1. Fire Suppression System - It’s More Than Just Smoke Alarms While smoke alarms are an important feature in any multi-family residential building, there is so much more to being fire safe. Some alarms will alert you as to when there is a fire however in order to be safe in a building, you need a fire suppression system that has been installed and tested by fire safety professionals. Sprinklers Sprinklers are an important feature to have when it comes to fire safety in large buildings, especially those in which families live. Sprinklers are activated when a fire alarm is set off and heat and smoke are detected, and will release water or another fire suppressing material to assist in putting out the fire. These are commonly installed in hallways and common areas. They are a very effective way in helping to contain a fire, even when there is nobody there when the fire happens. They are heat activated and will have an immediate response – usually mere minutes. This is quicker than the fire department and one of the most important first steps in the fire suppression system that should be installed in the type of buildings we have discussed. Make sure that a reputable company installs your sprinkler system. They will know exactly where to place them and ensure that they will be ready to work when needed. It is also crucial that they are inspected on an annual basis to ensure that your fire suppression system will always be ready in case on an emergency in the building. Fire Extinguishers The other important part of a fire suppression system is fire extinguishers. There are different kinds of fire extinguishers available to you. These range from extinguishers for combustibles, electrical fires, flammable liquids and gases. A professional fire safety company will inspect your building to see what type of fires it is at risk to. They will then let you know the types of extinguishers you will need, the size, and how many of them.

2. Again, these need to be inspected regularly and placed in the right areas. It is also imperative that people living in the building know how to use them properly. The company that you use to set up your fire suppression system should be able to provide training to anyone who needs it, as well as carry out annual inspections and replacements. Smoke Control Finally, you need to look at smoke control for your building as part of your fire suppression system. Smoke is what causes the majority of deaths in a fire, so it is important that it is managed properly. Aside from the smoke alarms that we have already mentioned, there needs to be a sufficient ventilation system. There must be vents in every room for smoke to escape through. A professional fire safety team can inspect your building for these and install more if necessary. These vents need to stay free from blockages and a fire safety company will look out for this at your annual inspection. Having a complete fire suppression system is necessary in any building, so make sure that yours has one installed.