Why is Fire Safety Important in Office Buildings?

Making sure an office building is fire-safe is one of the management’s biggest responsibilities to the occupants. It’s important to note that sometimes, it’s the things we tend to overlook that pose a hazard. For instance, electrical equipment can function normally for several years, only to blow up one day, creating a fire. That’s why it’s essential to be equipped for a fire. Here’s how to be prepared for a fire outbreak in office buildings.

Putting up Signage

One of the steps offices can take to uphold fire safety is putting up fire safety signage, such as planning evacuation routes. Failure to show a safe exit could lead to consequences as serious as loss of lives. The exit routes should be clear of flammable materials and should never be used for storage.

Fire Extinguishers for Office Buildings

There are different types of fire extinguishers. The ideal one for an office depends on its fire risks. Most offices have Class A and Class B extinguishers. The former comes in handy for solid combustible materials, like furniture and carpets. On the other hand, Class B extinguishers are ideal for flammable liquids, like furniture polish.

Fire Safety Partners

Besides having proper signage and fire extinguishers in an office building, it’s also a requirement to have the fire safety systems serviced.  That means you need a reputable partner to work with from design to installation, training, and servicing. Here are some of the leading companies you can work with.

Firesafe

Firesafe is a total supplier of fire protection, which started with fire-stopping penetration systems in gypsum, concrete, and walls. It wasn’t until the late 1980s that Firesafe expanded to steel structures. Over the years, the company has experienced tremendous growth, becoming a household name in the Nordic countries. It has also acquired other small companies, like Kidde Sweden, along the way.

Currently, Firesafe provides a full range of fire safety services, such as fire engineering, fire doors, and passive fire protection. The company has over 800 employees across Norway, Sweden, Denmark, and Finland.

Impact Fire Services

Like Firesafe, Impact Fire Services provides a complete range of fire services. Some of their services include installing, maintaining, and monitoring fire safety systems. The company has been around since 2009 but has a combined 200+ years of industry experience.

Three years after its inception, Impact Fire was acquired by Caltius Equity Partners, a move that gave the resources to expand. Since then, Impact Fire has gone through a series of other acquisitions, all in an attempt to expand its national reach.

Thameside Fire Protection

Thameside fire protection is a family-owned business that has been in the picture since 1985. It is among the largest independent fire protection companies in the United Kingdom. They pride themselves in services like complete design, safety training, installation, and systems servicing.

Due to their exemplary performance, they have been the fire protection company of choice of many blue chip companies in the UK.

Davis Fire Protection

Davis Fire Protection is a California-based company that serves both residential and commercial properties, both underground and overhead. Their area of specialization is fire sprinklers, from installation to maintenance, inspection, and repair. They also provide emergency services.

Flame Off Coatings

The construction industry has evolved significantly over the years, and so has fire prevention. One of the changes is that more people are embracing passive protection measures, such as fire-retardant paint. Companies like Flame Off Coatings have made a name for themselves on that front.

Flame Off manufactures a class A-rated water-based intumescent coating. The paint works on steel. Wood, and gypsum. Notably, it provides anywhere between an hour and two hours of fire resistance. You might be wondering how hard it is to apply this paint. The good news is that it is as easy as applying ordinary paint. You also don’t need to relocate from the office premises. However, you will need to apply a top coat for protection.

The Future of Firefighting

Technology has always been a fundamental part of fire safety. That only means that the future holds so much as far as firefighting is concerned. You can think along the lines of drones and robots. You can also expect advanced abilities in situational awareness and connectivity.