fire sprinkler – TP Mechanical Blog

Take Our Winter Fire Safety Quiz

Posted on November 6, 2014 by TP Mechanical

Safety takes on a higher level of importance as the winter months approach. As businesses, we need to pay special attention to the work environment to be sure our employees are ready for whatever Mother Nature sends our way.

Take this brief survey to be sure you are ready to protect your employees and your office:

When is the last time you had your fire extinguishers checked?

In the US, fire extinguishers in all non-residential buildings should be checked annually – and some municipalities require a more frequent check. Look at the tag on the extinguisher to see the type of service that was performed in the past and pay attention to the date. If it is more than 12 months ago, you need to have it checked and serviced.

How much clearance do you have between the ceiling and your file cabinets?

When is the last time you looked at the ceilings in your office? It might seem like a silly question but piling too many boxes and supplies on your file cabinets can block fire sprinklers from working properly. Well-meaning employees might try to use all the available vertical space in an office so that the floor is clear of obstacles. This might have adverse consequences. Look upward and rearrange or get rid of unnecessary items.

Are your employees using space heaters?

As an employer, you need to balance the comfort of your employees with your heating bills. And the optimum temperature varies for each individual. Some may be too cold in winter and others too hot. One solution is that employees may use space heaters to keep their space comfortable. Have you checked your employees work areas lately to see where they have placed these heaters? You may find that they are under desks and surrounded by purses and shoes and umbrellas and near stacks of file folders. This is a clear fire hazard. Although modern space heaters don’t start fires as easily as those in the past, you still need to be smart. Give the space heater some air and make sure it is not too close to something that can start on fire. This is the best way to eliminate any risk. Also be sure your employees are turning the devices off each day or have an automatic shut off.

Where are the furnace vents and intake valves in your office and home?

You probably haven’t given it much thought. But keeping vents, intake valves and chimneys free of snow and ice in the winter is important to keep the heat on and prevent carbon monoxide poisoning. It’s a good idea to have a functioning carbon monoxide monitor in your home or office, especially this time of year.

CHALLENGES FACED BY THE FIRE SPRINKLER INDUSTRY

Posted on August 7, 2014August 7, 2014 by TP Mechanical

The benefits of automatic fire sprinkler systems should be obvious. Unfortunately, the industry still faces opposition on the way they operate, the cost of the system and the overall effectiveness. Major misconceptions about fire sprinkler systems continue to show their face despite ample information that dispels these rumors. Here are some common myths about the systems and the reasons why they are incorrect.

Myth #1: Water damage from a sprinkler system will be more extensive than fire damage.
Fact: Water damage from a fire sprinkler system is generally much less severe than the damage caused by water from fire-fighting hose lines or smoke and fire damage if the fire goes unabated. For example, in residences with fire sprinklers, property losses are 85 percent less when compared to those without sprinklers. Quick response sprinklers release 13-24 gallons of water per minute compared to 100-250 gallons per minute released by a fire hose.

Myth #2: A smoke detector is enough protection.
Fact: Smoke detectors can save lives by providing a warning system. But it does nothing to extinguish a fire or protect those physically unable to escape on their own, such as the elderly or small children. Though nearly 90 percent of U.S. homes have at least one smoke detector, only 60 percent have working detectors, often because of dead or missing batteries.

Myth #3: When a fire occurs, every sprinkler goes off.
Fact: Unlike what is often mistakenly portrayed in the movies, sprinklers are individually activated by heat. Residential fires are usually controlled with one operating sprinkler. Ninety percent of all commercial fires are controlled with six or fewer sprinklers.

Myth #4: Automatic fire sprinkler systems are too expensive.
Fact: The cost associated with installing an automatic fire sprinkler system depends on several factors, such as the location, size, and type of construction and intended use of the structure. Typically, the cost of installing a system during the construction of a new home ranges between 1 to 1¹/₂ percent of the total cost of the home. That is about the same cost as upgrading your choice of carpeting. But, sprinklers give the added value of a lifesaving feature. Installing a typical wet pipe sprinkler system in a new office building is about 5 percent of the total building cost.

As you can see no matter if you are a commercial or residential location, it is usually much less expensive to install a system than to replace and/or repair the damage caused by a fire in a building that is not protected with sprinklers.

Fire Sprinkler Systems: Saving Lives and Property

Posted on July 3, 2014July 2, 2014 by TP Mechanical

Presented & Provided by TP Mechanical

Fire protection is an integral part of every business. Ensuring that in case of a fire, your company’s property and the safety of your employees are protected. While we understand that cost is on every company’s mind, we invite you to take a moment to learn how fire sprinkler systems are not only beneficial for safety concerns but also cost effective.

The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) reports that when sprinklers are present, the chances of dying in a fire are reduced by one-half to three-fourths. The average property loss per fire is cut by one-half to two-thirds, when compared to fires where sprinklers are not present*.

Many argue that fire sprinklers are too expensive when they are not a code requirement. At a cost of around $1.50 per square foot of new construction, the ROI for a fire system easily surpasses the risk of damage that would be done without one.

Some people believe that sprinklers cause more damage in a fire. False again. When a fire is detected, only the nearest fire sprinkler(s) are triggered, thus localizing the water damage and possibly resulting in only having to replace some carpeting and/or furniture. The sprinkler heads react to temperatures in each room individually. Think of the cost of replacing your entire building and everything in it, versus just one room.

Water damage has to be an issue right? Actually, more than 90% of fires are controlled by four sprinklers or less. At about 25 gallons per minute, per sprinkler, there would far less damage and clean-up when compared to the amount of water used by fire department hoses. Not only would the sprinkler system be the first line of defense, it also is connected to an alarm panel that would speed up the process of notifying the fire department.

Fire protection systems can be utilized to protect not only your property it can save lives. We hope that you will consider giving us a call regarding our fire protection capabilities and what we can do to enhance your current fire protection system.