Commercial Fire Protection Plans: What Do You Need

While you may have yet to experience a serious fire in your lifetime, don’t underestimate the need for a solid fire safety plan for your business. You may not be too worried about a fire destroying your property, as its often covered by insurance, but you simply can’t put a price on the injuries caused and lives lost to workplace fires all around the world.

So, what do you need to help protect your property and employees from a fire? Let’s take a look.

What Do You Need to Include in a Fire Protection Plan?

The first thing you need to help protect your business from a fire is a plan that outlines all aspects of fire safety. This plan should include:

• Procedures for evacuating the building in a safe and orderly fashion
• Maintenance and housekeeping efforts needed to prevent fires
• Ways to minimize fire damage if one does occur

All of these things should be included in an easily accessible detailed document in case of a fire-related emergency. 

Now, keep in mind that fire protection plans like this aren’t just for your own personal reference – they are actually required by some local fire codes. These codes can vary depending on your area, so be sure to check with the local authorities to make sure you haven’t missed anything. Some fire departments may even prefer that a certain format or template be used when creating your plan as it helps them respond more quickly and efficiently in emergencies.

What Equipment Do You Need to Protect Your Business from a Fire?

While the exact requirements may differ slightly depending on the codes in your area, typically the most important things that you will need for fire prevention are as follows:

• Fire alarms, fire alarm monitoring system, and smoke detectors
• A sprinkler system
• Fire suppression systems
• Emergency lights

The exact equipment that you need depends on a variety of factors, such as the industry you work in and the size of your building, so again consult with your local fire prevention company to find out what is necessary in your case. With how dangerous fires can be, this isn’t the time to save a few bucks trying to figure it all out yourself.

Do I Need to Schedule Inspections of My Fire Protection System?

Absolutely. All of your fire safety equipment needs to be inspected on a regular basis in case of emergency, even if it has never been used before.

As important as it is, scheduling inspections for all of your different fire protection components can be tricky. Each piece of equipment has its own inspection requirements and frequencies, so it can be hard for busy business owners and managers to keep track of how often they need to perform these checks. If you find that you need the extra help, consider hiring a local fire prevention company to assist you in managing these different inspection frequencies. When it comes to something as potentially devastating as a fire, it’s certainly better to be safe than sorry.

Though some industries are certainly more at risk than others, fires are a real threat to just about any kind of workplace, from offices to restaurants to manufacturing facilities. If one does break out and it’s not handled properly, a fire can destroy nearly everything in its path, including property, buildings, and even people.

This is why it’s so important to train your employees in fire prevention, as the best way to deal with a fire is to keep it from happening in the first place. If you want to keep your workplace from dealing with the serious consequences of a fire, then check out the following tips on how to teach your employees about fire prevention.

Identifying Fire Hazards

Fires need a combination of three things to ignite:

• Heat – something that ignites, like a heater, open flame, light, electrical equipment, etc.
• Fuel – something that can catch fire, such as wood, paper, paint, gas, propane, etc.
• Oxygen – what keeps the fire burning

In order to help prevent a fire, teach your employees to look out for situations where there is the possibility that all of these components will mix together, especially the heat and the fuel. If they can’t immediately separate these elements, then at least they will be more vigilant and therefore prepared for dealing with any of the first signs of a fire.

Performing a Fire Safety Risk Evaluation

After your employees have learned how to identify fire hazards, they can then participate in a fire safety risk assessment at the workplace. This type of evaluation looks at the following:

• Emergency fire evacuation plan, including exits and routes
• Fire alarms and emergency warning systems
• Vulnerable employees who may be more at risk
• Location of extinguishers and other firefighting equipment
• Staff preparedness for dealing with a fire

Once a thorough fire safety risk assessment has been completed in the workplace, you and your employees will be able to identify any weaknesses in your plans and make the necessary improvements.

Tips for Preventing Fires in the Workplace

While identifying fire hazards and participating in a fire risk assessment are some of the best ways of preventing workplace fires, there are also smaller things that your employees can do nearly every day to help push your risk down even further.

• Make sure the paths to emergency exits are free and clear of any clutter.
• Clearly indicate any fire hazards with signs, and make sure there is fire fighting equipment like an extinguisher close by just in case.
• Ensure that smokers only do so in designated areas that are free from any known fire hazards.
• If you have any chemicals in the workplace, confirm that they are being used and stored safely by consulting their MSDS (Material Safety Data Sheets).
• Get any electrical issues fixed promptly by a professional electrician.
• Don’t run wires or cords under rugs, carpets, or close to a heat source. Also keep them out of doorways or pathways where they may be stepped on by employees.

Business owners and building managers must make sure that emergency exit light bulbs in their facility are fully functional at all times. In addition to ensuring the safety of building occupants, you will be avoiding costly fines by complying with the necessary safety codes. 

Follow this guide to quickly get back in compliance if your exit lights burn out or stop working as they should.

Find Out Why the Light Isn’t Working

Before you go ahead to replace an exit light bulb that is no longer working, it is essential to first determine the cause of the problem. In some cases, the problem isn’t the light bulb itself, so replacing it won’t make things any better.

One of the following components may be the cause of the problem:

1. The Main Bulbs

The first component to check is the main light bulb. Typically, these bulbs remain illuminated day in and day out throughout the year. Even during power cuts, the light bulbs are powered by batteries. 

It is important to maintain continuous illumination but this also means that the main bulbs will eventually burn out. So, if your emergency exit light bulb isn’t lighting, it is probably because the bulbs are burned out.

2. Low-Voltage Bulb

The low-voltage bulb is a secondary bulb powered by batteries and only functions during power cuts. 

If your emergency exit sign fails to glow during a power outage, it is likely due to a fault with the low-voltage bulb. So, you should go shopping for a low-voltage bulb instead of the main bulb.

3. The Reserve Battery

Lastly, the reserve battery might need to be replaced if you are sure there is nothing wrong with the bulb but the exit sign is not lighting up.

Here’s one way to know a defective battery. It can still power the low-voltage bulb for a few seconds when power from the main supply goes off. In this case, the batteries may need replacement.  

Replacing an Emergency Exit Light Bulb

If you’ve determined that the bulb (main or low-voltage) is the problem, you need to buy a new one that suits your lamp. Next, follow these simple steps to replace the emergency exit light bulb:

Step 1: Safety comes first, so make sure to wear gloves when you handle the light bulbs.

Step 2: Make sure to disconnect the power source before replacing any parts. 

Step 3: Grab a screwdriver and pry open the cover of the emergency exit light. Use a screwdriver that can fit into the small gap on the sides of the lamp. 

Step 4: Screw in the bulb or slide it in until you hear a clicking sound, depending on the specific design. 

Step 5: Replace the lamp cover.

While this can be an easy DIY procedure, you may need to contact a specialist if you have difficulty finding or removing a defective component, replacing the light bulb, or finding a compatible light bulb for your emergency exit light. 

Emergency Services from Fire-Alert 

Whether you are looking to replace emergency exit light bulbs, batteries, or other components, Fire-Alert is here to help.

Feel free to contact us today to learn more about keeping your facility and home safe during emergencies.

Many manufacturing and industrial facilities depend on CNC machines for their day-to-day operations. These machines are consistent, reliable, and faster when it comes to providing first-rate quality control in the manufacturing process.

But CNC machines are known to be a leading cause of fire in many industrial and manufacturing facilities. 

Luckily, there are several ways to prevent CNC machine fires. Here are four tips that can significantly minimize fire hazards in your facility. 

Provide Proper Housing for Your CNC Machine

The standard procedure is to house CNC machines in controlled environments. This includes installing them in areas with adequate ventilation and where humidity and temperature can be properly monitored and controlled.

Proper housing will prevent a buildup of fumes around and in the CNC machine. The fumes are highly flammable and may cause damages or start a fire because oil-based coolants have low heat dissipative properties.

With proper housing and adequate ventilation, the safety of operators and the CNC machine is ensured.

Run CNC Machines Within Recommended Operation Speeds

Manufacturers typically recommend temperatures and specific operation speeds for running CNC machines. Having operators stick to these suggestions is a good way to prevent CNC machine fires. 

In addition to manufacturer suggestions, it is a good practice to follow facility safety regulations, especially when lubricants and other oil-based fluids that are highly flammable can start a fire.

Put In Place a Supplementary Automatic Fire Detection and Suppression System

Your CNC machine requires an additional fire protection system, regardless of whether your facility already has whole-building fire detection and suppression system installed. This is because the risk of igniting a fire is considerably high with these machines – no thanks to highly flammable oil-based fluids.   

Implementing a supplementary system for your CNC machine can lead to quick detection and suppression of fire, even before the fire becomes apparent to human operators. 

Considering that a typical CNC machine is a rather huge investment, putting additional fire protection in place to safeguard the machine, your workers, and the entire facility is more than worth the effort.

Routine Cleaning and Servicing

It is easy to get carried away by the efficiency of heavy machinery and pay less attention to regular maintenance. 

While these machines are critical to the effectiveness of your facility, do not forget that they carry potential fire hazards too. 

For this reason, it is crucial to establish a regular cleaning and maintenance routine. This will prevent a buildup of lubricating fluids and significantly reduce the risk of starting a fire.

Regular inspection by a professional fire safety expert like Fire-Alert can go a long way to detect even the slightest adjustments in CNC machines that can increase the likelihood of malfunctions and fire hazards.

Fire Safety Services from Fire-Alert

Looking for a quote, emergency maintenance, fire extinguisher training, or even first aid supplies? Fire-Alert has you covered. With more than 35 years of experience providing fire safety services and devices to homes and commercial property, you can count on our expertise. 

Need further information? Fire-Alert is here to help. Contact us today!

Emerging technologies in the fire protection industry allow for more innovative and efficient ways to prevent and extinguish fires. This translates to saving more lives and avoiding property damages. 

While the fundamentals of fire protection have not changed, here are some of the more recent advancements and how they are transforming the fire protection industry.

Exit Marking Audible Notification

Notification appliances in fire alarm systems are not new. They come in the form of horns, strobe lights, or bells.

These audible devices do a good job of alerting people to exit a building during fire outbreaks. However, telling you to exit the building is not as efficient as telling you where to go. 

The evacuation process during fire emergencies is often hampered by limited visibility caused by black smoke. This can make it difficult to locate the nearest exits. In other words, exit signs and notification appliances may not offer the best solutions in all fire emergencies.

Exit marking audible notification offers “directional sound” to help people safely exit a building during emergencies. Devices with this technology produce a special sound that is easy for the human ear to pick up. This will allow them to quickly figure out the direction where the sound is coming from, and follow it to safely evacuate the building.

Advanced Smoke Detection

Smoke detectors can easily become nuisances, with false alarms occuring for various reasons. This has made some homeowners not take them seriously or remove them to prevent too many false alarms. 

Thankfully, that trend is giving way to more advanced solutions in the fire protection industry by way of advanced smoke detectors.

The standard in more recent times requires all smoke detectors and alarms to have increased sensitivity. This feature allows smoke detectors to tell the difference between smoke coming from nuisance fires (such as cooking sources) and smoke from true fires.

Contact Fire-Alert today to help you install advanced smoke detectors that will eliminate or significantly cut down incidences of false alarms in your home or commercial property.

Video Smoke Detection

Conventional smoke detectors may not be very effective in some environments such as warehouses, stadiums, paper mills, and other buildings with large areas where smoke can quickly become diluted. 

Also, traditional smoke detectors are a poor choice for buildings with thermal barriers or very high ceilings. 

With video smoke detection – the innovative method of using CCTV cameras and digital video recorders to detect smoke from a fire – it is a lot easier to address and prevent fires in open areas. 

Water Mist Fire Suppression System

Sustainability issues gave birth to the innovative water mist fire suppression system, where significantly less water is used to fight fire compared to traditional sprinkler systems.

In this system, specialized sprinkler and spray heads combined with water stored under extreme pressure make it more effective to cover larger surface areas with evenly dispersed water in very small amounts.

Fire Safety Services from Fire-Alert

Fire-Alert – a leading fire safety service provider – can help you install new and innovative fire alarm devices and provide other safety services for your home and commercial property. Do not hesitate to get in touch with us today!

Installing a fire alarm system is one thing, but making sure it is in good working condition is something many homeowners tend to pay less attention to until it is too late.

Thunderstorms are a rather frequent occurrence during the summer, and the bad weather condition can negatively impact the fire alarm systems.

Power surges and power cuts caused by sudden lightning strikes can affect these systems, but fortunately, you can do something about it. 

Power Surges

Your fire alarm system can act as a pathway for lightning from seasonal thunderstorms to enter your building. The effect of the high current coursing through your home can cause power surges. 

A building doesn’t necessarily have to take a direct hit from lightning to get damaged. All it takes is a device around the building that conducts electricity. This is where a fire alarm system can be a likely pathway for power surges.

To avoid the damaging effects of power surges from lightning, it is best to hire an experienced fire alarm professional to install surge protectors on your alarm system. 

Fire alarm professionals, like Fire-Alert, can determine the best place to install surge protectors. This could be on the panel circuits of the primary fire alarm system, strobe notification appliances, smoke detectors, pull stations, or some other fire alarm initiating devices.

False Alarm

Thunderstorms can set off fire alarms or smoke detectors. This is because lightning is a powerful current that causes a strong electromagnetic pulse (EMP) that can be picked by any conductor, including unshielded wires.

Some fire alarm systems can quickly sense the EMP from lightning bolts in nearby wires and get fooled into thinking there is a fire hazard. 

But you could be dealing with defective batteries if your smoke detectors keep going off unexpectedly even in good weather.

It is common for people to change their fire alarm batteries when they move into a new house and then forget them after that. Little wonder their alarm initiating devices develop fault over time. 

Power Outages

Bad weather can also cause disruptions such as power outages. Usually, this should not be a problem for your fire alarm system if the power cut is short-lived and you have a backup battery in place.

But many people do not remember to properly maintain their backup batteries until there is an emergency. Your fire alarm system cannot function if there is no secondary source of power or if the batteries are not fully charged and functional during power cuts. 

Your system requires routine inspections to prevent battery fails and to ensure that your secondary power source will work when the need arises. 

Fire Safety Services from Fire-Alert

With over 35 years of experience, Fire-Alert is a reliable leader in the fire industry. If you need help with fire safety services and devices, get in touch with us today!

Nursing homes require an elaborate fire safety plan. Unlike most settings whereby the evacuation plan relies on individuals getting themselves to safety, patients in nursing homes may need help from volunteers and staff. Therefore, facility owners or managers should put in place fire safety procedures to prevent fire incidences and develop an evacuation plan for the best outcome. 

Below are 5 best practices for nursing homes fire safety.

1. Carry Out a Fire Risk Assessment Annually

Every nursing home needs to carry out annual fire assessments to identify risk factors and hazards and establish measures to prevent fire incidences. A fire risk assessment involves:

• Identifying people at risk and why they are at risk
• Identifying fire hazards, e.g., potential ignition sources, fuel sources, and oxygen sources
• Evaluating your fire-proofing measures and readiness for handling a fire crisis
• Reviewing and revising the fire safety risk assessment plan

2. Have a Fire Safety Plan

A fire safety plan outlines the following:

• Preventative measures to minimize the risk of fire
• Measures to control fire spread and minimize damage or fatalities
• The response protocol in case a fire breaks out
• Escape routes and evacuation plan
• Fire safety system maintenance procedures
• Frequency of conducting fire drills
• Procedures for training staff about fire safety

Having a fire safety plan is not enough. All parties should have a clear understanding and training about the plan. The staff, nursing doctors, volunteers, and kitchen staff should each know their role in the plan and what action to take in different scenarios

3. Have an Evacuation Plan

One of the most important aspects of a fire safety plan is the evacuation plan. It can mean the difference between saving and losing lives. 

An evacuation plan lays out the escape routes and fire assembly areas. It outlines the fire exit doors and ensures that they are easy to open. It evaluates and determines the optimal number of escape routes depending on the number of people in the facility. It also factors in people with mobility issues and lays out a route for the staff members to get to them and out of the building into the designated fire assembly.

4. Put in Place Fire Safety Systems

Once you have conducted a fire assessment and came up with a fire safety plan, the next step is to ensure that all the necessary fire safety systems are in place and functioning correctly. These include such systems as smoke detectors, fire extinguishers, escape routes and exit signs, fire hazard warning signs, and automatic fire sprinkler systems.

5. Conduct Fire Safety Drills Periodically 

Fire drills help to test staff members to ensure they are efficient at fire response. Most health care facilities opt to conduct fire drills without involving the patients. Schedule at least one random drill every three months. Evaluate the staff member’s performance and retrain if necessary.

Conclusion

The key to fire safety is creating an elaborate fire safety plan and evacuation plan, taking the necessary measures, training the staff, and conducting drills regularly to test staff member’s preparedness.

Fire-Alert takes pride in equipping homeowners, commercial businesses, and government buildings with all necessary fire safety devices to ensure the well-being of families and employees across the nation. Reach out to us using our contact form to find out more.

Having a fire alarm system set up in your home or business is a diligent step towards ensuring fire safety. However, when it goes off unnecessarily, it takes the firefighters’ attention and time from real fires that could be happening at that particular time. It could also cost you hefty fines from the fire department. Therefore, it is important to take measures to reduce instances of false fire alarms. 

Below are 5 ways you can reduce instances of false fire alarms.

1. Install a Multi-Sensor Fire Alarm

Multi-sensor fire alarms are more effective at preventing false fire alarms than single-sensor fire alarm systems. They are designed as a combination of sensors for smoke, heat, and carbon monoxide. For the alarm to go off, it has to detect more than one of these elements. Such systems are not accidentally set off by steam produced when cooking, dust, or aerosol sprays.

2. Ensure That the Sensor is Installed Properly

Fire alarms need to be installed strategically by a qualified electrician. The installation process is more complex when installing them in a big home or a commercial building, as an interconnecting alarm system is required. Failure to install the alarm system poses a risk of it not detecting fire signals at all or going off unnecessarily. 

3. Maintain Your Fire Alarm System 

You need to stay on top of the fire alarm system maintenance. The maintenance procedures should be done on time and as per the manufacturer’s instructions. Have a fire alarm professional or service company undertake the maintenance.

Generally, fire alarm system maintenance involves testing and calibrating the sensors, simulating inputs, testing annunciators, setting the alarm’s sensitivity, checking the alarm battery, and coordinating with the alarm monitoring company or the fire department.

4. Anticipate and Plan for Activities that May Set Off the Fire Alarm

If you are doing renovation work or construction work, the dust from sanding or smoke from welding may set off the fire alarm. Therefore, contact your fire alarm company before beginning the construction work and request them to put off your alarm system. Or, simply notify them to handle any instance of a false alarm with the fire department.

5. Stay Close When Cooking

Kitchens are the most common causes of false fire alarms, with a scenario of burnt food being the most common culprit. Therefore, stay close when cooking to ensure that the food does not get burnt. 

Carefully Investigate a Previous False Fire Alarm and Resolve It

If you have an incidence of a false fire alarm, carefully work with your alarm company or a fire alarm professional to find out its cause. Then, take measures to resolve the issue so that it does not happen again. Common causes of a false fire alarm include vandalism, pest interference, pollutants, faulty system, and human error.

Conclusion

Fire alarm systems play a crucial role in catching fires early. However, they need to be well-installed and properly maintained to work effectively.

Fire-Alert takes pride in equipping homeowners, commercial businesses, and government buildings with all necessary fire safety devices to ensure the well-being of families and employees across the nation. Reach out to us using our contact form to find out more.

The first step to protecting a restaurant from splash fires is preventing them from happening in the first place. However, in the unfortunate situation that a fire breaks out, you should have the right systems and protocols to put it off before it causes extensive damage. 

Below are 3 ways of protecting a restaurant against splash fires.

Invest in a Thermostatically-Controlled Deep Fryer and Pan Fryer

Deep fryers are among the leading causes of fires in Canada. In most cases, oil splashes out of the fryer into the open flame or burner, causing a fire to engulf. 

These fires can be prevented by using a thermostatically controlled deep fryer instead of a regular pot. The same applies when pan-frying – use thermostatically-controlled electric skillets.

When deep-frying, avoid overloading the deep fryer. Most deep fryer fires happen during the Thanksgiving season. Often, people put too large of a turkey in the deep fryer. It displaces the oil causing it to overflow into the flame or burner. Also, use only the right amount of oil to prevent spillage. Ensure the food you are frying is fully thawed as water splashed into the hot oil can cause oil splashes. 

Ultimately, ensure that the deep fryer or pan fryer is well positioned on the cooker to prevent it from tipping over and spilling oil on the cooker. Keep a close eye on the frying pan or deep fryer. Heat the oil slowly and avoid overheating it. If you notice smoke, the oil is overheated, so turn off the cooker for a few minutes. Gently place the food on the fryer to avoid grease splatters. 

Clean Up Grease

Keep the cooker or burner top and surrounding surfaces clean at all times. If grease splashes, wipe it off immediately. Otherwise, leaving the grease residue is setting the stage for a fire 

Do Not Use Water to Extinguish a Splash Fire

Throwing water into a splash fire will only aggravate it and may cause the fire to spread further. If the fire is small, turn off the cooker, wear mittens, take a lid and cover the pan or deep fryer. Doing so will cut off the oxygen supply putting out the fire. 

Do not pour flour or baking powder on the fire. Neither should you fan the fire. However, you can pour baking soda or salt over the fire. Also, do not put the hot pan fryer or deep fryer on the sink to run water over it.

If the fire is large, call 911 immediately and follow the instruction provided by the operator. You can also use a Class B, C, or K fire extinguisher to smother the fire. Do not use a Class A fire extinguisher on a grease fire as it is water-based.

Conclusion

A splash fire can get out of control fast, engulf the entire kitchen, and then spread to the restaurant. Take the precautionary measures discussed above and ensure that your kitchen staff is properly trained on fire safety and measures to take in case a splash fire breaks out.

Fire-Alert takes pride in equipping homeowners, commercial businesses, and government buildings with all necessary fire safety devices to ensure the well-being of families and employees across the nation. Reach out to us using our contact form to find out more.

Although sprinkler systems are not a requirement per the Canadian fire safety guidelines, it is crucial to have one or several in place as part of your fire safety strategy. They serve as the first line of defense during a fire incident. They can be fitted in commercial buildings, multi-family homes, warehouses, commercial kitchens, and restaurants. However, for them to be effective, they have to be well maintained. 

Below are 4 reasons why you should install a sprinkler system on your property and properly maintain it.

Saves Lives

A fire sprinkler system can significantly reduce the number of casualties or deaths that may result from a fire. Since they get activated as soon the fire starts, they catch it in the early stages allowing the building’s occupants ample time to exit. 

By reducing the fire progression, they also minimize the amount of smoke produced. Smoke is one of the deadliest elements when there is a fire. In some instances, it causes more fatalities than the heat. 

Smoke carries toxic fumes and tiny particles, which, when inhaled, can penetrate the lungs causing severe breathing difficulties. They also aggravate chronic cardio-respiratory illnesses such as asthma, angina, lung disease, and heart disease.

Minimizes Damage on Property

An uncontained fire can ravage the property within a few minutes, damaging it. The sprinkler curbs the flames preventing them from rising too high. Low flames cause minimal damage to the items inside the property. They also cause minimal damage to the building’s structure. While the floors and concrete may not be combustible, prolonged exposure to high heat may compromise its structure, causing it to collapse. Extensive damage to the building’s structure could lead to its demolition.

Keep in mind that even though water sprinklers use a minimal amount of water to contain the fire, they might cause some level of water damage on the property and the items therein. However, compared to the extent of damage the fire would have caused, the water damage will be easier and less costly to repair. Besides, the water damage will be less than that caused by firefighters’ 2 1/2-inch hose lines.

Buys Time to Allow Fire Fighters to Get to the Scene

The sprinkler systems are designed to contain the fire long enough for the firefighters to arrive and extinguish the fire fully. In some cases, the sprinklers extinguish fire such that the firefighters only need to vent out any fumes and check for hot spots.

Most Sprinkler Systems are Effective

Well-maintained and regularly inspected automatic sprinkler systems are almost fail-proof. In the case of a fire, the high heat triggers and activates the fire sprinkler system, which discharges water or other fire suppression elements.

Conclusion

Automatic sprinkler systems play a crucial role in fire suppression. Therefore, as you assess your fire risk and develop a fire safety plan, determine how to incorporate sprinkler systems. It is best to have them installed and maintained by a professional.