Fire safety should be a priority for any homeowner or property manager. It is absolutely essential. And, nothing is more key in your fire safety efforts than the fire safety provider you choose to work with. But, with scores of providers in the market, it can be hard trying to find the professional whose a right fit for your property needs.
To facilitate your decision-making process, we’ve written this post. It comprises a list of 12 questions to ask each fire safety provider you’re reviewing.
1: What fire services do you offer?
This is a foundational question as it allows you a chance to get to know the full range of services the provider is offering. Opt for a team that can satisfy your unique needs. Things to inquire about:
2: What accreditations and certifications do you have?
Make sure that the company has the necessary certifications and accreditations. They must also be a member of the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) as well as be registered with the Underwriters Laboratories of Canada (ULC).
A company that can show commitment to ongoing education is also to be highly considered. That’s because you want a company that keeps up to date with the latest in fire safety best practices in Hamilton.
3: How long have you been operational?
Here you’re essentially asking about the provider’s experience. You want to know how long they’ve been in the fire safety industry. Better yet, you should be interested to learn about their successful track record.
4: Is there 24/7 support?
Emergencies can happen at any time on any given day. Therefore, it helps to have a company that offers round-the-clock service. Also, enquire about the best way to contact the provider in the event of an emergency.
5: Can you furnish me with references?
A good fire safety professional will never be short of satisfied clients happy to give a referral. By reaching out to previous clients, you can get a better sense of the service delivery, quality of work, and the provider’s reputation.
6: Do you provide building occupants with fire training?
Whether you’re a homeowner or building manager, it’s necessary to ensure your family or building occupants know what to do in the event of a fire. They must be taught about such fire safety practices like:
Ideally, if the building has a large occupancy, a select group of fire wardens can be chosen to receive the training which they can then filter down to the rest of their colleagues.
They will essentially be responsible for helping everyone safely leave the building in an emergency.
7: Is there a warranty on your fire services and products?
More often than not, fire safety providers will make recommendations for products you should purchase and install. Equipment like fire extinguishers, fire alarms, and smoke detectors.
Prior to making any purchases, first, ask about the warranty on these products and if this guarantee also extends to the services.
If they say there is a warranty, make sure you know what exactly it’s covering.
8: How often do you service your equipment?
A company that has faulty equipment is difficult to rely on. You’re looking for a provider that keeps their equipment in tip-top condition and up-to-date. It must be functioning properly so that when you need help, they’ll be able to respond and help resolve any fire incidents quickly.
9: What’s your average response time during emergencies?
How soon can help arrive when you most need it? The response time is telling. It will show you the window period you have between the moment you realize you have an emergency on your hand, calling the fire safety provider and their arrival on the scene.
10: How do you address customer complaints?
The reason you must ask this question is so you know what to anticipate if you ever have an issue with the fire safety provider. You want a provider that’s both professional and competent. Their customer complaint process must demonstrate both these elements.
11: Are there any promotions or discounts on offer?
This is a good question to ask especially if you intend on making bulk purchases of equipment such as fire-suppressing systems, fire alarms and smoke detectors. If you’re a property manager hiring a fire safety provider for multiple properties, you’ll definitely want to find out if you can negotiate a favourable deal.
12: Can you provide a detailed estimate and proposal?
The last thing you should inquire about is the proposal and the estimate for the services required. You want them to send an itemized invoice showing a breakdown of the costs so you can see exactly what you’re paying for.
The bottom line
When it comes to keeping your property safe in 2023, it pays to have the right fire safety provider working with you. By asking these 12 questions during your review and selection process, you stand a better chance of finding the best provider who meets your needs.
Get in touch with Hamilton’s leading fire safety provider
Homeowners and property managers in Hamilton, Ontario can reach out to Nutech Fire Prevention. Our services are expansive and comprise fire safety training, fire safety recommendations, development of fire safety plans, gas detection, routine checks and maintenance of your fire equipment.
That’s not all we do as we also offer and install a comprehensive line of emergency backup generators, fire alarm systems, fire warning systems, fire extinguishers, emergency lighting, exit lighting, and sprinkler systems.
Emergency lighting is foundational as a safety feature within the workplace. It is an essential element in helping people during power outages. By design, its function is to provide illumination when conventional electricity has been cut off and assist employees and customers in safely evacuating the premises.
In this post, we’re going to focus on
· The basics of emergency lighting
· The benefits/advantages of emergency lighting and,
· The key features to look out for.
We’ll also touch on the necessity of routine maintenance and regular testing.
Emergency Lighting Benefits
Advantage #1 Guides people out of a dark building
The main advantage of emergency lighting in the workplace is to help prevent injuries and accidents during an emergency situation.
Events such as natural disasters, fires, and intentional sabotage can result in conventional lighting systems failing, leaving customers and employees stranded in the dark.
As a reactive feature, emergency lighting will become the guide, a source of light, steering people towards an emergency exit and safely out of the building.
Advantage #2 Reduces stress and panic during emergencies
A sudden loss of power can leave many people disoriented, feeling stressed and panicked. Emergency lighting can help assuage some of those feelings.
Because of its ergonomic design, the lighting is bright and easy to follow. This makes it extremely simple for people to navigate around the building and find their way to safety.
Such lighting has been known to calm down people and keep them focused on getting out of the building.
Key Emergency Lighting Features
Type of source light
The type of light source you select is vital. The most common emergency lighting in use is LED. That’s because it’s long-lasting, energy-efficient, and gives off a bright, clear illumination.
Battery backup
Emergency lighting must operate independently from your main power source. This might mean having an off-grid solution. In addition, the lighting must be backed up by a secondary battery.
Automatic sensors
There must be no need for external switching on of the lighting. It should automatically turn on when the main power is lost. Finding the right emergency lighting doesn’t have to be complex. Your local fire expert or fire department can make recommendations on the most suitable systems.
Easy-to-read status indicators
During the routine monthly inspections of your fire safety equipment, you must be able to clearly check on the status of your emergency lighting. This task is best fulfilled when there is an easy-to-read status indicator.
How to Care for Your Emergency Lighting
Here’s what you can do to keep your emergency lighting in tip-top shape.
Regular testing and maintenance
Routine testing alongside maintenance is a surefire way to verify that your workplace emergency lighting is working as it should be.
During such checks, technicians can quickly identify issues that need to be fixed before an emergency occurs. You want the system to be always ready to use when needed.
Regular maintenance is also encouraged as it can serve to extend the life of your emergency lighting system.
Emergency Lighting FAQ
Here’s an FAQ to answer some questions about emergency lighting.
Q: How often should I test my emergency lighting?
A: The recommended guideline is testing your emergency lighting systems at least once a month. This should ideally be conducted after any repairs and maintenance work has been done. Once a year, it’s pivotal that a certified professional also looks over the entire system to ensure it’s still in compliance with local provincial fire safety codes and regulations.
Q: What happens if my emergency lighting systems fail during an emergency?
A: If this ever happens the results can be catastrophic. Confusion and panic may make it hard for people inside the building to get out. This is the reason regular testing and maintenance are so critical.
Q: Is it possible to integrate my fire alarm systems with emergency lighting?
A: Yes, it is. In fact, the integration of the two fire safety elements means if the fire alarm is triggered the emergency lights will automatically turn on. This activation is an extra layer of safety and property managers should think seriously about merging these two. Your local fire expert can connect the two systems.
Q: Can renewable energy sources power my emergency lighting system?
A: Yes, in today’s green-conscious world this is a suggestion that’s being highly encouraged. Solar and wind are excellent energy sources and should be fully optimized wherever possible. Relying on such eco-friendly sources of energy helps to mitigate the property’s environmental impact while also providing an extra layer of reliability should the main power ever be cut off unexpectedly.
Q: Is there an emergency lighting regulation in Ontario?
A: Yes, provincial fire safety codes exist which regulate emergency lighting. The codes stipulate who should install and maintain emergency lighting in buildings, the frequency of maintenance, and the rules your system must comply with.
Final Thoughts
Every place of business must be equipped with emergency lighting. This system is an essential safety feature for any workplace, furnishing it with illumination and allowing people to safely navigate their way out of the building during an emergency.
When looking for a system, businesses should consider the benefits of having emergency lighting, the system’s features, and the necessity of regular testing and maintenance.
The presence of proper emergency lighting means a business can help reduce the risk for employees and customers if there should ever be a power outage or another emergency.
Where to Find Technical Assistance in Hamilton
Business owners and property managers in Hamilton, Ontario can reach out to our team here at Nutech Fire Prevention. We have the expertise and experience to make suitable emergency lighting recommendations for your building.
That’s not all we do however, as we also offer a comprehensive line of emergency backup generators, fire alarm systems, fire warning systems, fire extinguishers, exit lighting, fire safety plans, sprinkler systems, and gas detection services.
Fire alarms are a vital aspect of life safety for Ontario businesses. If you require a new fire alarm install in your commercial building, you probably want to know what to expect. There can be several reasons for installing a new fire alarm on your property, and these motivations determine the course of the installation.
New Construction
If you’re building a new facility, a new fire alarm system will merely be one of the many systems that make up the technology and life safety infrastructure of your commercial building. Fire alarm systems may be included in the overall construction project, but some companies prefer to contract the installation company themselves.
If you want to send the project out to bid, you need to contact some local companies and have them survey the premises and prepare a design and price quotation for your fire alarm. Then you evaluate the different proposals and choose the one that best suits your goals and budget. You don’t need to know everything about fire alarms to do this, because the design and plans must be approved by the Ontario Fire Marshal.
Once you select your approved vendor, they’ll work in tandem with the other trades to install the necessary conduit, wiring, and sensors, to meet code and provide the best possible protection for life and property safety. While there’s a temptation to go with the lowest bidder, it may not always be the most cost-effective choice in the long run. Sometimes, the cheapest option can wind up being more expensive in the long run as maintenance and false alarms become costly over time.
System Upgrade or Replacement
Building usage changes over time and so does technology. The fire alarm system you had installed years before may be malfunctioning, have become obsolete, or your building has changed enough to require a new fire alarm install. If this is your situation, you may be wondering what to expect.
If your building or building use has changed, you’re going to need to hire a professional to assess your property and perform a site survey. He’ll analyze the building spaces in terms of the fire classification rating and decide the quantity and types of sensors your system needs for the best possible safety protection. Section 2.1.2. of the Ontario Fire Code spells out the classifications of buildings or parts of a building according to major occupancy.
If your existing system has become obsolete or is prone to false alarms, you still need a professional site survey. Your existing fire alarm may not meet the newest code requirements, so the person performing the site survey has to measure building dimensions and make a record of all of the existing sensors on site. He delivers that information to a fire alarm engineer who designs a new system tailored to your needs based on the most efficient new technologies and code requirements.
If the installation company you choose has to perform the work during your normal working hours, you can expect some disruptions to your normal working routine. Conduit and new wiring require an installation crew and maybe even the use of a lift if your ceilings are tall enough. Once the conduit and wiring are finished, the crew needs to install, label, and test the new sensors and notification appliances.
The testing of fire alarm systems is necessarily loud and time-consuming, so you can expect a lot of frowns from the building’s inhabitants. Fortunately, the installation crew will eventually finish their task, and you’ll have a brand new state-of-the-art fire alarm that will protect lives and property for years to come.
Ontario area businesses have been relying on All Protect Systems, Inc for their fire alarm needs since 1996. Call them today to find out what they can do for you!
The question, “How often do I need to replace my fire extinguisher?” is one that’s frequently asked by both home and business owners.
Fire extinguishers are an integral part of your residential and commercial fire prevention plan and fire safety in general. But how long do they last? And how can you tell if your extinguisher is still in working condition?
Here’s everything you need to know about how and when to replace your fire extinguisher. Our top fire extinguisher tips.
Fire Extinguisher Life Expectancy
So, how long do fire extinguishers last? What life expectancy should you prepare for?
The best bet is to check with the manufacturer of the fire extinguisher. However, a general rule of thumb that’s often used in the industry is:
Rechargeable fire extinguishers have a10 to 12-year life expectancy, while non-rechargeable (aka disposable) fire extinguishers can be replaced after every 10 years.
But, this isn’t by no means a strict and binding principle as the type of extinguisher also has a bearing on the frequency of replacement. For example;
· Wet chemical fire extinguishers may be replaced after testing every five years.
· Dry chemical fire extinguishers may be replaced after six years.
If dry chemical fire extinguishers are able to reach their 12th year, they are required in that year to undergo hydrostatic testing.
All the same, when it comes to replacing your fire extinguisher you can’t just play it by the number of years that have passed. In addition, there are other ways to know if it’s time for a change. Let’s explore some of these.
To Replace Your Fire Extinguisher or Not?
What are some of the other ways to determine if it’s time to replace your fire extinguisher?
A visual inspection can help you determine if the canister has been damaged in any way and should therefore be immediately replaced. Signs it’s time to replace the fire extinguisher include:
· Leaking of the agent
· Visible corrosion and or rust
· Broken fire extinguisher handle
· Missing sticker
· The fire extinguisher was used to extinguish a fire
· An accidental fire extinguisher discharge occurred
· A cracked nozzle, hose, or one that’s clogged with debris
· Unsealed and or missing locking pin on the extinguisher’s handle
Are there any additional things that can invalidate your fire extinguisher? Yes!
What Voids a Fire Extinguisher?
A fire extinguisher’s lifespan can be shortened by any of the following:
1.Incorrect Storage
There is a right and a wrong way to store your fire extinguisher. And contrary to popular practice, fire extinguishers should ALWAYS be mounted upright.
What happens if you store your pressurized or non-pressurized fire extinguisher on its side or at an angle? This may interfere with the canister’s discharge system rendering it useless when you do need to use it.
2.Temperature Extremes
Fire extinguishers aren’t immune to temperature extremes. In fact, while fire extinguishers don’t typically explode when they overheat (because of the safety release valve which allows them to discharge their agent), they can get damaged and stop working properly.
Excessive temperatures above 120 degrees have been known to impair the elastomeric seals thereby decreasing the life span of the extinguisher.
When stored in cold temperatures (below -40 degrees), fire extinguisher valves and hoses have been known to crack. Some extinguishers might even freeze. Humid spaces must also be avoided as they can also lead to rust and corrosion.
3.Damage to the Canister
Has the fire extinguisher been punctured, suffered a crushing blow, or been tampered with in any way perhaps through vandalism?
Each of these things can ruin the integrity of the fire extinguisher rendering it faulty and up for replacement.
You may want to have a qualified technician assess the fire extinguisher before replacing it, however. It may simply need to be recharged after all. But if significant damage has occurred to the body then the extinguisher will need to be completely replaced.
Fire Extinguisher Routine Maintenance
Simply because your extinguisher doesn’t require yearly replacement is not a reason to avoid routine maintenance.
When it comes to fire prevention for work, businesses are mandated to schedule professional annual fire extinguisher inspections. This is good fire safety best practice.
During the professional maintenance inspection, fire specialists will check the physical state of the canisters as well as verify the integrity of seals and or tamper indicators. A new tamper seal may be installed and dated by the technician.
The fire expert will also verify that the fire extinguisher’s operating instructions are clearly visible and legible.
During routine maintenance, the technicians may recommend that the fire extinguishers be recharged. This typically happens every six years for rechargeable extinguishers. Recharging is vital as you want the chemicals within the fire extinguisher to be fully charged and have the pressure needed to discharge when needed.
Ongoing monthly maintenance may be done in-house by your own employees. All it involves is checking the pressure gauge to ensure that the gauge needle hasn’t gone below the ideal safe zone. If the needle is outside the green zone then the pressure within is too low and it’s time for a replacement.
Wrap Up
While fire extinguishers don’t have an expiration date there are things that nullify them and it’s important to be wary of these so you can replace or recharge on time.
Are you ready to schedule your fire extinguisher inspection? Our All Protect technicians are on hand to inspect your fire extinguishers and guarantee they are in optimal working condition.
Not only that, but we can also design custom fire safety plans, conduct on-site routine testing, fire training, gas detection, inspections, and maintenance of fire protection systems such as sprinklers, fire extinguishers, fire alarms, emergency lighting, emergency backup generators, and exit lighting.
Fire safety is a big part of staying safe in the event of a fire. Ontario recorded one of its worst years of fire-related deaths in 2021 with 124 cases. 2022 proved to be just as deadly with 102 deaths reported by October.
The constant threat of both residential and commercial fires means you have to be informed and take steps to learn about the latest fire safety guidelines and regulations.
That’s why in this article, we discuss fire safety in 2023 including trends and best practices.
Best Practice #1 Install Smoke Detectors and Routinely Service Them
The first step to preventing major fire disasters is to have working smoke detectors in your home and workplace. Once you’ve installed the smoke alarms and detectors, ensure you routinely check and replace batteries as needed.
This is absolutely pivotal as smoke detectors and alarms save lives. Statistics show that between 2011 and 2022, at least 14% of unintentional residential fire-related deaths transpired in homes without a smoke alarm (8%) or where the alarm was non-functional (6%).
Best Practice #2 Develop and Practice Your Evacuation Plan
Do all the members of your household know what to do in the event of a fire? On top of having functional smoke alarms, you’ve also got to have a strategic escape plan.
It’s also crucial that you regularly practice the evacuation plan. It must be a comprehensive scheme that also highlights things like where the designated meeting point outside your house is.
During your practice runs, train everyone to familiarise themself with the different ways to get out of the house and or office and how to open exit doors or windows.
Best Practice #3 Keep Flammable Materials Away From Ignition Sources
Do you know what’s the most dangerous thing you could do in your house or office? Keeping flammable materials close to heat sources. This is a recipe for disaster. Think of when you leave dish towels next to a gas burner or an aerosol can of perfume next to a lit candle. That’s a fuel and an ignition source, and under the right conditions, they have the potential to burn your house or workplace down within minutes.
So, take a quick look around the house and workplace. Do you have billowing curtains that need to be secured? Furniture that could be an easy fuel if a candle or cigarette were to accidentally fall on them?
Whatever has the potential to catch fire should be kept at least three feet (91cm) away from ignition sources like heaters, stoves, and candles. The area near these heat sources should also be left clutter-free and clean.
Best Practice #4 Store a Fire Extinguisher in Your Kitchen
Do you know in which room most fires tend to start? If you said, the kitchen, you’re correct. When you’re preparing food, avoid leaving it unattended. We recommend also keeping a fire extinguisher in your home.
Grease fires are extremely dangerous and can spread quite fast. Ensure you purchase a Class B fire extinguisher for the kitchen as it’s particularly suited to put out fires that involve gases, flammable liquids, cooking oils, and grease.
Best Practice #5 Avoid Leaving Cigarettes and Candles Unattended
For a fire to start, three things are involved: a fuel source (e.g. clothing, furniture, flammable liquid), oxygen (which is readily available in the air), and an ignition source (e.g. candles and cigarettes).
If you’re a smoker, be careful where you smoke and how you dispose of your finished cigarette. It’s not enough to just casually throw it on the ground and stomp it out. Make sure it’s properly snuffed out because it only takes one gust of wind to carry that smouldering cigarette to fuel and start a blaze.
If you like lighting candles around your house, never leave them in rooms unattended. Light the candle and keep it in a place where you can keep your eye on it.
Best Practice #6 Understand the Different Types of Workplace Fire Hazards
With remote work slowly becoming a thing of the past and most employees returning full-time to the office, it’s key we take time to address workplace fire hazards. Places of business also have fire safety procedures that you’re supposed to know and follow.
While it is the duty of the company you work for to create a safe working environment, as an employee the onus is on you to learn workplace fire safety best practices.
You want to know what to do and where to go in case of a fire. So, take time to know where the fire exits nearest your desk or office area are and the location of fire extinguishers. This should become easier to remember when you all practice the evacuation plan as a team.
Best Practice #7 Remove Obstructions to Exits
The last tip we have is to keep all exits unobstructed. No objects should block the doors preventing easy access to them. Hallways and stairways must be cleared of all clutter.
It is the employer’s duty to make sure that all egress means are clearly marked and luminescent safety signs are mounted to guide evacuees out of the building should there be a power cut.
The Bottom Line
In conclusion, fire safety in 2023 should be a top priority for everyone – parents, homeowners, directors of care homes/nursing facilities, and property managers. By following the guidelines, trends and best practices outlined above, you can help to reduce the risk of fire in your home and workplace.
If you’re a business owner thinking about fire safety training for your team, we want to highlight the necessity of also being aware of provincial-specific fire safety regulations. If you’re unsure about what these are, our team here at Nutech Fire Prevention is ready to assist with more information.
That’s not all we do however, as we also offer a comprehensive line of emergency backup generators, fire alarm systems, fire warning systems, fire extinguishers, emergency lighting, exit lighting, fire safety plans, sprinkler systems, and gas detection services.
The threat of fire is ever-present no matter how many preventative steps you take. With that said, fire training should be a top priority.
It’s imperative for your personnel to know how to stop a fire should one break out.
In this post, we’re going to look at the basics of how fires start, what are the common ignition sources, and the top ways you can quickly snuff out a fire before it gets out of control.
So without further ado, let’s dive right on in.
The Science Behind Fire
How do fires start?
Three elements are needed in order for a fire to start. These are:
· An ignition source (e.g. lighter, match, sparks from an electrical appliance)
· A fuel source (e.g. paper, textiles, flammable liquids)
· An oxygen source (readily available from the air)
As you can see, it doesn’t take much to get a fire going and it is for this reason that there are fire codes and building regulations.
These statutory instruments are designed to create safe working environments and encourage internal fire training.
Now that we know how fires start, what are some of the most common workplace fire causes that you need to keep an eye out for?
Common Workplace Fire Causes
Fire experts tell us that the leading causes of fires in business premises and commercial properties are:
1. Malfunctioning appliances and leads
2. Defective fuel supply
3. Incorrect use of devices, appliances and equipment
4. Leaving things close to heat sources
1.Malfunctioning appliances and leads
Damaged, defective, and faulty devices and appliances are major ignition culprits. Examples include:
· Old, worn-out, frayed electrical wiring
· Overloaded sockets
· Obsolete equipment and appliances
· Faulty plugs and appliances
Prevention advice
Routine checks for electrical wiring integrity should be conducted regularly. Any identified damaged wires should be replaced immediately as these pose a fire hazard.
A qualified electrician should also examine appliances and Portable Appliances Tests (PATs) carried out where necessary.
Because fire prevention in the workplace is a team effort, employees need to also be reminded not to overload sockets.
2.Defective fuel supply
We’ve seen that fuel is a core requirement needed to start a fire, but what exactly constitutes a defective fuel source?
Common examples include:
· Damaged gas pipelines
· Faulty electrical cables
· Incorrect storage of flammable liquids like petrol
Prevention advice
It is mandatory to schedule routine servicing of fuel supplies. Certified gas leak experts should come in on a regular basis to check the integrity of internal and external gas pipelines.
Similarly, qualified engineers should test and check electrical cables all over the premises.
Flammable fuels at the workplace must be stored according to the instructions spelled out in the company’s fire safety plan.
3. Incorrect use of devices, appliances and equipment
With numerous connected devices and equipment in an office, the risk of fire increases exponentially. And here are the most common ways appliances can cause fires:
· Spilling liquids on electrical devices
· Leaving ovens, toasters, and microwaves unattended
· Leaving electrical heaters on
· Allowing devices to overcharge
Prevention advice
Any liquids spilled on a device must be immediately cleaned up.
Ovens, microwaves, and toasters must be wiped down routinely to remove grease and dirt. Ensure microwave-safe crockery is used when heating up food.
Before leaving the office, sockets must be unplugged where possible.
4. Leaving things close to heat sources
It’s easy to place items close to a heat source and become absent-minded and forget, making them an easy fire hazard. Here are typical office examples:
· Leaving paper towels or clothes next to portable heaters
· Placing tin foil in the microwave
· Placing devices that need ventilation on non-solid surfaces and in spaces with little air
Prevention advice
Any electrical device has the capacity to generate heat. Therefore, be mindful of what you place next to these heat sources.
Always make sure computers, TVs, or heat-generating appliances have plenty of ventilation. Place computers, even laptops, on hard surfaces and avoid leaving them on couches.
Top 5 Ways to Put Out Workplace Fire
We know from the science of how fires start, that fires are sustained by some type of fuel and oxygen.
In order to put out the fire, we must first understand what type of fire we’re dealing with so we know the best fire suppression tools to use. Here are some of our fire extinguisher tips!
1.How to Put Out Class A Fires
Class A fires are those involving clothing, paper, plastic or wood.
In order to put out a workplace fire involving any of these elements, you will need a foam or water-based extinguisher.
2.How to Put Out Class B Fires
Class B fires are those involving flammable liquids such as alcohol, petrol, gases, or paint.
These fires must never be extinguished with a water extinguisher but instead with a carbon dioxide, powder or foam fire extinguisher.
The nozzle of the fire extinguisher must be aimed at the base of these types of fires to avoid a flare-up.
3.How to Put Out Class C Fires
Class C fires involve electricity and as such need special care.
A dry powder or carbon dioxide fire extinguisher is deployed. A blanket may be used to smother any lingering flames.
If it is safe enough to unplug any connected devices do so. Alternatively, switch off power to the electrical devices at the main switch.
4.How to Put Out Class D Fires
Class D fires are rare and involve the ignition of metals such as aluminum, potassium, and sodium. Their suppression expressly requires a dry powder fire extinguisher.
5.How to Put Out Class K Fires
Class K fires typically occur in commercial kitchens where food is prepared using vegetable or animal fats and oils. Such fires warrant a wet chemical extinguisher.
Best Practice: Always Call Emergency Services
Evacuate employees to a safe assembly point and if you suspect that you cannot control the fire, be sure to immediately call the fire department for help. This is particularly true in the case of electrical fires.
The Bottom Line
Accidental workplace fires can be stopped before they turn into full-blazes by implementing any of the best practices mentioned above.
As fire safety experts we are convinced of the importance of educating your employees about fire safety. If you don’t have a current fire prevention plan and would like help to develop one, contact All Protect.
We can also design custom fire safety plans, conduct on-site routine testing, fire training, gas detection, inspections, and maintenance of fire protection systems such as sprinklers, fire extinguishers, fire alarms, emergency lighting, emergency backup generators, and exit lighting.
Furthermore, if you are looking to upgrade your current fire systems we make recommendations for fire protection solutions that fit your budget and your needs.
Smoke detectors are a critical safety feature in your business and home. Functional fire alarm systems save lives. Therefore, it’s pivotal that your smoke detectors and alarms are in good working order.
In this post, we’re going to explore the necessity and importance of smoke detectors as well as how to know when it’s time to replace them.
How Often Should You Replace Smoke Detectors?
Fire specialists recommend replacing your smoke detectors every 10 years. If your fire alarm systems and smoke detectors are 10 years or older, it’s probably high time you replaced them.
It is also advisable to carry out monthly tests to make sure detectors are working correctly.
Non-functional smoke detectors pose a serious threat because they won’t be able to alert you if a fire breaks out. This compromises the safety of your family, employees and clients.
The leading causes of smoke detector failure are missing or dead batteries. Today, most professional fire system specialists will recommend installing a hard-wired smoke detector with a battery backup.
Smoke Detector Routine Maintenance
Smoke detectors should be tested every month by a qualified person.
Ensure the building is regularly dusted and swept of cobwebs as these can obstruct the detection of smoke in the atmosphere incapacitating your detectors.
If your smoke detectors are outfitted with regular batteries, swap these out for a new set at least every 12 months.
Smoke detectors can wear out, consequently, it’s best to have them all replaced once every 10 years.
If you’re not sure of the last time the smoke detectors in your building were replaced, it’s possible to verify by looking at their labels. These labels will indicate when the detectors were made. A missing label is a good sign that the smoke detector might be old and past its replace-by-due date.
When to Replace Your Smoke Detectors
You might be wondering, but how do you know when it’s time to replace your trusty detectors? Here are five tell-tale signs.
1. Your smoke detector looks yellow
One of the fastest ways to know if it’s time to overhaul your smoke detectors is by quickly scanning them for a yellow tinge. The change in colour of smoke detectors is attributed to bromine, a flame retardant substance coating the outer part of the detector.
Through wear and tear, exposure to the elements and oxidation, bromine begins to change the original colour of the smoke detector. This reaction happens over a long period of time, which is an insider tell-tale sign that it’s replacement time.
2. Repetitive chirping that won’t stop
Smoke detectors are not supposed to chirp constantly without cause. If they’re chirping it’s either the batteries are low, the detector itself is about to die, or there’s a real fire! Whichever way you look at it, chirping noises from your detectors isn’t a sound that should be ignored.
Before you rush to replace the smoke detector, you might want to have a technician hardwire the device. If the chirping still persists in spite of this, then it might be an indicator that the detector is on its way out and you should schedule a replacement.
3. Fails the monthly test
Provincial Building and Fire Codes recommend homeowners and building managers test their smoke detectors at least once each month. This test affirms working detectors and draws your attention to the smoke detectors in need of replacement.
Fortunately, the test is quite straightforward. All that’s required is pressing the “test” button that’s on each smoke detector. If the device is working correctly, it should let out a loud siren (you may want to step back because it can get very loud!).
If, however, after pressing the test button there’s no beeping sound or the sound is muffled then this must be addressed by replacing the faulty smoke detector.
4. Incessant alarm without cause
Smoke detectors are designed to be robust, home safety devices, however as they age, they can begin to sound for no apparent reason.
This does get on the nerves of many people to the point that they remove the batteries in their detectors altogether. This is of course counterproductive and leaves your home vulnerable in the event that a fire actually does break out.
So, instead of popping out the batteries, consider uninstalling all your old smoke detectors and installing a new batch.
4. It’s faulty and the product was recalled
It does sometimes happen that batches of smoke detectors are recalled by the manufacturer because of a faulty part. If this happens it can be quite a big inconvenience, but it does give you the chance to re-install a new lot of smoke detectors.
How can you know whether your smoke detectors have been recalled? Typically, a quick internet search using a keyword like ‘faulty [insert brand name] smoke detectors in [insert name of town/city]’ will provide you with the answers you need. Alternatively, the store that sold you the products might also ring you up to alert you of a product recall.
Where Should Your Smoke Detectors Be?
Firstly, you’ll want to hire a professional fire expert to install your smoke detectors. They will scope the area in need of protection and identify the best places to set up smoke detectors.
Ideally, there should be smoke detectors on each level of a multi-story building. If it’s a residential space, detectors can be installed within every bedroom and hallway.
Smoke detectors should not be installed close to windows, drafty locations, and vents.
They must be mounted on the ceiling at least 10 cm (4 inches) from the wall. If you’ve opted to have them situated on the wall, they should be placed at a distance of 10-30 cm (4-12 inches) from the ceiling.
Smoke Detector Installation Near You
Nutech Fire Prevention is a leading smoke detector installation service provider. We also offer a comprehensive line of emergency backup generators, fire alarm systems, fire warning systems, fire extinguishers, emergency lighting, exit lighting, fire safety plans, sprinkler systems, and gas detection services.
Did you know that there are two types of fire extinguishers?
Yes, fire extinguishers are not the same. They are distinguished mainly by whether they are cartridge-operated or stored pressure, their contents, and the type of fire they are designed to suppress.
In this post, we’re going to look at a few fire extinguisher tips and consider how to choose the right fire extinguisher for your business.
Before we do, however, here’s everything you need to know about fire extinguishers. Let’s start by defining what a fire extinguisher is.
“Fire extinguishers are portable devices used to extinguish small fires or reduce their destruction before firefighters arrive at the scene.”
Put another way, it’s a fire safety system used in the suppression and control of containable fires. It’s important to highlight the fact that employees should only attempt to suppress minor fires, typically when an emergency arises.
Employees should in no way try to extinguish a fire that’s beyond their control. We mean here a fire which has scaled to ceiling height, where there is a risk of being trapped, or where there is an explosion hazard.
In this case, the designated fire wardens should channel their efforts to ensure that everyone has been evacuated from the building as they were taught during their fire training. Once safely at the meeting point, they can then contact the relevant fire authorities.
The Two Types of Fire Extinguishers
As mentioned at the beginning, there are two main types of fire extinguishers:
Stored Pressure Fire Extinguishers
Stored pressured fire extinguishers (SPFE) are designed in such a way that the firefighting agent is contained in the same compartment as the expellant. The firefighting agent can range from liquid gas to dry/wet chemical agents.
Nitrogen is generally the propeller of choice in these fire suppressant systems. SPFE are also the most common type of fire extinguisher you’ll find. Therefore, this is the type of fire extinguisher you’ll probably be recommended for your business.
Cartridge-Operated Fire Extinguishers
Cartridge-operated fire extinguishers (COFE) are hand-held cylindrical pressure systems and are the less common of the two forms. The extinguishing gas is stored within a different part of the cartridge.
Prior to discharge, this gas-containing chamber is punctured and the extinguishing agent mixes with the propellant. Cartridge-operated fire extinguishers are mostly found in industrial-type businesses. Hence, if your business is industrial in nature, the best fire extinguishers are generally COFE.
Now, with this understanding, let’s examine how to choose fire extinguishers for your business based on the agents they contain. Here are our best fire extinguisher tips.
How to Choose the Right Fire Extinguisher for Your Business
1.Carbon-Dioxide Extinguishers
Example businesses: Manufacturing, laboratories, pharmaceuticals
Recommended fire extinguisher: Carbon dioxide fire extinguisher
Carbon dioxide fire extinguishers are used to extinguish Class B and C fires. These are fires involving chemicals and sometimes electrical power tools or elements that may arise in manufacturing sites, laboratories and pharmaceutical spaces.
Recommended fire extinguisher: Chemical foam extinguishers
Chemical foam fire extinguishers are the most versatile extinguishers and hence are often recommended for the average business. Whether you’re a bookstore, rubber plant, plastics manufacturer, lumber, clothing store, or hardware store, this is the fire extinguisher for you.
3.Dry Chemical Extinguishers
Example business: Industrial complexes with flammable substances
Recommended fire extinguisher: sodium chloride fire extinguishers
Businesses whose activities revolve around volatile elements like gas, oil, and paint, as well as manufacturing plants with lots of power tools and motors, are at high risk for fire and thus necessitate dry chemical fire extinguishers.
4.Dry Powder Extinguishers
Example businesses: Metal refineries, metal extraction plants, mining sites
Recommended fire extinguisher: Dry powder extinguishers
Businesses involving the extraction, refinement, and conversion of metals into different products need dry powder extinguishers. Especially when dealing with combustible metals such as titanium, magnesium, potassium, and sodium.
5.Liquid Gas Extinguishers
Example businesses: Gas companies, oil, paint and lacquer dealerships
Recommended fire extinguisher: Liquid gas extinguishers
Liquid gas is the suppressant of choice for fires whose fuel is paint, oil, lacquer or gas.
6.Water Extinguishers
Example businesses: Libraries, clothing shops, paper mills, woodworks
Recommended fire extinguisher: Water-based fire extinguisher
Businesses dealing in rubber and plastics can also rely on water-based fire extinguishers.
7.Wet Chemical Extinguishers
Example businesses: Restaurants, fast food outlets, commercial kitchens
Recommended fire extinguisher: Wet chemical fire extinguishers
These fire extinguishers are best for businesses such as commercial kitchens where the risk of fire from grease, fats, and cooking oils is high.
Storing Your Fire Extinguishers
Great, now that you know which fire extinguisher to purchase for your business, here are our best fire extinguisher tips regarding storage.
Tip #1 Where to Mount Your Fire Extinguisher
Fire extinguishers should be mounted in a place that’s easy to access and clearly visible. They should not be kept locked in cardboards, stored in backrooms, or inaccessible places.
Preferably set up the extinguishers near fire hazards or fire hazard areas like kitchens but give enough room to reach the extinguisher. Therefore, approximately 10m (30 feet) away from the fire hazard.
Tip #2 Store Fire Extinguishers Vertically
Whenever possible, store the fire extinguishers in an upright position.
Laying the canister on its side may interfere with discharge when you need to use it. This is particularly true for COFE also known as non-pressurized fire extinguishers.
Tip #3 Avoid Adverse Weather Conditions
Fire extinguishers can be affected by adverse weather conditions. Therefore, ensure they are kept in places where temperatures are not extreme.
The general rule is that the rooms in which fire extinguishers are stored should be within the following temperatures: -40 and 48.9°C (-40 and 120°F).
Wrap Up
Our All Protect fire specialists are happy to make fire extinguisher recommendations for your business.
Not only that, but we can also design custom fire safety plans, conduct on-site routine testing, fire training, gas detection, inspections, and maintenance of fire protection systems such as sprinklers, fire extinguishers, fire alarms, emergency lighting, emergency backup generators, and exit lighting.
Section 2.8.2 of the Ontario Fire Code requires most buildings to have a fire safety plan. Acceptable fire safety plans must include detailed information for all aspects of fire safety for your building or property. The plan shall furnish the following information:
Safe and orderly evacuation procedure
Maintenance and cleanliness routines for fire prevention
Control mechanisms to minimize fire damage
The Ontario Fire Marshal determines the exact requirements for your building’s fire safety plan depending on the building type and occupancy rate. Though there are templates and standard formats available for outlining a fire safety plan, you still must construct one specifically for your building’s unique characteristics.
While they’re required to get your initial certificate of occupancy, your fire plan must be reviewed and updated at least every 12 months or whenever changes to the building use or structure affect fire safety. Even temporary changes to the building can affect fire safety and require temporary adjustments to your fire safety plan.
Areas for Regular Review
Any updates to your fire safety plan undergo the same considerations that involved its original creation. Your periodic audits should identify any variables that influence fire safety. Pay close attention to the following factors:
Building layout
Entries and exits
Adjacent roads
Building use
Item storage and use
Connections for municipal water and the fire department
Periodic consideration of these issues is important, but if any construction or demolition occurs, your fire safety plan must be reviewed and updated to reflect the new building conditions. Carefully consider the ramifications of any building changes during fire safety plan audits.
Fire Safety Plan Objectives
When reviewing your fire safety plan, you should refer back to the plan’s original purpose since it always helps to keep the primary objectives in mind when considering possible alterations. Your building’s plan should consider the following issues:
Procedures to follow in the event of a fire
Activating the alarm
Contacting the fire department, key executives, or designated supervisory staff (emergency phone numbers should be adjacent to all telephones on site)
Occupant evacuation procedure following the sounding of a fire alarm
Evacuation of those in need of assistance
Controlling or extinguishing the fire if possible
Description and frequency of fire drills
Instruction, education, training, and organization for supervisory staff entrusted with fire safety
Instructions for staff for preventing and controlling any potential fire hazards that appear in the building
Any necessary additional educational or training programs
Maintenance of all fire safety systems
Diagrams and manuals for the models and location of all fire emergency systems
Description of any fire safety alternatives
Access for the fire department to any part of the building the fire may occur
Reasons for Periodic Fire Safety Plan Review
Fire safety plan review can seem like another burdensome bureaucratic nuisance, but it’s vitally important to protect both lives and property. Dangerous fires can occur in even the best-protected buildings. While you can’t eliminate the possibility of a fire, a proper fire safety plan gives your building and its occupants the best possible chance to minimize its destructive effects.
Many business owners and managers have a lot of responsibilities that prevent them from taking the time to design and review their fire safety plans. If you’re one of them, you might find it worthwhile to delegate that important responsibility to a trained professional.
Choosing a fire alarm system for your business doesn’t have to be a complex affair. There are several factors that you can consider to streamline the selection process.
In this post, we lay out six of these pivotal steps that will allow you to choose the right fire alarm system quickly.
1. Establish your fire safety needs
The first step in selecting an appropriate fire alarm system for your business is determining what your fire safety needs are.
This involves taking a look at the type of building you have, considering the number of people working within the premise, as well as taking into account provincial fire codes and regulations.
For example, a manufacturing warehouse dealing with flammable substances will require a completely different set of fire alarm systems for a hospital.
2. Consider the type of hazards present
Next, you will want to identify the types of hazards present within your building. Knowing this will assist you in determining just how many fire alarm systems you need as well as the placement of smoke detectors and other sensors.
You will want to find:
Sources of ignition
Sources of fuel
Source of oxygen
Sources of ignition include all heating components that could heat up to such a degree that they start a fire. Think of
Cooking elements like stove tops, microwaves, ovens
Hot surfaces – especially if you run a manufacturing business
Electrical, gas and oil-reliant heaters
Gas or liquid-propelled open-flame equipment
Matches, lighters, and cigarettes
For sources of fuel, you’re seeking items in the building that could burn easily if ignited. This material would provide the fuel to encourage a blaze. Consider
Common flammable materials such as cardboard and paper
Waste material from the office or industrial processes
Fabrics and soft furnishings
Sources of oxygen aren’t difficult to identify. The major oxygen source is of course air. However, if you store oxygen onsite in cylinders or piped systems this can present a very grave fire hazard. Welding businesses and hospitals are the biggest storers of compressed oxygen and therefore appropriate fire alarm systems must be installed in such places.
3. Research and compare alarm systems
What’s in the market in terms of alarm systems and smoke detectors? It’s hard to settle on a brand if you’re not sure what else is available to you.
That’s why doing a great deal of research is important. Careful planning and strategizing ensure that you get the best possible alarm systems at cost-effective prices.
There are two main types of fire alarm systems in the market today: addressable fire alarm systems and conventional fire alarm systems.
Between the two, addressable systems are more advanced, and able to quickly detect any changes in the atmosphere as well as pinpoint the exact location of trouble should it arise.
Conventional fire alarm systems are analogous, much simpler and make use of predetermined zones to activate alarms.
Once you have narrowed down your list to at least three choices, compare each of the different aspects of the fire alarm systems and their features. You want a set-up that will meet your needs based on the type of building you have and its occupancy level.
What should you be looking for?
The fire system’s reliability
The fire system’s ease of use
The fire system’s price
4. Select a system suitable for your building
Now that you’ve got a top three to choose from, how do you pick the one you should install?
Ideally, you go with the fire alarm system that’s appropriate for the size and layout of your building.
The fire alarm system you choose must also be compliant with Ontario’s provincial building and fire codes and your insurance requirements.
You want to keep in mind that you should probably opt for a system that can be easily expanded when necessary.
Consulting with a fire protection expert like Nutech Fire Prevention can go a long way in ensuring that your preferred system satisfies all these requirements.
5. Choose a skilled installation company
With your fire alarm system and smoke detectors picked out, it’s time to consider the installation process.
You’re going to want a fire company that can demonstrate experience installing fire alarm systems, especially in buildings such as yours.
A great way to find such companies is to call up local businesses and ask for referrals for the companies that installed their fire alarm systems.
Alternatively, you can do research online, call up each company and speak to their agent to see if they are the right match for your needs.
6. Fire system installation and maintenance
Lastly, you will want to think about the cost and future maintenance requirements of your chosen system. Will you have the necessary technical support if the system develops a fault?
Choosing a trusted and reputable supplier will ensure that your fire alarm system and smoke detectors are properly installed and maintained.
The Bottom Line
Choosing the right fire alarm system is a skill because you must consider so many factors. For example, a restaurant may require a comprehensive fire suppression system, while an office complex may need a less robust detection and alarm system.
By following these six steps, you can make sure that you’ve chosen a fire alarm system that will provide reliable protection for your business and help keep your customers and employees safe.
For businesses in Hamilton, Ontario needing assistance in selecting an appropriate fire alarm system, our specialists are here to help. Look no further than Nutech Fire Prevention.
In addition, we also provide, install and maintain emergency backup generators, fire warning systems, fire extinguishers, exit lighting, sprinkler systems, and gas detection services, and design fire safety plans for businesses and residents of Hamilton.
