As a commercial property owner, ensuring the safety and protection of your building and its occupants is of the utmost importance. That’s why retrofits are an essential aspect of maintaining the efficiency, functionality, and safety of your building. A retrofit refers to the process of upgrading or modifying an existing structure to meet current standards, regulations, and codes, or to improve energy efficiency and reduce operating costs. One type of retrofit that is becoming increasingly important is the retrofit of fire suppression systems. 

These systems play a critical role in ensuring the safety of your building and its occupants in the event of a fire. In this blog, we will delve into the basics of retrofits and fire suppression systems, including why they are important, the process of retrofitting your building with fire suppression systems, and the tax incentives available to commercial property owners who undertake such retrofits. Understanding the importance of retrofits and fire suppression systems is key to safeguarding your commercial property and its occupants.

Retrofits: An Overview

Retrofits refer to the process of upgrading or modifying an existing building, vehicle, or structure to improve its safety, efficiency, or functionality. Retrofits are typically done to bring older buildings, vehicles, or structures up to current standards, meet new regulations and codes, or to improve energy efficiency and reduce operating costs. The process of retrofitting involves adding new components, systems, or equipment to an existing structure, as well as making modifications to existing systems and features. 

This can include everything from upgrading heating and cooling systems, to adding insulation, to improving the electrical and plumbing systems. By retrofitting existing buildings, vehicles, and structures, we can help extend their useful lives, improve their safety, and reduce the environmental impact of their continued operation. In many cases, retrofits are also eligible for government incentives, making the process of upgrading existing structures even more cost-effective.

What is a Fire Suppression System?

A fire suppression system is a set of components and devices that work together to control and extinguish fires in buildings, vehicles, or other structures. These systems can include fire sprinklers, fire alarms, fire extinguishers, and fire suppression chemicals, among other components. The goal of a fire suppression system is to quickly detect and contain a fire, preventing its spread and minimizing damage to property and loss of life.

Fire Suppression Systems and Retrofits

When it comes to fire suppression systems, retrofitting is an important aspect to consider. This process involves the installation of new or additional fire safety equipment such as sprinklers, alarms, and fire suppression chemicals. It is typically done to comply with updated fire safety laws and building codes or to proactively enhance the fire safety of a building. The ultimate goal of retrofitting with fire suppression systems is to provide better protection against the spread of fire, minimize damage, and ensure the safety of occupants in the event of a fire.

In addition to the added safety benefits, business owners can also benefit from the tax incentives offered by the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017. The act provides tax incentives for commercial property owners who retrofit their buildings with fire suppression systems, allowing them to fully deduct the cost of retrofitting up to $1.04 million and fully deduct the interest expenses of any associated loans. With these incentives, retrofitting fire suppression systems becomes a more attractive option for business owners looking to upgrade their existing systems and enhance fire safety for their buildings.

In Conclusion

In conclusion, retrofitting buildings with fire suppression systems is an important aspect of ensuring fire safety and protecting the lives and property of occupants. With the advancement in technology and building codes, it is essential to keep fire suppression systems updated to ensure they are functioning effectively and efficiently. The process of retrofitting is not only necessary for compliance with fire safety laws and building codes, but it can also offer added peace of mind for business owners and occupants alike.

Moreover, the tax incentives offered by the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 provide a valuable opportunity for business owners to upgrade their existing fire suppression systems and enhance fire safety for their buildings. These incentives make retrofitting a more affordable and accessible option for business owners, ultimately benefiting the safety of everyone involved. Whether you’re a business owner or a homeowner, understanding the importance of retrofits and fire suppression systems is key to protecting your property and loved ones.

Our Services

At Fortis, we offer retrofit services for fire suppression systems. Our experienced technicians specialize in upgrading and modifying existing fire safety equipment to meet current standards, regulations, and codes, or to improve the efficiency and reliability of fire suppression systems. We understand the importance of fire safety and are committed to providing our clients with the best possible solutions to enhance the protection of their buildings and occupants. Whether you need to retrofit your sprinkler system, alarm system, or fire suppression chemicals, our team has the expertise and knowledge to get the job done right. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help retrofit your fire suppression system and ensure the safety of your property.

Learn More About Fortis

At Fortis, we take a long-term view, investing in our people, growth, our own quality of service, and forward-thinking innovation. When you sell to us, you receive the flexibility to choose how long and in what capacity you remain with the company.

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