Fire and Life Safety Inspection, Testing and Maintenance

According to the NFPA (National Fire Protection Association), the leading causes of fires in “non-home” buildings are electrical malfunction/distribution, or lighting equipment (18%), and fires that are intentionally set (15%). Heating and cooking are also major causes in homes and commercial buildings. While no technology can predict when and where a fire will start, having your fire, life, and security systems vigilantly tested and maintained by professionals is the best means of containing or preventing a fire.

Fire protection is divided into two main categories: passive and active. Passive fire protection includes walls, doors, ceilings and floors that are fire and smoke resistant–these provide a barrier and are key in the containment of fires. Fire detection, alarms, sprinklers and extinguishing systems are considered active protection, working either automatically or manually to stop the fire and to alert occupants and fire departments.

Life safety systems in a building include any system put in place to protect lives, especially when there is an emergency. Life safety systems are part of the fire safety and security systems and in some areas systems designed to protect in the case of earthquakes or power outages. They can include emergency doors and stairwells, lighting, generators for heating and air, alarms, drills, and evacuation plans.

Heat detectors are generally used to protect property as they are designed to react to rises in temperature caused by fire. Smoke detectors, on the other hand, react to smoke and gases which can be an indication of fire long before a rise in temperature. Warnings of a fire when there are lives to protect needs to be at the first indication of danger, giving people the opportunity to evacuate. Consulting a fire safety professional is the best way to know whether a heat or smoke detector is required for your building and operations.

Any changes in your facility’s fire protection systems should be done with professional advice from a fire systems safety expert with knowledge of fire codes and standards, and the property. The operation, layout and use of every building will vary, so for the best protection consult an expert.

A fire suppression unit generally refers to a system that uses extinguishing gases to suppress or control a fire whereas a sprinkler uses water to control a fire. There are also some hybrid systems that use both water mist and inert gasses for fire control. Water can be damaging to goods, and some chemical gases can be toxic. Which system is best will depend on building use and operation therefore consulting a professional is always advisable when considering fire and life system changes or upgrades.

Life safety hazards in commercial buildings are often a result of unchecked fire and life safety systems. Things like blocked fire exits, crowded hallways that prevent first responders from gaining easy access, and even sprinkler water systems inadvertently turned off or not turned on again can be the cause of a life system hazard. To ensure your building’s life and fire safety systems are working optimally and up to code, set up regular testing and inspection with your facility managers.