Out of all the different resources that people interact with in their daily lives, one of the most essential ones that many take for granted is light. 

Given that it’s become a common fixture thanks to how widely available and cheap it is, it’s easy to see why many end up undermining its value. From reading and working on stuff at home to cooking and watcahing TV without hurting your eyes, this all-essential resource plays a crucial role in your life that you can’t overlook. 

While we can all enjoy a great deal of illumination, whether it’s from a lamp, chandelier, outdoor lamp, or the sun, there’s one crucial situation where it won’t be as available: emergencies. 

The problem of not having light and a solution that works

Whether it may be due to a natural disaster or circuit failure, the main inconvenience of modern lighting is that it often goes out when it’s needed most. 

On average, New Jersey residents have had at least one experience where they’ve run out of light when they needed it the most, and this has caused many to reevaluate the way they perceive it. Fortunately, running out of illumination no longer has to be a significant problem, thanks to dependable emergency lighting systems. In fact, New Jersey law has required most buildings to come equipped with emergency lighting systems since 1974!

An overview of emergency lighting

Emergency lighting systems are simply defined as battery-backed or powered devices that automatically turn on when a building’s lighting circuit fails, or it experiences a power outage.

Reinforced by federal, provincial, and association code mandates, the vitality of this emergency system is upheld through constant monitoring and non-negotiable standards. With their help, many buildings all over the state’s commercial, residential, and industrial areas have managed to keep their inhabitants safe with adequate lighting in dire situations.

On the topic of egress

If you’ve stayed in a commercial or residential complex for a while now, you may have grown familiar with the placement of emergency lights in your area. These emergency lights are generally placed along long stretches of paths that lead to an exit door, which is technically defined as a path of egress.

This pertains to a continuous and unobstructed way to exit a structure, building, or space that tenants must walk along in emergency situations. During events that call for a sudden evacuation, these paths must be well-lit with emergency lighting systems so that everyone vacates the area as quickly as possible without accidental stampedes or injuries.

Other types of emergency lighting that your building or property should have

Apart from the lamps that you might be familiar with, there are several other emergency lighting systems that can be used to ensure tenants’ safety at all times. In particular, signs are acquired as a result of fire inspection company recommendations as they direct even the most unfamiliar tenants to safety. 

Here are a few common types of alternative emergency lighting fixtures that you need to have in your space: 

• Lighted exit signs
• Running man signs
• Sortie signs
• Photo-luminescent signs

Conclusion

For any building in New Jersey, one crucial safety measure that can never be overlooked is an emergency lighting system that keeps all inhabitants as safe as possible. If you’re unsure of whether or not your current system is adequate to meet federal and state building codes or don’t have one at all, following this guide can help you get started on the right foot!

We offer fire protection services in New Jersey that specializes in maintenance, fire inspections, and repairs for emergency lights and fire extinguishers for commercial and residential properties. Get in touch with us today to learn more about how we can best help and serve your needs!

Keeping a functional fire extinguisher in your home or place of work is required by law for a reason. After all, a working fire extinguisher could one day be the difference between a small fire that was quickly put out and one that leaves your property charred beyond recognition. Depending on its physical condition, as well as whether it’s been used lately, then your building’s fire extinguisher could be in need of a recharge or a replacement. 

In this article we will discuss the situations that will require you to recharge or replace the canister, in order to have a better grasp of the fire extinguisher’s role in keeping you and your home or workplace safe.  

When To Refill

Your fire extinguisher needs to be recharged if it has been used recently to put out a fire, provided that it has no visible defects such as cracking on the canister, and no missing or damaged parts such as the hose, gauge, pins, or the nozzles. It’s important to recharge the fire extinguisher even if it was used only sparingly to ensure that it is at its full power in the next incident. You can refill the same canister as often as you need in 12 years. After that, the National Fire Protection Agency recommends it be replaced. 

If your unit has never been used and has never seen a recharge in 10 years, then it’s best to get it recharged as well. Some fire departments and accredited fire extinguisher services such as Atlantic Fire Protection will recharge your canister for a fee. Some companies may even offer annual maintenance and hydrostatic testing. However, the recharge you did on a 10 year old canister will only be good for another two years. 

When to Replace 

The most telltale signs of a damaged fire extinguisher are cracked hoses, broken or missing pins, an unstable handle, and visible rust on the surface. Another way to tell if a fire extinguisher should be replaced is if it continues to lose air pressure even after recharging. In this case, your portable fire extinguisher should be replaced immediately.

If a fire extinguisher appears to be fine, but has a missing inspection tag, it’s also highly recommended that it be replaced. This is because the inspection tag is often the only record of maintenance history. Without it, you’ll have no record of its current condition, or when it was last recharged. If a fire incident occurs, the same fire extinguisher could prove to be inutile in putting out a fire. 

Which is more economical?

Given that your fire extinguisher has no physical deformities, has complete and working parts, and is no older than 12 years, then having it recharged is the cheaper option. However, given that a working fire extinguisher is your first line of defense against a fire that could end up costing millions in damage, it’s not advisable to skimp on your fire extinguisher altogether. 

Conclusion

Fire extinguishers are not just there for compliance. In case of fire, a working fire extinguisher may be the only difference between a small incident and a life threatening disaster. If you’re still in doubt and want to ensure that your fire extinguishers are always ready, it’s a good idea to contact providers of certified fire extinguishers near you. 

Atlantic Fire Protection is a fire suppression systems inspection company from New Jersey. Aside from selling and servicing fire extinguishers, we also install kitchen suppression systems and emergency/exit lighting systems. Contact us today to know more. 

For a commercial space or company owner in the US, preparing for emergencies such as fire can be confusing. There are national guidelines set for fire protection companies on how to manage fire and safety in the workplace. However, does this mean that you, as an owner, cannot or should not do any fire preparations or inspections internally? 

In this article, we try to set a clear boundary between what a property owner or head of the company can do as DIY fire prevention steps, and what a licensed fire protection company should handle professionally. 

What You Can Do

Here are your responsibilities as the company owner:

1. Have Fire Prevention Plan and Training

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OHSA) require employers with at least ten employees to create their written fire safety and prevention plan. This plan should include the following:

• How to prevent a fire from occurring in the workplace
• Steps to take when a fire happens
• List of all the emergency procedures to follow
• The designated fire watch and fire safety personnel
• The defined fire escape routes in the building

The company owner should discuss everything in this plan verbally to all employees to ensure everyone is aligned. When a new employee joins the organization, they should also review the internal fire safety and prevention plan, and the head should orient them of their responsibilities.

2. Make the Fire Safety and Prevention Plan Part of the Daily Work Routine

Here are the essential instructions you should include in your company fire prevention plan:

• Store flammable items (paper, clothing, chemicals, etc.) away from flames, static electricity, and electrical outlets.
• Keep exit areas free from any obstructions and flammable materials.
• Choose smoking areas away from any hazards.
• Have proper ashtrays or ash receptacles in your smoking area.
• Maintain cleanliness in all areas, especially those with cooking appliances. 
• Unplug unused appliances.

3. Inspect Kitchen Hood Suppression System and Maintain its Cleanliness

For restaurants or other businesses that require a commercial kitchen with a hood suppression system, you should do a weekly, monthly, or bi-monthly inspection and cleaning to make sure it is working well. When there is a grease build-up in your fire suppression system, it will not work as it should be.   

4. Inspect Fire Sprinkler and Suppression Systems

Assign and train someone from the company who will oversee your fire sprinkler and suppression system. That person should do a weekly check to ensure the following are in their proper condition:

• Air pressure
• Water pressure
• Pre-action 
• Deluge System
• Control valves (There should be no leaking valves. All should be sealed and open.)

Every month, on-site fire protection personnel should come to examine the following in your commercial space:

• Wet pipe systems gauges – Should be in good condition
• Water pressure – Should be well-maintained and have no signs of damage
• Alarm valves – Should have no physical issues 

What You Cannot Do: The Fire Protection Company’s Responsibilities

Here are the things you should let professionals do. A fire protection technician should visit your company to perform the following examinations:

• Check if the fire sprinkler and suppressions systems in your property are working properly
• Check if the fire extinguishers recharge or if there is a need for any repair
• Test water supply, inspect, and conduct necessary repairs
• Check water storage tanks
• Inspect the backflow preventer or do repairs, if necessary
• Monitor the fire alarm
• Check the kitchen hood suppression systems

The fire protection technician should conduct these tests every quarter, every year, and every five and ten years. Alongside the inspection, they should test, maintain, and do repairs.

You should also know that a fire protection technician should have the following credentials before allowing them to do their inspection:

• Professional license
• Comprehensive records of at least one year (preferably electronically)
• Ability to produce their documents when needed

Conclusion

Simply put, you need to have and implement your DIY preventative measures while working with a licensed fire protection technician to ensure the safety of your workspace. The whole organization should know its role in preventing a fire from starting, and everyone should contribute to the protection and security of their whole place.

For fire extinguisher inspection or fire suppression installation in the New Jersey area, Atlantic Fire Protection is here to help you. We are a licensed company that provides fire inspection, maintenance, repairs, sales, and services. Contact us today at 732-443-0608.

One of the worst nightmares of a restaurant owner is a kitchen fire. Though restaurant operators should be taking steps toward fire prevention, even during the construction of their store, no one can prepare 100 percent for anything. There is always a risk of something going wrong. Fortunately, fire suppression systems are a requirement for commercial establishments, and these can help you keep fires under control.

You need to conduct regular fire extinguisher inspections. Make sure the system is functioning normally, or you might find yourself in the worst possible situation where your system doesn’t work at the exact moment you need it to function. Inspections also prevent untimely discharge of your system and ensure that it passes an insurance audit. 

Here are things you need to know about fire suppression systems and how to maintain them.

Have professional inspections at least twice a year

Every six months, your kitchen fire suppression system should pass an inspection by an NFPA-certified and trained technician. It helps ensure that your system operates well and allows you to have access to high-quality replacement parts should you need those.

Inspectors test your system in-depth. They include tests on various functionalities like control components, actuators, remote pull stations, and electrical interlocks. Inspectors also look at the condition of the tanks themselves—the state of the appliance, the duct, and the plenum nozzles and the blow-off caps. Aside from these, they check the link line and your detectors and trace the documentation of previous test dates.

Both dry and wet-chemical fire-extinguishing systems need hydrostatic testing every 12 years. These will ensure that they are still useful in putting out fires and will prevent chemical leaks. You should also test dry chemical systems every six years for caking.

Conduct in-house inspections every month

Monthly visual inspections should be part of your routine right after your fire suppression installation. You or your kitchen manager should check the hood or duct for grease or dirt build-up and if the tamper indicator is intact. 

The kitchen manager or restaurant owner should also see if you have pointed the nozzles at the right appliance. It helps reduce the time you spend putting out a fire. You can also ensure that the pull station is not blocked and that the personnel can operate the gauges efficiently. 

Finally, double-check the dates of the previous inspections and see if the results on procedures done match the current state of your equipment.

Call your fire extinguisher service if the system goes off

A suppression system will not go off without a trigger, so if this happens to yours, you have to call your fire protection company. If the system sustained any damage, you need to have it repaired before refilling cylinders and recharging the system. A restaurant that has malfunctioning suppression equipment might have to halt operations temporarily to comply with fire and building codes, so be sure you address this as soon as possible.

Keep your documents for insurance and compliance purposes

Documentation includes properly marked service tags, repairs made or discrepancies addressed and inspection reports to be sent to your local fire department. You can get these from your technician, or the professional in charge of inspecting your system. After these inspections, do not get rid of these documents. Always have a record of your inspections so that you can show how your business complies with insurance and government requirements.

Conclusion

A restaurant’s top priority is always serving great food. However, you do not want to compromise being able to do this because of a faulty fire prevention system. Avoid hassles from maintenance issues and collaborate with a fire suppression systems inspection company that can address your concerns promptly and efficiently.

Restaurants and small businesses in New Jersey and Eastern PA can call on Atlantic Fire Pro for their suppression system maintenance needs. We provide fire suppression installation, inspection, maintenance, and more. Call us today for more information.

Disasters, no matter how big or small, never come at an opportune time. More often than not, they arrive when we’re complacent and relaxed, forcing us to make quick decisions to keep ourselves and our families out of harm’s way. In such events, we can only hope that we have prepared enough.

The effects of power outages are often underestimated, but it’s often more than just being in the dark. It might be easy if it’s just your home, but what if it’s an entire building without power? How do you keep safe if you can’t see anything in the halls and stairways? 

Accidents are more likely to happen in the dark 

The likelihood of devastating accidents increases by a large margin during a blackout or brownout. Dimly lit areas with little access to natural lightings, like storage spaces, kitchens in restaurants, and the inner areas of buildings, are more susceptible to dangerous and life-threatening accidents.

This problem is especially pervasive in the US, which experiences a generally higher-than-average number of long-lasting power outages than other developed countries.

To prepare for power outages and other related emergencies, you must have a well-maintained set of emergency lights in your building. They can assuage panic, help bring people to safety much more quickly, and reduce the risk of accidents and injury.

The numbers don’t lie

A 2013 study showed that the 2003 blackout in New York City led to a massive increase in accident-related deaths—an astounding 122 percent. The deaths were not just out of tripping or falling but included carbon monoxide poisoning, food poisoning, hypothermia, and so on.

This revealed that power outages are likely to happen due to another type of emergency situation, such as fires and inclement weather. 

While a blackout is an extreme case, it can show the dangerous effects of having to live without lights and electricity. 

Another study found that a third of US workers feel they would not be able to navigate their workplace safely in a power outage, with 50 percent of US adults feeling unsafe about their chances going up and down staircases in the same conditions. 

While most offices have an emergency plan, 42 percent said they would have trouble executing that plan anyway. 

The way out is lighting

A building manager should make sure that appropriate emergency lighting is installed, especially in areas where more traffic could be expected in the event of an emergency. This includes hallways, staircases (especially since elevators are not an option), and emergency exits.

Depending on the state or location, regular (around once a month or so) testing of your emergency lighting equipment is mandatory. They must be tested for functionality and battery longevity, to ensure safety in emergency situations.

It is also imperative to maintain diligent records of inspections, as your local government units might request these during inspections. Any failures in testing or failed equipment must be recorded and replaced as soon as possible. 

Conclusion

Prevention, in whatever case or situation, will always be better than cure. Emergency lighting is a way to mitigate the risks of dealing with unexpected events and can protect the inhabitants of any building. Compromising on safety is likely to result in the destruction of property, bodily harm, or even fatalities.

For more information on emergency lighting in New Jersey, consult us at Atlantic Fire Protection. We provide security measures for a wide range of disasters. 

Fire safety is a crucial and non-negotiable part of any property. Whether it is a residential, commercial, or industrial space, there should always be a fire extinguisher within reach to ensure the safety of those indoors. 

As many firefighters and fire departments know, the difference between life and death could depend on the nearest fire extinguisher in a premise. Knowing where your extinguisher is and how to use it could even save precious moments, and provide enough time to save you, your loved ones, and your property.

In this article, we will share three points that you should know about fire extinguishers:

1. There’s more than one type of fire extinguisher

Specifically, there are four classes of fire devices: Class A, Class B, Class C, and Class D. Class A fire extinguishers normally deal with ordinary combustibles, such as wood, paper, drapes, and upholstery. Class B fire devices are suitable for kitchens, restaurant spaces, and auto shops. They are meant to put out fires involving flammable and combustible liquids, such as gasoline, frying grease, solvents, and other flammable liquids. 

Class C fire extinguishers, on the other hand, are made for fires involving electrical equipment, such as wiring, overheated fuse boxes, conductors, and other electrical sources. Class D fire extinguishers are made for fires involving magnesium and sodium, which are normally found in chemical plants.

2. Certain devices are better suited for different locations and areas

If you’re planning to have multiple fire extinguishers in your home, you can’t just put any type of device in any room. Class A, B, and C fire extinguishers, for example, are suitable to be used in the basement and the garage. The device from Class B and C are essential for any kitchen. On top of that, one from Class A is needed for the living room. Ideally, these should be placed near an exit but where children can’t reach them so that you can avoid unwanted hazards. 

In the workplace, all employees should always know where the devices are located. They are best in hallways, the kitchen, and near exit doors. The average office would likely need Class A extinguishers, with some Class A, B, and C and Class B and C devices in specific areas.

3. How to use a fire extinguisher

Keep in mind that most fire extinguishers operate the same way, depending on their size or use. As a rule of thumb, following the P.A.S.S. method will help you operate it the right way:

• Pull the pin. 
• Aim the nozzle at the base of the fire.
• Squeeze or press the handle.
• Sweep the base of the fire side-to-side.

While some fire extinguishers have additional steps, such as releasing a lock latch, most of them generally follow this set of steps. It’s also important to use them after the people inside have exited safely. After the situation is under control, remember to replace disposable fire extinguishers and recharge the ones that have been used.

Conclusion

Familiarizing yourself with fire safety procedures can effectively be a line protecting you and your family from harm. Fire safety should not be taken lightly and should be considered a necessary expense in any household, office, or industrial space. While many fire safety regulations are in place to be preventive, malfunctions and errors are inevitable. Seeing that the risk of fire can happen at any time, a fire extinguisher could just save your life.

If you want to know more about fire extinguishers and fire protection, head on over to Atlantic Fire Protection. We provide annual inspections and even sell robust pieces of extinguishers. Get in touch with us today to see how we protect you, your family, and your property!

For any property that puts safety as a priority, there are many ways to make sure that everyone inside remains safe at all times. From fireproof walls to security cameras, each option available has its own merit in keeping any space safe, and even more so when it comes to installing fire suppression systems.

If you’ve managed to outfit your own home or commercial space with such a system, then you might already be well-versed with all the simple details that come with keeping it in tip-top shape. Among all the different factors related to owning a fire suppression system, however, there’s one that you’re probably overlooking far more than you should: Its maintenance.

Why maintenance matters

Similar to any other intricate system on the market, owning a fire suppression system and keeping its functions in tip-top shape is an endeavor that requires much-needed maintenance. While it may seem straightforward at first, however, the truth about these systems is that they can be quite confusing because of all the details to consider, which can bring up a few questions along the way.

Now, if you haven’t gotten as acquainted with the idea of maintaining your fire suppression system as much as you’d like to, here are three frequently asked questions about fire suppression systems and the answers to them:

1. “Why does my system need maintaining?”

Generally, the most common cause of maintenance in any system is that the environment of the space can go through quite a bit of damage as a result of harsh conditions. By taking the time to regularly maintain your set-up, however, you can make sure that nothing untoward happens to your components and prevents the whole system from functioning properly. Although it can seem unassuming at first, these simple checkups and inspections are bound to save you thousands of dollars, lots of time, and much productivity in the long run!

2. “What happens if I fail to get regular maintenance?”

The main danger of not getting your system regularly maintained lies in the fact that a simple oversight can lead to a snowball of problems if you aren’t careful. Below are just some of the repercussions that can come with not following up on your fire suppression system-related obligations:

• Delayed activation of suppressants, which can lead to extended damage, injuries, increased costs, and potential death
• False discharging that may end up interfering with production processes, breaking items, and ruining output

3. “How often should I maintain my fire suppression system?”

While each system may have its own specific set of needs and intricacies, the golden rule of proper maintenance procedures dictates that a run-around and tune-up should be done twice a year for ensured dependability. Although annual maintenance can definitely help push your facility in the right direction, letting a certified technician do their job is bound to be far better in the long run!

Conclusion

Aside from being an absolute privilege, having a fire suppression system is also a responsibility that entails taking all the right details and factors into consideration. By knowing more about your system, especially in terms of its maintenance, you’ll be able to keep it in excellent condition to ensure that everyone inside the property is safe!

From kitchen fire suppression systems to fire extinguishers, we’ve got every home and facility in New Jersey and Pennsylvania covered. If you’re looking to stay safe as possible from the threat of having your property burn down, check out our online shop today!

Because of the low probability of most places catching fire, fire extinguishers often sit at the ready for years on end and end up expiring without notice. They are truly just a “just in case” object that is on standby to protect your home or office from fire threats, but once they expire or go bad, you will want these replaced. The last thing you want is the imminent threat of fires and finding out your extinguisher isn’t charged and it does not work.

When it comes to workplaces and fire extinguishers, most areas have laws regarding the proper examination and inspection procedures for fire prevention products. Here are ways to inspect your extinguishers and how often they should be conducted according to certain laws and fire codes:

Visual Fire Extinguisher Inspections

According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), businesses should have their fire safety equipment inspected visually once a month. Homeowners may also follow this procedure, as it pays to be on the safe side. They will monitor if the extinguishers are still in their designated locations, that there are no exterior damages, that there is nothing obstructing its access, and that it is fully charged for use.

Maintenance Inspections

OSHA requires maintenance inspections on portable fire safety units at least once per year, which entails a more thorough examination of the products. These are usually inspected and conducted by professional fire protection companies, as they have the proper tools and training to deal with these devices. Professionals are also able to analyze hazardous environments and find ways to improve overall safety from fire hazards. Once the fire extinguisher passes the annual maintenance check, it is stamped with a dated tag that indicates it has been approved for emergency use. If the unit is deemed unusable or defective, it must be repaired or replaced as soon as possible.

Internal Maintenance Inspections

When it comes to internal maintenance, only qualified fire professionals should handle this, and depending on the equipment type, this should be conducted every five, six, or twelve years. Involved in this procedure is a complete discharge of all contents and a complete examination of the integrity of the product’s internals.

Once the product passes quality checks, it is then subject to recharging of chemicals to ensure that it is working correctly. Dry chemical types of extinguishers require a six-year internal examination, with a twelve-year hydrostatic test.

Periodically down the line, fire extinguishers should be tested for their integrity regarding how well they are able to contain the pressurization used to expel the agent. Wet chemical extinguishers, pressurized water, and carbon dioxide versions require testing every five years. For more information on OSHA standards for testing, refer to this link.

Conclusion

Don’t allow your business to continue to operate without the scheduled maintenance check-ups. Although they seem like an extra hassle or more work and expenses to do, they can save your business if it runs into fires. After all, it is better to be safe than to be sorry.

Here at Atlantic Fire Pro, we are a professionally certified fire safety protection agency in New Jersey. Contact us today for top-notch fire safety procedures and services!