It’s a new year, which means one has a new budget. So, one should start 2021 right with LSS Life Safety Services, to help them keep their facility’s fire barriers maintained and up-to-date with fire and life safety codes and standards. As a reminder for the New Year, below is a list of core services LSS offers.
fire and smoke barriers
- Fire & Smoke Damper Inspections
Dampers prevent the spread of fire and smoke within the facility’s ductwork. Fire dampers are used in ducts to prevent the spread of fire within the duct work through fire-resistance rated walls and floors. When the temperature rises, it melts the fusible link, which shuts the damper and prevents the spread of flame. Smoke dampers are used in duct work designed to resist the passage of air and smoke.
A smoke detector will send a signal to the smoke damper that will close by an actuator when smoke is detected
Typically, a smoke detector will send a signal to the smoke damper that will close by an actuator when smoke is detected. Combination damper, which is a fire and smoke damper, are used in areas where both fire and smoke barriers are located to prevent the passage of both flames and smoke. According to The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 80 and 105, each damper in non-healthcare facilities must be tested and inspected every 4 years, and every 6 years in healthcare facilities.
NFPA also requires that fire and smoke damper repairs begin without delay.
compartmentalizing the building
- Fire Door and Overhead / Rolling Door Inspections
Fire doors, if kept in the closed position, prevent the spread of fire and smoke between the facility’s fire barriers. They serve as a regular door by giving the user an easy outlet during a fire, while also compartmentalizing the building to help prevent the spread of fire, smoke as well as other toxic fumes. The best places for a fire door is leading to a stairwell or any horizontal exits, hazardous areas, hallways or corridors, and any fully enclosed room to another.
NFPA 80 requires that “Fire door assemblies must be inspected and tested annually, with a written record of the inspection signed and kept for the inspection by the AHJ”.
fire barrier walls
- Firestop Survey & Installation
Firestopping the maintenance of fire barrier walls. It is crucial that walls, floors, and ceilings be properly repaired when damaged, altered, breached, or penetrated in any way. Caulking is the procedure used to seal joints in structures and some types of piping.
According to both the International Building Code (IBC) and International Fire Code (IFC), “Firewalls, partitions, smoke barriers, ceilings, and floors must be maintained annually and properly repaired, restored or replaced when damaged, altered, breached or penetrated”.
mark exit pathways
- Photoluminescent (PL) Egress Markers and Exit Signage
LSS Life Safety Services is also now offering a host of products to help fight against viruses, mold, bacteria, and more
PL Egress Markers and Exit Signage are designed to clearly mark exit pathways and doors, making it easy for building occupants to follow. Egress signs should be placed in key locations throughout the facility to indicate the safe areas in which occupants can exit to. According to both the International Building Code and International Fire Code, “luminous egress path markings that outline the exit path should be provided in buildings having floors that are located more than 75 feet above the lowest level of a fire department vehicle”.
Other Codes That Require Means of Egress:
- National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) Life Safety Code 101 - Section 7.10, Making of Means of Egress
- State of California Building Code - Chapter 10, Means of Egress requires in Group A, E, I, R-1, R-2, and R-3 Occupancies, in Exit corridors leading to Emergency Exit stairwells.
- State of Connecticut, Section 1026 - Requires in Group A, B, E, I-1, I-2, R-1, and R-2 occupancies, in Exit corridors leading to Emergency Exit stairwells.
- New York City Building Code - All non-residential structures
- New York City Local Law 26 Compliance
- General Services Administration (GSA) - Exit Path Markings
LSS Life Safety Services is also now offering a host of products to help fight against viruses, mold, bacteria, and more.