Fires which start in vacant buildings can pose a significant danger to an entire street, neighborhood, or business park. According to the U.S. Fire Administration National Fire Data Center, of vacant (residential) building fires, 53% spread to involve the entire building. An additional 11% extended beyond the building to adjacent properties. Telgian CEO James Tomes explores why, post-COVID, maintenance of fire safety systems is essential in the most recent InBusiness Greater Phoenix magazine.
“Over the course of the past year, the COVID-19 pandemic has created an unpredictable landscape for businesses of all types. Closures of restaurants, retail locations, entertainment venues, and office buildings frequently occurred with little, or sometimes no advance notice,” explains Tomes. “Since the pandemic response has not been a linear process, but rather a series of rapidly unfolding events, business owners and facility managers have been challenged to adapt and pivot as the rules change, all while continuing to meet the needs of their businesses, employees, customers and communities.”
As long-awaited business reopenings continue across Arizona and the country, facility managers must address crucial fire protection inspection, testing and maintenance. This includes evaluating the conditions of:
- fire sprinkler systems,
- fire pumps,
- fire alarm systems,
- fire extinguishers,
- fire doors,
- emergency lighting, and
- exit signs.
To read more about how the prolonged vacancy or revised use of occupied spaces due to COVID-19 may have unexpected safety repercussions, click to read Reopening Buildings Safely after COVID-19: Why Fire Safety Systems Maintenance Is Essential in its entirety.
About Telgian Holdings, Inc.
Telgian Holdings, Inc. is comprised of two business units, Telgian Fire Safety and Telgian Engineering & Consulting, LLC. Combined, they provide comprehensive fire, security, life safety consulting and engineering/design services, partnering with clients to reduce exposure to loss from fire and disasters.
Telgian Fire Safety (TFS) provides innovative solutions that keep facilities safe, compliant and on budget. TFS’s expertise includes Fire Life Safety Systems testing, inspections and repair of Fire Sprinkler Systems, Fire Alarm Systems, Fire Extinguishers, Kitchen Hood Suppression Systems, Backflow Systems, Emergency/Exit Lights, Special Hazards, Clean Agent Systems and Fire Alarm Monitoring.
A full-service global engineering and risk consulting firm, Telgian Engineering & Consulting, LLC (TEC), specializes in complex, multi-discipline public and private sector projects. TEC provides professional services related to the protection of people, property, information, and organizational mission against preventable losses such as fire protection engineering, security risk consulting, emergency management and operations continuity.
For media interviews with James Tomes or additional information about reopening buildings safely, please contact:
Ms. Susan McNeill
Email: smcneill@telgian.com