The US Fire Safety Administration reported that in 2020, roughly 16,500 fires occurred in offices and stores across the US, translating to $932 million in property damages (not to mention the damage to human lives). Because of the intensity of dangers involved with workplace fires, fire safety regulations, building designs, and fire codes are continuously improving. Facilities these days must pay special attention to fire safety programs, especially the critical component of managing fire safety assets within a physical location. This article will give a brief overview of different types of modern fire safety assets and offer the benefits of coordinating and tracking the management of these assets with comprehensive software. 

Types of Fire Safety Assets 

Fire safety assets are resources, devices, and measures facilities use to secure human life and property by preventing, mitigating, and responding to fires. Businesses can implement a variety of fire safety assets in their facility depending on their needs and as required by applicable government regulations. For instance, regulations for larger businesses may require sophisticated fire suppression installations to mitigate the spread of fires and automatically notify fire departments. At the same time, the requirements for smaller operations may be more lenient, and the installation of simpler water sprinkler systems may suffice. The following list describes 6 common fire safety assets and their uses: 

• Fire extinguishers– portable devices containing a pressurized fire-suppressing agent to extinguish small fires. 

• Smoke detectors and fire alarms- these devices detect smoke, an early indication of fire, and sound an audible alarm to alert everyone for timely evacuation. 

• Fire suppression systems– specialized and tailored equipment that suppress fires without the use of water.  

• Dry sand buckets- used to smother small fires caused by liquid fuels. 

• Fire blankets- a blanket of fire-retardant material used to smother starter fires or as protection for people from flames and heat during fire evacuations. 

• First aid kits- containers with basic aid implements for promptly addressing minor injuries in case of an accident. These usually include essentials such as burn dressings, bandages, and antiseptics.  

Challenges in Managing Fire Safety Assets 

Just as important as having the appropriate fire safety assets on site is their proper management, ensuring that they are in optimal condition at all times and that employees can utilize all equipment effectively. Listed below are several unique challenges that safety professionals can face when it comes to fire asset management: 

1. Identifying assets and their locations. Given the different kinds of fire safety assets that a business may need to install and implement and the size and complexity of facilities, identifying specific equipment locations can take a lot of time. This is especially problematic in emergencies. 

2. Keeping information on hand and up to date. Safety officers must keep track of all pertinent fire safety asset information, including the manufacturer, expiration date, handling procedures, location, safety information, and responsible point persons, to ensure the proper use and maintenance of equipment.  

3. Tracking inspection history. OSHA requires employers to self-inspect these assets monthly and contract a trained technician to perform an annual maintenance check with necessary documentation. Applying this regulation to many different safety assets means that documenting and comparing past inspections can be a complex requirement. 

4. Scheduling regular maintenance and repairs. Fire safety assets require regular maintenance to ensure they are always in usable condition. For instance, fire extinguishers need to be replaced or refurbished every 5 – 10 years, depending on the manufacturer. Tracking past inspection dates and details of all the fire safety assets in a facility, taking into consideration the various regulations and maintenance requirements between asset types, communicating all necessary details to the appropriate persons, and following up with those individuals to make sure the work has been completed according to specifications uses up a lot of safety professionals’ time and effort. 

5. Coordinating training sessions and certifications. Safety professionals need to make sure that all employees are aware of the ways to utilize different fire safety assets in emergencies and that those employees whose work includes the upkeep or operation of those assets (such as fire suppression systems) are certified to do so. Researching the education that needs to be offered, communicating that to employees, checking that they completed the appropriate sessions, reminding those who need to renew their training or certifications, and keeping all these records up to date can be challenging. 

Implementing software to optimize systems and stay compliant. 

Fire asset management is made easier by digital solutions that increase the accessibility and visibility of the facility’s safety asset inventory and automate procedures. Using asset management software streamlines the identification of all safety equipment, the tracking of information and communications, and the scheduling of maintenance work to ensure that all fire safety assets are in optimal condition. A considerable chunk of managing fire safety assets is collecting information from various sources and integrating those details into a secure repository for safety managers to check regularly. In this regard, implementing a software solution can significantly lighten the load of safety professionals by offering a more accurate view of the state of fire safety assets within a facility. For example, after implementing software for asset management, a QR code can be created that will display a no-login link to the fire safety asset’s profile. The QR code could be printed out and posted next to the asset so that, when scanned with a mobile device, the user can see all pertinent safety information (manuals, expiration dates, product numbers, etc.). Additionally, by assigning barcodes, QR codes, and/or RFID tags to fire safety assets, personnel with the appropriate permissions can simply scan those codes on the specific and use the system to schedule a repair, maintenance, or replacement.  

With a comprehensive EHS management platform, there is also the possibility of integrating the various aspects of fire safety asset management. When training on the use of assets is required, QR codes can also be generated and used as a way for employees to sign in to training sessions and record their attendance. Once the session has been marked as completed, the system can automatically schedule notifications to go out at a pre-set time to remind employees when they need to renew that training. These features amplify an established fire safety asset program and offer safety teams the ability to spend time on operations that require their expertise. 

Though fire safety assets may be numerous within a facility, the effort required for effective fire asset management does not have to be overwhelming for safety teams. Asset management software can consolidate the recordkeeping and automate the administrative tasks that take so much of the safety professional’s time. Additionally, streamlining the maintenance and inspection processes surrounding fire safety assets means that essential details for usability are less likely to be overlooked and organizations stay compliant. Finally, the fact that software can be used to make fire safety asset information (such as location and operating instructions) more secure and accessible means that all employees have the power to do the most in an emergency to keep themselves and others safe. 

Publisher Bio

The SafetyStratus Research Advisory Group (RAG) brings together thought leaders from the global environmental, health, and safety community to promote best practices and provide key insights in the profession and the industries they serve. The Research Advisory Group also advocates, where practical, the intersection of and advances with the use of technology, such as the SafetyStratus enterprise EHS software platform. Group membership consists of representatives from across varied disciplines and market sectors as well as select members of the SafetyStratus team.
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While the objectives of the RAG are varied, the primary public-facing outcome will be available through engaging and practical content found on the SafetyStratus resource pages. Various articles, papers, and other valuable resources will be produced and shared as part of an ongoing effort to cultivate a robust community. Ultimately, the SafetyStratus RAG will expand to have a broader reach and provide opportunities for more inclusion by all interested EHS professionals in a collaborative community environment.