Significance of Fire Protection Maintenance for Insurance

The Significance of Fire Protection Maintenance for Insurance

Fire protection and its maintenance thereof, is of utmost importance in protecting lives, your property, and the environment from the devastating effects of fires. Regular maintenance at the relevant intervals they are required to be conducted ensures that fire safety equipment, such as fire sprinkler systems, hose reels, hydrants, and fire extinguishers function optimally when needed most. It mitigates potential risks and identifies any issues that could compromise the effectiveness of these crucial systems. Being proactive with maintenance not only complies with fire safety regulations but also enhances being prepared and having a response to fire incidents. Emphasising the significance of fire protection maintenance is vital to secure the environment and prevent the negative consequences of uncontrolled fires, as well as understanding the different role players in ensuring you are covered by insurance is equally important.

The Vital Importance of Fire Protection Maintenance

Many businesses eagerly invest in fire protection systems, finding them shiny and impressive upon installation. However, their true value lies in proper maintenance. Picture a fire breaking out, and when you reach for the extinguisher, it fails to work. The panic of hoping sprinklers will activate, but they don’t. You need not face this nightmare. Ensure peace of mind by prioritising fire protection maintenance, allowing safe evacuations, minimal property damage, and smooth insurance claims.

The journey doesn’t end with installation but extends through consistent maintenance. Despite witnessing alarming fire incidents, some employers neglect maintenance, risking everything. It’s time to ask “why you are compromising on fire protection systems?”

How Do You Maintain Fire Equipment?

Fire protection maintenance encompasses regular inspections, testing, and upkeep of fire safety systems to prevent malfunction in the event of a fire. This includes fire sprinkler systems (including valves), smoke detectors, fire alarms, hose reels, hydrants and fire extinguishers.

A credible fire protection company with qualified technicians check for any faults or malfunctions, replace worn-out components, and ensure everything remains in optimal working condition. Additionally, fire protection maintenance involves updating systems to comply with the latest safety regulations or any outdated systems that need to be upgraded.

Training of employees is also a vital aspect following installation and ongoing maintenance, which Elite Fire protection can assist with.

At Elite Fire Protection we provide a client with two options:

  1. Elite Fire performs regular inspections and testing OR
  2. The employees of the client are trained and empowered to do their own inspection with a checklist provided and call Elite Fire should they identify a fault.

Why Is Insurance Important in Fire Safety Maintenance?

In addition to protecting your employees and keeping your property safe, insurance also plays a role in protection, but has more financial impact on your business.

Insurance needs proof that your commercial property has the necessary fire protection, such as a fire risk assessment when taking out cover and that maintenance is being performed according to relevant intervals, especially in the event of a fire. Not having regular maintenance and proof thereof could see your insurance company rejecting damage claims.

Having the correct fire protection in place could also possibly reduce your insurance premiums on your commercial property while protecting your building in the event of a fire and have health and safety benefits for your employees.

One key piece of information that we would like property managers, landlords and relevant functions such as procurement departments and warehouse managers to know is that maintenance of fire protection not only applies to fire equipment, but also your fire suppression system in its entirety.

A Fire Risk Assessment is Essential for Insurance

A risk assessment is necessary to reduce or eliminate the risk of a fire or the damage they can do. It is all about understanding the fire risks and improving the fire safety precautions to keep you safe.

Fire risk assessments and maintenance of fire protection equipment/systems are equally important for insurance. Risk assessments minimise the likelihood of fires spreading and ensure that you are well prepared with appropriate fire safety measures in place. By evaluating fire risks, escape routes and fire safety equipment according to relevant regulations in South Africa, it enables proactive planning and compliance with regulations environment.

Who Is Responsible for Completing Fire Risk Assessments?

Fire consultants conduct risk assessments or fire risk management in South Africa. There are many Consulting Engineers, also known as Fire Consultants, available to assist you within Pretoria, Johannesburg, as well as other provinces in South Africa. They are qualified to assess your fire risk, carry out a rational design and design an appropriate fire safety system to help you reduce your premiums and protect your people and your assets.

Once a fire risk assessment is completed, a report is provided with actions that are required for you to review and correct and cover all aspects of fire and safety. Fire Risk Assessments are not a “one-size fits all” approach and is dependent on various factors such as the size of your property, what the main purpose of your business is and/or what you are storing on the property e.g. highly combustible materials versus office park. 

The best recommendation if you are unsure of whether or not you have sufficient fire protection or fire sprinkler system installed is to contact Elite Fire Protection we will help to facilitate your needs with a credible Fire Consultant/Consulting Engineer.

If you would like to reconsider your fire protection company in charge of maintenance, please do not hesitate to get in touch with Elite Fire Protection today!