16 January 2012

Keep safety systems serviced

The recent spate of closures of retail malls and other public facilities around the country could have been avoided by contracting a professional security and fire safety servicing and maintenance package. This is the view of Leo Slootmans, CEO of national fire, security and maintenance services company, Firespec. 

According to Slootmans, the maintenance of security and fire systems is often the last line item considered in operational expenditure for buildings and “a virtual Cinderella service” when compared with the more visible maintenance and building performance issues.

“The last thing it may be, but the matter quickly escalates when a building is faced with closure by the local authorities, owing to public safety concerns.” 

To prevent such building closures, Slootmans advises facilities managers to:

• Ensure equipment is working, including security and access equipment as well as fire detection, evacuation and fire extinguishing systems;
• Run regular tests, alerting tenants and customers as required;
• Stay up to date with the latest regulations and changes to building codes and municipal laws;
• Prioritise the maintenance and repair of systems not working; and
• Engage the services of a professional, PSIRA-accredited service and maintenance company. 

Building managers are faced with a changing landscape – in terms of building safety codes and system technology says Slootmans. “Much original system hardware has simply gone out of date or, in a retail mall or public building, it may have become totally obsolete owing to refurbishments and structural changes. Fire systems, both passive and active, originally approved under rational design considerations may need a complete review once work has been done inside the building – even if that work is seemingly innocent. For example, breaking through walls or partitions or drilling through structures to accommodate service ducts or cabling could completely change the fire performance of the building,” he says. 

Firespec offers a comprehensive package of new equipment and service. “Take the work we did for ACSA at the new departures terminal at Cape Town International Airport,” says Slootmans. “This major project involved the installation and total integration of active systems and passive controls. This facilitates the safe handling of fire and security emergencies, including building evacuation. 

“The integrated system that we installed ensures emergencies are dealt with seamlessly, at source and downstream. For example, it provides for the automatic shutdown of LPG to all kitchens once the fire alert has been automatically activated. In addition, key passive fire protection features were installed, increasing the time window for safe evacuations to occur or simply acting as barriers to flames.” 

According to Slootmans, Firespec is uniquely positioned to service existing and new systems, even those not originally installed by the company. “Taking shortcuts and cheap options can be the start of a rocky road to a building’s closure” he advises.