September brings more than warmer days and longer afternoons. For commercial buildings, strata properties and managed sites across Australia, spring is also a good time to take a fresh look at how the building has changed over the past year.
New tenants may have moved in, office layouts may have changed, storage areas may have expanded, renovations or maintenance works may have taken place and equipment may have been relocated.
While those changes might seem unrelated to fire safety, they can have a surprising impact on how your building’s fire protection systems perform.
When the Building Changes, Fire Safety Can Change Too
Fire protection systems are designed around the building they are installed in, how it is occupied, how people move through it and where essential safety equipment is located.
So when the building changes, it is worth asking whether the fire safety measures have changed with it.
Has a new partition altered the layout of a tenancy? Have furniture or storage areas been moved closer to fire exits? Has a refurbishment affected smoke detection coverage? Are fire doors still closing and operating correctly after building works? Have contractors accidentally damaged or covered fire safety equipment?
These are the sorts of details that can easily be overlooked when everyone is focused on getting a project completed.
Spring Is the Perfect Time for a Fire Safety Health Check
You don’t need to wait until something goes wrong to find out whether your fire protection systems are still doing what they should.
A professional fire safety inspection can help identify changes, defects and maintenance issues before they become bigger problems.
Depending on your building, this may include reviewing:
- Fire detection and alarm systems
- Fire extinguishers and hose reels
- Fire hydrants and sprinkler systems
- Emergency lighting and exit signage
- Fire doors and associated components
- Emergency exits and evacuation paths
- Maintenance records and servicing requirements
Routine servicing should also continue in accordance with the relevant requirements of AS1851 – Routine Service of Fire Protection Systems and Equipment.
The aim isn’t simply to find something wrong.
It’s to understand what has changed, what needs attention and what you can do now to keep your building protected.
Don’t Forget the People Using the Building
Spring is also a time when workplaces become busier. New staff arrive, businesses expand, contractors return for projects and tenants make changes to their spaces.
That makes it a good opportunity to refresh basic fire safety awareness.
Do occupants know where their nearest emergency exit is? Are evacuation routes clearly accessible? Do staff know what to do if the alarm sounds? Are fire doors being used correctly?
Fire safety equipment is essential, but people are an equally important part of an effective emergency response.
A Proactive Approach Can Save You a Headache Later
For property managers, strata managers and commercial building owners, the easiest time to address a fire safety issue is before it becomes urgent.
At Hands On Fire Protection, we work with businesses and property professionals across Sydney to keep fire protection systems serviced, maintained and ready to perform when they’re needed.
Our team can assist with routine servicing, fire safety inspections, fire detection systems, fire extinguishers, fire doors and other essential fire protection measures.
With more than 25 years of industry experience, we believe fire safety should be straightforward, not something you only think about when a compliance deadline is approaching.
Start Spring With a Building That’s Ready
A new season is a good excuse to look at your building with fresh eyes. What has changed? What has been overlooked? And, most importantly, would your fire protection systems perform as expected if you needed them today?
If you’re not completely sure, September is a great time to find out.
Call Hands On Fire Protection on 02 9820 2764 to discuss your building’s fire safety requirements or arrange an inspection.
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