Archive for September, 2007

Understanding and Using Fire Extinguishers

Wednesday, September 26th, 2007

Fire extinguishers can be an important piece of safety equipment in your home or your business, provided you use them properly. Many consumers do not realize that the type of extinguisher they use is important. You cannot simply buy one and set it in your home. Using the wrong one for the type of flame you have could cause the flames to spread even farther.

There are three classes that these products fall into that are based on the source of the flame. Class A models are for flames that are caused paper, fabric, fiberglass, wood, plastic, and other common household items. This one cannot be used on chemical flames. That requires a Class B model. Class B models can also put out gasoline, oil, and grease flames. Electrical flames require a Class C model. Some models combine the different classes into one product, which is great to have at home when you never know what will cause a flame. Sometimes knowing which model to use in your home or business requires the advice of a qualified professional.

Another aspect of installing fire extinguishers that many consumers overlook is the fact that they have to be serviced and inspected. These products can stop working even if they are being not used. You must have a contractor lined up who will come and look at your model and make sure it is in good working order. Nothing would be more devastating than having the way to put out a flame, only to find that it does not work when you need it to.

You also need to know how to use the extinguisher when needed. While all of them have instructions printed on the side, the moment when you are facing a blaze is not the time to start reading. Look at the product and see if you can figure out how to use it. You may want to have a professional come to your home or business and show you exactly how to activate the fireproofing chemicals inside. This way you know you are ready if you should ever need to use it.

When choosing professionals to help you with your fire extinguishers, it is important to make the choice carefully. Anyone could come to your business and pretend to look over your equipment and charge you a high fee for this “service.” Since you are not an inspector, you would not know the difference. You need to find people with a license to inspect your equipment. This way you know that you are indeed working with someone who is doing what they say they will do.

One place you can find an excellent listing of such professional inspectors is One Source Fire Protection. This online database is the only one on the web dedicated to the fireproofing industry and industry professionals. Here you can browse through listings of inspectors, and each one has the proper license to practice. You can also post a job description for professionals to see. When you visit www.onesourcefireprotection.com, you will find all that you need to choose and use the right fire extinguishers.

The Need for Quality Commercial Fire Protection Systems

Wednesday, September 26th, 2007

If you own a business, you are probably afraid of anything that could spark a flame. This would ruin your property, thus ruining the investment you have made in your business. One of the best ways to protect your business is to install commercial fire protection systems throughout your property.

One aspect of a good commercial fireproofing plan is having extinguishers installed throughout your property. However, it is crucial that you know exactly where to place these extinguishers, how to protect them from meddling children, and how to make the accessible when needed. Also, extinguishers need to be inspected and serviced by an industry professional in order to ensure that they are working properly.

Sprinklers are another important part of fire protection systems. Sprinklers kick in when the temperature in the room reaches a critical point. They have fuses that melt at a high temperature, releasing the water in the system. This can do much to stop any blazes from spreading throughout your building. However, if your sprinklers are not installed properly, they will not work when needed. They may go off when there is no flame present, or they may fail to go off when there is. A professional contractor is needed to make sure your business has a quality sprinkler system installed.

If your fire protection equipment is not up to par, your investment is at risk. Yes, you have insurance on your buildings, but what will happen if your building burns down? You will not be able to run your business for several months while you wait for insurance payments and then have your building rebuilt. Having quality fire protection systems in place prevents this from happening, because flames will be stopped before they can completely destroy your property.

In order to have the right products installed properly, you need to have a professional contractor to work with. The best contractors will be licensed and insured. They will also have much experience working with fireproofing products. They will be knowledgeable and helpful, willing to answer your questions about what needs to be done to your property. You cannot trust just anyone to do your fireproofing. Since you do not know what to look for in the products, you will have no way of knowing if the work was done right until it’s too late. That’s why you need to find a licensed contractor who also has a good customer service rating.

You can find a contractor to install your commercial fire protection systems at One Source Fire Protection. This website offers you the chance to connect with the contractors located near you who have the best qualifications. The website’s owners carefully screen all the companies they work with, and they also follow up after jobs are completed to see if the customers are satisfied. This helps ensure that you are finding contractors to work with who do quality work. If you are ready to protect your business through fireproofing, visit www.onesourcefireprotection.com to find the best contractor in your area.

Understanding Home Fire Protection

Wednesday, September 26th, 2007

Your home should be a safe haven for your family. They should be able to relax, enjoy each other, and sleep in comfort and safety. But in order to provide this type of environment for your family members, you must deal with your home’s fire protection systems.

There are many products that fall into this category. One of the most important ways to protect your family is to have an emergency evacuation plan. Teach each member of the family what the best way to get out of his or her room is. You should also choose a meeting place where all members of the household are instructed to go if they should need to evacuate the home. Practice this plan using drills so that you are sure everyone knows what to do. This is something everyone can do to keep their families safe.

Another way to protect your family is to install fire protection products into your home. This is much more extensive than just installing a smoke detector, although a smoke detector is the first piece of equipment you need. Make sure the smoke detector is always equipped with fresh batteries so that is working at all times. Test it monthly, and make sure every floor of the house has one. You can also consider installing a sprinkler system to continue to protect your home.

Another thing you need to do is have your wiring checked, particularly if you live in an older home. This requires the assistance of a professional, but it is important because loose or frayed wiring or improper fuses can spark a blaze in no time. But you need to find a quality professional who knows exactly what to look for when checking your home’s wiring, which can be a challenge.

Finally, if you are remodeling your existing home or building a new one, have a professional fire protection contractor help you build safety features into the property. For example, you can make your walls and floors out of fire-resistant materials, like brick or tile. This keeps any flames from spreading too quickly, allowing your family time to escape from the property if a blaze should start.

Finding the right professionals to help you protect your family is not easy. Many people masquerade as fireproofing experts, yet they do not hold the necessary licenses and insurance. Without proper licensure or insurance, you are setting yourself up for disaster. If something should go wrong with your property, you have nowhere to turn for help. You need to consider the fireproofing contractor you use very carefully.

One Source Fire Protection is a place you can go to find the fire protection professionals you need. All of the professionals who partner with the site are licensed, insured, and experienced. Their site offers the only database on the internet that catalogues those businesses in the fireproofing industry. When you visit, you can post a job to the contractors who will then contact you directly. And since they carefully screen all of the companies and contractors they work with, you are assured you are getting quality help. Visit www.onesourcefireprotection.com to find these features and protect your family.