October 27, 2016
How to Protect Your Home or Building Investment: Fire Protection
Category: Hickory Tips
During the fall, candles, fireplaces and autumn cuisine provide ambiance and inviting scents in your home or building, but can create a fire hazard. Each year there are 365,000 home fires according to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA).
Hickory Construction President Ben Pinnell shares the following tips to protect your building investment from the danger of fire:
- Chimney Inspections: A chimney fire is the combustion (burning) of residue deposits, like soot, on the inner surfaces of chimney tiles or flue Chimneys and wood burning fireplaces should be inspected at least annually as flue liner warranties require these inspections along with regular maintenance for overall protection from flue fires.
- Proper Fire Extinguishers: Always have a fire extinguisher in an easily accessible place. Make it a habit to check the needle on the extinguisher whenever you see it while a more formal/professional inspection is required annually. Know the different kinds of fire extinguisher classes and what they’re used for – for example, A is for common combustibles whereas K is for cooking media like cooking oils and fats.
- Fire Monitoring Device and Service: Early detection of smoke and fire is important. Your home should have a smoke detector and a fire monitoring service is recommended. When your smoke detector goes off, the service calls the fire department. Test your smoke detector annually, but notify your monitoring service of these annual tests. This should be done both in homes and in commercial buildings.
- Commercial Business Considerations: Sprinkler systems require inspections. Note: there are different inspection intervals for riser rooms with water supply equipment vs terminals and sprinkler heads while commercial kitchens with exhaust hoods and ANSUL systems require more frequent inspections (every 6 months).
For more information on how to protect your building investment, watch our monthly WBIR interviews. If you’re interested in a renovation or new build, contact us here.