Fire Protection FAQs

They can, but sprinkler systems are designed to go off only at the site where fire is present — sprinklers do not activate throughout the entire facility at once.

No. Commercial fire sprinklers work with pressure. They’re activated by the heat of a fire, which causes a heat-sensitive element in a sprinkler head to melt or break, releasing water.

Some advanced fire sprinkler systems use electricity for specific valves and pumps, but most operate solely by activating heat-sensitive components.

When working properly, fire sprinklers should only be set off by heat. The industry standard is between 155 to 165 degrees Fahrenheit.

If just the sprinkler head is replaced, and the pipe isn’t modified, a hydrostatic test may not be required. Check with your local fire marshal or AHJ to ensure compliance with local fire codes.

According to Section 5.3.1.2, 1% of each type of sprinkler must be removed and sent to the lab for testing, but no less than four total. If your system has 500 sprinklers, with 400 upright and 100 pendant sprinklers, four of each would need to be sent in.

In most cases, no, bags are not permitted to cover the sprinkler heads. In areas where spray coating occurs, paper bags or plastic bags of 0.003 inches or greater are permissible during spraying.

Here are some steps to follow, but they may vary based on the extinguisher at your facility. It’s always best to notify the fire department of a fire so they can assist you in what should be done and send help as needed.

1. Pull the pin to release the lock or seal.
2. Aim the nozzle of the extinguisher low, pointing at the base of the flame.
3. Squeeze the handle to release the extinguishing agent.
4. Move the nozzle from left to right covering the base of the flames until the fire dies out.
5. Watch the fire to make sure it does not reignite.

Extinguisher types include A, B, C, D, and the special K type used in commercial kitchens. As a general rule, A is for standard fires, B is for flammable liquids, C is for electrical fires, and D is for combustible metals.

This is determined by building size, number of floors, and general layout. It’s best to confer with a fire protection specialist to find out precisely how many you need.

You should perform a simple visual inspection monthly, and lean on the experience of professionals for quarterly, semiannual, and annual fire extinguisher inspections.

Fire alarms are designed to detect heat, smoke, and other signs of an active fire at your office building, apartment complex, or other commercial facility. As fires can engulf a structure in minutes, every second counts when it comes to evacuating the building as quickly as possible.

Alarms equipped with monitoring will notify emergency services automatically as soon as the alarm activates in order to improve response times.

Consistent beeping or “chirping” indicates a need for battery replacement. If the alarm is beeping seemingly at random intervals, we highly recommend calling for fire alarm repairs.

You can now buy wired and wireless smoke detectors for your commercial property. Smoke detectors come in two types: ionization and photoelectric. Ionization smoke detectors use a small amount of radioactive material to detect smoke and are more responsive to flaming fires.

Photoelectric detectors use a light sensor to detect smoke particles interrupting their light beam. They’re better at sensing smoldering fires. Each type offers different advantages and is suitable for varying fire detection needs.

Commercial kitchen fire suppression systems use a combination of wet chemicals and a mechanism to automatically shut off the fuel or energy supply to cooking equipment, quickly extinguishing grease and oil fires and preventing re-ignition.

Prevent commercial kitchen fires by:

• Following NFPA requirements for inspections semi-annually
• Performing repairs as needed
• Training every kitchen worker on how to activate or use fire suppression and extinguisher systems
• Scheduling a fire safety training every year

Emergency and exit lighting provide a clear, well-lit path to facilitate safe evacuation. The presence of emergency lighting minimizes confusion and chaos, leading to safer and more successful egress.

Lead-sealed batteries last about four to five years but the new style e-lights come with Ni-Cad batteries, which can last up to 10 years.

Codes regarding commercial emergency lighting are set by the NFPA, local and state electrical codes, and by local AHJs.

Fire pumps are necessary for businesses that lack adequate municipal water pressure, or buildings that are tall enough to warrant a need for additional pumping power.

Small amounts of water near the base plate drain should be expected, as the packing glands use water for lubrication. About one drop per second is normal.

NFPA 25 requires that a repaired or rebuilt component pass the same test as when it was originally certified. Reference the installation standard for the original component.

Dry standpipes must receive hydrostatic testing every five years. Wet standpipes don’t require testing, as leaks can be visually identified.

Make sure all valves in the suction side and test header are open. A small reduction in performance is normal with regular wear, but if it’s significantly lower, you may want to have the fire pump inspected further.

As long as peak performance is enough to meet the maximum system demand, the fire pump is performing sufficiently.

It’s required annually or any time the water supply control valve is closed, such as during maintenance or repairs.