If you’re the owner or manager of a business, one of your responsibilities is to design a fire protection system for your building. After all, according to Inspect Point, fire departments in the U.S. will respond to a fire every 23 seconds, and a structure fire will occur every 65 seconds. OSHA (the Occupational Safety & Hazard Administration) sets commercial fire safety standards.
According to Inspect Point, here are five principles of commercial fire safety:
1. Building Structure
According to the NFPA (National Fire Protection Association), you should use fire-resistant doors in your building. Some doors can withstand fire for up to four hours. In addition, you can use fire-resistant materials, casings, and insulation for your walls. Walls made of gypsum or masonry would qualify.
2. Fire Detection and Maintenance
Your facility must install smoke detector systems and fire alarms. According to the NFPA, fire alarms must be inspected regularly, and records of inspection must be documented. Staff from your company can be trained to inspect the system daily, weekly, monthly, and quarterly.
3. Employee Training
Your employees must attend training programs related to fire safety education. This training must include fire prevention and fire response techniques. Part of the training must include documented fire drills. A professional fire safety company can test your fire detection devices and conduct fire drills.
4. Fire Suppression and Extinguisher Systems:
These devices include portable fire extinguishers and fire suppression devices like sprinkler systems. Companies with fire extinguishers must instruct their employees on how to use those devices. These instructions can be included in the same program as instructions for fire alarms.
5. Evacuation Systems:
An evacuation route must be planned as part of your company’s fire safety plan. During fire drills, the planned evacuation route must be used so employees will be used to using it if an actual fire occurs. Your fire safety plan, including a list of installed fire detection and suppression devices, should be documented in a Fire Safety Manual.
Choosing a Sprinkler System
According to The Great American Insurance Company, these are the basic types of sprinkler systems:
Wet pipe – These are made from pressurized pipes filled with water. The sprinkler is activated when the air around the pipe reaches a set temperature.
Dry Pipe – These are used in settings where the air temperature could reach the freezing point. They are filled with pressurized air or nitrogen. When the sprinkler heads detect a fire, the system releases air and activates the sprinkler.
Deluge -This sprinkler is designed for large areas. It is not pressurized, and all the sprinkler heads open at the same time. It may be placed between racks in the building walls.
Types of sprinkler heads include upright heads, which point toward the ceiling. These are effective for buildings with open ceilings. Pendant sprinkler heads hang down and are often protected with clear covers. The final type is a sidewall, since it emerges from the side of a building’s walls.
Your Choice for Fire Safety
If you’re ready to buy a sprinkler system, choose a company you can rely upon. If you’re looking for an experienced fire safety company in Bucks County, PA, Keystone Fire & Security Company has provided fire safety systems for area companies for over 60 years. Founded in 1956 by John H. Lawlor, we have become known as a trusted supplier of fire and life safety products.
In addition to being a leading supplier of fire sprinklers in the Philadelphia area, Keystone Fire and Safety Company can also act as a fire equipment inspector. We also install communication systems to alert your company of fire or other disasters. Call us today to discuss your fire safety needs, and let’s work together to keep your building and employees safe.