Resources - There never seems to be enough of them.

Financial resources, human resources, information resources, and we all lack the valuable resource of more time. Regardless of what industry you are in, the lack of resources is a challenge, especially for those in the facilities management profession. Let’s not forget that dealing with a myriad of daily issues and keeping tenants with different needs and personalities happy is a job in itself. Add to that the wealth of knowledge that’s required to do the job effectively it can be, I’m quite sure, nothing short of overwhelming. From HVAC Systems and Plumbing to Fire Safety and Security the range of education involved to do this job is phenomenal. My background is in fire safety and I know that the National Fire Protection Association’s (NFPA) Life Safety Code is over one thousand pages alone. I have always marveled at how much information a facility manager has to know to do his or her job.

Really?

I don't even know what to say about this.



Holiday Inspecting

Our Senior Damper Inspector, Ted Keatting, sent me a couple of pictures from his inspection over the weekend. These pictures are ridiculous!   See if you can tell what is wrong with these dampers. Would they work in the event of a fire?

                                      

                                       

What a GREAT place for a suitcase rack. (Note the sarcasm?)

If there was a fire, how would you make it to an Exit? Not easily!

Firestopping - What is it?

According to the wiki, "A firestop is a passive fire protection system of various components used to seal openings and joints in fire-resistance rated wall and/or floor assemblies, based on fire testing and certification listsings.

In other words, a Passive Fire Protection System works to slow the spread of fire and smoke through a building with the use of fire and smoke barriers to compartmentalize and contain the fire to a specific area. Those barriers can be fire rated walls, ceilings, and floors (for example) and they must be maintained to ensure the integrity of the Life Safety Fire Protection System of a building. The fire doors that seal the walls and the fire dampers that enclose the ductwork going through the walls and floors need inspection to ensure they are working properly on a regular basis. The firestopping that seals the unprotected openings and penetrations that go through the barriers all must be maintained as well.

Dampers, Damper and More Dampers...

We have a technician named Andrew Harris (Hi Andrew!) who likes to send me pictures of the things he sees in the field.  I've shared with you some of the ridiculous pictures of things he's encountered while doing Fire Door Inspections - now check out some of the things we see when performing Fire and Smoke Damper Inspections.  Our biggest concern? Fire protection is obviously not being taken seriously.

This fire hose was shoved into a smoke damper - all 400 feet.

OK..this one isn't a damper but definitely worth sharing.  Here is an extension cord that was wired up completely wrong - and dangerous. The irony? The cord ran underneath a Fire Door.

This is just a cool picture.  A whole wall of dampers.  

LSS has one of the lowest Non-Accessible rates in the industry. Here's why!

Life Safety Services' Orlando Office Up and Running

In case you missed this information on our website, here it is again!

November 18, 2010 - Life Safety Services is pleased to announce that Stu Anderson has recently joined the company as the Account Executive for their new office located in Orlando, Florida. Stu will be developing and managing new business relationships in correlation with Life Safety Services’ sales opportunities across the South Eastern United States.  He will also lend his expertise in the field to further consult and educate facility managers, engineers and other fire protection professionals on the importance of passive fire protection.

   

      “We are extremely pleased to have Stu become part of the Life Safety Services’ team.  He brings with him significant account management experience and the ability to build great partnerships with our clients“, said Judy Shission, Director of Business Development.  “LSS is focused on moving forward and further building our brand as the trusted industry leader in passive fire protection inspection services.  Stu is going to help us get there.”

        Mr. Anderson has over thirty years of experience in Business Development and Marketing in the energy services business sector.  “I’m excited about joining the team at Life Safety Services and being a part of a company that is an industry leader, “said Stu.  “Having a strong commitment to customer service was a priority in my decision to join the company.”

 
      Life Safety Services is headquartered in Louisville, Kentucky and is currently doing business in all fifty states, Canada, and the United Kingdom.  Plans are currently underway to open branch offices in each region of the U.S. by the end of 2011.