With a major winter storm already hitting the south and creating issues, I can’t help but think about all the potential fire risks that increase during this season.  Heating equipment, cooking, holiday decorations as well as candles all contribute to an increased risk of a fire hazard. However, a significant portion of fires during winter are caused by heating equipment. Since heating...

With Thanksgiving tomorrow, it’s no surprise that the holidays are officially here. From the preparation of meals to the hanging of holiday lights and decorations, this time of year is notorious for accidental fires. Therefore, making sure that your property is prepared for a fire emergency can only ensure that the integrity of your building as well as the lives of those who occupy it are...

As a facility manager, you hear a lot about the importance of maintaining your facility’s fire and life safety systems. It’s important to the integrity of the building as well as the safety of its occupants to ensure your facility’s fire barriers are up-to-date with the codes and standards. This includes the maintenance of a building’s fire doors, fire and smoke dampers, firestopping...

The purpose of a building’s life safety system is to reduce the potential risks to life as well as the property from various threats. For that reason, the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) has developed life safety codes to protect people’s lives based on the building’s construction, protection, and occupancy features. However, systems that are found deficient and out of compliance...

As a general contractor, there’s a lot of pressure to make sure that your building, as well as its occupants, will be safe during an emergency. And thanks to modern construction materials being used today, buildings are being built quickly and efficiently. However, as convenient as this is, it can create some fire safety issues.

Now that we have made our way to September, the first day of autumn is right around the corner! This is my favorite time of the year with all the different colors of red, orange, and yellow leaves that cover the ground. It’s also the perfect weather, not too hot and not too cold, it’s just right. However, as we go from summer to autumn, the risks and frequency of fires change. Each season...

With Labor Day next Monday, many businesses will be closed in honor of the American labor movement. The labor movement in the United States grew out of the need to protect the common interest of workers. One of those common interest is ensuring that workers are provided with safer working conditions. And part of providing a safe work environment for your employees is ensuring your building's...

Fire walls, partitions, and smoke barriers are designed to help prevent the spread of both fire and smoke in the event of a fire emergency. Firestop materials are used to seal off any gaps and holes surrounding penetrating items in those particular walls, floors and ceilings. Some firestop materials will swell up or expand in the presence of heat due to penetrating items, such as plastic pipes...

LSS Life Safety Services® is an exhibitor at the 55th ASHE Annual Conference and Technical Exhibition