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January 31, 2015 by Total Fire and Safety
 At Total Fire & Safety, most of our commercial fire protection service customers are based in the “snow belt”, which includes Illinois, Wisconsin and Indiana, where ice and sub-zero temperatures can cause troublesome pipe freezing.While most buildings take advantage of dry pipe systems, which are ideal for cold weather areas, building owners who have water-filled fire protection equipment need to take some cold weather precautions to stay safe.
It is the responsibility of every building owner with at-risk equipment to ensure that the building temperature remains at 40 degrees Fahrenheit or above at all times. In buildings where there are sprinkler valve rooms and pump houses with small diameter valve trim piping, a freeze can occur within a few hours after the temperature falls below 32 degrees.
However, any commercial fire protection service company can help a building owner do all they can to keep their building’s fire protection service in working order despite the cold. For example:
1. Carefully testing fire equipment for the first time after the heating system has been turned on. In areas with smoke detectors, the fire detection system should be disabled so accumulated dust on the heat strips will burn off but not set off the alarm. In the worst case scenario, if smoke detectors activate unexpectedly, various sensitive electrical/data equipment rooms protected with the gaseous fire suppression systems (FM-200, Halon, CO2, etc.), could discharge.
2. Checking that all ambient heaters and heat tracing used for the fire protection equipment are operating for the cold weather.
3. Inspecting the integrity of the piping and equipment insulation.
4. Noticing and troubleshooting where residual discharge water or condensation may have accumulated on low point drains on dry pipe and in pre-action and deluge pilot systems before opening the drain valves.
5. Checking air dryers in your dry pipe, pre-action, or deluge pilot systems.
6. Checking antifreeze solution in your antifreeze sprinkler systems. These systems are still permitted until September 30, 2022 as long as they meet all NFPA requirements.
7. Checking that drip drains on your hydrants, FDCs, valve trims and similar equipment are evacuating water from the system.
8. Installing low temperature alarms in any location that could be subject to freezing temperatures.
9. Helping you devise a plan to shorten downtime and stay safe in case the fire sprinkler system freezes.
If you’re wondering if your fire protection service is ready for the cold, Total Fire & Safety has the guidance and expertise you need to protect your property this winter.
Contact us today at 630-960-5060.
Category: Fire Safety, Sprinkler Systems, Uncategorized Tags: fire and safety equipment, fire and safety needs, Firesprinkler, firesprinklerinspections, sprinkler, sprinklerinspections | Comments Off on COLD WEATHER PRECAUTIONS FOR WATER-BASED FIRE SYSTEMS
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December 10, 2014 by Total Fire and Safety
 Your facility’s commercial sprinkler system lies dormant until their operation is critical during a life-threatening emergency. If they fail at that certain time, lives can be lost. Regular fire sprinkler inspection can ensure peak performance when the situation heats up!
Sprinkler systems respond to heat, not smoke, and are carefully designed to activate early but only in real fire, not non-fire situations. Sprinklers release much less water than a fire department would, however by the time the fire department arrives, more water is needed to extinguish the fire.
One of our services at Total Fire & Safety is to perform regular, on-site sprinkler inspections to help our clients comply with NFPA 25. NFPA 25 is our guideline for inspection, testing, and maintenance of sprinkler systems (water-based fire protection systems) to avoid failure and ensure fast, effective response in a fire emergency.
Sprinklers are very effective; however, a recently published report by John Hall, Jr. entitled “U.S. Experience with Sprinklers” revealed that in reported structure fires from 2007-2011, sprinklers operated 91% of the time in structures large enough to activate sprinklers. Their effectiveness rate was 96%, which is good, but not perfect. Why would a sprinkler system fail in an emergency?
The National Fire Prevention Research Foundation (NFRP) prepared a report that they recently presented at a workshop in Chicago. Their findings on the major reasons for sprinkler system failure were:
64% Shutoff of the system before fire began. This may occur in the course of routine inspection or maintenance and is easy to monitor for safety.
17% Lack of maintenance. If a sprinkler system is not maintained, chances are it will not operate correctly in an emergency.
6% Manual intervention that defeated the system. Sometimes we are to blame for turning off or damaging the system during its deployment.
6% Inappropriate system for the type of fire. A competent fire protection company like Total Fire & Safety can help you determine the right sprinkler system for the job, whether it be wet pipe or dry pipe systems.
7% Component damage. Proper inspection and maintenance can ensure that the fire protection equipment is in proper working order.
As you can see, your sprinkler system must be well maintained and ready to deploy at all times in case of a fire. When is the last time you had your sprinkler system inspected? Call Total Fire & Safety today to see if maintenance or an upgrade is needed at 630-960-5060.
Category: Fire Alarm Monitoring, Sprinkler Systems, Uncategorized Tags: fire and safety equipment, Firesprinkler, firesprinklerinspections, lifesafety, sprinkler, sprinklerinspections | Comments Off on Commercial Sprinkler Systems: Why Fire Sprinkler Inspection is Important
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October 24, 2014 by Total Fire and Safety
 Halloween is upon us, and although we don’t light jack o’lanterns or don flammable costumes in our offices, it’s important for owners of residential buildings to be somewhat prepared for this fire prone holiday.
According to the National Fire Protection Association, decorations start more than 1,000 home fires per year. From 2006-2010, these fires caused an estimated average of six civilian deaths, 53 civilian injuries, and $16 million in direct property damage per year. For owners of residential buildings and their tenants, there are many good tips on Halloween fire prevention available from NFPA’s Halloween Safety Tip Sheet. It’s information worth passing on to your residents so they stay safe this holiday.
What can owners of residential buildings do to prepare for Halloween?
Fire Alarms in Residential Buildings
Make sure your fire alarms, including your wireless fire alarm monitoring systems, are in working order and in compliance with the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 72, which provides the latest safety provisions to meet society’s changing fire detection, signaling, and emergency communications demands.
Fire Extinguishers in Residential Buildings
When is the last time you had your fire extinguishers inspected? NFPA 10 states that all portable fire extinguishers should be inspected on a monthly basis and maintained by a licensed fire protection company on an annual basis. Total Fire & Safety performs a multi-point check on all portable fire extinguishers:
*Visual Examination for dents, rust, corrosion, pitting or other shell damage
*Test/Maintenance History to determine the need for internal maintenance or hydrostatic testing
*Pressure Gauge check to insure proper pressurization
*Weight check to verify the correct amount of extinguishing agent
*Discharge Hose inspected for blockage or damage
*Locking Pin inspected so it can be easily deployed in an emergency
*Handle/Lever checked for smooth discharge operation
*Cleaning using a degreasing solution
*Inspection Certification documented by attaching a safety flag and service tag
*Mounting Bracket checked for proper installation on mounting hook or bracket
*Hazard Application reviewed so the fire extinguisher is the correct type for potential fire hazards
Residential Sprinkler Systems
In the event of a fire, the sprinkler systems are critical. Make sure they are recently inspected and ready to go in compliance with NFPA 25-2002. Total Fire & Safety does a comprehensive check of residential sprinkler systems, including inspection of functionality, control valves, and electric alarm operation.
If you own a residential building, be sure your fire safety is up to standard this Halloween. If you need assistance, feel free to call Total Fire & Safety at 630.960.5060.
Category: Fire Alarm Monitoring, Fire Safety, Uncategorized Tags: fire and safety equipment, fire and safety needs, firesafety, holiday fire safety, holiday safety, safety | Comments Off on Halloween Safety Tips for Residential Buildings
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August 19, 2014 by Total Fire and Safety
 Your commercial fire protection systems should be a “set it and forget it” situation, right? Perhaps, but just like everything, fire systems age too. By updating the system you have, you may be able to save considerable time and money, thanks to advances in the latest life safety technologies. So how do you know when it’s time to update your commercial fire protection? Here are the main telltale signs:
Overall age of the system. The industry has made great strides in fire prevention technology in the past decade. The industry continually makes equipment more efficient and reliable, so if it has been a while since you upgraded, chances are you’re missing something.
Changes in your business or areas of your facility. Have you had any changes that would affect the fire code in a particular area of your facility? For example if you have relocated your flammables to a different area of the building, you may need additional protection, such as additional fire extinguishers or alarm monitoring to remain compliant with fire code. A fire protection professional can help you make the necessary adjustments.
Too many service calls. Have you noticed you are calling more often for system malfunctions? Does it seem like you are constantly scheduling a service call from your fire protection service? Are service calls becoming more routine? Are the bills from your fire protection service inflating because of excessive service calls? These are signs that your older system needs an upgrade to function properly. As an added bonus, you will see a reduction in your service calls and maintenance fees!
And the most important reason for upgrading your system…
You are paying too much for your monitoring services. Many companies aren’t aware of how much they are actually paying their service company to monitor their fire safety every month. It’s possible a simple, inexpensive upgrade can result in a remarkable savings over time. For example, many companies are switching to wireless fire alarm monitoring systems, which allows them to cut their dual landlines and save 70% on their alarm monitoring services each month.
If you have an older building, or if you are wondering if an upgrade can save your business money each month, please call Total Fire and Safety at 630-960-5060 for a FREE evaluation of your current commercial fire protection service.
Category: Fire Safety, Uncategorized Tags: commercial fire protection, commercial fire safety, fire and safety equipment, fire and safety needs, fire and safety software, fire and safety solutions, fire safety software, fire safety solution, firesafetytraining, Total Fire & Safety | Comments Off on Four Telltale Signs You Should Update Your Commercial Fire Protection
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May 21, 2014 by Total Fire and Safety
Total Fire & Safety is welcoming some new additions to our website, including the “Wireless Fire Alarm Monitoring” page!
More and more municipalities, particularly in Chicagoland, are looking to reduce costs and increase efficiency by mandating wireless fire alarm systems for the businesses in their service area. Wireless fire alarm monitoring is faster, safer, and more reliable than phone- based systems that can fail from environmental factors. Also, with wireless fire alarm systems, businesses can disconnect their unneeded landlines and realize a substantial monthly savings.
Our new page includes information about Vigilant™ fire alarm monitoring equipment, which is our preferred manufacturer of fire safety equipment. Vigilant is an industry leader known for its affordable, yet high-quality products that easily retrofit in single-unit facilities or multi-story office buildings.
We’ve also added new icons on our home page to signify three growing and very important parts of our business—life safety training, first aid supplies and emergency lighting.
A new icon on our home page indicates our established life safety code training service which prepares employees for fire scenarios and teaches them the correct use of fire safety equipment. For businesses where fire prevention is a priority, these classes prepare employees with the information they need to keep themselves, their co-workers, and the facility safe. Classes are held at your location in a classroom setting with a hands-on, live burn session so employees get firsthand experience in extinguishing a fire. Other classes we offer include: hood suppression systems, paint booth suppression systems, proper evacuation procedures, fire sprinkler systems proper apparatus usage and more.
Everyone knows the red cross means safety, and the recently added icon represents our first aid supplies. Our service protects your employees with stocked cabinets of quality first aid supplies that we routinely replenish. When a minor injury occurs, your business is prepared, with the the right supplies on hand. We make the program affordable by only charging for the products your employees use. Our service helps businesses meet OSHA Regulation CFR 1910.151 (b).
Our third new home page icon is the exit sign, which represents our emergency lighting and LED emergency lighting, including signs and combination exit sign and lighting units. We keep your emergency lighting in working order with regular inspections to ensure that all units are in compliance, mounted correctly and free of damage, with batteries charged and bulbs in proper working order. We are also specialists in helping companies convert their emergency signage from conventional light bulbs to LEDs, which has helped many of our clients reduce their service and supply cost.
We regularly provide free evaluations of your existing systems and can make recommendations on how to reduce costs for your company. For more information on our quality products and services, or to schedule an evaluation of your site, visit us at totalfireandsafety.com or call us at 630-960-5060.
Category: Fire Alarm Monitoring, Total Fire and Safety Tags: emergency lighting, fire and safety equipment, fire and safety needs, first aid supplies, life safety training, lifesafety, wireless fire alarm monitoring, wireless fire alarms, wireless fire alarms for business | Comments Off on Announcing….Our New Wireless Fire Alarm Monitoring Page!
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November 4, 2013 by Total Fire and Safety
 Are you ready for a more convenient, easier way to manage your fire and safety needs?
For more than 20 years, businesses have looked to Total Fire & Safety for comprehensive, fire safety solutions. Recently, however, we began searching to make a good thing even better. We recognize that each day, our customers are challenged with keeping track of the installation, inspection, and maintenance of a growing inventory of fire and safety equipment in multiple locations. We wanted them to be able to see a complete picture of their entire fire and safety needs, all in one convenient record. We also wanted them to have an interface where they could access their own information and conveniently request and track service online. When we couldn’t find anything acceptable on the market, we decided to create something!
With the help of a software developer, Total Fire & Safety developed the Total Experiencesm software for our customers! The Total Experiencesm is a revolutionary, one-of-a-kind, customer interface that provides real-time, comprehensive information about a company’s entire inventory of fire and safety equipment from one convenient, online portal. The fire safety solution is only available from Total Fire and Safety and gives customers convenient access and unprecedented control of their information. Here’s how customers receive the Total Experiencesm !
- Customers login to the Total Experiencesm portal. Data for equipment can be requested by location, address, or managing agent.
- Customers can then drill down to request detailed status information for any piece of equipment. Each record shows date installed, inspected, serviced, and next date of service needed. If a piece of equipment needs service, schedule the appointment online from within the portal and even download the information to an Outlook calendar.
- Next, customers can set and customize “business alerts” by text or email to help remember appointments or times to order service. Business alerts can also give real-time progress updates of service technicians and even estimate their time of arrival on-site.
- Finally, customers can track financial data for each location and piece of equipment, and run valuable reports for making prudent purchasing and maintenance decisions.
Look for the launch of The Total Experiencesm in December! If you’d like to learn more about how the Total Experiencesm can help your business now, contact us at 630.960.5060 or at info@totalfireandsafety.com.
Category: Total Experience Tags: fire and safety equipment, fire and safety needs, fire and safety software, fire and safety solutions, fire safety software, fire safety solution, Total Experience | Comments Off on Coming Soon! The Total Experience: A Revolutionary Fire Safety Solution!
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February 21, 2012 by admin
Welcome to the Total Fire and Safety Blog. Here you can get more information on keeping yourself, your children and your property safe from fire and disaster with easy preventative steps. Also should an emergency arise, Total Fire and Safety can educate you, your family or your employees on what to do, where to go and how to keep yourself and others safe in an emergency.
There is lots of safety equipment and technology that can prevent disasters as well as minimize the damages. These technologies are all available through Total Fire and Safety:
- Fire Alarms
- Sprinkler Systems
- Fire Pumps
- Backflow Prevention Plumbing
- Fire Extinguishers
- Emergency Lights
- Fire Suppression Systems
- First Aid
Also Total Fire and Safety offers full training courses on all of our technologies and equipment to be utilized properly in an emergency situation.
Category: Total Fire and Safety Tags: commercial fire protection, commercial fire safety, equipment, fire, fire and safety equipment, fire and safety needs, fire and safety solutions, fire safety solution, lifesafety, safety, technology, Total Fire & Safety, training | Comments Off on Total Fire and Safety Blog
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At Total Fire & Safety, most of our commercial fire protection service customers are based in the “snow belt”, which includes Illinois, Wisconsin and Indiana, where ice and sub-zero temperatures can cause troublesome pipe freezing.While most buildings take advantage of dry pipe systems, which are ideal for cold weather areas, building owners who have water-filled fire protection equipment need to take some cold weather precautions to stay safe.
