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We will show a 15-minute DVD, discuss your extinguishers, and then go outside to do the hands-on portion. A normal class is up to 30 people and will take 45-60 minutes. Note: You must supply a means of showing a DVD to your employees. There must be an electrical outlet nearby for the fire extinguisher trainer that will be set up outside.. We can provide a certificate of completion for each employee if needed; we just ask that you supply us with a clearly written attendance sheet. A&B Fire Protection Solutions offers hands on fire extinguisher training for all industries. We use the Live-Fire Extinguisher Training System. This system uses propane gas, producing intense flames, making this a realistic workplace training session. Class A, B or C fires can be selected at four different difficulty levels: challenging the trainees. Because this system is propane-fed and uses only compressed-air/water training extinguishers, there is no added cost or clean-up associated with using a typical ABC fire extinguisher; the type typically installed in every business. The Live-Fire Extinguisher Training system allows for quick set up and no clean-up! This training system meets OSHA and Indiana Fire Code requirements which mandate that all employees are trained to know the location and proper use of portable fire extinguishers in your business. A&B Fire Protection Solutions offers this training to your employees. To meet the needs for your company; we can set up and conduct the training at different times of the day as well as location. This allows all employees the opportunity to attend a training session. We understand that it may not be feasible for some facilities to shut down operations for fire extinguisher training. Therefore, we provide two options for the training classes:

Clearly, the requirements for installing and operating, and ensuring its compliance is a complex matter. A&B Fire Protection Solutions is here to help. Our team of NICET-certified, factory-trained technicians can help you keep your entire facility safe and secure.

Contact A&B Fire Protection Solutions today to learn more and get you into compliance fully and quickly. 

Call for a quotation  260.302.3038 

Equipment failure can result in catastrophic injury to responders, bystanders, or both. Routine testing of fire hose, couplings, appliances, and nozzles is necessary to provide a reasonable level of safety for users and to increase the likelihood the equipment will perform as designed. The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), Standard for the Care, Use, Inspection, Service Testing, and Replacement of Fire Hose, Couplings, Nozzles, and Fire Hose Appliance provides guidance on acceptable procedures for testing these vital pieces of equipment and reducing the potential for an unfortunate incident to occur.

While an industry suggested shelf life for hose has not been determined, a replacement schedule should be established and take into consideration the use, age, and testing results of the hose.

Fire Hose Testing Includes: Removal of fire hose from apparatus or storage. Labeling and recording of all information for each length of hose.

Inspection of all fire hose, nozzles, couplings, and appliances in accordance with NFPA Standards; and

Rolling and repacking of fire hose in the same place and manner as it was removed.

Some of the key points of NFPA include:

Hose manufactured prior to July 1987 should be removed from service. Hose that is in service should be service tested at least annually. Hose held in storage for longer than 1 year shall be service tested before being placed into service. Service-testing of nozzles – Testing should be done at least as frequently as the hose to which it is attached.

Attack fire hose should be service tested to a minimum of 300 psi or a service test pressure marked on the hose. Supply fire hose should be service tested to a minimum of 200 psi or a service test pressure marked on the hose. Hose removed from service for repair or because it has been condemned should be tagged with a distinctive tag with the reason for removal from service noted on the tag. Personnel responsible for the repair and maintenance or repair of fire hose should ensure that a report of the work performed to repair each length is recorded on the permanent hose record.

Clearly, the requirements for installing and operating, and ensuring its compliance is a complex matter. A&B Fire Protection Solutions is here to help. Our team of NICET-certified, factory-trained technicians can help you keep your entire facility safe and secure.

Contact A&B Fire Protection Solutions today to learn more and get you into compliance fully and quickly.   

 Call for a quotation  260.302.3038   

Functioning emergency lights and exit signs are vital parts of every commercial building’s fire safety plan. They enable occupants and emergency personnel the ability to evacuate or enter the building when the main lighting system fails. In the event of a power outage, well-maintained emergency lights and exit signs can be a lifesaver. Although they are both intended for emergency situations, emergency lights and exit signs are two very different things. Emergency lights are placed in hallways and stairwells. They are wired directly to a building’s electricity but lit by use of an internal battery during an emergency when the main power is out. Exit signs are always illuminated and are also wired directly to a building’s electricity. If the main power goes out, their back-up battery will keep illumination of the sign for approximately two hours. Like the fire extinguishers, emergency lights and exit signs must be inspected and maintained. Life Safety Code 101 states that annual maintenance and testing of emergency lighting and exit signs be performed by a qualified technician to ensure all fixtures are fully operational in case of an emergency. The maintenance of your emergency lights and exit signs should never be an optional expense, they are extremely important to the safety of your building and those who occupy it. While our qualified technicians are at your site inspecting and servicing your fire extinguishers, have them inspect your emergency lights and exit signs as well.

Clearly, the requirements for installing and operating, and ensuring its compliance is a complex matter. A&B Fire Protection Solutions is here to help. Our team of NICET-certified, factory-trained technicians can help you keep your entire facility safe and secure.

Contact A&B Fire Protection Solutions today to learn more and get you into compliance fully and quickly. 

Call for a quotation  260.302.3038 

An electrical malfunction in an office building causes a fire. The fire department rolls up to the building, sirens blaring. They rush to the fire hydrant, connect their hose—and no water comes out. Fire hydrant maintenance is—quite literally—a life-or-death proposition. The following information on operation and maintenance provides insight into this process. These tips apply to the dry-barrel hydrants commonly used on water distribution system in the Midwest.

Fire hydrants must be operated properly, so adequate fire protection can consistently be provided. Always use a hydrant wrench. Repeated use of a pipe wrench on the five-sided operating nut will round off the nut so a hydrant wrench will no longer work. After opening the highest port, slowly open the hydrant valve a few turns until water has reached the open port. Flush any debris that may be in the fire hydrant barrel. When the water is clear, slowly open the hydrant fully. It is important to displace trapped air from the hydrant barrel. Compressed air could cause problems. Remember that air is compressible, and water is not compressible. Sometimes the internal hydrant valve may not function properly due to debris or mechanical problems. Whenever possible, attach an operating hand valve to the port from which water will flow. If flow from the fire hydrant cannot be completely shut down using the operating nut, use the hand valve to stop flow, and then close the control valve on the hydrant lead to completely shut down the hydrant so repairs and/or replacement work can be done. Very old fire hydrants should not be operated by inexperienced personnel because hydrants may not seat well when closed and may be left running. Also, an inexperienced person may break the stem while forcing it to get the hydrant to stop leaking. Therefore, the use of a pipe or “cheater” bar should be discouraged when operating an older hydrant. Flow should be diverted by diffusers, hoses, or other equipment. Proper traffic control should be provided as needed.

Fire hydrants must always be operable and capable of providing adequate fire protection, so systematic maintenance and inspection are vital. Repairs can be scheduled proactively instead of reactively, and problems can be dealt with before they become catastrophic. Hydrants should be inspected on a regular basis at least once a year. Dry-barrel fire hydrants may require two inspections per year, in the spring and fall. Every hydrant inspection should be documented, and problems with a hydrant should be reported immediately. Below is an example of a proper fire hydrant maintenance inspection:

Remove one nozzle/pumper cap and, using a listening device, check for main valve leakage.

Using a plumb-bob, check the barrel for water or ice. Pump water out of the hydrant barrel, wait a few minutes, then recheck with the plumb-bob to verify that water is not passing through the valve on the hydrant lead. Replace the nozzle/pumper cap, leaving it loose enough for air to escape. Open the hydrant a few turns to allow air to vent from the loose cap, and then tighten the cap. Open the hydrant fully, checking for ease of operation. Repeatedly exercise the operating stem, as needed, to remove buildup and promote better operation. If lubrication or stem replacement is required, schedule the necessary work. With the hydrant fully pressurized, check for leakage around the flanges, nozzles/pumpers, seals, & operating nut. Partially close the hydrant to open the drain outlets, and flush for 10 to 15 sec.

Completely close the hydrant, and then open it a quarter- to a half-turn to relieve the pressure on the thrust bearing or packing. Remove a nozzle/pumper cap, and attach a diffuser, if needed, along with a hand valve for control. Flush the hydrant to remove foreign material. Close the hydrant and remove the diffuser. Place your hand over the nozzle/pumper to check for suction as the water drains out of the barrel.

Check for hydrant leakage with a listening device.

Remove all nozzle/pumper caps and inspect the threads. Clean and apply approved lubricant to caps and nozzles/pumpers. Inspect cap chains for binding and ease of movement. Unbind or replace, as necessary. Replace the caps and tighten them.

Check operating nut lubrication and maintain as needed. Inspect breakaway flange for damage if present. Collect or verify the GPS location of the hydrant. This is very helpful when locating a hydrant under a pile of snow. Notify utility personnel and fire department personnel immediately of inoperable hydrants needing repair or replacement. Get stakeholder buy-in. Note: For a municipality to get full credit from ISO, they must do fire hydrant maintenance every six months. Other ISO requirements include: Location and number.

Physical damage or defect. Obstructions on or around the hydrant. Hydrant outlets facing the proper direction. A minimum of 15-in. clearance between the lowest outlet and the ground. Visible auxiliary valve. Condition of paint – correct color code.

All outlets are cleaned and lubricated. Status: public, private, or non-potable; and Static pressure reading taken documenting time and date. Additional questions to ask during a proper fire hydrant maintenance inspection include: During a static pressure test, do any of the nozzles, gaskets or drainage holes indicate leakage? With a nozzle-cap or pumper-cap removed, and using a listening device, does the main valve leak? Is there any “ponding” or standing water near the base of the hydrant? What is the condition of the paint? Is the color correct, based on the utility’s color scheme? Is the hydrant straight-up (plumb)? If not, does it appear that the hydrant has been hit by a vehicle? Should bollards be installed to protect the hydrant? Should the hydrant be relocated away from traffic? Does the hydrant need to be raised or lowered? Do the pumper port and nozzles face the correct direction? Is the soil surrounding the hydrant capable of supporting it?

What is the GPS location of the hydrant, if required?

Are nozzle/pumper threads in working condition?

Do the nozzle/pumper ports require any maintenance or need to be replaced? Does the hydrant drain properly? Is the hydrant barrel still dry after pumping out the water and waiting a few minutes? Is it difficult to operate? Does it provide adequate fire-flow? Is the operating nut of the hydrant in good condition? Have the corners of the operating nut been rounded off from people using a pipe wrench instead of a hydrant key? If it appears that the hydrant has been illegally operated, should protective devices be installed to deter vandalism?

Does the hydrant need to be raised? Firefighters need to be able to spin their wrenches to remove hydrant caps. If a hydrant is too low, time spent removing caps could be deadly. 

Clearly, the requirements for installing and operating, and ensuring its compliance is a complex matter. A&B Fire Protection Solutions is here to help. Our team of NICET-certified, factory-trained technicians can help you keep your entire facility safe and secure.

Contact A&B Fire Protection Solutions today to learn more and get you into compliance fully and quickly.

Call for a quotation  260.302.3038 

Portable fire extinguishers are often our first line of defense against small fires and chances are you are not too far from one right now. Like any lifesaving equipment you want to ensure that it is always operable so it will work when you need it most. With proper inspection, testing and maintenance (ITM) protocols fire extinguishers can be long lasting, reliable options for combating a small fire early on.

The requirements are broken down into three different sections on inspection, maintenance, and testing. In each section there is information on what needs to be done (Procedures), who can perform the work (Qualifications), how often each step needs to be done (Frequency) and how to document the work (Recordkeeping).

Performing an inspection is the easiest thing you can do to ensure your extinguisher can be used reliably and effectively in an emergency. At a minimum, inspection needs to consist of the following steps:

Make sure it is in its designated place. Make sure the extinguisher is visible or that there is signage indicating where the extinguisher is located.

Make sure you can easily access the extinguisher

Ensure the pressure gauge is in the operable range or position. Make sure it is full, this can be done by just lifting the extinguisher or you can weigh it.

For wheeled extinguishers, make sure the condition of tires, wheels, carriage, hose, and nozzle are acceptable. For non-rechargeable extinguishers, operate the push-to-test pressure indicators.

QUALIFICATIONS

You are not required to be certified to perform an inspection; any knowledgeable, competent person should be able to do it.

FREQUENCY

NFPA 10 requires extinguishers be inspected when they are initially installed and once a month after that. You should inspect extinguishers more frequently if they are installed in locations where they are more prone to rust, impact, or tampering.

RECORDKEEPING

Records of the monthly inspections need to be maintained by either putting a tag or label on the extinguisher or by having it recorded on paper or electronic files. The following items need to be recorded: The month and year of the inspection.

The person conducting the inspection.

These records need to be maintained for at least 12 months.

Maintenance procedures must include the procedures detailed in the manufacturer's service manual and a thorough examination of the basic elements of the fire extinguisher, including the following:

• Mechanical parts of all fire extinguishers
• Extinguishing agent
• Expelling means
• Physical condition

This is completed by doing an external examination. An internal examination can also be required as part of your maintenance. Details on how to do an internal examination are in your fire extinguisher service manual.

Maintenance needs to be performed by a certified person. Certification requires that a person take a test acceptable to the AHJ . A certified person needs to, at the very least, be familiar with the requirements in NFPA 10.

Fire extinguishers need to have an external maintenance examination conducted on a yearly basis, at the time of hydrostatic test, or when specifically indicated by an inspection discrepancy. Extinguishers need to have an internal examination conducted at anywhere from 1–6-year intervals depending on the type of extinguisher. For example, a dry chemical, stored pressure fire extinguisher must have an internal examination every 6 years, see NFPA 10 Table 7.3.3.1 for more details on other types of fire extinguishers.

Each fire extinguisher shall have a tag or label securely attached that indicates that maintenance was performed. The tag or label needs to identify the following:

Month and year maintenance was performed. Person performing the work. Name of the agency performing the work.

Extinguishers also need a verification-of-service collar located around the neck of the container if an internal examination was conducted. That collar needs to have:

Month and year the work was performed. Name of the agency performing the work.

A hydrostatic test always begins with an internal and external examination of the extinguisher as described in the maintenance section. The extinguisher then has many of its components removed so it is stripped down to pretty much just the shell and hose and is filled with water at a certain pressure for a certain time. The extinguisher must then be completely dried to get rid of all the water and is then reassembled and recharged. If there is any leakage, distortion or permanent moving of couplings the cylinder fails the hydrostatic test and it must be condemned.

People who do hydrostatic testing need to know what they are doing because it can be dangerous if performed incorrectly. They need to be trained, certified, and have the correct equipment and facility to perform the testing.

Like internal maintenance, hydrostatic testing is done at different intervals based on the type of extinguisher you have. These are done either every 5 or 12 years. See Table 8.3.1 in NFPA 10 to see which applies to your type of extinguisher.

For low pressure cylinders a label is required to be attached to the extinguisher. It needs to contain:

The name of the person conducting the test. The date of the test. The pressure at which the test was performed.

High pressure cylinders the testers identification number and the date must be stamped onto the shoulder, top, head, neck, or foot ring.

This was intended to be a helpful guide to extinguisher, but it does not contain all the details that the requirements in NFPA 10 contain. Since there are many different types of extinguishers, there are slightly different requirements based on the extinguisher's characteristics. Electronic monitoring, which is a viable option as a replacement for your monthly inspections was also not addressed here.

Clearly, the requirements for installing and operating, and ensuring its compliance is a complex matter. A&B Fire Protection Solutions is here to help. Our team of NICET-certified, factory-trained technicians can help you keep your entire facility safe and secure. 

Contact A&B Fire Protection Solutions today to learn more and get you into compliance fully and quickly. 

Call for a quotation 260.302.3038 

When it comes to fire, commercial kitchens operate in a very high-risk environment. According to the most recent data from the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) , fire in eating and drinking establishments resulted in 110 civilian injuries and $165 million in direct property damage. Many of the affected businesses never recovered and had to close their doors for good. Equipped with any number and combination of ranges, broilers, fryers, and ovens operating at very high temperatures in close contact with fats, cooking oils, and other combustibles, commercial kitchens provide an ideal environment for fire. Not surprisingly, cooking equipment was responsible for more than 60 percent of the fires studied by the NFPA, underscoring the importance of following all fire extinguishing equipment requirements for the hoods, ducts, and cooking appliances used in commercial kitchens.

The NFPA 96 Standard for Ventilation Control and Fire Protection of Commercial Cooking Operations provides the requirements to help minimize fire risk and keep your employees and customers safe if a fire breaks out. The standards cover both automatic fire-extinguishing systems that provide primary protection as well as the portable fire extinguishers that provide secondary backup protection. This post will discuss the NFPA 96 requirements for portable fire extinguishers and wet chemical fire suppression systems. Wet chemical systems are the most common type of automatic fire suppression system used in commercial kitchens today and are recognized by the fire protection industry as the most effective fire suppression system for commercial kitchens available.

One of the more recent changes in the NFPA 96 standard is the requirement for placards to be placed above all class “K” fire extinguishers stating that the automatic fire extinguishing system for the cooking appliance is to be activated prior to using the portable fire extinguisher. This change was made because today’s commercial kitchens use high-efficiency cooking appliances capable of extremely high energy input/output rates and vegetable oils that can ignite at high temperatures. When these oils ignite, they are already so hot that a portable extinguisher may not be effective. Remember too, that even small fires can spread quickly. Activating the kitchen’s pre-engineered fire suppression system before reaching for the fire extinguisher is a better option for extinguishing the fire because it will eliminate the heat source by shutting off the electric or gas flowing into the appliance and quickly cover the hot cooking oil with the fire suppression agent.

Wet chemical fire suppression systems are extremely reliable. Given this, you might ask why you even need portable fire extinguishers. The answer is simple – any system can fail, and it’s possible for equipment that has been moved or grease spills that occur to spread a fire to an unprotected area. This is why the requirement for portable fire extinguishers in commercial kitchens remains in both the NFPA 96 and the NFPA 10 Standard for Portable Fire Extinguishers. To handle the special cooking appliance fire hazards found in commercial kitchens today, you must use class “K” rated fire extinguishers. This is due to the large amounts of cooking oils and fats found in commercial kitchens. While these are technically flammable liquids, Class “B” extinguishers are not suitable to address the special kinds of hazards found in commercial kitchens. Class “K” fire extinguishers use chemical agents that react  with hot oils or grease to turn it into a non-flammable soap-like substance. The code does not prescribe the size of the class “K” extinguisher to be used. A good rule of thumb is, the greater the hazard, the larger extinguisher you will need to handle it. However, it is always best to consult the Authorities Having Jurisdiction (AJH) prior to selecting new fire extinguishers for your kitchen to ensure you are in compliance with local codes.

The NFPA 96 requires automated fire suppression equipment for all grease removal devices, hood exhaust plenums, and exhaust duct systems in a commercial kitchen, as well as any cooking equipment that produces grease-laden vapors.

UL 300 Kitchen Fire Suppression systems are wet chemical fire suppression systems used to protect hoods, ducts, and cooking appliances from fire hazards. They are often referred to as “pre-engineered” systems, which means that they come from the manufacturer with specific specifications that are unique to that system. As such, their installation, repair and maintenance require a properly trained and qualified technician that has been certified by the system’s manufacturer.

Wet chemical fire suppression systems work by releasing chemical agents that react with oil to create a thick foam that covers the entire cooking surface, smothering the burning oil until the appliance cools below the oil’s flash point. The effectiveness of these systems is not limited to fires that involve oil. The type of chemicals they use are very effective on all types of fires in a commercial kitchen. The NFPA 96 requires that wet chemical pre-engineered fire suppression systems meet the requirements of ANSI/UL 300 or other equivalent standards that include fire test methods and requirements to protect the various types of cooking appliances and tests to evaluate the ability of pre-engineered equipment to protect plenums and ducts. Not all grease removal devices, hood exhaust plenums, exhaust ducts, and cooking appliances are addressed in ANSI/UL 300 or other equivalent test standards. If your kitchen uses equipment that is not you must make sure that any non-listed automatic fire suppression system installed is appropriate for the grease removal devices, hoods, ducts, and cooking appliances you’re using based on the system manufacturer’s recommendations. The system must also meet all applicable NFPA standard(s), all local building and fire codes, and must be approved by the authority having jurisdiction. If you’re not sure if your system is UL-Listed, you can search the UL website using the manufacturer’s name and model number.

Clearly, the requirements for installing and operating, and ensuring its compliance is a complex matter. A&B Fire Protection Solutions is here to help. Our team of NICET-certified, factory-trained technicians can help you keep your entire facility safe and secure.

Contact A&B Fire Protection Solutions today to learn more and get you into compliance fully and quickly. 

Call for a quotation  260.302.3038 

Emergencies seldom give warning before they strike. Thus, it is essential that fire protection equipment be inspected, tested, and maintained to be certain it is always operable. Management, therefore, should establish an effective equipment inspection program.

Fire protection equipment, like all other equipment, deteriorates with time. It is also vulnerable to external influences such as corrosive environments, tampering, accidental damage, and careless use. Further, since fire protection equipment is used infrequently, it must be inspected and tested regularly to prove its reliability and operability. It is far better to detect an unsatisfactory condition prior to an emergency than it is to discover it during the emergency.

A fire protection equipment inspection is intended to determine equipment operability and should be performed as outlined in this section. In order to set up an effective program, management shall: Appoint a qualified individual to monitor the program and report to management. Select and train individuals with appropriate mechanical aptitude to conduct the inspections and tests of fire protection equipment. Initiate a complete survey of the facility's fire protection equipment for the purpose of developing a customized inspection report form. Examples of forms are attached. Establish effective procedures for reviewing the inspection reports. Initiate prompt action to correct any noted deficiencies. Establish contacts with sprinkler contractors for periodic testing and emergency maintenance of fire protection equipment.

Once the qualified persons are selected, it is important that they be properly trained. This training should include the following features: Review of existing protection equipment and its maintenance, operation, and testing techniques, and familiarization with installed fire protection equipment. Making copies of manufacturers' instruction manuals and other data available in a centralized training file.

The responsibility for supervision of fire protection systems rests with the Facilities Manager and designated personnel responsible for the equipment. Employees responsible for system supervision should be familiar with fire protection equipment and know how to operate equipment during an emergency (verify necessary sprinkler control valves are open in the fire area, know how to start and maintain fire pumps, etc.). If your facility has several sprinkler systems, it is important that an up-to-date sketch be maintained showing the location of sprinkler control valves. Proper inspection records should be maintained. Alternate personnel should be available to make fire prevention inspections when the designated individual is ill or on vacation. Local management should support prompt repair of equipment when deficiencies are noted. If maintenance staff is not available and the services of a contractor are to be used to perform maintenance and tests, the contractor should furnish a written report. The report should include completed self-inspection forms. An employee should accompany the contractor during the test to become familiar with the equipment in the event equipment must be operated during an emergency.

All fire protection system control valves shall be locked in the open position. Locks and chains should be sturdy and resistant to breakage, except by heavy bolt cutters. Breakaway and combination locks shall not be used. Distribution of keys should be kept to a minimum and keys should be restricted to only those directly responsible for maintaining the fire protection systems.

Since the number, type, and complexity of fire protection systems will vary depending on the size of your facility, customized self-inspection forms are needed for sprinkler control valves, portable fire extinguishers, fire pumps, dry pipe valves, etc. Such forms not only serve as a guide for conducting inspections, but also provide a method of proper record keeping. The inspector should carry the form and use it as a checklist. It should be filled in as rounds are made, not after the completion of an inspection. A sample form is provided at the end of this section.

Sprinkler control valves should be numbered for inspection and identification purposes. The number listed on the valve should correspond with the number on the inspection form and fire diagram. Valves should be plainly marked with the direction to open. If not marked by the manufacturer, a sign should be posted near the valve indicating direction to open. If underground curb box valves are used, a T wrench should be provided near the valve with a sign indicating location of the valve.

The frequency of inspection of fire protection equipment depends on numerous factors. For example, dry pipe systems should be checked daily in the winter; but less frequent checks would be acceptable in the summer. The recommended frequency for testing and maintenance of critical sprinkler system components varies. 

Clearly, the requirements for installing and operating, and ensuring its compliance is a complex matter. A&B Fire Protection Solutions is here to help. Our team of NICET-certified, factory-trained technicians can help you keep your entire facility safe and secure. Contact A&B Fire Protection Solutions today to learn more and get you into compliance fully and quickly.  Call for a quotation  260.302.3038