The fire suppression system in your building is an important safety measure and usually regulated by the municipal, state and federal government. The specifications of your system will depend on the industry you do business in as well as environmental conditions and the design of the building, but there are some maintenance duties that all companies should be doing for health and safety.
Regular Inspections
The frequency of your fire sprinkler inspection and testing Staten Island NY duties will usually depend on government regulations and recommendations from entities such as OSHA and local fire departments, but you should hire an inspector to examine the health of your system on a regular basis. These services ensure that the system is functioning as intended and that malfunctions or breaks are identified before they become critical. This inspection can also reveal where updates are needed to your system and whether the office furnishings are blocking critical spots.
Updated Design
Most fire suppression systems are designed alongside the building or retrofitted to meet current codes, but that does not mean that changes are not needed or recommended as the system ages. Any time you make changes to the building or changes are made in building and safety codes; you will want to make sure to update your system to match. Not only does this help keep you compliant with applicable regulations, it can prevent gaps or blocked areas in the spray coverage. Sometimes, updating the design of your fire suppression system can save you money on insurance premiums and reduce the costs of repairing the building if a fire should start.
Handy Backups
In addition to your sprinkler system, you should have backups such as extinguishers rated for the hazards your company faces, integrated alarms and automatic dialing of a security company or emergency services. You should also train employees on how the systems work and have policies and procedures in place for evacuation, emergency contact and getting back to work after an incident. It is better to be overprepared than underprepared, especially when a building fire can endanger your employees, customers and neighborhood.
The fire suppression system in your building is only as good as the maintenance you perform on it and can include much more than just the overhead sprinklers. You should schedule routine inspections and tests, train employees on emergency procedures and have backup systems in place to keep everyone as safe as possible.
