In order to protect your employees, customers, and property, it is important to make sure that you meet all fire requirements for commercial buildings. In this article, we will discuss the different fire safety equipment that can help keep your employees and visitors safe in case of an emergency.
Active and passive fire control
When it comes to fire safety, active fire control is just as important as passive fire protection.
Active fire control refers to any equipment that must be activated in order to work. This could be manual activation, such as with a fire extinguisher. Or the activation can be automatic, such as sprinklers that are triggered by an alarm.
Once activated, active fire protection elements work to contain, suppress or extinguish the fire.
Automatic fire-rated swing doors are also an important part of other fire safety equipment, such as sprinklers and alarm systems. By immediately closing doors when a smoke detector is triggered, they can help to slow the spread of fire and give people more time to evacuate.
While passive fire protection elements, such as fire doors and walls, help to prevent the spread of fire, active fire control elements are essential for actually putting out a fire.
As a result, it is important to have both types of fire protection in place in any building.
Fire resistant doors can help contain a fire and prevent it from spreading
Fire doors are an essential part of any commercial building’s passive fire control system.
A fire door is a specialised door that is designed to slow the spread of fire and smoke. They are usually made of steel or fire-resistant glazing and are equipped with a self-closing device that activates when the door is opened.
By doing so, fire resistant doors also help to create safe passages for people to evacuate.
In order for a fire door to be effective, it must be installed correctly and maintained on a regular basis. That means that the door should be properly fitted to its frame and that all hardware, such as hinges, locks, and closers, should be in good working order.
The door should also be inspected regularly to ensure that it is free from obstructions, damage, or other problems that could prevent it from functioning properly in a fire.
Fire detection and smoke alarms
The most common types of fires in commercial buildings are kitchen fires and electrical fires. This is why smoke alarms are so important, they should be installed in every room and tested monthly.
A fire alarm system is necessary to detect fires and provide warning to occupants.
One of the most important things you can do to ensure the safety of your commercial building is to install a high-quality fire alarm system.
Fire alarm systems provide an early warning that a fire has started, giving people time to evacuate the premises. When choosing a fire alarm system for your commercial building, be sure to choose one that is reliable and has a loud, clear signal that can be heard throughout the entire building.
Emergency lighting and exit signs
In the event of a power outage or fire, it is important that your commercial building has a reliable emergency lighting system in place. Emergency lighting should be bright enough to light up all exits and walkways, and exit signs should be clearly visible from every direction.
Exit lights
Another important element of fire safety in commercial buildings is having adequate lighting. This includes both natural lighting from windows and skylights as well as artificial lighting from light fixtures.
Adequate lighting is important for two reasons: first, it allows people to see where they are going in the event of a power outage; second, it makes it easier for firefighters to see when they are fighting a blaze. Exit signs should be illuminated at all times so that people can easily find the nearest exit in an emergency.
Emergency exits should be clearly marked and easy to access
In the event of a fire, every second counts. That’s why it’s so important to have clearly marked exit signage throughout your commercial building.
Exit signs should be placed near all exits and should be illuminated at all times so that they are visible even in low-light conditions. Accessible signage should also be placed in languages other than English if your employees or customers speak other languages.
Fire extinguishers
All commercial buildings must have a sufficient number of fire extinguishers on hand.
Extinguishers to put out small fires before they have a chance to spread.
They should be placed in strategic locations throughout the building so that they can be easily accessed in an emergency. Additionally, employees should be trained on how to use extinguishers properly. Fire extinguisher training should be conducted on a regular basis (at least once per year).
It’s also crucial that extinguishers comply with Australian standards and are properly maintained and regularly serviced to ensure they have enough pressure.
Fire sprinklers
By containing or extinguishing the fire, sprinklers can help to prevent loss of life and property damage. This makes sprinklers a vital part of any fire safety plan.
Sprinklers put out fires before they have a chance to spread.
In Australia, there are a number of standards that apply to the design, installation, and maintenance of fire sprinkler systems. These standards ensure that sprinklers are properly installed and maintained so that they can effectively protect against fire.
Sprinklers are usually triggered by an alarm, and they can rapidly deploy water to extinguish the fire. As a result, they are an essential piece of fire safety equipment. By investing in a quality sprinkler system, you can help to protect your home or business against the ravages of fire.
Evacuation and regular fire drills
Fire drills should be conducted on a regular basis, and employees should be given the opportunity to practice using fire extinguishers and other safety systems.
Employees should be aware of potential fire hazards and assembly points.
In addition, all employees should be familiar with the evacuation routes and procedures. Evacuation routes and muster points should be clearly marked, and wheelchair accessible for people with disabilities.
By taking these precautions, workplaces can help to ensure the safety of their employees in the event of a fire.
Final tips: Fire requirements for commercial buildings
- Fire requirements for commercial buildings vary depending on the type of building and its use.
- The layout of a commercial building can impact its fire safety rating.
- Commercial buildings, such as office buildings and retail buildings, are held to a higher fire safety standard than residential buildings. Always refer to your state’s regulations and building assessment code.
- A well-maintained building is less likely to experience a fire emergency. Use professional services to perform regular maintenance of automatic doors and other fire equipment in commercial spaces to ensure they comply with strict standards.
- There are specific requirements for the installation of fire suppression systems in commercial buildings.
- Employees must be trained in evacuation procedures in the event of a fire, as well as proper use of fire equipment. This includes extinguishers and fire blankets.
- Commercial buildings should be inspected regularly by a qualified professional to ensure that all building materials and fire safety equipment are up to code.
- Contact a professional installer to learn more about installing fire-resistant doors in your commercial building.
Go Doors offers a complete solution for the installation of fire doors
Go Doors is a leading supplier of fire resistant doors and glass fire doors for commercial premises. We supply and install fire doors that are custom designed to reduce smoke and fire spread in the event of an emergency, enabling safe building evacuation.
Go Doors can also install the market-leading DFA 127 automatic swing door operator, which is designed for use in fire doors that are required to open or close automatically during a fire signal.
Go Doors is committed to helping businesses meet their fire safety requirements. Get a quote for your office, warehouse or other commercial premises today. Or for more information about fire doors, contact our team.
