protection

The Joint Commission, Fire Protection & YOU: Everything You Need to Know about Fire Protection in your Healthcare Facility

· ·

Keeping your healthcare facility in constant preparedness for Fire and Life Safety surveys can be a challenge. It’s important that you be ready, but it can be easy to get overwhelmed.

The Joint Commission accreditation is the gold standard in healthcare certification, and as a facility professional, the responsibility for Fire and Life Safety Code compliance falls to you. That means that you’re on the spot when The Joint Commission surveyors, including a Life Safety Code surveyor, arrive unannounced.

It’s important for hospitals to demonstrate their dedication to safe, effective, and comprehensive patient care. While they can display this in their day-to-day operations, most choose to take things a step further by earning accreditation from The Joint Commission (JCAHO) or another accrediting organization. 

Accrediting organizations have applied for and received “deeming authority” from the Centers for Medicaid and Medicare Services (CMS). This means they can determine which healthcare facilities meet Medicare and Medicaid certification requirements. However, each of them goes about determining that in their own way, with a different set of standards. 

In the United States, nearly 23,000 health care organizations are evaluated and accredited through the Joint Commission, one of the few accreditation organizations accepted by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS).

At A P Fire we will help you understand and tackle JCAHO and the standards it uses to determine fire safety in hospitals – large and small.

What Is the Joint Commission?

The Joint Commission is an accreditation body that focuses on quality care for the American public through a voluntary and independent evaluation process. It is governed by a 21-member Board of Commissioners that includes physicians, administrators, nurses, employers, quality experts, a consumer advocate and educators. They also employ approximately 1,000 people in its surveyor force.

All of these people work together to influence national healthcare policy, funding priorities, performance measurement, and future legislation. In addition, they establish standards for safe, effective, and comprehensive patient care. 

What Are jcaho Standards?

The Joint Commission performs on-site surveys once every three years, but hospitals must also perform annual self-assessments.  These standards are all focused on setting hospital performance expectations that are reasonable, achievable, and surveyable. Together they are aimed at holding healthcare facilities responsible for high-quality care.

Over the years, JCAHO has established hundreds of standards, with categories, or chapters, ranging from Document and Process Control (DC), to Infection Prevention and Control (IC), to Medication Management (MM), and many more. When it comes to fire safety in hospitals, these standards are found in The Joint Commission’s Life Safety (LS) Chapter. 

GENERAL BUILDING REQUIREMENTS – LS.02.01.10 (HOSPITALS) AND LS.03.01.10 (AMBULATORY CARE FACILITIES) The elements of performance: Unprotected openings in fire rated walls and floors Fire doors hardware and gaps Openings in 2-hour fire rated walls for 1½ hours MEANS OF EGRESS REQUIREMENTS – LS.02.01.20 (HOSPITALS) The elements of performance: Corridor clutter Doors unlocked in the direction of egress PROTECTION – LS.02.01.30 (HOSPITALS) The elements of performance: Hazardous storage area issues Corridor doors Smoke barriers do not have unsealed penetrations FIRE PROTECTION – EC.02.03.05 (HOSPITALS) The elements of performance: Lack of documentation related to the maintaining, inspecting, and testing Annual testing of smoke detectors, duct detectors, etc. Automatic air handling unit shutdown Annual testing of visual and audible fire alarms Water flow device testing Quarterly testing of fire alarm notification to off-site fire responders

How The Joint Commission Evaluates Facilities for Fire Safety

JCAHO standards provide the basis for an evaluation process to measure, assess, and improve hospital performance. They conduct surveys for a given facility every three years to determine if they are in compliance with CMS requirements.

Between surveys, health care facilities are required to conduct ongoing self-assessments and make improvements based on their results. This requirement encourages continuous improvement, which – where fire and life safety are concerned – directly contributes to improved occupant safety.

There are two groups of The Joint Commission Standards that pertain specifically to fire and life safety:

The Joint Commission Environment of Care (EC) Standards

These standards address a number of safety and security risks within the facility’s building or space, including fire safety.

The Joint Commission Life Safety (LS) Standards

These standards address all of The Joint Commission requirements in the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 101 Life Safety Code for construction and operational conditions to minimize fire hazards and provide safe fire protection systems.

How Joint Commission Standards relate to the National Fire Protection Association Standards

The Joint Commission standards related to fire safety are based on National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) codes. Most of the codes specific to hospitals and ambulatory care facilities come from NFPA 101 Life Safety Code. Furthermore, there are a number of different NFPA codes that are applicable to all health care occupancies. The table below provides a comparison between The Joint Commission Standards and their corresponding NFPA Codes.

If you work in a hospital or healthcare setting that’s accredited by The Joint Commission, it’s important to know what these standard updates mean for your facility. In order to pass your annual self-assessment or triennial survey from The Joint Commission, you need to ensure full compliance with protocol. 

The Joint Commission helps hospitals become reliable organizations for delivering safe and effective care. A large component of that is adhering to their standards on effective fire protection.

Maintaining accreditation is critically important for any facility that provides services to Medicare and/or Medicaid patients. And, any facility found to have critical violations can find itself on a 90-day termination track toward losing CMS reimbursement.

Fire safety continues to be a significant challenge for health care facilities in their Joint Commission surveys. According to the results of The Joint Commission surveys in 2018, almost half of the top compliance issues for hospitals and ambulatory facilities were related to fire safety.

Top Fire Safety-Related Compliance Challenges

Here are the top fire safety-related deficiencies that The Joint Commission identified in 2018 with the applicable standard noted in parentheses:

  • Only 35 percent of hospitals were adequately maintaining their fire safety equipment and the fire safety features of their buildings (EC.02.03.05).
  • The building and fire protection features of more than 55 percent of the ambulatory care facilities (LS.03.01.10) and 68 percent of hospitals (LS.02.01.10) evaluated did not adequately protect occupants from the effects of fire, smoke, and heat.
  • In fewer than 28 percent of the hospitals (LS.02.01.30) evaluated, the buildings either did not provide the necessary features to protect occupants from the hazards of fire and smoke, or they had the necessary features but were not being properly maintained.
  • Almost 89 percent of rural hospitals designated as critical access hospitals were lacking the required equipment for extinguishing fires. And, in the other hospitals evaluated, that number jumped to 90 percent. More than 55 percent of outpatient facilities did not meet these standards (LS.03.01.35).
  • Another common area of non-compliance was in the Means of Egress provided by hospitals (LS.02.01.20) with half of those evaluated failing to meet The Joint Commission standards.

APFP Can Help You Meet The JCAHO and NFPA Standards

A P Fire Protection is one of the few fire protection companies in Arizona that can provide total protection from one source. If your facility is accredited by The Joint Commission, our team of NICET-certified and factory-trained engineers and technicians can provide the knowledge and expertise you need to ensure that your employees and patients are safe – and your facility is compliant with both The JCAHO and NFPA standards.

Fire protection Services for Healthcare Accreditation

Keeping your healthcare facility in constant preparedness for Fire and Life Safety surveys can be a challenge. It’s important that you be ready, but it can be easy to get overwhelmed.

The Joint Commission accreditation is the gold standard in healthcare certification, and as a facility professional, the responsibility for Fire and Life Safety Code compliance falls to you. That means that you’re on the spot when The Joint Commission surveyors, including a Life Safety Code surveyor, arrive unannounced.

With the overwhelming number of operating challenges you face on any given day, it’s unlikely you have time to continually think about Fire and Life Safety documentation. APFP services for The Joint Commission accreditation are designed to give you the peace of mind knowing that a sudden visit is never a cause for alarm.

Leave the documentation management to us

The Joint Commission’s accreditation program requires that you maintain an extensive set of Fire and Life Safety documentation, properly completed, appropriately organized and easily accessible. Missing paperwork or incomplete entries are more than embarrassing; they can trigger non-compliance requiring corrective action.

 A P Fire Protection Fire Services for The JCAHO Accreditation ensure proper documentation of all inspection and test reports related to Fire and Life Safety systems in your buildings and are designed to simplify and streamline the survey process. The program provides you with an annual delivery schedule to ensure no test is overlooked. Regular review meetings will be included to familiarize your staff members with all related documentation and paperwork as well as prepare them to speak knowledgeably with surveyors during a survey.

Our goal is to help you avoid unpleasant surprises, and free you up to devote more of your resources to daily operations.

Our highly trained professionals speak “The Joint Commission” language.

You can depend on A P Fire Protection testing, inspection and documentation to mirror the very latest requirements including The Joint Commission Environment of Care and Life Safety requirements. The APFP team maintains in-depth knowledge of The Joint Commission standards, as well as National Fire Protection Association codes as it relates to healthcare.

Make A P Fire Protection your single source for Fire and Life Safety

When A P Fire Protection partners with your facility, you can end the hassle of managing multiple life-safety vendors. With one service agreement, you can consolidate testing and maintenance processes, scheduling and documentation for all your Fire and Life Safety systems.

Testing and maintenance services can include fire alarm systems, sprinklers, kitchen hoods, portable extinguishers, fire pumps, fire suppression systems and more. Learn more about A P Fire Protection Fire Services.

A P Fire Protection services for The Joint Commission Accreditation Program can be tailored to your exact needs:

• Testing of Fire and Life Safety systems to The Joint Commission and other regulatory standards

• Easy-to-read, customized test reports, created per each applicable Element of Performance standard established by The Joint Commission

• Comprehensive inspection management in the form of a detailed inspection schedule, structured around The Joint Commission Elements of Performance standards

• Deficiencies tracking and repairs in full accordance with applicable standards and deadlines of The Joint Commission

• Account management services including frequent review meetings to discuss present and future needs

• Assistance with interpretation of The Joint Commission standards and requirements

If you’d like to know more about The Joint Commission’s Standards, check out these publications: Joint Commission resources2023 Environment of Care® Essentials for Health Care,  Life Safety Made Easy: Your Key to Understanding Fire Safety in Health Care Facilities and The Joint Commission Big Book of EC, EM, and LS Checklists

At A P Fire Protection, we’re experts on The Joint Commission’s standards. We can help you ensure you’re always in compliance. Contact us to learn more.

Schedule Now!

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Food Trucks: 10 Quick Tips for Enhancing Fire Safety

· ·

Adding fire safety requirements in Section 50.7 of  NFPA 1, Fire Code, and Adoptable Annex B of the 2017 edition of NFPA 96, Standard for Ventilation Control and Fire Protection of Commercial Cooking Operations for food trucks makes adoption of enforceable code easier for local governments and fosters public safety. But if regulations aren’t in place within a jurisdiction, there are many steps food truck operators can take to prevent and mitigate fires.

· Schedule regular inspections and maintenance of equipment and keep an eye out for hazards like frayed wires or combustible items near power sources.

· Train employees to never throw water on a grease fire. It can cause the grease to splatter and spread, making the fire worse. Class K fire extinguishers are best for fighting grease fires. Food trucks need two types of fire extinguishers: Class K extinguishers for fighting grease fires and Class ABC extinguishers for putting out standard fires, such as those involving paper products.

· Follow NFPA regulations for hydrostatically testing fire extinguishers and propane tanks. Make sure the equipment is stamped with the testing date to ensure it remains in proper working order.

· Regularly inspect kitchen exhaust systems within the truck for grease build-up. The frequency of inspections is defined in NFPA 96 (Annex B), based on the volume and type of cooking.

· Clean up grease at least once a day, concentrating on walls, work surfaces, ranges, fryers, broilers, grills, convection ovens, vents, and filters. Pay extra attention to exhaust hoods, where grease buildup can restrict air flow. NFPA 96 (Annex B) provides extensive instructions for cleaning food truck exhaust systems.

· Keep the food truck as tidy as possible to reduce fire hazards. Keep paper products, linens, boxes, and food away from heat and cooking sources. Properly dispose of soiled rags, trash, cardboard boxes, and wooden pallets at least once a day.

· Remove ashes from wood- and charcoal-burning ovens at least once a day. NFPA 96 (Annex B) provides extensive guidance for ash removal.

· At least one employee on every shift should know how to shut off propane and electrical power in case of an emergency. Also designate one worker per shift to act as an evacuation manager with duties that include calling 911, determining when an evacuation is necessary, ensuring that everyone exits the truck safely, and leading customers a safe distance away. Along those lines, ensure that everyone on your staff knows the location of all exits on the truck.

· Store flammable liquids in their original containers or other puncture-resistant, tightly sealed vessels. Food truck kitchens are small, but operators must do their best to store these liquids in well-ventilated areas away from combustible supplies, food, food preparation areas, or sources of flames.

· Use chemical solutions in well-ventilated areas and immediately clean up any spills. Never mix chemicals unless instructed by the manufacturer’s directions.

To make its new requirements easily digestible by the food truck industry, NFPA created a free downloadable fact sheet that maps out specific areas of a truck with corresponding tips and information on proper usage and care.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Fire Won’t Wait, Plan Your Escape

· ·

NFPA Fire Prevention Week

No matter what kind of building you manage, you must maintain multiple safe and efficient means of egress for your occupants. Egress is essential to protecting your occupants from harm when they need to exit your building in a hurry. That is why it is the focus of the National Fire Prevention Association’s Fire Prevention Week this year – “Fire won’t wait, plan your escape.” As a building manager you will need to know what means of egress are, how they become obstructed, and how to maintain safe and efficient egress out of your building.

What Are Means of Egress?

Egress is the action of going out of or leaving a place.  It is used in International Building Code (IBC Chapter 10)  to refer to the means by which somebody can exit a building. “Means of egress” are continuous and unobstructed paths of travel from any point in a building to an exit out of that building. For example, a fire escape is defined as a “means of egress” because that’s how somebody can get out of a building in the event of an emergency. Fire safety and evacuation plans shall be provided for occupancies and buildings where required by the International Fire Code (IFC Sections 401.2 and 404). Occupancy load determines means of egress by specifying measurement requirements based on the type of occupancy. While occupancy load is based on the floor area, the function of the space also plays a part. Most businesses are designed with this in mind. Occupants should never walk through a kitchen, storeroom, restroom or any tight, secluded spaces to reach an exit.

Egress often becomes obstructed when the exits are poorly maintained, or the path to the exits is not well lit. Additionally, if exit access and exits themselves are not designed and arranged to be recognizable, egress can be severely impeded. 

Maintaining Safe & Efficient Egress

Develop an Evacuation Plan

Anytime is a great time to create and practice your escape plan. Having a plan in place will decrease confusion and panic when a real emergency occurs. If occupants know where the nearest exits are, what their means of egress will be, and the protocol during an emergency, they will be able to exit with greater speed and safety.

First, you need to provide at least two ways out in case one escape route is blocked. Next, you will need to post emergency egress signage near exits and in assembly areas showing all doors and windows of your building. In addition, each egress map should designate two assembly areas that are at least 500 feet away from the building where staff should assemble upon evacuation as a “Main Assembly Area” and an “Alternate Assembly Area”, in the event the Main Area cannot be used. Once your plan is complete, you will also need to educate occupants about the plan and conduct drills on a regular basis to learn and maintain awareness of exit routes and best efficiency practices. 

Keep A Clear Path to All Exits

Do regular checks to ensure egress pathways do not have litter, clutter, and debris that could stand in the way. In some cases, obstructions can’t be easily moved, like pillars and standpipes. Mark these obstructions with luminous egress path markings so occupants can avoid injury during emergencies. Luminous markings are ideal because they keep the obstruction visible in dark or low-light environments. They work by absorbing light from external sources, which keep them lit when all other lights lose power.

Emergency Lighting

During emergencies, buildings sometimes lose power. This can increase panic while the lack of light might cause difficulty for emergency responders. To ensure everyone gets out safely, your exit pathways must be lined with adequate emergency lighting. This includes signs marking directional changes in your egress path.

If you manage a high-rise building, international building, fire and life safety codes require luminous egress path markings. These markings must be installed along the egress pathway and on step edges, handrails, and exit doors. As discussed above, luminous markings must also be placed on any exit path obstructions.

@a_p_fire_protection

Did you know some exit signs have arrows?!? #apfirepro #whichway #exit #fireprotection #ragtime @scootsmckay @molly.smith21

♬ up-tempo pop ragtime music – rilorilo88

Clearly Mark Your Exits

The final key to maintaining safe and efficient egress is to ensure all exit doors are marked and easy to see. Remember to remove any obstructions or decorations that block your exit markings. And you must place “not an exit” on any doors that your occupants could easily mistake for a way out.

Your exit markings should be large with strongly-contrasted letters stating “Exit.” Exit signs leading to the exit doors will have arrows indicating the egress path. Additionally, your final exit doors – the last doors an occupant passes through before exiting – should have the emergency exit symbol.

Need your exit lights tested to ensure they are visible and up to code? Contact us to get on our schedule.

Need your exit lights tested to ensure they are visible and up to code? Contact us to get on our schedule.

Schedule Now!

Now you know how to maintain safe and efficient egress out of your building. With this knowledge, you can create an even safer and more prepared environment for your employees.

The next step is to implement these strategies. It can be difficult to know which markings to purchase, where to place them, and how to properly install them. You’ll also need to ensure you’re following all national and local emergency exit requirements every step of the way. Let APFP help you install and maintain emergency egress lighting and markings tailored to your building’s exact specifications and unique needs.

Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) and Fire Protection

· ·

The authority having jurisdiction, or AHJ, plays a crucial role in ensuring fire/life safety in buildings, and it’s essential that facility managers understand what the AHJ is and the role it plays throughout the life of a building.

The concept of an authority having jurisdiction (AHJ) has been included in safety standards for years. The first thing to understand about an AHJ is that it is not a single entity. Depending on the jurisdiction your facility is in, the type of facility you’re in, and who owns your facility, you may be visited not only by the fire marshal, but by a variety of individuals, referred to as “the authority having jurisdiction”, who ensure your fire and life safety programs are within their standards of operation.

Defining the Authority Having Jurisdiction

The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 701 codes define the AHJ as “an organization, office, or individual responsible for enforcing the requirements of a code or standard, or for approving equipment, materials, an installation, or a procedure.” Specifically, under the NFPA 701 annexes, it is distinguished that “where public safety is primary, the AHJ may be a federal, state, local, or other regional department or individual such as a fire chief; fire marshal; chief of a fire prevention bureau, labor department, or health department; building official; electrical inspector; or others having statutory authority.  For insurance purposes, an insurance inspection department, rating bureau, or other insurance company representative may be the AHJ.”

Essentially, this means that the AHJ serves primarily as an official responsible for code interpretation, enforcement, and implementation. It also means your AHJ is most likely more than a single person, office, or entity. The requirements your AHJ is employed to enforce depend mostly on the type of building or property. Their main objective is to evaluate the overall condition of the fire and life safety performance on your property and to confirm or request that it meets those up-to-date expectations. For example these could include:

Local Government

  • Building Department
  • Fire Departments & the Fire Chief
  • Zoning Departments

State Government

  • State Fire Marshal
  • State Health Department

Federal Government

  • Government Service Administration
  • Federal Programs
    • OSHA
    • JCAHO
    • BIA

Private Sector

  • Insurance Company
  • Third-party Certification & Accreditation Organizations

The United States’ codes and standards development process can be confusing. Unlike many other countries, there is no federal government code, so your AHJ requirements may differ depending on where your building is located. Furthermore, the codes your AHJ is employed to enforce can differ depending on which edition of the code your jurisdiction has adopted. It’s essential to recognize that once a code is adopted by a jurisdiction, it essentially should be noted as law for that jurisdiction.

With each of these sectors, various disciplines, or AHJs with unique or specialized areas of focus, might be present. An AHJ with overall knowledge of building and fire code issues, or one with special knowledge of plumbing systems and electrical systems, are a few examples of whom you might encounter.

International Code Council and National Fire Protection Association Code Books
Examples of Code Books Enforced by AHJS

Understanding Codes Enforced By AHJS

The codes and standards development process in the United States is managed almost entirely within the private sector. While the processes used to develop the code-based provisions have some differences, the NFPA code development process uses the principles of the American National Standards Institute (ANSI). These principles include:

  • Consensus must be reached by representatives from materially affected and interested parties.
  • Standards are required to undergo public reviews when any member of the public may submit comments.
  • Comments from the consensus body and public review commenters must be responded to in good faith.
  • An appeals process is required.

Transparency, openness, and inclusion are at the center of this process. NFPA uses a model of balanced committees; a mix of materially affected, interested parties derive requirements and develop the standards. In regard to the building, those who have to do the enforcing (the AHJ), pay for the building (the building owners), maintain it (the owners/contractors), install it (the contractors), design it (the architects/engineers), and insure it (the insurance company), all have a perspective on what the “requirement” should be, and they work together to find that balance.

Code Adoption

Once a code is adopted by a jurisdiction, the Authority Having Jurisdiction and the building owner are obligated to follow and it is what the AHJ is obligated to enforce. Finding out which code is applicable can be a bit tricky. A state or local jurisdiction may be several editions behind in adopting the most current code. For instance, the current edition of NFPA 101, Life Safety Code, is from 2021. Although this code is updated every three years, some jurisdictions may be using a 2015 edition or even a 2009 edition. Furthermore, a particular edition may be adopted at the state level but Home Rule (where county or municipal governments implement principles of a local self-government) may allow the code to be adopted at the local level.

The AHJ is the best person to ask to learn which edition and what local amendments are in effect. This approach is also a great way to strike up a relationship with the AHJ. Doing so can give you a better understanding of expectations and requirements.

A Critical Role

On occasion, there are stories about the fire marshal controlling or setting limits on the way a building can be used. Contrary to some popular myths, fire marshals and other Authorities Having Jurisdiction do not make up their own rules. One of their primary jobs is to enforce the locally adopted codes and standards in the jurisdiction. The restrictions, limits, or changes in your building that the AHJ has identified are there to protect the owner, the building occupants, first responders, and the community at large.

It might be helpful to think of AHJs as customer service representatives. They help with carrying out the “policy” (adopted code) for the jurisdiction. During construction or renovations, they are also allies of the building owner. The AHJ is usually involved in the plan review process. This process helps ensure that the building and its related systems meet the requirements of the adopted code or standard and that the building’s construction features, systems, and architectural features are in compliance, thereby assuring the building owner that he or she is paying for a code-complying structure.

AZ Department of Forestry and Fire Management logo
The Fire Marshal in AZ is under the Department of Forestry & Fire Management

It is their duty to verify your building is safe for everyone. In case of an emergency, any requested modifications also benefit the first responders. For instance, if a fire starts in your building, first responders are going to assume your life safety systems are up to date. If you have failed to follow AHJ instructions, a first responders’ ability to take control of a possibly dangerous situation could be compromised. Not only is this a disservice in respect to overall safety, but potential legal ramifications may follow.

Your Responsibility

However, even with a government AHJ responsible for the initial installation and an assigned facility AHJ for subsequent facility installations, there is an obligation for an employer to verify that maintenance, repair, or modification of the initial equipment does not create unsafe conditions. 

Tips for Working with the Authority Having Jurisdiction

When it comes to your fire code and safety inspection services, the AHJ plays a vital role in certifying that the fire and life safety systems in your building are up to date and up to the NFPA codes standards. Many of us generally don’t know who their AHJ is, let alone what fire codes and standards apply to our buildings.

The NFPA requires fire inspections primarily where public safety is at potential risk. Inspections are not to assign blame. They confirm that equipment is installed and maintained in a manner that safeguards persons and property from hazards arising from everyday use of the facility as well as in emergency situations. Without verifying compliance, employees, customers and anyone else who enters your building are at risk. 

At A P Fire Protection we believe it is our responsibility to make sure you know what to do when the AHJ for your business comes into the picture. The following tips will help you know what to expect and prepare for so that you can go in feeling confident and comfortable with the fire inspection process.

Get to Know Your AHJ 

In the most general sense, if you’re a building owner, your AHJ is an ally, so it’s important to treat them as such and take them seriously when they perform inspections. Keeping an open mind and providing the upmost transparency when relaying information pertaining to the building is crucial in maintaining a positive relationship with your AHJ, as well as the safety of anyone who goes into your building.

Sustaining a positive relationship with your AHJ(s) additionally provides you the opportunity to know your building inside and out in a way that will help you to conserve the integrity of the building and therefore your business. It will also help you in case something goes wrong, you’ll be able to effectively communicate where the issue is so as to provide the persons in charge of fixing or inspecting the issue all of the facts. Good for you, but also good for your AHJ to know too.

Remember, your AHJ isn’t your enemy, your AHJ is your friend! It’s up to you to maintain a good rapport, no matter the condition of your building(s), a good relationship with the AHJ can only improve the situation.

Document Inspections/Correspondences and Follow Up

It is as beneficial for you as it is the AHJ when you both are on (literally) the same page. Take notes during inspections, save all paperwork, and don’t be afraid to ask questions.

Chances are, if you lack the knowledge, you’ll be left wondering what to do when your Authority Having Jurisdiction shows up. At APFP, we don’t want that to happen. After all, your success is our success, and we all can agree a safe building is the best kind of building.

Check out our social channels!

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

The Walkthrough: Why You Deserve an On-Site Consultation

· ·

APFP associate looks through jobsite plans on a walkthrough

In order to come up with the best game plan, preparation is key. Providing contractors with access to the project can provide better bids, as the contractors who have access to the site have greater confidence in the size and scope of the project. The most important aspect is to get a clear and precise indication of what the project requires in order to put together the best possible bid. At A P Fire, we will always provide a complementary walkthrough to get you the most accurate bid for your job.

What Happens During an On-Site Consultation Visit?

A comprehensive consultation includes:

  1. An on-site appraisal of all present fire protection systems conditions and placement in accordance with National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) and International Code Council (IBC & IFC) codes.
  2. A verbal outline of deficient areas that will need to be brought up to code and a description of what those services will entail.
  3. A written report of recommendations and agreements.
  4. Training and assistance with implementing recommendations.
A P Fire Protection conducts a walkthrough on a food truck.
APFP associate checks out a fire panel
APFP associate takes pictures on a job walk

During the walkthrough

During the walkthrough, the A P Fire associate assigned to your project will learn about your process and begin formulating a plan for how to execute.  At this stage, you should ask questions about our process and fire protection itself.  This is not only a good way to get a feel for how fire protection devices work, but also an opportunity to learn about the life safety they provide.

The On-Site Consultants Will

  • Help you recognize hazards in your workplace.
  • Suggest general approaches or options for solving a safety problem.
  • Identify kinds of help available if you need further assistance.
  • Provide you a written report summarizing findings.
  • Assist you to develop or maintain an effective safety and fire protection program.
  • Provide training and education for you and your employees.

The On-Site Consultants Will Not

  • Provide or guarantee project pricing.
  • Issue citations or propose penalties for violations of codes or standards.
  • Report possible violations to enforcement staff.
  • Guarantee that your workplace will “pass” an inspection.

After the walkthrough

Once we’ve examined the job site, we will discuss our plan for execution.  During this conversation, you should also be covering some of the key points that will be included in the contract.

  • Regulatory challenges – What permits and inspections will be required and who will handle them? 
  • Materials – What materials will be required and who will be responsible for their selection and acquisition?
  • Subcontractors – What subcontractors will be involved (if any) and what is the process for hiring subcontractors?
  • Mechanic’s Lien – In many states, anyone who has done significant work to a property has the right to place a mechanic’s lien on it.  You should ask about how they handle mechanic’s liens and whether they have ever filed one in the past (and under what circumstances).

After the walkthrough, we will send you a quote containing a general description of work, specifics on the timeline and the cost.

Product Demo

In some cases we can provide product demonstrations with certified representatives from our product manufacturers. If you would like a product demo, please reach out to our office, so we can schedule it for you!

Request a Product Demo