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.

Should I Handle My Own Fire Sprinkler Installation?

When it comes to protecting yourself from the threat of a fire, no option compares to fire sprinklers. They don’t need anyone to operate them, nor does anyone have to be around to even activate them. They contain the fire as much as possible so it doesn’t spread, and they limit the amount of property damage done. For all these reasons and more, you should be considering fire sprinkler installation. However, if you’re looking to save a buck or simply enjoy a good project, you may also be considering handling the project on your own. Before you do, let’s take a look at fire sprinkler installation and some things you should know.

Handling Fire Sprinkler Installation on Your Own

The truth of the matter is that you have a number of options for installing your own fire sprinkler system. Thanks to the Internet, all the parts are out there. So long as you have an understanding of your piping system, you may very well be able to pull off an installation. Plus, the actual fire sprinklers only need to be connected to the pipes. Their design ensures they’ll go off if a fire happens.

That being said, this doesn’t mean handling your own fire sprinkler installation is a good idea. The American Fire Sprinkler Association is very much opposed to the idea of anyone without formal training attempting this process.

For one thing, they recommend that you only use materials approved by the National Fire Protection Association and that your installation meets their standards. Even with the Internet on your team, you may have a hard time pulling his off. Meeting their standards may also be difficult if you’re not sure on what exactly they mean.

Plus, you need to consider your insurance company. Many providers lower your premiums after a fire sprinkler installation. However, chances are they’re also very specific about who can handle it. If you’re not licensed, credentialed, certified, etc., there’s a good chance your insurance company doesn’t want you doing it. They may not lower your premium or, in the event of a fire, they may not be legally obligated to help you. 

Saving some money upfront really won’t be worth it then.

Your home may never catch fire (hopefully), but it can still take on plenty of damage if you try installing your own sprinkler system. The process involves altering the supply of water to your home meaning you’ll be giving it access to just about every room. This isn’t anything to worry about so long as the installation is handled correctly. However, if it’s not, you could have a pipe break or a sprinkler head drop out and all your hard work will simply net you one wet house.

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The Cost of Professional Fire Sprinkler Installation

Plus, the fact of the matter is that having a professional install your sprinkler heads really isn’t that expensive. Many people may actually find that, because of their specialized tools and knowledge, letting a professional handle things is actually cheaper; it will definitely save you time.

Last year, the Fire Protection Research Foundation updated their Home Fire Sprinkler Cost Assessment Report. By their estimates, installing fire sprinklers in your home should only cost about $1.35 for every square foot of coverage in a home still under construction. That’s down more than 20% from 2008. Plus, people pay around the same amount to upgrade their carpets, pave a stone driveway or install a whirlpool bath. Those are all nice additions, to be sure, but none of them will save you and your family’s lives.

Furthermore, all the data shows that home sprinkler systems are becoming increasingly popular. This means that your investment may also help you sell your home down the road as consumers become more familiar with the feature and start demanding it in houses they consider. To some degree, that trend has already begun as homes with sprinkler systems consistently sell faster than those without.

Lastly, check with your local municipality. Having a professional handle your fire sprinkler installation may also net you a nice little tax rebate.

Homes with sprinklers installed are better off for a number of reasons. They’ll save lives and money in the event of a fire and may even help your budget in the meantime. However, if you plan on installing them on your own, you’ll be putting all this at risk.

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Your Questions Answered About Industrial Fire Sprinkler Systems

Any building out there, whether it be commercial or residential, runs the risk of catching fire. This would obviously put the structure’s integrity at risk as well as those caught inside it. However, industrial structures are especially at risk because of the materials they often contain and the operations they host. This is why industrial fire sprinkler systems are such a good idea. They won’t stop a fire from happening, but they can help put it out and ensure that people and property are left untouched. Keep reading for answers to common questions people have about them.

Don’t They Do More Harm Than Good?

This is a common misconception about industrial fire sprinkler systems. Everyone has seen a movie where one sprinkler head gets set off and immediately the rest of them follow suit. The result is usually an overreaction on the part of the system and the aftermath is seen as being costly.

In real life, however, that’s not remotely how industrial fire sprinkler systems work. Each sprinkler head is connected to a waterline, but in order for it to be activated, temperatures in the area need to reach roughly 150 degrees Fahrenheit. Obviously, such extreme temperatures would indicate that a fire had broken out.

Furthermore, each sprinkler head needs to be activated on its own. The water supply is obstructed by a glass vile with a chemical in it that expands when brought to extreme temperatures. So they function independently of one another.

One of the main benefits of sprinkler systems is actually that they’re so good about keeping fires from spreading and reaching greater amounts of property. 

Aren’t Industrial Fire Sprinkler Systems Extremely Expensive? 

That’s another misconception. Revisit the description of how sprinkler heads work and you’ll see that the technology is actually fairly simple. There’s no wiring that needs to be done or other procedures that come with a lot of overhead. 

Instead, it just takes adding some piping to your construction and making holes for the sprinkler heads to fit through. For those in the midst of construction or who are yet to break ground, industrial fire sprinkler systems can cost as little as $2 per square foot. Some will be even less. If you want a system added into your existing building, you still are unlikely to pay more than $4 per square foot. Keep in mind; both those estimates include the equipment and installation costs.

Given what your industrial fire sprinkler system will do, these costs aren’t much. If a fire breaks out, you’ll be glad you made the investment. Plus, many insurance companies will charge you less if they know these sprinklers are in place.

Also, maintenance costs are negligible at best. You’re looking at maybe another $125 a year to ensure they’re all still operating correctly.

What Happens if They Go Off on Accident?

That would definitely be an issue. Fortunately, the technology behind industrial fire sprinkler systems makes it almost a statistical impossibility. Ask the company that installs it about a warranty in such an event. Chances are they provide one, seeing as how rare this type of accident is.

Other Things to Consider

There are a number of other selling points about these systems that you should consider as well. Given the size of most industrial facilities, it could be very easy for a fire to build on its own before anyone catches wind or the smoke finds a detector.

With a sprinkler system, this isn’t an issue. Were a fire to start when the facility was completely empty, you’re still assured appropriate action is taken by your sprinkler system. If people are in the facility, their safe to take off for safety, yet the fire can still be subdued or at least contained while emergency workers arrive.

Hopefully, this answers many of the questions you may have had about industrial fire sprinkler systems. When you look at the facts, they’re really a no-brainer for any industrial facility.

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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 to Keep your Sprinkler System Properly Maintained

This article discusses some of the methods a user can employ to upkeep or maintain a fire sprinkler system. These should be done in conjunction with regular professional inspections and maintenance

One of the most effective ways of insuring safety in the event of a fire is to install a fire sprinkler system during the construction of a building or to add a system to an existing building through retrofitting. Retrofitting may be expensive but the benefits derived in terms of safety and peace of mind are often worth the cost. In new homes, however, a system may be a minor cost to bear and a great asset to have over the years once they are kept in working condition through regular maintenance.

Proper Maintenance of a fire sprinkler system requires training as well as careful attention to detail. As an owner you may achieve some basic aspects of maintenance on your own between regular visits by a certified technician. Your first aim in maintaining your system would be to ensure that all occupants of the building are aware of its function and treat it as such. The use of paint or hanging decorations on the sprinkler head itself is not permitted and these ground rules should be passed on to any decorators or other personnel who may not be regular users but may need to make aesthetic changes to the room. The heads of the sprinklers should also be generally off-limits to unnecessary contact as an accidental pat may land with enough force to damage something internal without the user’s knowledge.

Even without human interference a sprinkler head may become obstructed by dust, spiderwebs and other small particles so these should be looked at carefully at least once a month to ensure that they are clear and can facilitate the free flow of water in the event of an emergency. When checking these things also look about for general differences in the appearance of your system. If something seems different and causes you concern you should call in the company that put the system in for maintenance or another reputable firm if they are unavailable.

Professional maintenance will begin with the arrival of your technician who will check the area the system occupies for anything that may keep your sprinklers from functioning. The technician may then take a look at each sprinkler head to assess if it is properly placed, capable of functioning and properly labeled. This will also been done for the associated valves. Tests will be done on the water pressure delivered to the sprinklers to ensure that it is adequate to put out a blaze.

The Sprinkler alarm is a vital part of the usability of the device and if it were to fail the rest of the system would be useless to you in a disaster so this par of the sprinkler system will be carefully checked by your technician as well. Having done this and other tests, they will give you any recommendations on how to remedy any issues they have encountered with your sprinkler system and record the details of the inspection for further reference. With regular upkeep your fire sprinkler system can be counted on to keep your property safe for years.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/8507906

Get innovative and professional fire protection services now!

Fire is the most disastrous natural calamity that can happen anytime and anywhere without any prior intimation. There are many causes of fire as it can happen from a natural calamity or by an individual. Whatever be the reason of occurrence of fire, it will ultimately lead to the loss of valuable assets and also the lives of your dear ones. Fire protection equipment is not enough to safeguard your house, organization or family members’ from the fire. Due to this reason, fire protection companies came into existence that offers standard fire protection services.

Skilled professionals of these companies have optimum knowledge of fire protection schemes which they can apply in an effective and excellent way. Fire protection services help you to protect all the valuables from the trap of the fire. These fire protection service agents offer training programs for the people. They install high quality protection systems in the residential as well as commercial buildings and provide full coverage of the fire. Commercial buildings have different requirements as well as the residential buildings have other, the professionals install the protection system in such a way that caters the needs and requirements of the customers in a true way.  

Fire Sprinkler System – A necessity for warehouse safety

One of the most challenging tasks is to prevent the warehouse from fire. Today, most of the organizations have their own warehouse to keep goods in a safe and proper manner. A warehouse contains goods in large quantity and they are especially subjected to rapidly catch the fire with the high intensity. The only method to control and prevent the extensive fire is to install and maintain the fire safety equipment.

It would be better to install the automatic fire sprinkler system into your warehouse.  These sprinkler systems need proper repair and maintenance for the tight connections. An inspection is mandatory to examine the correctness of the equipment. You can resolve all the issues with timely inspection. If you are not sure on where to begin, hire an expert to complete the inspection. If you hire a professional for warehouse fire sprinkler system inspection, you can make the environment of the building safe and secure.  The alarm should always be in working condition so that it gets immediately activated in sudden case of fire. All the employees working at the warehouse should have the knowledge of how to operate the equipment. If you want to cut down the cost of the insurance, carry out repair and maintenance activities on a timely basis.