neglecting regular inspections. Whether you have a local contractor or someone from the fire sprinkler company carry out the inspection, be sure they provide you with a certificate that you can present to the necessary authorities as proof.

Other Times You Need a Fire Sprinkler Inspection

Aside from the regular schedule outlined above, there are other times when it’s appropriate to hold a fire sprinkler inspection. Generally speaking they are:

• If the building’s structure changes
• If the building’s use changes
• If the water supply is altered

It should go without saying that if there are ever any changes to the actual structure of the building, an inspection should occur. Fire sprinklers are installed specifically for the structure they’re meant to protect. So any alteration to it could affect their ability to do their job. If you change the way the building is used, it’s also important you check the sprinklers to ensure they’ll still be able to reach all its critical parts.

Obviously, if anything permanently alters the building’s water supply, an inspection has to be done. Without the right connection to the supply, your sprinklers are little more than decoration. Similarly, if anything ever temporarily happens to the water supply—if the pressure drops one day or it stops working for some reason—you need to inspect your sprinklers, even if the supply bounces right back.

Responsibilities of Occupants

Again, an actual fire sprinkler inspection should be handled by a qualified professional (checking the water valve once a week doesn’t count). However, the building’s occupants can also play a role in keeping sprinklers working.

For one thing, never paint over them. Don’t hang anything on them either. The sprinklers always need their space, so items should never be stacked too close to them or plants allowed to grow to the point that they’re blocking them. Of course, anything that even resembles damage to a sprinkler should be reported immediately.

So long as the above is observed in terms of inspecting your fire sprinklers and keeping them unobstructed, you should have nothing to worry about in terms of them working as planned.

 

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Here’s What You Need to Know about a Commercial Fire Sprinkler System

Although it’s not something most of us want to consider, the truth is that a fire breaking out in our commercial building is always a possibility. Nowadays, with all kinds of wires and power sources in most buildings, it wouldn’t even take much. Fortunately, thanks to a commercial fire sprinkler system, it doesn’t have to take much to put the fire out either, saving lives and property. If your building doesn’t currently have one, here’s what you need to know.

commercial fire sprinkler system

They Limit Property Damage

When a fire breaks out, most people don’t think about property damage. They think about getting to safety as soon as possible. However, when considering a commercial fire sprinkler system, a lot of people do wonder if it’s worth the risk. After all, in the movies, when a sprinkler head goes off, the entire room is wet within seconds.

Fortunately, those incidents are rare—as in, they only happen in the movies. In real life, one of the advantages of a commercial fire sprinkler system is that it limits property damage sometimes by as much as 65%.

That’s because every head actually works on its own. Each contains a glass vile filled with a chemical that expands when heated. The vile works as a sort of stopper, blocking the water supply concealed behind the ceiling. When the heat reaches roughly 150 degrees Fahrenheit, the chemical in the vile breaks it open and water is free to put out the fire.

However, sprinklers in the surrounding area that never experienced the heat don’t do a thing. So the fire is contained and as much property as possible stays untouched by water.

Insurance Companies Love Them

Given that commercial fire sprinkler systems leave property alone as much as possible, it should be no surprise that insurance companies are quite fond of them. We’ll cover costs in a second, but one thing you need to consider when looking at an estimate is how much you will save when an insurance company underwrites your structure and the sprinkler system involved.

Cost

As with any addition to a structure, cost must be considered. Fortunately, when it comes to that commercial fire sprinkler system, safety is actually relatively affordable. If you’re going to install one while in the midst of construction, an entire commercial fire sprinkler system will only run you about $2 a square foot, at most.

If you need to retrofit your existing structure, that estimate may still hold. At most, though, it will cost roughly $7 per square foot. For a high rise building, cut that estimate in half.

Putting a fire sprinkler system in a historic building is where you might have to drop some serious money. That could cost you as much as $10 a square foot. However, when you think about how much damage a fire could do to historic buildings, the investment is an obvious choice. Most of the extra cost is also due to design features that must be maintained. So many historic structures can get a system for far less.

Safer for People

In the face of a fire, most of us would be out the door and a mile away as soon as possible. However, some people may stay back to fight the flames. While this is admirable, it’s also risky for all kinds of reasons. Fortunately, a commercial fire sprinkler system also makes this unnecessary. As they don’t need a person to activate or control them, everyone is free to head for safety and let the sprinklers do their part.

Automatic

Let’s expand on that some more. Your sprinkler system doesn’t need anyone to work it. That also means it’s far less susceptible to human error (the only way a person could trip up a sprinkler system is by shutting the water supply off). Someone could easily mess up using a fire extinguisher or even make matters worse with it. That will never happen with a fire sprinkler system.

As you can see, there’s no reason your commercial property should be going without a sprinkler system. They’re:

• Affordable to install
• Loved by insurance companies
• Safer for people and property
• Activated automatically

 So begin looking into installing a commercial fire sprinkler system today and enjoy a safer future.

What Are Fire Department Connections?

When speaking of fire protection systems, we often think of fire sprinklers and extinguishers placed strategically throughout the workplace. These pieces of equipment are the typical “go-to’s” for business owners looking to protect their place of business from costly and deadly fires. While these parts of fire protections systems do help reduce the spread of a fire, there is also a lesser known tool that can provide life-saving protection should a fire occur in the building. The little-known fire department connections are also helpful in reducing the spread of a fire.

Fire department connections, also known as FDC’s, consists of brass fittings located in the building that allow firemen to connect two hoses to the unit and provide a water supply to put the fire out. In fact, as fire codes continue to evolve and expand, many municipalities require fire department connections for both large to small buildings. What was once commonplace only in vast structures can know be found in smaller offices and outlets.

In this article, we take time to learn more about the types of fire department connections available and how these fire protection systems work.

Exposed FDC
The most common FDC, the exposed unit is mounted on the outside of the building and are typically backed by a stamped plate explaining what it is. For example, the plate could read: automatic sprinkler, standpipe, or automatic sprinkler & stand pipe.

Free Standing FDC
These units are placed on the ground and can typically be found on or around a sidewalk area. The connections are top-mounted at a 90 degree angle and a decorative plate may be placed at its base.

Flush Mount FDC
A flush mount fire department connection is mounted on the inside of building. In this design, only the plate and inlets are typically visible on the outside wall.

Another aspect to be aware of when speaking of fire department connections is why they can be helpful when other tools cannot. Hurricanes, tornadoes, flooding, and other natural disasters can interrupt the water flow to sprinkler systems making these fire protection systems less effective. In this circumstance, the fire department connection is the first, and only, line of defense in providing much needed water to extinguish the blaze.

If you already have a fire department connection in place, make sure it is clearly marked so that those that would need to access it know where it is. While many have stamped markings on the unit, you may want to consider adding additional signs. A clearly-marked placard or a free-standing sign near the area are both good ways to let the fire department know where your FDC is.  Ensure that it is not covered or blocked by big, heavy items so it can tapped into quickly should the need arise.

Having a fire department connection at your place of business is not only a wise decision but often one necessary to comply with local codes. Knowing how these fire protections systems work and why they are so important will provide a first-line of defense for business owners in both small and large buildings.

6 Point Checklist When Hiring a Fire Protection Contractor

Many business owners lack the time and energy to invest into learning extensively about fire protection in the workplace. While it is important to understand the basics, these entrepreneurs respect their limits and often hire a professional to lend their expertise in fire safety. These contractors can assist with all fire protection services from sprinkle installation to fire evacuation training. Below are some tips for hiring a fire protection contractor at your workplace.

1.    Evaluate Your Environment – Before they can help you, a fire protection contractor will need to understand your environment to provide services necessary for your unique situation. Does your business come in contact with hazardous materials? Are you a restaurant using oils and fats? These are important questions to ask yourself and ones that a professional will as well.

2.    Know Your Needs – For the most part, you know you will need a fire sprinkler system and extinguisher in your place of business, but what else? Knowing your needs will help the provider prepare a comprehensive package of fire protection services. During this time, you should also evaluate your limits. If you are under-informed on the subject, you may need to rely on your contractor more to perform necessary maintenance and inspections.

3.    Follow Code – While you may not need to know every code and law out there, knowing the basics of local and municipal fire codes is a must for any business owner.   An experienced professional will be able to help you meet these requirements while also making sure you follow the lesser-known guidelines as well. This partner can prove invaluable in providing expertise in a difficult to understand aspect of fire protection.

4.    Experience Is A Must – When hiring a fire protection contractor, you will want to find one with experience in the field. You will also want them to have exposure to working in a setting similar to yours. This will assure that they can address concerns relevant to your industry. You can also research their credentials and fire protection services online. Many reputable businesses now have at least a basic website that lists their certifications, specialties, and offerings.

5.    Bundle Services – Providing further cost-savings to their customers, many fire protection contractors offer bundled services. These comprehensive programs typically include installation, maintenance, and inspection of all fire protection tools.  By securing an on-going relationship with the fire safety expert, business owners can provide a safe environment for their employees for years to come with little effort scheduling appointments and up-keeping a system.

6.    Include Training In The Contract – Ask your fire protection contractor if they also provide training. Workshops for employees that include fire extinguisher instructions and fire evacuation procedures are invaluable in establishing a sound safety program. If you don’t feel comfortable conducting these sessions or lack the knowledge to do so, hire the professional to do the work.

Leaving the fire protection at your place of business to chance is a dangerous endeavor. Hiring a fire protection partner that can assist you in your system for years to come will not only offer security in the building but also piece of mind. Using these 6 tips when hiring a contractor, you are sure to find a professional that is a perfect match.

Protect your world and community through fire safety contractors

It doesn’t matter in what city you live. You just need to call the fire safety contractors in order to check the fire protection systems. These systems are very important for all the buildings whether it is residential, commercial, malls, or any other type. Fire safety systems are required in every place in order to get instant prevention from fire. But all the equipment requires proper checking and maintenance with time. For that purpose, the fire safety contractors are needed. They fully inspect your fire safety devices while giving you and your family complete protection.

It will be the wise decision if you call the fire safety contactors on time. Fire contractors ensure that your fire safety systems are working properly or not.  These contractors understand the importance of the quality of your fire equipment and thus provide proper inspection services to each and every client. Safety is very important for all people living in this world. If you want to be safe and protected from fire throughout your life, then you must call the fire safety contractors immediately. You can call them for any type of service like checking of fire sprinklers, fire alarms, fire extinguishers, emergency lighting, etc.