When making rental decisions, tenants look for certain must-haves. While spacious living areas and top-notch amenities are impressive, renters also want to know their new home prioritizes robust and reliable safety features. Investing in fire safety equipment will show that your building isn’t just attractive on the outside—it’s also safe and secure on the inside.
Smoke Detectors Deliver Early Warnings
According to South Carolina’s fire safety codes, every unit in an apartment building must have smoke detectors in each bedroom. There must also be another detector outside all sleeping areas. Every building floor must have at least one detector in the hallway, too.
You can keep these costs low by installing basic, battery-operated smoke detectors, but a more high-tech fire alert system is also worth the investment. These devices automatically contact emergency first responders in the event a fire occurs, which can help establish trust among your potential tenants and incentivize them to sign a lease.
Fire Sprinkler Systems Protect Assets
Most high-rise residential buildings require fire sprinkler systems. But even if your rental space doesn’t necessarily mandate this fire safety equipment, installing fire sprinklers is still a crucial investment. These systems protect your most valuable assets—the structure itself and everyone inside. Promote the fire sprinklers in all your marketing materials, as renters will be more drawn to a home in which their well-being and their personal items are secure.
Fire Extinguishers Snuff Out Flames
In order to remain compliant with state and municipal codes, there must be one fire extinguisher in each apartment. However, it’s also a smart idea to keep even more extinguishers on hand just in case. Since this fire safety equipment is both portable and easy to handle, your tenants can use extinguishers to quickly snuff out small blazes.
This will halt the spread of a fire before it can destroy a larger surface area or harm residents in the building. Accessible fire extinguishers are some of the simplest but most effective selling points to stand out in today’s competitive rental market.
Evacuation Routes Eliminate Confusion
Investing in fire safety equipment doesn’t always mean offering the most expensive technology. Proactive measures and careful plans are just as necessary to combat fire hazards in a rental building. When you establish evacuation routes and post visible signs to delineate those routes, this precaution could be life-saving—and it won’t cost much money.
Even long-term tenants who are familiar with your building can become disoriented or confused in a fire as they navigate the smoke and flames. Clear evacuation routes and emergency exits will make renters feel more confident leasing with you.
Fire Safety Doors Make Escaping Easier
Fire safety doors also make evacuations run smoother, faster, and easier in an emergency situation. Consider replacing all wood or fiberglass doors with alternatives made from steel, metal, or other heat- and fire-resistant materials. These doors can help minimize—or even eliminate—the spread of smoke and flames in stairwells as your tenants escape.
Emergency Lights Provide Crucial Visibility
Heavy smoke, flames, and power outages can limit visibility and prevent tenants from making it out of harm’s way. This is where emergency lights come in—this fire safety equipment serves as a battery-powered electrical backup if the building’s main circuitry fails. An electrician can install these lights in each hallway and other common areas throughout your space.
Install Fire Sprinkler Equipment Your Tenants Can Trust
A&A Fire Protection can meet all of your needs for both residential and commercial fire sprinkler systems. Not only can we install the latest, most reliable fire safety equipment, but we can also oversee continual maintenance, inspections, and necessary repairs. Contact us to learn more about how our services will enhance your building.
