Fire might be closer to your business than you think. According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), a fire department in the United States responds to a fire every 24 seconds.
For business owners and operators, fire safety might be far down the priority list. It’s easy to be more concerned about winning clients and keeping a business afloat than worrying about a ‘potential’ fire. However, this kind of complacency means that you’re at an increased risk of watching all your hard work go up in flames.
A fire protection company will handle all of those safety problems for you. So, how can you choose the best fire protection company for your business? We answer this and other common questions in this guide.
What does a fire protection company do?
First things first, it’s best to understand what exactly a fire protection company offers your business. This foundational knowledge will help you select the right option.
A fire protection company handles designing, installing, inspecting and renovating fire protection and prevention systems. In most cases, the service will arrive at your business and assess the potential fire risk. Then they’ll work with your team to design a system that suits your practical needs and budget, and inspect that system at regular intervals.
If the system doesn’t work to standard or fire codes change within state or national standards, they’ll renovate the system to ensure your business is up to code. Many companies also provide a 24-hour emergency service, which means that they can respond to any fire risks, any time of day.
What services should a fire protection company provide?
A fire protection company should offer a range of services, including:
- Assessing minimum safety requirements and working within the client’s budget to provide maximum coverage for minimal cost.
- Ensuring that all fire safety measures are installed and operating to code standard.
- Performing new installation of fire sprinkler systems.
- Renovating and adjusting older sprinkler systems.
- Knowledge and proficiency in the maintenance/installation of wet pipe fire sprinklers, dry pipe fire sprinklers, pre-action fire sprinklers, underground fire protection services, and above-ground hydraulic testing.
- Regular inspection and maintenance calls.
- No-risk estimates.
- A 24/7 helpline for emergencies.
How can I choose the best fire protection company for my business?
Choosing a fire protection company can be challenging, but it’s essential. According to the NFPA, fires caused $14.8 billion worth of property damage in 2019 alone. As such, it’s imperative to have an expert on your side to ensure you have the best protection in place, so you don’t risk anyone’s safety or the significant investment you’ve put into your business.
How can you tell if a fire protection company is up to scratch? Use our checklist below:
✔️ They’ll have comprehensive experience.
A fire protection company should have a wide range of knowledge and be able to advise you about all available options. If you interview a contractor and they don’t outline several options, that could be a red flag.
In addition, ask how long they’ve been in business or how much experience they have.
For example, at A&A Fire Protection, we’ve served the Upstate Area since 1977, and our team has a combined 120 years of experience.
✔️ They’ll be members of (and follow) industry associations.
There are more regulations than you’d think when it comes to fire codes, and you want to make sure that your contractor is up to date on all of them. Ask about different organization memberships, such as the National Fire Protection Association, the Fire Suppression Systems Association, and the National Association of Fire Equipment Distributors.
If the contractor is a member of one of these organizations (or, even better, all three), it’s a good sign that they’ll be up to date on all the latest fire regulations and can give you the best advice.
You could also ask them which codes they use to guide their installation process.
✔️ They’ll offer installation, inspection and maintenance services.
Your fire protection service should be a one-stop shop that you can call at any time. A system installed by one company but maintained by another has apparent flaws; it also means you’ll be juggling multiple phone numbers. Choosing a fire protection service that brings everything in-house means you’re in experienced hands, with only one call to make.
✔️ They’ll have good customer references.
A reputable fire protection service should provide several good references from happy customers. So, be sure to ask. If they don’t have references, reviews or testimonials, look elsewhere.
✔️ They’ll offer a 24/7 helpline.
Unfortunately, an emergency rarely strikes at 2 PM on a Wednesday, so your fire protection service must have a 24/7 emergency line.
Find the Right Fire Protection Company to Meet Your Needs
A fire protection company can give you and your business the peace of mind to focus on what matters. For more information or to book a no-risk trial, get in touch today.
