It’s crucial to be ready because fires can break out abruptly when you least expect them. A certified inspector, like those from Aura Fire Safety, should annually inspect your commercial property for fire alarm systems. Due to the importance of fire prevention for a secure workplace, one of the most important ways to guarantee that your facility complies with all local, state, and federal fire safety regulations is to complete a self-inspection checklist.
- Fire Alarms
The first line of defense against a fire is a fire alarm. Everyone in the building is swiftly made aware of the emergency, allowing them to flee to safety. Your fire alarm system needs to be maintained at least once a year and be up to code. To make sure everyone is familiar with the evacuation plan, it’s also critical to frequently test your fire alarm system and hold fire drills.
- Exit signs and emergency lighting
Emergency lights and exit signs are necessary during a fire to help direct individuals to fire exit doors and ensure their safety outside the structure. Even the most well-known structure might be challenging to find your way around in a crisis, especially when it’s dark and Smokey! It is advised that you test your emergency lights for 30 minutes once a month and for 90 minutes once a year. You can typically press a straightforward “test” button on most models to make sure your lights and signs turn on standby power.
- Fire Suppression System
With the use of fire extinguishers, building occupants can put out small fires and stop them from growing into bigger ones. The type of fire extinguisher should correspond to the probable threats around, and they should be located no more than 75 feet apart. The building manager should check your extinguishers every month, and a certified inspector should check them once a year. Making sure that everyone in your building has received fire extinguisher training is another smart move.
- Inspections & Fire Rated Doors
The materials used to construct fire-rated doors are intended to stop the spread of fires. If there is a fire, they may be able to reduce the damage.
When a fire breaks out, the building’s residents have a safe and orderly route to leave the area. This is made possible by life safety and fire protection measures. Establishing a programme for routine fire protection system maintenance is one of the greatest ways to make sure your fire safety equipment satisfies every need.
- Sprinkler Systems
A sprinkler system may be used in some business buildings to contain and extinguish fires. Sprinkler systems respond to heat, therefore it’s critical to keep them in good operating order so that they can activate when needed. Control valves should be inspected weekly, and a qualified specialist should inspect the complete system once a year. Make sure nothing is too close to the sprinkler heads so that it can restrict the water flow. Depending on the manufacturer, the pipes should also be tested every couple of years.
- Closing the Door
Closing doors can assist in containing the spread of the fire inside the structure, providing vital time for other occupants to flee and aiding in the preservation of the structure and its contents. Even if the door doesn’t have a fire rating, simply closing it can help confine fire, smoke, heat, and carbon dioxide to certain areas.
Many fire safety companies are committed to offering solutions that safeguard both building security and life safety. This can assist you in finding the ideal solution, whether you require fire-rated doors, exit mechanisms, or fire extinguishers.
