Tag Archives: commercial fire codes

Need to Know Facts About Commercial Fire Sprinklers

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Does your commercial property have a fire sprinkler system? If not, it is wise for you to reconsider. Whether you intend to incorporate a fire suppression sprinkler system into your existing commercial property’s layout or breaking ground on a brand-new building, a fire suppression system should be a top priority when it comes to finalizing your remodeling plans. That is because there is a big difference between a commercial building with a fire sprinkling system and one without, a difference that can have a major impact on a broad spectrum of areas within your business, from OSHA and safety liability requirements to insurance factors, and everything in between.

Continue reading to learn what you need to know about commercial fire suppression sprinkler systems, and who to trust for quality commercial general contracting services in Central Indiana.

Indianapolis Commercial Building Renovations 317-253-0531
Indianapolis Commercial Building Renovations 317-253-0531

Commercial Fire Suppression Sprinkler System Requirements

In the commercial construction and building industry, there is a set of strict principles known as life safety codes. Such codes and requirements differ depending on the type of building, as well as the property location, local building codes, and various other factors. However, there are certain factors that will impact the need for fire suppression sprinkler system in a commercial building. These three factors are generally relevant across the board for all commercial buildings, and include:

► THE SIZE OF THE BUILDING – The size and square footage of a commercial building will have a significant impact on the regulations and requirements for being equipped with a fire suppression sprinkler system. As you may take notice, a larger commercial building will require a more comprehensive fire suppression sprinkler system compared to a smaller commercial building.

► THE BUILDING CONSTRUCTION – The type of materials used to construct a commercial building will have an impact on the requirements for a fire sprinkler system. Common materials include brick, stucco, concrete, fiber cement siding, wood, and metal fabricated buildings. Since steel, cement, and concrete are noncombustible materials, commercial buildings constructed with these materials will require a different type of fire sprinkler system that a commercial building that is constructed with highly flammable materials such as wood.

► THE INTENDED USE OF PROPERTY – Depending on the intended use of a commercial property, the fire suppression sprinkler system requirements may differ. These requirements are also largely impacted by life safety codes. Commercial buildings that occupy several individuals or work with flammable materials and combustible operations will require more extensive fire suppression system compared to a commercial building that is less occupied and deals with noncombustible manufacturing or operations.

The Less Obvious Advantages of Commercial Fire Sprinkler Systems

You can grasp the importance of fire suppression sprinkler system in a commercial building fundamentally, as it is important to be able to quickly detect fire danger and put a stop to erupting flames and explosions before they can cause irreversible damage or injury to people. In fact, according to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), a quality commercial fire suppression sprinkler system will not only save lives by acting as a first line of defense against a fire or fire danger, but it will also reduce fire damage by 40 to 70% as an automatic response to such danger.

Aside from these obvious benefits, there are several other advantages of having a commercial fire sticker system, ones that are less apparent than safety and investment protection. For instance, incorporating a fire sprinkler system into the blueprints of a commercial build paves a smoother pathway for the building’s future renovation, expansion, and safety code needs. Furthermore, installing a fire suppression sprinkler system in a commercial building can place a proprietor in a position to be eligible for certain insurance premium discounts and tax benefits.

As an added consideration, you can expect a commercial fire sprinkler and suppression system to be relatively low maintenance. You will need to hire a professional Indianapolis commercial contracting facility maintenance team to routinely clean all fire sprinkler heads and replace them as needed, as well as implement regular testing to ensure all systems are up to code and operating optimally.

Are you looking for a trusted commercial general contractor that can help you with your decision on installing a new fire suppression sprinkler system on your property? Contact BAF Corporation at 317-253-0531 to get all of the answers to your questions about commercial renovation in Indianapolis, Indiana.

You Might Also Read:

When a Commercial Renovation Should Include a Fire Suppression System Upgrade
What Facility Maintenance Services Can Do for Your Business’s Post-Construction Needs
4 Tip for Planning a Tenant Occupied Building Renovation

Indianapolis Commercial General Contracting and Design Build Services
Contact Us Today 317-253-0531

Commercial Smoke Detector Installation Tips You Should Take

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With all the recent wildfire devastation taking place on the other side of the country, it is wise to review your commercial fire safety codes and systems for Indiana. One of the most basic and life-saving devices your commercial property or office should have is a smoke alarm. There are two main types of smoke detector technologies accepted today: ionization smoke alarms and photoelectric smoke alarms.

Continue reading to learn about each type of smoke detecting device, as well as, the general rule of thumb for installing smoke detection systems in your commercial building.

Indianapolis Commercial General Contracting
Indianapolis Commercial General Contracting 317-253-0531

How Smoke Alarms Work

Photoelectric smoke alarms use light coupled with a sensor to detect smoke. When smoke enters the chamber, it causes the light to scatter, which triggers the alarm to ring. In contrast, ionization smoke alarms are designed containing a minor amount of radioactive material that ionizes the space between two electrically charged plates, which then stimulates a current to flow between them. When smoke enters the chamber of the device, the current that keeps the ions flowing becomes disrupted, which sets off the alarm.

U.S. Fire Administration Recommendation

According to the U.S. Fire Administration, nearly 96% of all commercial buildings have ionization smoke alarm systems. However, they strongly recommended to have both types of alarms installed in your commercial property or office. That is because they each use a specific technology that detects different types of smoke and fire, giving you a faster alert and reaction rate. For instance, photoelectric smoke alarms are good at detecting smoldering fires, while ionization smoke alarms react faster to the smoke produced by flaming fires.

Tips for Smoke Detector Installation

You can purchase two different types of smoke alarm systems, but you also have the option of choosing a dual sensor smoke detector with both ionization and photoelectric technology. Once you have your chosen smoke detectors, you are ready to install them. If you are not familiar with handyman work, it is recommended to hire a licensed commercial general contractor in Indianapolis for help ensuring your systems are installed properly and up to code.

The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) suggests that a smoke alarm should be installed in every occupational room or area of a commercial building or business, as well as, outside of each enclosed room, on every level or floor, and even in basements and lower levels of the building. On the main floors where there are enclosed rooms or offices, smoke alarms should be installed in a central space, as well as, the near the stairs to the upper and lower levels of the buildings. Elevators must also be equipped with smoke alarm devices.

For smoke alarms that are designed for wall mounting, be sure to install them high on the wall, but no more than a foot away from the ceiling. Ceiling smoke alarms should be strictly used for ceilings only. Avoid mounting smoke detectors within 36 inches of hot kitchen appliances or machinery in order to prevent false alerts. Furthermore, do not install them near doors, windows, or vents, since air currents can interrupt the devices ability to detect smoke or fire.

A very important rule of thumb that is also strongly recommended by the NFPA is to have all your smoke alarms interconnected; this way, when one is set off, all others are set off at the same time, thus increasing reaction times. This can be done either by hardwiring or wireless technology. If you are unfamiliar with how to do this, it is suggested to hire a professional commercial facility maintenance contractor for help installing your smoke detector systems in your commercial building.

Commercial General Contracting and Facility Maintenance in Central Indiana

Contact BAF Corporation at 317-253-0531 for professional commercial general contracting and facility maintenance services in Indianapolis, Indiana and its surrounding areas. Our building maintenance programs are guaranteed to preserve and improve function, utility, and ultimately, value. We serve all corporate, commercial, and industrial industries, and can get you started with a consultation as soon as today!

Indianapolis Commercial General Contracting and Design Build Services
Contact Us Today 317-253-0531