Life Safety Systems

Modern life-safety systems are designed to detect, report, and in some cases, extinguish the fire completely. The systems are backed-up by an emergency generator support system.

Sprinkler System

The sprinklers are activated by high temperature that melts a link and causes the sprinkler to discharge water in a limited area. If the fire is not controlled, other sprinklers will be activated as the links melt. The building fire pumps maintain water pressure within the system. A flow of water from a sprinkler head will activate the fire alarm system.

Manual Fire Pull Stations

These stations are located directly next to the stairwells and are activated by pulling the lever down. Know their location and the location of the fire extinguishers and stairwell exits on your floor.

Fire Lights and Horns

These audio-visual devices are placed in various locations throughout the floor and building to provide total communication during an emergency situation.

Smoke Detectors

Smoke detectors must be located on every floor, in each elevator lobby, as well as in all building mechanical rooms. Smoke detectors are installed in the A/C units on the roof. These devices provide the initial warning signal of a fire in the building. By law, these devices must be inspected at lease once a year. The activation of a smoke detector will start all life-safety systems and will notify the appropriate fire department.

Stairwell Doors

Stairwell doors are fire-rated doors. Their purpose is to seal off the stairwell from the office space, thereby preventing fire and smoke from spreading floor-to-floor. During an alarm situation, however, doors that allow you a safe exit unlock. It is important that these doors not be held or blocked open, as this allows smoke into the stairwell.

Fire Extinguisher Cabinets

A fire extinguisher cabinet is located on each floor. These fire extinguishers are ABC dry chemical.

Halon Supression System

The Halon Suppression systems are generally located in computer rooms and are manually activated. When activation occurs, evacuation of the rooms is essential.

Standpipe Risers

Standpipe systems are normally required in buildings over 75 feet in height. A pipe riser is extended up the stairwell so that fire fighter can couple a hose to a valve provided on the line at every floor. Standpipes are classified as either dry or wet.