Just like any business, schools need to stay up to date on their inspections for all fire and security systems according to NFPA code requirements. From 2007 to 2011, the U.S. Fire Department responded to an estimated average of 5,690 structure fires in educational properties each ear. These fires caused a yearly average of 85 civilian fire-related injuries and $92 million in direct property damage.
Correctly installing, testing and maintaining each component of a school’s fire and security system could be the difference between a controlled fire and one that causes unnecessary injuries and damage putting a school out of commission for weeks, months or even years. To start, perform a risk assessment, consult with your fire and security service provider and consider a few questions to prioritize your summer maintenance checklist:
- Did your recent fire drills uncover any risks or opportunities? Fire drills must be held at least once a month while schools are in sessions to ensure teachers, faculty and students understand the fire procedure and your entire fire and security system is properly functioning in the case of a real emergency.
- How are you keeping track of each system component’s routine testing and inspection schedule? Fire extinguishers, smoke alarms, sprinkler systems and suppression systems all require a cadence of maintenance checks and inspections to remain NFPA-compliant and ensure they are properly functioning and up to code.
- Do you have a faculty member or facility manager properly trained to perform inspections, testing and maintenance? NFPA 25 states the inspection, testing and maintenance of your system shall be performed by personnel who have developed competence through training and experience.
- Have you scheduled your routine service and inspection? Koorsen’s team of NICET-certified, factory trained engineers and technicians have the experience, depth of knowledge and insight to properly install, test and maintain your fire and security system.
The Koorsen Fire & Security team brings extensive knowledge of all regulations and guidelines regarding service and inspections of life safety equipment. This includes any type of education facility from community colleges to high schools to multi-building large campuses.
NFPA 1730 details the standard on organization and deployment of fire prevention inspection and code enforcement. Focusing on the functions of the fire prevention systems and services, there is no shortage of systems that need to be routinely checked by professionals. Why not use the summer to tackle these large fire and security system functions:
- Fire suppression systems
- Fire extinguishers
- Fire sprinkler systems
- Fire alarm panels & pull stations
- Commercial security systems (card access, CCTV, etc.)
Take the guesswork out of your fire and security maintenance schedule. Schools require a wide range of services and steady schedule of inspections to stay up to code and keep students and staff safe. Koorsen can not only tie all those services together, but also streamline the budgeting, billing and service. Schools can have one point of contract with Koorsen – this person can get you anything you need to know about your kitchen fire suppression to your public address system.
Contact a Koorsen representative to learn more about how we can offer reliability and 24/7 availability to ensure your school is always covered.
