Businesses, schools, towns. All require a team of dedicated professionals to keep them up and running. That's why, in order to stay on top of everything, the best leaders know you need to hire
the best people to help take care of the actual buildings. The last thing a business owner or school administrator needs is a sudden, unforeseen distraction that disrupts their daily rhythm. That
disruption could come in the form of a Fire Marshal.
In America, few safety codes are more comprehensive or more important than the fire code.
The Life Safety Code, or the NFPA 101, is a formal set of building safety standards so respected
and so thorough, they have been adopted in 43 states. This set of official standards provides minimum building design, construction, operation, and maintenance requirements necessary to protect building occupants from danger caused by fire, smoke, and toxic fumes. The Life Safety Code is truly the genesis of nearly all means‐of‐egress and life safety criteria codes used in the United States.
While these codes may seem cumbersome, they're borne out of decades of experience and past tragedies, and have helped leaders determine the best way to keep their people safe. But what are these standards, who enforces them, and how can we at Lighting Services, Inc. help you meet these requirements?
The NFPA 101 is a set of standards that Fire Marshals use when inspecting businesses, schools, churches, and other buildings. In practice, the Life Safety Code is a handbook published by the National Fire Protection Association with the intention of informing public officials and other community leaders about potential fire hazards. Revised on a three-year basis, the standards are up to date, meaning that as new building materials and practices are developed, the NFPA is there testing, assessing, and incorporating those changes into their set of standards.
Just because you're in a new building doesn't mean that when a Fire Marshal arrives you won't be written up for a violation. He or she will be well-educated in the current standards and how to apply them. Fire Marshals perform these inspections personally, which means they will be applying their immense knowledge as they scrutinize every facet of your building to ensure it's up to snuff. A Fire Marshal can write you up for a violation because, for example, a single emergency light bulb was burnt out, or an exit sign was not affixed properly.
The NFPA code is a hefty document. In existence for over 100 years, it provides more than enough research for any one person to consume in a convenient amount of time. That's why technicians at Lighting Services, Inc. are knowledgeable about these codes and standards and also possess the expertise to help keep your building fire-code compliant when it comes to lighting. We offer preventive maintenance plans, so once your building's emergency lighting is working properly, we make sure it stays that way. If you're tired of keeping track of every little detail and want to stay in the good graces of your local Fire Marshal, please contact us.