Buildings magazine recently featured fire and life safety recommendations from Telgian Engineering & Consulting’s Regional Practice Leader April Musser in the article “5 Important Tasks for Reopening Buildings During COVID-19.” In the piece, the myriad decisions facing facilities managers and building owners are examined as buildings, which were shuttered during the COVID-19 pandemic, are now reopening. The closing of buildings for weeks, or even months, has resulted in many unintended consequences for facilities managers and building owners, such as fire safety systems concerns.
According to Musser, social distancing requirements and new layouts may impact fire safety plans. This includes rearranged furniture, as well as cubicles or desks which have been moved in order to keep employees at least 6 ft. apart. While these changes may keep employees safe from airborne coronavirus particles, they “can potentially narrow aisleways below the required dimensions, create longer paths of travel or create dead ends,” says Musser.
In addition, facilities managers and building owners may have missed important fire safety systems inspections during building shutdowns. So, it’s essential that test and inspect all fire safety equipment to make sure it is in proper working order.
Musser, a certified professional engineer, is Southeast Regional Practice Leader of fire protection engineering for Telgian Engineering & Consulting (TEC). She has more than 15 years of experience in fire protection engineering and consulting, including code consulting and design. Musser has designed fire and life safety systems for large commercial and industrial facilities and has managed projects across a wide range of market segments across the US and internationally.
As an in demand fire protection expert and speaker, she has also presented at numerous well-known conferences including the NFPA Annual Meeting and Conference, SFPE Southeast Annual Fire Safety Conference and Georgia Fire Safety Symposium, and the Campus Fire Safety & Emergency Management Conference. In addition, Musser is the author of important industry articles on building fires and their impact on fire and building codes. Recent examples include “The Constantly Changing Landscape of Risk in Campus Environments” and “Integrating Fire Safety and Security Solutions in the Campus Environment” both of which appeared in Campus Security & Life Safety magazine.
To read “5 Important Tasks for Reopening Buildings During COVID-19” in its entirety, please visit Buildings magazine.
About Telgian Engineering & Consulting (TEC)
TEC is a full-service global engineering and risk mitigation consulting firm specializing 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 strategic/enterprise risk management, fire protection engineering, security, environmental health and safety, emergency management and operations continuity consulting, and construction administration services.
Since 1985, Telgian has worked hand-in-hand with clients such as architects, engineers, owners, developers, risk and facility management firms, construction teams and government agencies. TEC’s professionals are dedicated to delivering value through effective protection solutions that meet today’s risk challenges. And, in addition to a uniquely global perspective, the company also offers in-depth knowledge of local, state and federal compliance requirements.
For teaming opportunities or information regarding engineering and risk mitigation solutions with Telgian Engineering & Consulting, please contact TEC@telgian.com. or give us a call at 1.302.300.1400.
Media and Interview Inquiries:
Susan McNeill
Telgian Holdings, Inc.
smcneill@telgian.com
480-621-5031