The requisite fire safety equipment installation helps to protect both the premise assets as well as the occupants. While having these fire safety equipment commissioned is a great start but looking after the safety of the building is an ongoing task that shall not be ignored.
The site or building administrator is usually responsible for fire safety and are liable if maintenance has not been carried out as per guidelines. Also people’s lives, assets and the environment will be at risk.
Let’s understand the reasons for maintaining Fire Safety in the Organizations. Most organizations and individuals would like to manage fire safety in their organization, but sometimes they are not convinced enough to take actions. The Prime reasons involved for maintaining Fire Safety in the Organization are as below:
Moral : Organizations set up businesses and obliviously make profit and earn money. No employer would want his employee to get injured or hurt while completing the task. Its “Duty of Care” towards employees who work for the organization.
Financial : Today business scenario is changing and if a business is not able to make profits year on year then it is difficult to sustain it. Fire accident cost money, and businesses realize that to maximize profits and to minimize costs, the costs associated with fire accidents needs to be totally eliminated or at least minimized as far as possible.
The cost of servicing and maintenance often boils down to one simple point: if you don’t have fire safety equipment serviced, why bother having them? While the odds may feel slim that a fire extinguisher will malfunction, it could end up costing tens of thousands – or worse, a life.
The theory of costs of a fire accident can be closely associated with that of floating iceberg. What we see above the ocean level is 1/10th of the mass of the iceberg, while 9/10th of the mass is hidden below the waters. In the same way, we associate the costs of accidents only to Direct Costs, but majority of costs are hidden like iceberg and can be in multiplication of the Direct costs, these costs are known as indirect costs.
Legal : No employer can start a business without taking care of the legal requirements. These legislations are made by local governments in consultation with the national governments. Its more about compliance of the stated guidelines and enforcement agencies are empowered to audit the premises and take formal enforcement action to force employers to comply with the law.
If the facility cannot produce a maintenance certificate, then they are in violation of building codes. This could mean that insurance companies won’t pay if there’s a fire and the manufacturer could also void the product warranty.
After the installation of a fire safety equipment, there should be a routine process in place for all fire safety equipment maintenance. Ongoing maintenance will make sure that the installed equipment is ready to address a fire emergency. Without the maintenance the equipment can easily fall into disrepair or become broken.
In almost any facility there are factors that can make fire safety equipment fail over time. Dust and dirt accumulation is one factor, but also extreme heat or cold, vibrations from heavy machinery, excessive moisture, exposure to sunlight and even some human factors can make equipment malfunction.
Fire extinguishers –
Maintenance of fire extinguishers is essential. Not only is it effectively a legal compliance requirement but also fire extinguishers play a crucial part in extinguishing fire at an incipient stage before getting to the point of blaze. It’s vital that fire extinguisher shall work if and when needed in case of a fire situation.
Fire Hydrant Modules
Inspection of Fire Hydrant Modules includes the water pressure checks, and routing ability to reach potential fire risk areas among other items.
Fire Alarm System and Emergency lighting
Confirm if the battery backup is available, electrical connections and assigned areas are covered appropriately with proper servicing and maintenance carried out on a regular basis.
All it takes to save a life is for companies – particularly those in charge – to carry out periodical monitoring for change in fire hazards and fire risk assessments to set up corrective actions. Proper servicing and maintenance on a regular basis for all fire safety equipment is the critical factor in the fire safety plan of any fire safety authority of an organization.
Minimax. Your Caring Partner in Fire Safety.
