How Do You Protect Your Property from Wildfires?

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The National Fire Protection Agency reports that between 2015 -and 2019 fire departments across the nation reported 19,156 fires in business properties alone. Property loss totaled over $800 million. These statistics don’t include fires in other types of commercial buildings. 

With fire season emerging, stay ahead of the catastrophic damage a wildfire can do to your commercial building by protecting it ahead of time. Are you prepared? We answer your burning question below. 

What is a Commercial Property?

A commercial property is any real estate that is used for business purposes or activities. Typically, they are buildings- not residential dwellings. Think malls, industrial real estate, and grocery stores … you get the picture.  

These buildings contain important materials, documents, and people inside which means it’s even more important to protect your building from the potential damage of a fire. 

High-Risk Fire Zones

A high-risk fire zone is “a designated zone that considers wildfire hazards such as fire history, topography, vegetation, blowing embers, and weather” according to Spectrum News. 

These zones are broken down into three sections: moderate risk, high risk, and very high risk. Determining which category a zone falls in depends on the likelihood of it catching fire based on history and fire patterns. 

Check your commercial property’s zone to determine your risk of being impacted by a wildfire.  

Commercial Fire Insurance Policies

Having a commercial fire insurance policy, especially for commercial properties in high-risk zones is an added layer of protection. This policy type mitigates risk by reimbursing you for fire damage to the property for losses. 

Fire insurance is defined as “a form of property insurance that covers damage and losses caused by fire.”

This policy often covers building damage, building contents (i.e. furniture, tools, and equipment), and the belongings of others. 

Depending on your policy, it may also cover damage from smoke, charring, or loss of income due to business closure from the fire. 

Ways to Protect Your Property From Wildfires  

Wildfires can cause catastrophic damage, especially to properties without property protection and prevention plans in place. The National Interagency Fire Center reported that 2021 faced 58,985 wildfires which damaged 7.1 million acres.  

Protect your building by implementing the following steps.

Create a “Buffer Zone” 

A buffer zone divides the surrounding area of your building into three sections to keep an active fire from moving quickly to your building. Learn more about how to implement a buffer zone here. 

Ensure Working Fire Hydrants Nearby

Have access to a fire hydrant no more than 250 feet away from main buildings. They should be connected to reliable water sources. 

Use Noncombustible Materials

Any signage, exterior cladding, siding, etc. should be made out of noncombustible material. This keeps a hungry fire from finding more materials to damage because they will not burn when exposed to fire. 

Choose Dual-Paned Windows 

Dual-paned windows made with tempered glass will help keep a fire at bay. 

Cover Vents

All vents should be covered with non-combustible ⅛ inch mesh screenings to fight against embers that may fall through. 

Keep Gutters and Roofs Clean 

The building’s roof and gutters should be kept clear of debris that can be easily ignited by embers. 

Flame Resistant Upholstery 

Use flame-resistant or flame-retardant chemicals on curtains, furniture, and drapes. 

Perform Regular Fire Protection System Servicing 

Stay in touch with your fire marshal or authority having jurisdiction (AHJ) to make sure your fire protection system is up-to-date. Ensure your fire sprinkler systems, fire alarm systems and other fire protection systems are inspected and maintained on a regular basis.

Have an Emergency Plan

Prepare an evacuation plan should a wildfire break out nearby. Make sure all staff inside the building understand what to do in a fire emergency. Clearly post emergency evacuation signs inside the building. 

Read our next why high-risk high reward does not apply to fire safety, and other ways to keep your building safe. 

Learn More About Fortis

At Fortis, we provide cutting-edge expertise in fire protection planning, design, and construction. We understand the challenges that modern facilities face and utilize our experience to find efficient and cost-effective solutions. From initial planning to acceptance testing and beyond, we offer a comprehensive suite of services.

We utilize the latest in computer-automated design to map out your system so we know the exact specifications before we even set foot on your job site. No need for drawings, we can map your facility and create blueprints from scratch.

We facilitate BIM coordination for new construction projects. We work with your BIM coordinator to load in our plans to avoid structural conflicts before they happen.

Additionally, all of our designers are NICET certified in their respective fields.

Learn more about our fire protection services, here.

Implementing Fire Safety Training for Workers

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Employers can help prevent injuries, losses, and damages by implementing proper fire safety training in the workplace.

Nearly 4,000 people die in fires each year in the United States; that equates to eleven fire-related deaths per day. Additionally, the U.S. Fire Administration estimates that fires in commercial buildings cost owners over $2.4 billion per year.

Let’s not contribute to these statistics! Read on to learn how to implement fire safety training for your team to protect both people and property.

Why is Fire Prevention so Important in the Industrial Workplace?

Fire safety is essential in the workplace in order to prevent and protect against the destruction caused by fire.  

If your employees know how to identify potential fire hazards, implement regular fire prevention practices, and can respond calmly and effectively in the event of a fire, you can guarantee a greater level of safety for your entire team.

How to Implement Fire Safety Training in Your Workplace

Outline Your Goals

First, fire safety training should begin with an analysis of your goals and objectives for the training. Employers may ask themselves the following questions:

  • What do I want my team to gain from this training?
  • What points do I need to cover for their safety?
  • What do I want today’s training to accomplish?
  • What do I want this training to improve in the future?
  • How many training sessions will allow me to present this information to my team?
  • What resources does my team already have?
  • What resources do my employees need to reach these safety goals?

Develop a Fire Safety Plan

If your organization hasn’t already, it is crucial to develop a fire safety plan. To build an efficient plan, employers and employees should be familiar with:

  • The type of fire suppression or alarm system in the building
  • All exits in the building
  • A list of all major fire hazards
  • Potential fuel sources for fires
  • The types and locations of fire protection equipment in the building

Once the employer has collected this information, they can form a plan and present it to their team. 

Presenting a Fire Safety Plan

Employers should take time to ensure their team understands their workplace’s fire safety plan.

For instance, employees should have a complete understanding of:

  • Where fire protection equipment is located and how to use it
  • Expectations for if they are the first to see a fire in the workplace
  • How they will communicate with their team in the event of a fire
  • The route they will use to evacuate the building
  • Options to exit the building
  • How to activate the fire alarm
  • When to call 911
  • A location to regroup outside of the building

Every workplace may have slightly different safety plans, procedures, and requirements. 

What Should Every Staff Member Know About Fire Safety? 

Under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, employers are responsible for providing a “safe and healthful workplace.” Therefore, fire safety training is required in most American workplaces. 

The minimum requirements outlined by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration ensure employees know how to protect themselves in the event of a fire. To summarize:

  • Employees know how to recognize the signs of a fire
  • Employees understand how to safely evacuate the building

Additionally, outside of these minimum requirements, employers should consider teaching employees about:

Fire Prevention

An employer’s primary goal in fire safety training should be to stop the fire from happening in the first place.

Fire prevention training may have the goals of:

  • How to recognize fire hazards
  • How to reduce the risk of hazardous situations
  • Steps to fix or reduce a fire risk

Hazard Recognition

If employees know the most common causes of fires, they will be more successful in preventing similar situations in the future. 

According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), the most common causes of fires in commercial buildings are:

  • Cooking equipment
  • Heating equipment
  • Electrical and lighting equipment
  • Smoking materials
  • Intentional fire setting

Types of Fires and How to Contain Them

In the event of a fire, knowing the five classes of fire can help employees use the most effective fire extinguishing agents and techniques to safely suppress flames.

Fire classes—which include Class A, Class B, Class C, Class D, and Class K—are a means of categorizing fires by factors such as:

  • The type of material and fuel for combustion
  • The best methods to extinguish or suppress them

Looking For Other Ways to Protect Your Team or Commercial Building?

LifeSafety Management has been providing fire protection and life safety services in South Florida for over 20 years—hence why, we’re your resident life safety experts. 

LifeSafety is your single-source provider for any of your fire protection needs: Fire alarms, sprinklers, fire suppression systems, security systems, and beyond. We can start from the very beginning to design and install your systems, then maintain and repair your systems as needed.Learn more about us and our solutions.

Winter is Coming… Are Your Fire Sprinkler Systems Ready?

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Did you know that winter is the season with the highest number of fires? Alongside this, cold weather poses a threat to fire sprinkler systems due to freezing pipes. As a business owner, it is crucial to be more vigilant than ever during the winter season to protect your property and the people within it.

Let’s delve into the details.

Why Are Fire Sprinkler Systems at Risk During Winter?

During the winter months, temperatures drop significantly, leading to the freezing of water or condensation in the pipes. This freezing can result in two major effects:

  • Frozen pipes can burst and cause extensive water damage.
  • Pipes filled with frozen water are ineffective in preventing the spread of fire.

Now, let’s explore how building owners can prevent these risks from occurring in their wet and dry pipe fire sprinkler systems.

How to Protect Wet Fire Sprinkler Systems in Winter

As the name suggests, wet pipe sprinkler systems store water in their pipes. These systems are commonly found in structures like offices and commercial buildings. Since these buildings are often temperature-controlled during winter, the pipes are unlikely to freeze.

However, simple issues such as problems with the building’s heating system or exposed pipes in low-temperature areas can lead to freezing and significant damage to the system.

Maintain Warm Temperatures

According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) standard 25, wet sprinkler systems must be maintained at a minimum temperature of 40 degrees Fahrenheit. This situation may occur when:

  • Insulation is disrupted.
  • Pipes exit and reenter the building.
  • There’s a lack of building heat.

These occurrences are more common in places like warehouses. Wet sprinkler systems can also be found in buildings with unheated maintenance closets or equipment rooms. Building owners can open vents or doors to ensure warm air circulates into these spaces, preventing pipe freezing.

How to Protect Dry Fire Sprinkler Systems in Winter

Unlike wet sprinkler systems, dry sprinkler systems keep pressurized air inside their pipes instead of water. This design allows them to withstand freezing temperatures. However, it doesn’t guarantee complete protection against damage.

Dry fire sprinkler systems can still freeze if exposed to temperatures below 32 degrees Fahrenheit. Additionally, condensation can accumulate over time and damage the pipes, especially during winter.

Dry sprinkler systems are particularly at risk in areas such as:

  • Fire sprinkler control rooms
  • Parking garages
  • Outdoor event spaces
  • Isolated rooms
  • Unoccupied rooms
  • Mechanical rooms
  • Inspect Drains and Low Points

Building owners should regularly inspect drains and low points where condensation collects. Draining these points prevents condensation from freezing and damaging the dry pipe sprinkler systems.

Inspect Pipe Angles

The angle of the pipes plays a crucial role in ensuring that condensation flows toward the low point drains. Building owners should seek assistance from experienced technicians to perform this inspection.

The Most Important Step… Inspection and Maintenance!

While building owners can take the above steps to protect their systems, the most effective method to prevent fire sprinkler systems from freezing during winter is to prioritize regular inspections and maintenance. After all, the effectiveness of your fire protection systems depends on the quality of inspections performed on them.

How Often Should These Systems Be Inspected?

The frequency of servicing or inspecting your fire protection systems depends on the specific device. Some systems require weekly, monthly, semi-annual, or annual inspections 

to ensure their proper functioning. However, all fire and life safety systems should undergo at least an annual inspection.

Worried Your System is Being Damaged by Low Temperatures?

If you suspect that your fire sprinkler system may be compromised by low temperatures or requires maintenance, our team at Fortis Fire & Security Services is here to help. We understand the importance of winter maintenance and offer reliable fire protection systems that are inspected and maintained by our expert technicians.

Does Your System Need an Inspection?

To fortify your building with reliable fire protection systems, reach out to Fortis Fire & Security Services. We provide testing and inspection services to ensure the safety and functionality of your fire sprinkler systems.

Remember, when it comes to protecting your property and occupants during the winter season, proactive measures such as regular maintenance and inspections are key. By staying prepared and addressing any potential risks, you can ensure that your fire sprinkler systems are ready to face the challenges of winter.

Learn More About Fortis

At Fortis, we provide cutting-edge expertise in fire protection planning, design, and construction. We understand the challenges that modern facilities face and utilize our experience to find efficient and cost-effective solutions. From initial planning to acceptance testing and beyond, we offer a comprehensive suite of services.

We utilize the latest in computer-automated design to map out your system so we know the exact specifications before we even set foot on your job site. No need for drawings, we can map your facility and create blueprints from scratch.

We facilitate BIM coordination for new construction projects. We work with your BIM coordinator to load in our plans to avoid structural conflicts before they happen.

Additionally, all of our designers are NICET certified in their respective fields.

Learn more about our fire protection services, here.

fire fighter teaching about fire prevention in fire prevention week

100th Year of Fire Prevention Week

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Since 1922, the National Fire Protection Association has sponsored the public observance of Fire Prevention Week. Throughout the past century, fire prevention week consisted of children and adults learning how to stay safe in case of a fire. Additionally, firefighters provide lifesaving public education in an effort to drastically decrease casualties caused by fires.

In this article, we’ll review the history of fire prevention week and reveal the 2022 campaign. Let’s dive in.

The History of Fire Prevention Week

In 1925, President Calvin Coolidge proclaimed Fire Prevention Week a national observance. This makes Fire Prevention Week the longest-running public health observance in the United States. 

Why FPW is the Week of October 9th

Fire Prevention Week is observed each year during the week of October 9th in commemoration of the Great Chicago Fire. According to History.com, the Great Chicago Fire “burned from October 8 to October 10, 1871, and destroyed thousands of buildings, killed an estimated 300 people and caused an estimated $200 million in damages.”

Fire prevention week occurs during the same week each year to honor the lives lost in the Great Chicago Fire and make efforts to prevent similar events from happening in the future. 

The 2022 “Fire Won’t Wait. Plan Your Escape” Campaign 

 The campaign of the 2022 Fire Prevention Week™ (FPW) is “Fire won’t wait. Plan your escape”™.  The campaign for 2022 strives to educate participants about simple but important actions they can take to keep themselves and others safe from home fires. Key focuses of this campaign include fire escape planning and practicing as well as alarms.

Why Fire Escape Plans Are so Important

According to NFPA, today’s homes burn faster than ever. In the event of a fire, you have about two minutes or less to safely escape from the time the alarm arounds. One’s ability to get out of the home during a fire depends on early warning from smoke alarms and advanced planning.

How to Start Creating a Fire Escape Plan

Every home is different and therefore, every fire escape plan will be different. Consider starting with these guidelines:

  • Draw your building floor plan using a grid.
  • Label all the rooms and identify the doors and windows.  
  • Plan two escape routes from every room.
  • Provide alternatives for anyone with a disability.
  • Agree on a meeting place where everyone will gather after you have escaped

Fire escape plans should consider everyone in the home or building. For example, children, older adults or people with disabilities may need additional assistance. Consider assigning someone to help them in the event of an emergency. 

While NFPA is focusing on home fires, these same concepts carry into commercial fires as well. An updated fire protection system and a practiced escape plan can save the lives of people in commercial buildings. Those working or owning commercial buildings can practice fire safety by ensuring their fire escape plan is well-known and practiced. 

Let’s Talk Fire and Smoke Alarms

Smoke alarms sense smoke well before people can and should effectively alert people of danger. As a general rule, alarms should be:

  • In every bedroom
  • Outside of the sleeping areas (such as a hallway, for example)
  • On each level, including the basement 

Smoke alarms should not be installed over the stove or in bathroom shower areas. The heat from these areas may trigger the alarm. 

The requirements for commercial buildings differ from standards for homes. We urge owners of commercial buildings to research the requirements for their property. Find more information on NFPA 72, here.

For more information about NFPA’s Fire Protection Week, check out their website!

At Fortis, we provide industry-leading fire protection services across the United States. We are on a mission to build the premier Fire Protection company in the United States. To accomplish this, we are acquiring the best fire safety companies –like VFS, LSM, and MeshWrx!– and welcoming them into the Fortis family of brands. Learn more about us, here.

How to Prepare Your Business for Cold Weather

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Cold winter weather requires special attention to fire safety in your business. Follow these simple steps to ensure the safety of your employees and protect your assets:

Fire Evacuation:

Remember to adjust your fire evacuation plan based on seasonal changes. Winter conditions bring new hazards that must be considered.

Maintain clear pathways and doorways by removing snow and ice. Obstructed walkways can hinder a swift evacuation during emergencies.

Building Maintenance:

Proper maintenance is crucial throughout the year, especially during winter. Keep pathways free of snow and ice to ensure safe evacuation.

Educate employees about winter-specific changes in the fire evacuation plan. Provide warm coats in case of a fire, as they may spend an extended period outdoors.

Strictly enforce non-smoking policies in designated areas to prevent fire risks.

Portable Space Heaters:

Electrical fires are common during winter, with portable space heaters being a leading cause. Place heaters on flat surfaces such as floors or counters, and avoid using them on unstable objects.

Follow safety guidelines: plug only one appliance into an outlet at a time and avoid using extension cords.

Choose space heaters with automatic shut-off features to prevent accidents if they tip over.

Power Outages and Generators:

Generators used during power outages can pose fire risks. Operate generators only when someone is present to monitor their use.

Place generators in well-ventilated areas and install functioning carbon monoxide alarms.

Follow safe refueling guidelines: turn off generators, let them cool down before refueling, and use appropriate fuel containers.

Winter Storms:

Winter storms accompanied by lightning increase fire risks. Keep a safe distance from fallen power lines and report them to authorities.

Ensure effective communication of evacuation plans to all employees and designate safe assembly points.

Consider installing lightning protection systems to reduce the risk of fire from lightning strikes.

Fireplace Use:

Annual inspections of vents and chimneys are crucial to prevent fireplace-related fires.

Store cooled ashes in a sealed metal container placed at least 10 feet away from buildings.

Use a glass or metal screen in front of the fireplace to prevent sparks from igniting nearby objects.

Safety Inspections:

Regular safety inspections by reputable providers help identify potential fire hazards and ensure compliance with fire safety guidelines.

Stay proactive with scheduled maintenance to mitigate risks and maintain regulatory compliance.

Learn More About Fortis

At Fortis, we provide cutting-edge expertise in fire protection planning, design, and construction. We understand the challenges that modern facilities face and utilize our experience to find efficient and cost-effective solutions. From initial planning to acceptance testing and beyond, we offer a comprehensive suite of services.

We utilize the latest in computer-automated design to map out your system so we know the exact specifications before we even set foot on your job site. No need for drawings, we can map your facility and create blueprints from scratch.

We facilitate BIM coordination for new construction projects. We work with your BIM coordinator to load in our plans to avoid structural conflicts before they happen.

Additionally, all of our designers are NICET certified in their respective fields.

Learn more about our fire protection services, here.