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Protecting People And Property

By John Haynes, SimplexGrinnell

Today, facility managers face higher, more formidable security challenges. Haunted by images of 9/11, companies must have different systems, vendors, and internal managers for various life safety initiatives. On top of these growing concerns, many facility managers are handling increased responsibilities with fewer staff members. For many, the stakes are higher, the pressure is greater, and the challenges that lie ahead will be increasingly difficult.

How can facility managers protect their people and property most effectively in today’s changing climate? There are easy steps to take, including learning from past mistakes, making small improvements with old and new technologies, and combining solutions for fire protection, life safety, and security.

Lessons Learned
In February 1993, when terrorists bombed the World Trade Center for the first time, valuable lessons were learned. As a result, certain safety measures were implemented. Wider stairwells and enhanced emergency evacuation plans and drills were among the changes that made for a safer building. Hopefully, some solace can be taken in the fact that those improvements helped save lives that might have otherwise been lost.

When the 9/11 attacks took place, the Pentagon was already in the process of upgrading its life safety systems. One key measure was the installation of smoke doors that automatically close in the event of fire. These doors minimized smoke damage to the building surrounding the impact area.

A significant insight gained from the Pentagon attack was the realization that building occupants needed to open doors quickly that were blocking their escape routes. Fortunately, in this case, a simple latch that released the doors was discovered before anyone was trapped.

As a result of this and other findings, the Pentagon is distributing comprehensive booklets with detailed emergency procedures to the thousands of people who work in the building.

Getting With The Program
Facility managers are realizing that meeting current fire and life safety codes is a critical first line of defense. Regular fire drills are one good example of an often neglected code requirement. The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) recommends practicing emergency evacuation plans once a month. While a fire drill may be an inconvenience for many workers, it is important for them to know and practice an escape/evacuation plan.

Some of the NFPA’s recommended exercises include evacuating in an orderly manner, finding two escape routes, meeting in designated areas, and coordinating with authorities. In essence, fire drills are simple and can be started today.

Fire extinguishers are another area that garners attention. Are they fully charged and ready to go? When was the last time they were serviced? Do employees know where to find the closest extinguisher? Better yet, do they know how to operate it? Perhaps it’s time for fire extinguisher training.

Many companies provide low cost, high benefit extinguisher training for employees. These programs include comprehensive instruction in how to operate a fire extinguisher, the type of extinguisher to use in specific situations, service and maintenance tips, and even live demonstrations with hands on training.

As with the Pentagon, documentation is another resource to employ in responding to emergency situations. Does the company provide all building occupants and visitors with detailed procedures to follow in the event of an emergency? Is training and review of emergency procedures a regularly scheduled action item? These are all easily accomplished objectives, so why wait?

Consider Old And New Technologies
It makes good business sense to consider low and high tech life safety improvements to any facility. Many existing fire alarm systems feature voice messaging that tells people what to do in the event of a fire. But can people understand the messages? And are the messages up-to-date, specific, and helpful? Voice intelligibility–the ability to hear 'curCategory, curSection, curItem determines menu display curCategory = "art" curSection = "" curItem = "News" ergency voice evacuation systems play a significant role in the orderly evacuation of buildings during emergencies. And yet, who has not experienced the frustration of being unable to understanding a voice message in a busy airport or train station because of background noise or reverberation? Relief, however, may be on the way.

U.S. fire codes are moving toward a minimum requirement for voice message clarity. Under this standard, emergency announcement systems in new buildings would be objectively measured in order to meet a minimum standard.

While fire codes have always implied that voice messages should be easily understood by people, only recently has a consensus developed around testing methods that are practical, repeatable, and, most importantly, objective.

Facility managers can also take advantage of a technology that provides online access to fire system information. This communications link uses a Web browser to monitor the status of fire alarm systems offsite. It allows access to fire alarm system information from a personal computer, laptop, personal digital assistant, or pager. In the event of an alarm or trouble condition, the technology will inform designated staff members of a problem via e-mail.

Up To Code
Keeping abreast of advancing technology and new products can prove helpful in enhancing the safety of a facility. It’s also important to stay on top of new code developments. NFPA code changes may affect fire detection alarm, sprinkler, and other systems. Even if the company’s current system is "grandfathered," it may be wise to upgrade to newer technology that advances the level of protection.

For facility managers, vendor management can be a time consuming task. And when a problem develops with a fire alarm or sprinkler system, facility managers are stuck in between feuding vendors.

In a complex, changing society, facility managers face new challenges all the time. The days of the simple lock and key for security and fire alarm for fire protection are gone.

A combination of getting back to basics, deploying new technologies, and simplifying systems management can help improve the protection of people and property.

While some of these measures may require outside help, there are initiatives facility managers can begin working on by themselves. However, in today’s environment, delaying life safety is not a reasonable option.

Haynes is a director of marketing at Westminster, MA- based SimplexGrinnell. To find out more information about security and safety measures, go to www.simplexgrinnell.com. For a companion story on evacuation plans, see this month's Web exclusive entitled, "Making Building Evacuation Plans More Effective."