Practical Facilities Tips, News & Advice.
Fire sprinkler systems are installed in commercial and industrial (C&I) facilities to protect occupants, property structures, and contents. These systems contain fires and help save lives. Statistics from the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) indicate that the civilian death rate from fires is 87% lower in buildings with sprinklers, compared to properties without fire sprinkler […]
The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) has released findings from its latest “Fire Loss in the U.S.” report, which shows that the total number of U.S. fires overall rose 8% from 2019 to 2020. While some year-to-year fluctuation is normal, NFPA said this increase reflects a “far from typical” year due to the pandemic. “In […]
The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), the official sponsor of Fire Prevention Week for 99 years, has announced “Learn the Sounds of Fire Safety” as the theme for the 2021 event, running Oct. 3-9. From beeps to chirps, this year’s campaign works to better educate the public about the sounds smoke alarms make, what those sounds mean, and how to respond to them.
With this year marking the 20th anniversary of the 9/11 tragedy, the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) has highlighted four ways that day changed the world of fire and life safety, shedding light on how the fire service, first responders, and others now do their jobs in ways that better protect themselves and enhance safety.
Many OSHA standards have requirements that must be fulfilled annually. In particular, OSHA’s fire safety standards have a number of inspection, testing, and training requirements that apply on an annual basis for certain facilities. Is your facility affected? Keep reading for a checklist of fire safety-related annual requirements.
It’s getting to that time of year, when the temperature drops below freezing and the pipes at your facility are at risk. Most people, including most facility managers, are aware of this risk with respect to ordinary plumbing found in bathrooms and kitchens. But, have you considered whether your property’s sprinkler system is at risk?
What did you see when you walked into your facility this morning? Were there cords snaking across the floor, remnants of a spill from a couple of days ago, or overflowing trash cans? Or did you observe a strong sense of order, with clear walkways, properly stored tools, well-lit and clearly marked stairways, and hazardous […]
Facilities managers depend on standards to efficiently and consistently do good work, and when it comes to safety, there are many resources for them to consult. The U.S. Chemical and Safety Hazard Investigation Board (CSB) released a Safety Spotlight recommending that employers closely apply industry consensus standards to safeguard employee and public safety. Titled “The […]
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) requires facilities to have a detailed fire prevention plan when applicable standards require it. However, the agency “strongly recommends” that all facilities develop and implement a plan. How does your facility’s fire prevention plan stack up?
Wildfires can happen at any time, though changes in land use combined with the steady and continuing rise of global temperatures over the past decades have helped create the perfect environmental conditions for them to thrive. To compound the problem, more and more people are living and working in communities where the risks posed by […]