2014 Trends for Fire Protection

When we think of fire protection services, we often think of the usual -- fire sprinklers, a bright, red fire extinguisher and loud fire bells.  While these standards are still relevant, the year 2014 will see a welcoming of both technology and style into the industry.  These trends will not only keep us safer but also fit seamlessly into our modern, chic homes.  Below we examine three big trends that will be hitting the world of fire protections services.  Read more about this new equipment to see if any may be a fit for you.



Fire Retardant Materials
Fire retardant materials are now more versatile than ever as manufacturers continue to improve the technology.  Treating the items with a fire retardant chemical, many types of fabric can be used including cotton, silk, nylon, and even velvet.   A popular consumer product that has been chemically treated for years is children’s pajama sets with treating on both the PJ tops and bottoms.  These treated fabrics are extremely helpful in case of a fire as they will not ignite with flames.  The fire retardant process can also be applied to existing materials throughout the home or workplace.

Voice Evacuation Systems
Voice evacuation systems are quickly becoming popular technology advancements in the fire protection services world.  These units work much like a typical fire alarm system with the ability for the unit to detect smoke and temperature.  Once activated, the voice will direct people on what to do and where to go.  Many companies are also tying in varying languages and messages to meet the ever-changing demands.  This feature has been further expanded with the integration of both music and instruments into the evacuation message.

Stainless Steel Fire Extinguishers
Stainless steel isn’t just for residential kitchen appliances anymore.  This stylish metal is also great for equipment in the home built to put out fires such as fire extinguishers.  Fire extinguisher manufacturers are taking note of this trend that has been around for years and is now here to stay.  To address their customer’s desire for both form and function, the fire extinguisher industry has met the demand by incorporating this design feature into their units making them both beautiful and functional. Rather than having an eye sore sticking out with the typical red extinguisher, this steel model can fit anywhere and blend into its surroundings with ease.

If your home or business is already fully protected, you may not see a need to add any more fire protection services to your arsenal.  But if you are lacking some needed protection try incorporating these three trends for 2014.  The voice evacuation system would be an excellent safeguard for a large building or office complex.  A stainless steel extinguisher would be a perfect fit for a kitchen blending in nicely with your stainless steel oven and refrigerator.  Fire retardant materials can be outfitted pretty much anywhere you use fabric whether it is in the office furniture or on your living room drapes. Keeping you safe in 2014, these three fire protection services trends are here to stay. 

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



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6 Point Checklist for Restaurant Fire Safety

The restaurant industry has a huge target on their back when it comes to fires occurring in the workplace.  With hot temperatures, even hotter grease, and the use of many heating appliances, restaurateurs must be extra vigilant in the steps they take to reduce the risk of fire in their place of business. While having working restaurant fire sprinklers is important, there are other steps you can take to reduce your risk. And it doesn’t have to be a huge chore to undertake.  In fact, completing just a few simple tasks now can save you from fire heartache in the future.



1.    Utilize Restaurant Fire Sprinklers – Restaurant fire sprinklers are one of the most important pieces of equipment you can install in your workplace.  These systems should be adequate enough for a restaurant setting and serviced every six months.

2.    Comply Industry Standards– The restaurant industry must comply with specific laws designed for their unique work setting.  For example, most newer-style deep fryers require a wet chemical suppression system rather than a dry one and must be UL 300 compliant.

3.    Train the Staff – Make sure to train your staff on how to look for potential dangers in the workplace.  Show them how to take a proactive approach to these dangers such as regular cleaning and removing debris from the ground and cooking areas.  Also offer extensive training on what to do in case of a fire such as an emergency exit plan and who to contact.

4.    Don’t Neglect the Exhaust System–Cleaning the exhaust system regularly is important to removing the buildup of grease that is bound to accumulate.  How often this dirty task needs to be completed will vary depending on how much your kitchen is used.  Those with minimal use may only need to clean annually while larger restaurants may need to clean the exhaust system quarterly.  Those utilizing charcoal or wood fires may need to clean their system even more frequently perhaps on a monthly basis.

5.    Keep It Posted– Display fire safety signs such as safe heating temperatures for deep fryers in public areas or areas which pertain to that particular signage.  Also post maintenance checklists, cleaning schedules, and fire inspection schedules as needed throughout the building so that all employees are aware of the steps they must take to prevent fires in the workplace.

6.    Perform a Fire Safety Check– Whether you hire a professional safety inspector or have one on staff, a fire safety check is a great way to see areas in which you are succeeding and areas in which you have left yourself open for fires to occur.  During the inspection, they will rate you on a number of areas and then brief you on their findings.  In the course of the briefing, they typically offer suggestions for improvements as well as equipment that may help strengthen your safety.

Don’t make a costly mistake by leaving your restaurant’s fire safety in a haphazard condition. Keeping your place of business a safe environment can be simple and easy.  Engaging these six steps can greatly reduce the risk of fire within the workplace ensuring safety for your customers, employees, and property by using restaurant fire sprinklers.

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Are You Handling Fire Extinguisher Inspection Correctly?

Just about every home and building has a fire extinguisher located in it somewhere. Even those with sprinkler systems generally have fire extinguishers located throughout in case of an emergency. While fire extinguishers are both convenient and efficient, they still need attention. Without a proper fire extinguisher inspection, you could suddenly have a bad situation turn much worse. Fortunately, fire extinguisher inspection doesn’t demand much. Keep reading for a quick tutorial on the matter.



How Often Do I Need to Inspect My Fire Extinguisher?
Fire extinguisher inspections should happen ever six years. However, a fire extinguisher must always be inspected when:

•    It’s been used
•    The pin has either been pulled or otherwise moved
•    The gauge is not in the proper pressure area (usually green)
Check with your insurance company too, as they may have different demands regarding when you need to inspect extinguishers.

Who Can Inspect Them?
The ability to inspect fire extinguishers is covered by 29 CFR 1910.157 of the Department of Labor, Occupational Safety and Health Administration. If it’s a private residence, you may be ok to do it. However, for most businesses, your insurance company will probably have rules about a qualified contractor being in charge of inspecting it. Local governments will also have their own take.

Ensuring They’re Approved
There are many different kinds of fire extinguishers, designated by their class (which generally refers to what they use to put out fires). So whenever you do your fire extinguisher inspection, be sure you check to confirm yours is still approved either by your local municipality or your insurance company. In terms of government regulations, you can check 29 CFR 1910.157(c)(2) to make sure yours is still ok.

Making Them Available
Obviously, a fire extinguisher is no good if it can’t be found in the case of a fire. You also need to make sure it is extremely easy to locate because the panic a fire will cause can cloud people’s ability to think straight or remember where they saw it before.
So part of your fire extinguisher inspection needs to involve making sure all of yours are still in easy to spot locations. They have to be mounted on the wall, so they’re not missed by being too low. These locations should also be well marked.

It’s ok if you house your fire extinguisher in a cabinet or mounted box. However, part of your fire extinguisher inspection then means making sure that it is unobstructed and easily opened. If the cabinet or box is opaque, you have to make sure you label the outside so people know it contains a fire extinguisher.

Checking the Fire Extinguisher
Your fire extinguisher inspection wouldn’t be worth much if you didn’t actually check on the device itself. You won’t actually test it out, but you do have to check some key factors. One we already touched on is that the gauge needs to record that it’s ready to work by either showing the approved pressure or simply being in the green.
You want to inspect the extinguisher itself to make sure the unit isn’t banged up in any way, that the hose and nozzle are unobstructed and that the lever is in good shape and won’t be blocked when someone has to squeeze it.

Instructing Others
While this isn’t part of any official instruction, it’s worthwhile to take a moment during your fire extinguisher inspection to see that your staff understands where to find them in case of an emergency. You should also take a few minutes to ensure everyone knows how they work too. The easiest way to remember is with the acronym, P.A.S.S. It stands for:

•    Pull out the pin
•    Aim the hose low (you want to hit the base of the fire)
•    Slowly squeeze the lever with even pressure
•    Sweep the extinguisher’s nozzle from side to side so that it covers the entire base of the fire

It’s a good idea to read the instructions that came with your fire extinguisher just to make sure this is accurate. Again, not all extinguishers are the same, so it’s worth looking into.

Fire extinguishers aren’t the most complicated devices in the world, but they could easily save many lives. So take a moment to inspect them by following the above rules so you know they’ll work when it’s most important.

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How Fire Protection Systems are Safeguarding Hospitals

Hospitals are places where people go to get well and receivelife-saving procedures.  While in the staff’s care, these patients are often very helpless and unable to take care of themselves.  During this vulnerable time, the overall fire safety of all those in the building must be of importance to hospital executives and staff.  For decades, fire protections systems have been safeguarding the hospital industry against deadly fires. While a hospital fire sprinkler system is a necessary tool there are many more pieces of equipment that can be employed in the hospital setting.  Let’s take some time to learn more about what steps the hospital industry must take to ensure the safety of the patients and staff should a fire occur.



First and foremost, all hospital executives must ensure that they have in place a quality, working fire sprinkler system.  The system should be all-encompassing and cover the entire building.  The system should also be flexible enough to handle varying areas.  For example, a system designed for the restaurant industry may be needed for larger kitchen areas and facilities.  One may also want to consider a voice evacuation system in multiple languages.  This system will be able to effectively guide employees and staff out of the building during the event of a fire.

Second, fire doors are also an important tool of defense and the type of door installed can make all the difference.  Fire doors at hospitals must be easy to open and operate as well as able to protect against quick spreading fires and the smoke that comes along with them. A higher rated door will be more able to keep smoke and fire from spreading from room to room.  All corridors should also be protected using strong fire doors fitted for this setup.  When discussing hospitals, we must also take into consideration that certain doors must remain locked for the patient’s safety.  While these doors serve a security function, care must also be taken to ensure they are able to be opened in case of any emergency.

Finally, hospitals should be hiring professional fire protection contractors to assist them in thefire safety installations and maintenance.  These professional in the field can provide information on local and industry-specific ordinances and laws as well as fire safety inspections on the property.  The contractor can also suggest the latest in a hospital fire sprinkler system, fire doors, and other equipment that one may not be aware of.  Lastly, they can offer guidance on proper maintenance needed on the equipment explaining how the process works and how often it should be completed. 

Hospitals often are a sanctuary for those without the ability to help themselves during a critical point in their lives.  During this time, it is of the upmost importance that those running these facilities take all necessary steps to protect them from the threat of fires.  A hospital can benefit from a quality fire sprinkler systems as well as many other pieces of equipment all designed with the hospital industry in mind. 

USAFP provides fire sprinkler system for hospital , restaurant, warehouse, schools, museums and more. Call us at 847-816-0050 to get fire sprinkler system.

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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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An Introduction to Fire Sprinkler System Maintenance

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.