Frequently Asked Questions to a Fire Protection Company

Employing the services of a fire protection company is essential – especially if you want to ensure that you’re hiring a reliable and professional organization. It’s normal to have questions and concerns about fire protection to the company you’re looking to hire.

After all, they will be in charge of making sure that your establishment is protected against fire emergencies. In today’s post, we’ll talk about the frequently asked questions to fire protection companies – all concerning building fire safety and protection.

Put Your Trust on A Reliable Fire Protection Company

For all your commercial and residential fire protection and safety needs, you can trust our expert team at Texas Fire & Safety. Please don’t hesitate to reach out to us.

Here are the frequently asked questions to a fire protection company.

How many fire extinguishers do I need in my commercial building?

The answer to this question will depend on several factors:

Layout and size of every room – according to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), fire extinguishers must have up to (and no more than) 75 feet distance between each device. Another important reminder is for the fire extinguishers to be always easily accessible. The square footage of the entire establishment, as well as the specific layout, are also taken into consideration.

The number of fire extinguishers you need in your commercial building will depend on how big the establishment is.

Flammable liquids – the Occupational Safety and Health Association (OSHA) published standards and guidelines surrounding gas and combustible liquids in commercial buildings. According to the organization, gas and flammable liquids must be encased in 5 or more gallons. 

Additionally, there must include a fire extinguisher (minimum of 10B rating) within 50 feet of the gallons/containers. If you need assistance on purchasing fire extinguishers for your commercial building, please reach out to us.

The fire hazard level of the establishment – all public establishments across the country are assessed and designated a fire hazard level. They are also evaluated based on the purposes of their operations and what the buildings contain. The fire hazard levels are:

  • Light fire hazard
  • Ordinary fire hazard
  • Extra fire hazard
  • Commercial kitchens
  • Stairwells – in multilevel establishments, there must be at least one fire extinguisher positioned next to the stairwell.

What are the common causes of fire?

In a commercial establishment, the primary causes of fire accidents are from heating equipment, cooking equipment, smoking materials, electrical and lighting equipment, human error, and intentional fires.

Aside from equipping your establishment with sufficient safety and protection systems to prepare for fire emergencies, an experienced fire protection company will educate you on what precautions to take to ensure the safety of your property and its occupants.

How important is a fire alarm system?

It’s imperative. Fire alarm systems send out an early notification of the fire. When it comes to fire emergencies, every second count, the sooner you are aware of the incident, the more you can take proper precautions to prevent damage, and most importantly, save lives.

Fire alarms go off when activated by smoke or fire. Even when you’re working, sleeping, or busy, it alerts you of what’s going on in your building. Early detection is vital. When you receive the early warning, you can take adequate fire safety and protection measures.

What are the requirements in emergency lighting?

All means of egress, as well as the pathways and exits leading to them, must have emergency lighting installed. Stairs, aisles, ramps, escalators, and all passageways leading to an exit point must have sufficient emergency lights.

According to OSHA, all emergency lights must be installed to prepare for a power outage – whether it’s due to malfunctioning circuit breakers, blown fuses, or intentional acts. Please reach out to us for your building’s emergency lighting needs.

Do I need fire sprinklers and a fire alarm?

Fire alarm and sprinklers - you need both to aid in your fire protection efforts.

A fire protection system has many components. Some may think it’s acceptable to skip one component because you have the other one.

However, this is not a wise decision. Sprinkler systems and a fire alarm are two essential components of a fire protection system.

Fire alarms detect the first signs of a fire. As we mentioned above, when it comes to fire emergencies, early detection is vital because time is of the essence in combating fires.

On the other hand, the primary function of a sprinkler system is to put out the fire once activated immediately. High heat and smoke activate fire sprinklers. Additionally, sprinklers can be monitored. Once the system is activated, the fire department can be dispatched right away.