Every year residential, commercial, and industrial fires destroy property, threaten the safety of building’s occupants, and destroy lives. Adequate detection and control measures are essential to preventing this needless destruction, and unfortunately, many buildings are not equipped with adequate safety measures. Fire extinguishers and smoke detectors are only two of many essential pieces of Fire Equipment in Waterloo IA. What additional measures will be necessary depend on the type of building being protected.
Residential Buildings
Every residential building should have a system of interconnected smoke and fire detectors. These should be capable of running off of battery power, so that if electrical damage occurs and the power cuts out, residents will still be alerted to the danger. They need to be regularly maintained and inspected to ensure proper functioning. Fire extinguishers are also an absolute must for every home and apartment, and each dwelling should have at least two points of exit, including an outdoor fire escape if the unit is located above the first floor.
Commercial Buildings
In addition to smoke alarms and fire extinguishers, commercial buildings should be equipped with sprinkler systems and emergency exit lighting. Proper lighting will ensure that any customers or clients who are not familiar with the layout of the building will not be trapped inside in the unfortunate event of a fire. Restaurant owners must hold themselves to even higher standards, providing regular cleaning of hoods, exhaust systems, and grease traps.
Industrial Buildings
OSHA codes are put into place for a reason: to ensure the safety of all workers in potentially dangerous industrial settings. These regulations must be followed not just out of legal necessity, but because it is important to provide a safe workplace. In addition to commercial grade Fire Equipment in Waterloo IA, industrial buildings should have emergency eyewash stations equipped to handle chemical emergencies, and portable monitoring equipment when necessary. Waterless fire suppression systems are available for both industrial and commercial buildings that contain goods that would be damaged by sprinklers. All equipment should be inspected on a monthly basis to ensure compliance with OSHA and other industrial standards.
Still not sure what fire safety measures are appropriate and necessary for a given residential, commercial, or industrial space? Visit the Website for more information about fire safety and suppression equipment and services.
