Home Improvement

Fire Safety Fundamentals for Property Managers

Being responsible for the physical security of an apartment or condominium exposes property management to considerable risk. They must follow all applicable law as well as professional best practices aimed at keeping people safe. A life and safety plan in addition to attentive maintenance programs can help residents stay safe in their homes and the common areas of a building. Here are some of the most fundamental things that building managers need to do to safeguard residents’ safety.

Ensure Fire Extinguishers Are Functional

Local fire code establishes how many fire extinguisher equipment lakewood wa you need to have in a building and where they should be located. Managers need to schedule recurring visits with a fire protection company to conduct inspections and certify that extinguishers are still working as they should be. If you need help with a fire extinguisher inspection NYC, contact a reputable service provider that can advise you about how often your extinguisher’s certifications are valid.

Provide Continuous Monitoring

Depending on when a building was built, its size, and the current revision of the fire code, a building may not be required to have fire detection which automatically relays an alarm to the fire department. However, systems do not need hardwired phone lines anymore, and many use radio frequencies. There are no physical impediments to monitoring in any building and it is not cost-prohibitive, so property managers should coordinate continuous monitoring. 

Test Alarm’s Audibility

When you conduct a test of an alarm system, you need to verify not only that the alarms are sounding but also that they are loud enough for residents to hear them. Building alarms inside of units and common area hallways must be loud enough for residents to hear inside of a bedroom with the door closed.

Ultimately, a management plan needs to include thorough fire prevention policies. Methodical organization and comprehensive compliance will help keep residents safe.