No employer wants to experience a fire roaring through their facility. Industrial complexes are often at an even greater risk during a blaze due to inherent explosive materials, such as oil and gas. Fires can cause irreparable damage to your property and, more importantly, your people. While there are steps you can take to ensure that a fire never occurs, accidents do happen, and your facility should be prepared for the worst. Proper firestopping installation is key, but like any industrial application, it needs regular maintenance in order to stay effective and potentially save lives.
Renovations
Every detail of the firestopping in a facility should be taken into consideration. Links between rooms can, and often are, found in the smallest of spaces. It is these links where fire barriers need to be installed. Even seemingly small renovations can upset the system by destroying the barriers and creating a need for new ones. This could include adding a cable tray that leads into several different offices, or new plumbing. Contact your fire-protection experts before potential renovations so that they can advise and be there along the way to place those barriers as they are created.
Day-to-Day Use
Firestopping systems are not immune to wear and tear over time. Just like your equipment needs maintenance, so too does your protective measures that keep that equipment safe. Doors will loosen on their hinges and concrete will start to break down eventually. While going about your regular duties, keep an eye open for tell-tale signs that your firestopping needs a routine inspection. International Firestopping standards recommend that facilities be looked at by firestopping professionals annually.
Keeping Your Best Interests at Heart
Firestopping is a relatively new practice. In fact, structures that are older than 10 years often have no firestopping measures in place at all. Nowadays, it isn’t uncommon for builders to cut corners in terms of firestopping. It is important to remember that the individual components that make up firestopping, like windows or concrete, aren’t themselves fire rated. It is the installation and maintenance which determines a structure’s fire rating. While you might be investing in all of the best materials, this won’t mean anything unless you have the experts involved. This is where Westcal Insulation comes in.
We offer firestopping services for Calgary and area facilities. Renovations, improper installation, and time are crucial elements that will affect your fire rating. Getting a good score on that rating could be the difference between life and death for your people. If you are undergoing renovations, noticing wear and tear, or just plain-old don’t remember the last time you had a firestopping inspection, call us today at (403) 242-1357!
