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Every residential and commercial building should include a fire safety plan, which should be specific to the property or business. Conducting an audit or review of the factors that could affect fire safety can play an important part in creating a plan that will cause as little damage as possible, as well as ensuring that you can safely evacuate your employees. In this article, we take a look at 4 things a fire safety plan should include when it comes to your commercial building.

Reporting the Emergency

It’s important to establish how you are going to report the emergency to your employees in the event of a fire. It’s not uncommon in large buildings for employees to not be able to hear a smoke alarm. And even if they do, they may be unsure whether it’s a false alarm and hesitate to evacuate.

CollisionRepairmag.com gives us some options on how to notify your employees in the event of an emergency:

“The first and one of the most important parts of a safety plan is the procedure for notifying occupants and others of the emergency. In buildings without a fire alarm it is important to identify the best means for alerting people to the emergency (e.g. shouting “fire”, blowing an air horn or whistle, using a megaphone, hand bell, strobe light, intercom or other signaling device). If work takes place in a noisy environment, the plan should also identify a secondary method for alerting people.”

Emergency Procedures

A fire safety plan must include emergency procedures. Emergency procedures should not only include how you intend to safely evacuate your employees, but should include in detail every procedure you intend to follow to ensure that the fire is extinguished as soon as possible.

Muskoka Lakes Fire Rescue tells us what should be included in your fire safety plan when it comes to emergency procedures:

“The emergency procedures to be used in case of fire including sounding the fire alarm, notifying the fire department, provisions for access for fire fighting, instructing occupants on procedures to be followed when the fire alarm sounds, evacuating endangered occupants and confining, controlling and extinguishing the fire”.

Site Drawings

Site drawings are often stored in an easy to access fireproof box on a commercial property and in the case of high-rise residential properties. Site drawings are an invaluable addition to your fire safety plan, as they map out for firefighters exactly where such important items as fire fighter access points are located.

WorksiteSafety.ca explains what site drawings in a fire safety plan usually entail:

“The Fire Safety Plan includes drawings of the property showing locations of fire protection systems for use by the occupants and firefighters. Site drawings must include a number of items, such as Fire Fighter Access Points, Fire Exits, The Annunciator, Fire Hydrants, Standpipes, The FF Box, Gas Shutoffs, and Mechanical Rooms.”

Fire Drills

At a minimum, fire drills are required in the workplace every 12 months. However, workplaces with an increased amount of fire hazards may wish to consider practicing fire drills every 3 months. Fire drills are an important part of a fire safety plan, as they not only help your employees prepare for an emergency, but also help to make improvements to the existing plan should issues present themselves.

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.

When it comes to fire safety in the workplace, nothing is more important than implementing the use of fire prevention equipment and procedures. The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA)’s fire code states that commercial, industrial, and residential buildings must have fire extinguishers on hand, as well as other types of fire safety equipment, in order to minimize the spread of a potentially devastating fire. In this article, we take a look at the four main kinds of fire safety equipment you are required to have in your work facility. It’s important to note that all employees must be trained to operate this equipment in the event of an emergency.

Fire Extinguishers

While fire extinguishers are commonly the first line of defence when it comes to eliminating fires before they spread, many of us don’t know how to use them. It’s not only essential that fire extinguishers are installed in your building, but that all employees are fully confident in how to use one in the event of a fire.

Creative Safety Supply tells us why fire extinguishers are mandatory in the workplace and details how to use one:

“All facilities are required to have fire extinguishers on site. These extinguishers should be easy to access, highly visible, properly charged, and inspected regularly. They’re often the first line of defense and commonly used to extinguish or contain fires, which prevents costly damage and saves lives. They should be installed high on the wall and located near an exit. When using a fire extinguisher, remember the PASS method: Pull the pin, aim low, squeeze the lever slowly, and sweep from side to side.”

Smoke Detectors

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has strict requirements for how many smoke detectors must be in a building, whether commercial or residential. Making sure you abide by these guidelines is essential to adequate fire prevention in the workplace.

NTT Inc. lays out what the OSHA requirements are when it comes to smoke detectors:

“Do you know exactly how many detectors your workplace needs? OSHA GUIDELINES state that every room, storage area, and hallway should have its own smoke detector. Large spaces might require two detectors, depending on the range of the detectors you are using. Even if you think your workplace has plenty of fire detectors, it’s a good idea to go through each room and make sure, as well as to check the range of your smoke detectors in case larger rooms and hallways require more than one.”

Carbon Monoxide Alarms

Installing carbon monoxide alarms in your business is one of the simplest ways that you can protect your business from this harmful gas. Surprisingly, carbon monoxide alarms only became a legal requirement in 2017 for residential homes and buildings. However, it is important to include these life saving alarms in commercial buildings as well.

StanleySecurity.ca explains why carbon monoxide detectors are important to install not only at home, but in the workplace as well:

“CO detectors for business are an inexpensive, effective way to protect your business from harmful gas. They work by monitoring airborne concentration levels (parts per million) of carbon monoxide over time, and alerting you with sounds and visual signals when harmful levels are present. CO detectors are designed to sense both low levels of CO over long periods, and high levels over short periods.”

Fire Suppression Systems

Fire suppression systems are an essential part in not preventing property loss in the case of an extreme fire, but preventing both serious injury and death. Fire sprinkler systems have the capability to drastically reduce smoke, flames and heat and can virtually eliminate a fire that is rapidly spreading.

The risk of a fire in a manufacturing and warehouse facility is high, with the various equipment and machinery used posing an extreme fire hazard if not properly maintained. This is why warehouses and manufacturers should always take fire safety seriously, to make sure that their facilities are always prepared for a potential fire. In this article, we take a look at 3 warehousing and manufacturing safety tips to help make sure that these facilities have the right safety precautions in place, should a potentially devastating fire break out.

Have An Evacuation Plan For Your Employees

As with any workplace, it’s important to have an evacuation plan laid out – especially in the case of a warehouse or manufacturing facility, where you may need to evacuate dozens of employees. By having an evacuation plan in place, you can make sure that your employees are able to exit safely, avoiding more accidents caused by panic and stress.

Keystone Fire Protection Co. explains why it’s essential to have an evacuation plan put in place for your employees:

“If a fire does occur in a facility, the number one priority is making sure that the employees are able to exit the building quickly and safely. A fire can cause severe stress and fear in individuals, which in turn can result in panicked reactions and avoidable accidents. Warehouses and manufacturers can counteract this result by establishing an appropriate evacuation plan that directs all employees to the nearest exits in a calm and controlled manner. Furthermore, requiring employees to regularly review the evacuation plan or practice evacuating in a fire drill can aid employees in feeling prepared if a fire occurs and provide them the tools to respond appropriately in an emergency.”

Carry Out a Risk Assessment

In an environment that contains plenty of equipment that can easily go up in flames, it’s important to carry out a risk assessment. Taking the necessary steps to prevent a fire is the first and most important step when it comes to fire safety. Knowing which equipment presents the highest risk will help ensure you’re giving these areas the proper attention.

Workplace Safety & Preventative Services (WSPS) tells us why carrying out a risk assessment is important in a warehouse or manufacturing facility:

“What are your fire hazards (ex. hot work, electrical, charging stations, etc.)? Who is at risk and how can you control these risks? Hot work requires a permit and hazard analysis before work can proceed. Because the configuration of your racking systems and aisles change frequently, risk assessments should be ongoing.”

Use Safe Inventory Storage Methods

Warehouses that are full of not only machines, but various stock and inventory pose a serious fire hazard. The more crowded a space is, the more likely an accident is to occur, so it’s important to make sure that you are practicing safe inventory storage methods if you’re not already.

Marco Fire explains why practicing safe inventory storage methods and establishing safe habits can make all the difference when preventing a fire:

“Although fire protection systems are great at reducing the negative impacts of a fire, they do not necessarily prevent a fire from occurring. In order to prevent a fire from starting in your warehouse this holiday season, start practicing safe inventory storage methods right now. One of the biggest hazards during the holiday season is the increased inventory. This leads to overcrowding and accumulation of waste. However, these habits are some of the riskiest for your warehouse. It’s important to establish safe habits like keeping sprinkler heads clear of products, leaving space between pallets, and regularly eliminating cardboard waste.”

Emergencies can happen at any moment and often when we least expect them. And while we as humans are able to map out a plan in the event of a fire emergency, our pets will often not be aware of what’s going on. As our pets guardians and protectors, we are responsible for ensuring that they are able to exit safely in the event of a fire. But what measures can we take to ensure that our pets are taken care of in the event of an emergency? We’re going to take a look at pet fire safety tips to ensure that both you and your furry friends are prepared in the event of a fire.

Note Where Your Pets Like to Nap or Hide

A house fire is not the time to be looking under every surface and sofa cushion for your pet, when you have valuable seconds to get both of you out of the house safely. It’s important to take note of exactly where your pet likes to hide so you can access them quickly before leaving the house. If you were not able to reach your pet before leaving the house, it’s essential to know this information to immediately relay it to firefighters.

ASPCA.org tells us why knowing where your pet likes to hide and practicing escape procedures with them can make all the difference in leaving your home safely:

“This is important in the event that you must evacuate your home quickly. Remember that pets can be exponentially more difficult to round up if they sense stress—especially cats! Practice crating your pets in advance to make it a positive experience so they don’t go running when you pull out their crate during any type of emergency.”

Keep Pets Visible When Away From the Home

Whether you own a cat or a dog, doing your best to keep them visible while you’re away from the home will be incredibly valuable in the event of an emergency. While we often give our animals free reign of the house while we’re at work or running errands, it’s important to quickly narrow down their location in the event of a fire.

RedCross.org explains how you can prepare your pet for quick evacuation in the event of a fire when you’re not home:

“Keep pets near entrances when away from home. Keep collars on pets and leashes at the ready in case firefighters need to rescue your pet. When leaving pets home alone, keep them in areas or rooms near entrances where firefighters can easily find them.”

Consider Monitored Smoke Detectors

Standard smoke detectors can only draw so much attention to your household if you’re not home. By the time a neighbour hears your smoke alarm and realizes you’re not home, it will likely be far too late – if they notice at all. A monitored smoke detector can make all the difference in having your home tended to quickly in the event of a fire.

Better Cities For Pets explains the benefit of investing in a monitored smoke detector:

“While it’s obviously vital to have working smoke detectors in your home, for pet fire safety you may want to think about upgrading a step further. Consider using monitored smoke detectors, says the American Kennel Club. These devices are connected to a monitoring center so emergency responders can be contacted when you’re not home.”

According to the EFSI, home electrical fires account for an estimated 51,000 fires each year. These devastating fires have resulted in nearly 500 deaths, more than 1,400 injuries and $1.3 billion in property damage. When we think of electricity in our homes, we usually only think of the electrical appliances we can see. However, electricity runs through our walls, to the corners of our kitchen cabinets, making potential harm from electricity in the home high. The good news is that electrical fires are often preventable and can be avoided by doing your research and by showing care. In this article, we take a look at 3 tips for preventing electrical fires at home, so you can have peace of mind that you’re not putting your own and your family’s safety at risk.

Make Sure Your Electrical Outlets Are Safe

Making sure that your electrical outlets are safe and undamaged is one of the most important things you can do in preventing electrical fires in the home. We’ve all seen that one electrical outlet that seems to be hanging on by a thread, whether from visible damage or because it’s overloaded with cords. This is a fire hazard that can easily be avoided if the proper care is taken.

Platinum Electricians explains more on what you should look for when it comes to damaged or overloaded electrical outlets:

“Worn-out or faulty outlets are one of the most common causes for electrical fires in the home. Inspecting these electrical sources in your home for damage or deterioration helps to reduce the risk of electrical fires. When conducting these inspections, be on the lookout for worn or frayed cables, overloaded power sockets or power boards. Secondly, note the location of the electrical cords, if they are near sources of heat and water, try moving them away from these areas to avoid any accidental harm.”

Never Cut Off The Third Prong On A Power Cord

If you only have two prong outlets in your home, it may be tempting to simply cut off the third prong and see if it’ll still work in the same way. This is a very obvious fire hazard and should never be attempted, as the third prong is included for a reason.

Economical.com tells us why the third prong is present on a power cord and what you can do in order to use it safely:

“The third prong (also known as the “ground”) is there for a reason: to protect you in the event of a power surge or other electrical malfunction. If your home only has two-prong outlets, consider having an electrician inspect your home’s electrical system to see if they can update your outlets to three-prong ones.”

Check Your Light Fixtures

You may not think to check your wattage when replacing a light bulb in your light fixture, thinking it can’t make that much of a difference. In reality, the wattage is listed on both your light fixture and on replacement light bulbs for an important reason.

FireRescue1.com explains more about bulb wattage and not taking care to use the correct bulbs can easily result in an electrical fire:

“Light fixtures, lamps and light bulbs are another common reason for electrical fires. Installing a bulb with a wattage that is too high for the lamps and light fixtures is a leading cause of electrical fires. Always check the maximum recommended bulb wattage on any lighting fixture or lamp and never go over the recommended amount. Another cause of fire is placing materials like cloth or paper over a lampshade. The material heats up and ignites, causing a fire. Faulty lamps and light fixtures also frequently result in fires.”

While gasoline is a highly flammable fluid, you may not think about this fact while you’re completing an everyday task like filling up your car. There are several fire safety hazards that present themselves while going through the ordinary task of filling up your tank, many of which can be easily prevented. And while static electricity-related incidents are rare, the potential for this type of accident is higher in both abnormally cool and dry climate conditions. So, what steps as a customer can you take to prevent these possible fire hazards when filling up your car? We take a look at what to avoid next time you’re at your local service station.

Do Not Reenter Your Car While Refuelling

While static related fires are uncommon, they become more likely when you reenter your car while in the process of refuelling. When you’re rushing to get to work or rushing to get home in the evening, giving your full attention to fuelling your car may prove to be difficult at times. However, it’s important that you do not reenter your vehicle to avoid that build-up of static that may result in a serious accident.

American Petroleum Institute explains more on why getting back in your car while refuelling could be a dangerous move:

“…motorists should not get back into their vehicles during refueling. It may be a temptation to get back in the car for any number of reasons. But the average fill-up takes only two minutes, and staying outside the vehicle will greatly minimize the likelihood of any build-up of static electricity that could be discharged at the nozzle.”

No Cell Phones

We’ve all heard the stories regarding the dangers of cell phones and gas stations and wondered whether there is really any truth to them. However, whether or not you’ve personally known anyone who has been involved in this type of accident, there is indeed evidence that cell phone usage near gas pumps poses potential explosion risks.

LoveToKnow.com tells us more about the associated danger between filling your gas tank and cell phones:

“Neither cell phones or full-function pagers are designed to be used in any type of ignitable environment. Certainly any area where fuel is being pumped is one where risk of ignition is high. There are situations in which cell phone usage can create sparks capable of igniting a fire or causing an explosion in such an environment.”

Never Fill a Portable Gas Can Inside a Vehicle

Have you ever set your portable gas can down on the floor of your car or on the bed of a pickup in order to refill it? While this may seem like a harmless act, this is another leading cause of static fires that may occur at a service station.

The Salina Journal explains how filling a portable gas can inside a vehicle can cause a potential fire:

“When filling a portable gasoline can, always place the container on the ground and keep the pump nozzle in contact with the container while refueling. Containers never should be filled inside a vehicle, in the trunk, on the bed of a pickup or on the floor of a trailer. The carpeting and truck bed act as insulators, allowing static electricity to build up in the can while it is being filled. That static electricity could create a spark between the container and the fuel nozzle.”

Fire safety can be a significant issue for seniors who choose to continue to live in their own homes, especially if they are living alone. There are a variety of reasons why seniors in particular face fire risk factors that are not an issue for the young, in the form of age-related changes. These may include weaker physical or mental capabilities, limited mobility and side effects of prescribed medications. Most seniors are also on a fixed income and deem home improvements an unnecessary expense. In this article, we take a look at how you can assist your senior family member in making sure they can safely evacuate in the event of an emergency, or what you can do as a senior citizen to ensure that your home is equipped for independent living.

Make Sure Smoke Alarms Are Installed and Working

Arguably, the most important aspect of fire safety and fire prevention in the home is making sure smoke alarms are installed and working, which includes testing and changing the battery regularly. It’s also important to ensure that a senior’s home is equipped so that they are able to be alerted to a fire, regardless of if they are hard of hearing.

The Canada Safety Council explains more on fire alarm safety for seniors:

“Install a smoke alarm on each level of the home and outside all sleeping areas: in Ontario this is now the law. Anyone who sleeps with the bedroom doors closed should have a smoke alarm inside the bedroom. Test each alarm monthly and replace the battery twice a year. Remind loved ones that if they hear the smoke alarm “chirp” it means the battery needs to be replaced immediately. Seniors who are deaf or hard of hearing should consider purchasing flashing or vibrating smoke alarms.”

Make Sure All Doors and Windows Are Able To Be Opened

It’s important to make sure that all doors and windows are able to be opened in any home, in order to ensure that you are able to escape in the event of a fire. If a fire is quickly progressing, simply walking out the front door is usually not an option. In the case of a senior with potentially limited mobility, the ability to open the nearest window may make the difference between being able to evacuate and a serious accident.

The NFPA tells us more on how you can ensure that every door and window in your house is able to be opened in the event of an emergency:

“Locks and pins should open easily from inside. (Some apartment and high-rise buildings have windows designed not to open.) If you have security bars on doors or windows, they should have emergency release devices inside so that they can be opened easily. These devices won’t compromise your safety, but they will enable you to open the window from inside in the event of a fire. Check to be sure that windows haven’t been sealed shut with paint or nailed shut; if they have, arrange for someone to break the seals all around your home or remove the nails.”

Practice Electrical Safety

In the case of an older home versus a newer home, an older home presents significantly more fire safety issues. Newer homes will need to be updated in order to ensure that they have updated safety features and are able to handle newer appliances.

The U.S. Fire Administration confirms that older homes must be inspected in order to ensure that electrical safety is not an issue and that updated safety features are installed:

“Older homes are more likely to catch fire from electrical causes than newer homes. Older wiring may not have the capacity to safely handle newer appliances and equipment and may not have updated safety features.”

Most of us are used to identifying a fire alarm by the harsh, high-pitched sound it emits. However, what are your options for becoming alerted to the danger of a fire if you are deaf or hard-of-hearing? While the sound of a fire alarm may seem intolerable to us, even those with a mild hearing loss may take much longer to become aware of it. In this article, we take a look at what alternative options are available to the deaf and hard-of-hearing when it comes to fire safety, in order to ensure that everyone can evacuate safely and in a timely manner.

Specialized Smoke Alarms

Specialized smoke alarms are those that go beyond the mostly audible traditional smoke alarm. There are several types of specialized smoke alarms available, including fire alarm strobe lights, vibration notification appliances and mixed pitch alarms.

Koorsen Fire & Security explains more on how fire alarm strobe lights work for those who cannot rely on auditory signals:

“Fire alarm strobes are flashing lights that are built into systems specifically designed for the hard-of-hearing and deaf community. These lights should be tested by a third-party testing laboratory to ensure that they possess the intensity to wake sleeping individuals. When the fire alarm is triggered, in addition to sounding an alarm, the strobe lights will begin flashing as well. It should be noted, however, that according to NFPA research studies, older individuals were unlikely to waken in response to the fire alarm strobes. Thus, it is recommended that strobe lights be used in combination with other devices such as vibrating appliances and/or mixed-pitch alarms.”

Fire Extinguishers & Fire Blankets

Whether you belong to the deaf and hard-of-hearing community or you are able to rely on the auditory sounds of traditional smoke alarms, having fire extinguishers and fire blankets in your home is still an absolute must. Most small fires can be eliminated by fire extinguishers before they progress to a much larger and potentially fatal accident, deeming it necessary that everyone in the household is trained to operate one.

Relay South Dakota tells us more on why having fire extinguishers in the home is an important part of fire protection:

“Having personal fire extinguishers on each level of your home is smart. Though most house fires start in kitchens, having multiple extinguishers can eliminate any problems reaching one because of a fire. Make sure you checked each pressure gauge monthly and documented your findings. A complete fire extinguisher breakdown and internal inspection should be done every six years.”

Don’t Isolate Yourself

If you are part of the deaf and hard-of-hearing community and are unsure of what you would do in the event of a fire, it’s important that you reach out to a local professional for help. There is nothing worse than living in fear that if an accident occured, you would have no idea how you would be alerted to it or how you would take care of it. There are plenty of resources available out there in order to ensure that you are safe in the event of an emergency, including contacting your local fire station.

Polk County Fire District tells us why you should contact your local fire station for more information if you have special needs such as a hearing loss:

“Contact your local fire department on a non-emergency telephone number (use appropriate amplified phone or TTY devices if necessary) and explain your special needs. Your local fire department may be able to help you with your home fire escape plan and may also be able to perform a home safety inspection. The fire department may also offer suggestions about what type of smoke alarms will work for you and where you can get them. They also will explain correct placement.”

The answer to this question may seem obvious – after all, we need to be able to hear a fire alarm from wherever we may be, whether that be in a house or a commercial building. However, is there a science behind why fire alarms hit the decibel they do and this can vary depending on the size and use of the building you’re in. In this article, we take a look at what is behind the level of noise that your fire alarm emits and if there’s anything you can do to change it.

Does Your Fire Alarm Need To Be So Loud?

Although you may believe that it wouldn’t make a difference to adequately alert you to a fire if your alarm were turned down several decibels, there is a science behind the deafening noise that emits from it. The loudness associated with your fire alarm is arranged the way it is for a reason, although you may be able to purchase a fire alarm that has a lower decibel than others.

Fireline.com tells us more about the exact frequency that comes from your fire alarm:

“There are two many types of notification systems: audible and visual. Both are often used in tandem with one another, so a building would rarely be equipped with one or the other. The audible component is delivered via horns and sirens. These devices range between 65 and 120 decibels relative to the person who is standing 10 feet away. The second component of the fire protection system is the visual component. Strobe lights deliver this. These devices flash once every second from anywhere between 15 to 1000 candelas, depending on preconfigured settings.”

The Varying Degrees of Volume

As mentioned, you may be able to purchase a fire alarm that contains a lower dB than others. However, this may not be adequate depending on your surrounding environment. Some fire alarms are meant to be louder than others, depending on the noise you can expect from your regular surroundings.

FloridaFireService.com explains why there are varying degrees of volume in fire alarms:

“A fire alarm’s job is to let everyone in the building know that they need to leave immediately. That’s why the noises are allowed to be louder than most.The exact requirement is usually 15 dB above the average noise level or 5 dB above the maximum ambient sound – whichever is greater. So what does that mean? It means the noise needs to be greater than the surrounding noise. So for example if you’re in a restaurant – you want the alarm to be heard above the background noise, talking, music, clanking of plates and the like. If you’re in a factory where it’s incredibly loud and equipment is going off everywhere – they usually crank it all the way up to the max dB. Why? Because everyone needs to hear it.”

How Can You Protect Your Ears from Loud Fire Alarms?

After it’s established that you have most definitely heard your fire alarm, how can we protect our ears while it’s still going off? It’s not uncommon to temporarily partially lose your sense of hearing after exposure to an active fire alarm for a long period of time, which can be both uncomfortable and worrying.

Guardian Fire Protection Services tells us what you can do to protect your ears as best you can while your fire alarm is going off:

“When you hear the shrill noise of a fire alarm, your first instinct is to cover your ears. This is actually an effective way to defend against hearing loss while you walk calmly toward the exit and make your way out of the building. More importantly, however, is to create a fire evacuation plan and hold fire drills regularly. This way, your staff is confident about what steps to take and where to evacuate in case of an emergency. By planning ahead, you can limit confusion and reduce the time you’re exposed to loud volumes. Finally, if you think the decibel level of your fire alarm is too high, hire a fire protection company to examine your equipment and make a determination.”

Hiring a fire protection company for regular inspection of your commercial, industrial or government building is not a task that should be taken lightly. There is a lot to think about when deciding to hire a fire protection company and deciding which is best can be daunting – after all, how do you know that you can truly rely on them to prevent a potentially devastating fire? We’re going to take you through our list of the 4 things you should ask your fire protection company before hiring them, so you can make sure that you’re making the best choice for your family, employees, and yourself.

What Fire Protection Services Are Available?

Finding out which fire protection services they offer is the first question you should ask a fire protection company. It’s important to hire a company that covers all of the services you need, so you don’t have to end up hiring multiple different providers.

Juddfire.com explains why some fire protection companies only offer limited services:

“Some vendors only concentrate on a few specialized services, but not us. We can help you from start to finish. Not only can we install the fire protection systems that you need, but we’ll design them specifically for your building and help you come up with a fire safety plan. Our job is to make sure that your home or business is fireproof. After we install the fire protection systems, we also make sure that they’re working efficiently year after year. Maintenance is vital.”

How Much Experience Do They Have?

While experience doesn’t always mean everything, you can bet that a company that has managed to stay in business for many years is doing something right. These companies have also managed to adapt to several changes in fire codes over the years and know the importance of keeping up with the latest technologies.

Associated Fire Protection tells us why experience really can mean everything when it comes to your fire protection company:

“When researching fire inspection companies, pay attention to how long they’ve been in business. If you just need a quick inspection so you can sell your building, it may not matter much. But if you’re looking for a long-term partner, you may want to find out when the company was established. Fire codes and technologies change, but longevity proves that a company can do good work.”

What Certifications Do They Hold?

Did you know that every province in Canada has its own requirements for certification? Your fire protection service provider must be able to provide proof that they are qualified to service special hazard fire suppression systems. This includes acquiring a certificate of training from a manufacturer or from a public post-secondary educational institution.

How Much Do Their Services Cost?

In this day and age, we need to ask how much a service costs up front and compare prices along the way. While price should certainly not be the most important factor when it comes to fire safety, you have to make sure you can afford the company you’re hiring.

Levitt Safety tells us why you should ask how much your fire protection company costs up front:

“Don’t be afraid to ask a company how much their service costs. If a price tag is too good to be true, it probably is. If a price tag seems too high, find out what services are included. Your potential fire service provider should be able to map out what their service includes and what type of service you can expect and the fire suppression products they offer. You can also ask about value added services — what is available, what is included in the price you’re paying and what is treated as extra. This question can help understand the potential hidden value in higher prices.”

Fire-Alert takes pride in equipping homeowners with all necessary fire safety devices to ensure the well-being of families across the nation, with over 35 years of experience. Fire-Alert is also in good standing with reputable fire and safety organizations such as NFPA, NAFED and Comply Works. Reach out to us using our contact form to find out more.

4 Things a Fire Safety Plan Should Include