Even small data center fires can cause significant downtime and data loss for your business. To prevent this, you can ensure proper fire prevention techniques and equipment are in place. If you design your system carefully and enforce safety protocols among employees, you significantly reduce the risk of data center fires. While the risk of a fire is small, the consequences can be extreme, making following fire protection best practices crucial for safeguarding your data center. <H3> Causes of Data Center Fires Overheating Equipment Inadequate Maintenance Human Error Electrical Failures ..read more

How To Dispose of Old Fire Extinguishers Whether your fire extinguisher has been used or stored, it may be time for a replacement. With many types of fire extinguishers available, it is important to know what type of fire extinguisher you have (disposable or rechargeable) and where your local hazardous waste management facility is located. To properly dispose of old fire extinguishers (expired, used, or unusable), you must take them to your local hazardous waste management facility. You may also be able to contact your local fire department to see if there is a program that allows you to take ..read more

Commercial Smoke Detector Installation When looking to increase your facility’s fire safety features, you may consider installing smoke detectors. Smoke detection devices are specifically made to give warning in the presence of smoke and can help give your building occupants more time to evacuate safely. These systems may also be part of your commercial fire alarm installation, as the systems may be used in tandem for fire protection. You will often hear of two kinds of smoke detectors: Photoelectric and Ionization. The National Fire Protection Association (NPFA) states: “The difference betwee ..read more

With ever-changing and continuous advancements in technology, there is no reason you shouldn’t have fire protection unique to your needs. Firetrace systems are a type of fire protection used to extinguish fires. Firetrace systems are designed to detect and suppress fires in early stages through automatic responses. There are a variety of suppressants that are compatible with firetrace systems such as clean agents, CO2, foam, and other agents. How Do Firetrace Systems Work? The firetrace systems are designed to be an automatic fire extinguishing solution. This fire protection system is designed ..read more

As the cold embrace of winter sets in, it brings not only the joys of the holiday season but also a set of unique challenges for property owners. With heating systems working overtime, electrical demands surging, and holiday decorations illuminating the surroundings, the risk of fire incidents escalates. During the winter season, it is crucial to ensure that fire systems are properly inspected and serviced to prevent any potential hazards. Importance of Fire System Inspection and Testing Preventive fire system inspections and testing are essential for commercial and industrial properties. Enga ..read more

Lithium-ion battery storage and manufacturing facilities require special protection from fire risks that are present. It is important to understand the risks that are present as well as the steps to take to protect against the dangers. Fire Risks of Lithium-Ion Battery Storage Lithium-ion batteries are susceptible to risk related to something called thermal runway. Thermal runway occurs when a battery increases in temperature and leads to a release in energy and a further increase in temperature. The rapid increase in temperature can result in a fire or explosion which can be extremely dangero ..read more

You should have your fire protection equipment inspected and serviced on a regular basis to ensure code compliance and avoid major, costly repairs. Fire equipment inspections can be scheduled monthly, quarterly or annually, depending on the needs of your facility. Fire Alarm Inspections Fire alarm inspections are required by NFPA-72 and most state and local ordinances. Requirements can vary but are often either quarterly or semi-annually. Your inspector needs to verify that at any call-point if the alarm is activated the panel receives the signal. Mass Notification System Inspections Testing y ..read more

Revisit your business or building’s evacuation plan on a yearly basis.  In the event of a fire or other emergency, a meticulous plan is essential to a smooth and safe evacuation, especially in large buildings with many occupants. For maximum safety, your evacuation plan should be reviewed and evaluated on a regular basis.  Assign Responsibilities Upon the event of an evacuation, occupants of the building will look for guidance. By assigning various responsibilities to specific individuals in each area, and giving them the proper training to be confident of the evacuation plan and saf ..read more

VESDA is an acronym for Very Early Smoke Detection Apparatus. VESDA systems are a type of aspirating smoke detection (ASD) that are designed to protect a fire as early as possible, when it is still in its incipient stages, by continuously sampling the air in the area. In some applications, a standard fire detection system is not going to provide early enough detection to protect high-value assets from damage. In these situations, a VESDA system may be needed. Early & Fast Response to Fires VESDA systems can detect the smallest smoke particles that are not visible to the naked eye. They buy ..read more

Commercial kitchens contain fire hazards and must be maintained properly to keep patrons and staff safe. Restaurants, hospitals, churches, schools, senior living facilities and many other places contain commercial kitchens that use kitchen hoods to prevent contaminated air from spreading through the kitchen. No matter the size of your commercial kitchen, it is important to follow the requirements found in NFPA 96 to properly maintain your kitchen hood. Why is Kitchen Hood Cleaning Important? Cooking creates grease vapors that are collected by your kitchen hood. These grease vapors solidify and ..read more