Fire and Safety Systems

There are many ways to not only prevent a fire from starting in your facility but also to mitigate its destruction should one take place. Fire prevention methods include proper cleaning and maintenance practices, thorough training of all staff on fire safety, monitoring potential fire hazards at all times, and more. Fire protection includes both passive and active measures. Passive fire protection, such as fire-resistant barriers and fireproof coatings, mitigates or stops the spread of fire without further intervention. Active fire protection refers to active measures to detect flames or stop them from spreading, such as fire extinguishers, automated sprinklers, and smoke detectors.

You should inspect all of your fire safety equipment and components at least once per year. That said, certain features, such as fire extinguishers and smoke detectors, may require more frequent inspection based on relevant OSHA (and other) regulations.

The most important thing to do in the event of a facility fire is to ensure all occupants quickly and orderly exit the building and remain at a safe distance from the fire. If authorities aren’t contacted automatically, those in charge must call 9-1-1 to alert firefighters. It is crucial to have a fire safety plan (including a legible map, clear exits, etc.) in place and run periodic drills with all occupants to ensure everything knows what to do should a real fire occur.