It’s a New Year, and everyone is ready to start 2021 right. As a facility manager, director of operations and/or engineer, the overall fire safety of the building should be high on the to-do list. Two systems that should not be overlooks are the facilities barriers and HVAC.
LSS Life Safety Services® and Hughes Environmental are both part of LSS Holdings, and are working together to create healthy, and safe work environments for employees. Therefore, for the month of January, with the purchase of a fire barrier service from LSS, one will receive a free HVAC inspection of a single system from Hughes.
Passive fire protection system
Firestopping is a passive fire protection system used to seal openings in fire resistance-rated walls
Firestopping is a passive fire protection system used to seal openings in fire resistance-rated walls and/or floor assemblies. Penetrating items, such as plastic pipes or wires will melt or change shape during a fire, which is why some firestop materials will expand in the presence of heat. This swelling action seals and stops the spread of fire and smoke to other rooms and even floors within a building.
According to The International Fire Code, “Walls, floors and ceilings must be repaired when damaged, altered, breached or penetrated. Any penetrations found should be repaired with approved methods capable of resisting the passage of fire and smoke.”
Firestop surveys and installation
LSS’ experience combined with firestop training from industry pioneers such as Specified Technologies Inc. (STI), Hilti and 3M, allows them to provide the right mix of industry background and training to remain an industry pioneer in firestop surveys and installation.
- A detailed fire barrier survey; Statement of Conditions (SOC), including type of barrier, description of penetration/opening needing firestop installation and recommended UL-classified firestop
- Digital pictures of the penetration/opening in need of repair
UL Firestop Systems
- Install UL-classified firestop systems based on SOC
- Preparation of submittal documents for AHJ submission
- Label each installed UL Firestop System at site of installation
- Master report with Digital Documentation listing UL Firestop Systems installed via LSS Site Surveyor®
- LSS is a FM-4991 Approved Firestop Contractor
The HVAC Duct Inspection is a great way to see if visible contaminants, such as mold, may be present in the ductwork. By cleaning a duct from the point where the air enters the system to the point where it exits, which includes the grilles and registers, will help to keep particles out of the ambient air.
Hughes is a certified member of the National Air Duct Cleaners Association (NADCA)
HVAC duct cleaning also improves airflow, allowing the facility’s HVAC system to run more efficiently, and help reduce the risk of fire in HVAC Systems — especially in manufacturing facilities where combustible dust is present. According to the EPA, a buildup of just 0.42″ of dirt on a heating or cooling coil can result in a decrease of efficiency of 21%. Hughes is a certified member of the National Air Duct Cleaners Association (NADCA) and specializes in the cleaning of large commercial HVAC Systems.
HVAC Duct Cleaning Services
HVAC Duct Cleaning Services Include:
- Supply & Return Ductwork
- Dedicated Exhaust Ductwork and Fans
- Air Handler Units
- Internally Lined Ductwork: Cleaning and Encapsulating (Sealing)
- Mold Remediation from all types of Ductwork
- VAV’s Reheat Coils, Mixing Boxes
- Filter Replacements
High Surface Cleaning Services
Rafter and ceiling cleaning removes dust, dirt, grease, and other materials commonly found on high surfaces of manufacturing facilities. High Surface Cleaning Services Include: High Surface Cleaning Services Include:
- Ceiling
- Ceiling Truss
- Rafters
- Conduit
- Lighting
- Exterior of ductwork
- Exhaust hood ventilation
- Beams
- Storage racks/shelving
- Fire suppression systems
- Ceiling Deck
- Piping
- And other elevated structural components
Avoiding regulatory fines
Keeping the facility clean and free of combustible dust hazards can help one keep their workplace safe, and help avoid regulatory fines. Dust that is Combustible include: Dust that is Combustible include:
- Wood and Sawdust
- Plastics and Rubbers
- Coal and other Fossil Fuels
- Sugars, Grains and Food
- Paper
- Textiles
- Metals
- Chemicals
