As the federal government and many states begin allowing businesses to reopen, the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) has developed a checklist to help building owners and facility managers prepare, ensuring that fire protection and life safety systems in commercial and multi-occupancy residential buildings are properly checked and functioning.
“During the lockdown policies in place over the past couple of months, many of the ongoing inspection, testing, and maintenance (ITM) activities typically required by locally enforced codes and standards may not have been completed for a variety of reasons,” said Val Ziavras, technical services engineer at NFPA. “Regardless of the level of ITM performed during this time, it is imperative that building owners and facility managers verify the performance of all building fire protection and life safety systems prior to reoccupation.”
The new NFPA resource addresses the factors that should be confirmed by a qualified person before re-opening a building to ensure the safety of all its occupants. Based on the assumption that the building was in compliance prior to being closed, the checklist provides some initial steps to help make sure the occupancy is safe enough to reopen until a qualified professional can complete the regularly scheduled ITM of all fire protection and life safety systems. Ziavras notes that this process should be completed as quickly as possible.
“Any alterations to the building that adhere to public health guidelines, such as the installation of physical barriers or automatic door openers, will need to be evaluated to ensure that they are properly designed and installed and do not negatively impact the fire protection and life safety systems currently in place,” said Ziavras.
The newly available checklist reflects the latest in a series of COVID-19 related resource developed by NFPA to address fire and life safety issues, concerns, and challenges that have emerged over the past couple of months.
Related Stories
Fire and Life Safety | Feb 8, 2016
American Wood Council releases construction fire best practice manuals, website
The manuals provide information on preventing, reducing fire losses in buildings under construction.
Great Solutions | Jan 12, 2016
Sprinkler system does double duty
Two innovations tap into the multi-use potential for fire/life safety infrastructure.
Sponsored | | Nov 24, 2015
Fire rated doors: standards, testing and glazing requirements
There are several safe and economical alternatives to traditional wired glass for 20-45 minute vision lites
Sponsored | Fire-Rated Products | Oct 22, 2015
Made in the USA - America's Still the Place
We’ve found that sourcing products as local as possible maximizes the potential benefits to the American economy, which in turn benefits us.
Sponsored | Fire and Life Safety | Oct 13, 2015
Fire rated glass brings whimsical and reliable protection at children’s hospital
Highlights of the addition included 50 private patient rooms, family sleep and dining as well as playrooms, and a family resource center.
Sponsored | Fire and Life Safety | Jul 10, 2015
Life Safety: Fire Barriers are a first line of defense
Codes and Standards | Jun 18, 2015
New document addresses school safety and security
In an effort to balance security and fire safety features within codes, standards and planning, NFPA hosted a two-day workshop, “School Safety, Codes and Security”, last December. The findings are now available in an NFPA report.
