Protect your business from a potential disaster by ensuring your fire alarm is up to code. Proper preventative measures are required by law, and easy to obey.

Noncompliance is costly. Beyond blatant safety issues, building owners can be slapped with pricey fines. For example, one North Carolina college accrued $63,152 in fines over four years for more than 1,000 fire code violations.

When considering safety and financial risks, the upfront costs of maintaining fire safety features and technologies are worth the expense.

Here are three tips to stay compliant with fire and safety codes.

1. Know Codes and Regulations

As a building owner, it is important to have an understanding of fire codes and best practices in your jurisdiction.

Both states and municipalities set building fire codes. To maintain compliance, your building must meet whichever agency’s code is most restrictive.

A simple internet search should point you in the right direction to find the appropriate documentation. However, if your state or municipality has not published the information online, you’ll need to contact them directly.

2. Evaluate Your Current System

Next, conduct a self-assessment of your building’s current safety state. Take note of:

  • How many smoke detectors are installed and where they are located.
  • If smoke detectors have working batteries.
  • The visibility of illuminated exit signs.
  • The location of emergency exits.
  • Whether exits are monitored with a central or local alarm.
  • If any exits are obstructed or cluttered.
  • The last inspection date of fire extinguishers.

Full evaluations are much more involved, but this is a good place to start. Best security vendors will come on site and walk through the building with you. This way, there are no surprises when the fire department comes for its annual inspection.

3. Cut Costs Further with Added Security

State and municipal regulations outline the bare minimum requirements for staying compliant with codes. However, with more advanced security technology, you may be able to lower property insurance costs and save even more money.

Check with your provider to see what options exist for your business.

Be prepared for your next inspection; contact us for information on fire safety.

Image Source: Petteri Sulonen via Flickr