In this article 5 topics
Take a moment and look around you. Can you see the smoke detectors? The sprinklers? The exit signs, or the mirrors in the parking garage? Do you know where the defibrillator is? At almost every moment we are surrounded by systems and equipment designed to do the most important thing of all: keep us safe. Because these systems and this equipment matter so much, it is essential to make sure they are actually in place, active and working, and to pay attention to the building's safety regulations.
We have put together a list of the main types of systems and equipment that a company involved in office building management needs to look after (the full list is of course much longer, and this is only a taste). These are systems that should be in every shared building, and we also give more reasons to install them, beyond the obvious fact that they are essential, life-saving systems. Save this list! It is information that can save your residents, protect them and make sure that, when it counts, they have maximum security.
What types of systems and equipment are there?
- Sprinklers: a sprinkler is a water sprayer that detects high heat and sprays water to help put out a fire. If the smoke detector is not working or does not warn of a fire in time, the sprinklers will certainly help, and will also signal that there is a fire.
- Smoke detectors: the smoke detector is one of the most common items among the systems that keep us alive. Especially in a busy place, and all the more so where there is an open flame throughout the day (for example food stalls, restaurants and the like), it is important to install a smoke detector and make sure it is active and working. This is not just important, it is required by the standard.
- Emergency exits: in a fire or any other situation requiring immediate evacuation, emergency exit signs and emergency lighting help people get out of the building quickly and safely. It is a good idea to know where the emergency exits are and to make sure the building's residents know where they are located, where they lead, and so on.
- Elevator alarm button: a button installed in elevators that can be pressed to get help immediately. It is meant for emergencies or when the elevator gets stuck. Have you installed one? Great. Now it is important to check periodically that it is active and working, in case a rescue is needed.
- Defibrillator: a device designed to save lives. Period. The defibrillator is a resuscitation device used in cases of ventricular fibrillation. In the buildings we manage, we purchase a defibrillator for all our clients and take care of its ongoing maintenance as needed. Make sure there are enough people in the building who know how to use the device, so that if needed, proper first medical response can be given to whoever needs it.
- Parking garage mirrors: a simple, life-saving solution. The mirrors show drivers what is happening in the garage at strategic spots where their field of view is limited. It is important to clean them and make sure they are in good condition.
- Sound railings: there are not enough words to explain and warn how important it is to make sure all the railings in the building are in good condition, intact and safe to use. In an office tower or a commercial complex, this is mandatory.
Periodic inspection
Every system in a building is covered by a standard that specifies how often it must be inspected and confirmed to be working. Especially where life-saving systems are concerned, there can be no compromises. Make sure your management company works according to the requirements of the standard and initiates periodic inspections. Also ask to receive the inspection reports from the supplier, so you can be sure that any defects are being dealt with, and that at the end of the process you receive an annual fire department approval (good to know: this is not an approval certifying that the systems are working. Confirm with the supplier that the information you received is reliable).
Does safety matter to you? Check your insurance policy
It is important to meet the terms of your policy. To do so, check your insurance policy to see what the insurance company requires. These requirements are not there for nothing and were not written casually. This is information that can save lives, and if you apply it properly, you will significantly reduce the risk of a tragedy in the building.
It is also important to know that failing to meet the terms of the policy will draw a response from the insurance company, and if you ever need to claim, the insurance company may be entitled to disclaim liability.
Escape routes in an emergency
We mentioned emergency exit signs earlier, and the importance of teaching residents where the emergency exit is and what the possible escape routes from the building are. In an emergency, everyone acts on autopilot. You must make sure that this autopilot will actually lead them safely out of the building, quickly and efficiently. From time to time, refresh the safety procedures for emergencies and urge residents not to block the building's escape routes in any way (for example, by leaving private belongings in them).
Not just installation: maintenance matters too
It is not enough to install life-saving systems. You also need to take care of their ongoing maintenance, to prevent defects and make sure they work properly when it really counts. When you make sure the various systems get routine maintenance, you are quite simply saving lives! At the same time, you avoid expensive repairs down the line (for systems that needed a repair that was not done in time), you extend the life of the equipment and, most important of all, you enjoy complete peace of mind knowing that the people whose wellbeing you look after are not exposed to risk. Whether it is mall management or an office building, when the need arises, the building's residents and users will be able to use the equipment or system quickly, efficiently and with complete confidence.
