To minimize the risk of fire damage in your commercial building, you need to work with the right fire suppression system contractors.

For many residential and commercial property owners, fire protection measures entail installing fire sprinklers and fire alarms. They may also think it has several fire extinguishers throughout the property.

However, there is more to fire protection than placing some fire extinguishers and installing fire sprinklers throughout your premises. While those devices are essential components of your overall fire protection measures, it’s vital to employ certified fire safety and protection experts’ services.

Professional fire suppression system contractors know the specific things you have to do to minimize the risk of fire emergencies within your property.

The Safety and Protection of Your Building and Its Occupants

Companies and business owners allocate a substantial amount of money to ensure the safety of their commercial spaces.

Employing the services of experienced and qualified fire suppression system contractors is fundamental to your fire safety and protection efforts.

However, how do you find the most qualified specialists for the job? You wouldn’t want to compromise the safety and protection of your building and its occupants by hiring inexperienced and unqualified contractors.

Your building and assets could quite literally go up in flames if you don’t vet prospective fire suppression specialists.

We’ll share some essential pointers in helping you find and hire the right fire suppression system contractors in today’s post.

The Role of Fire Suppression System Contractors

First, let’s talk about the role of fire suppression contractors, including their qualifications and responsibilities. Let’s also take a look at what you can expect from them when it comes to your building’s overall fire safety and protection plan.

The main responsibilities of fire suppression specialists are do the following:

• Installation of portable and fixed fire protection devices such as fire extinguishers, fire suppression systems, fire hoses, and other fire extinguishing devices.
• Service and repair of portable and fixed fire protection devices such as fire extinguishers, fire suppression systems, fire hoses, and other fire extinguishing devices.
• Maintenance of portable and fixed fire protection devices such as fire extinguishers, fire suppression systems, fire hoses, and other fire extinguishing devices.
• Inspection of portable and fixed fire protection devices such as fire extinguishers, fire suppression systems, fire hoses, and other fire extinguishing devices.

Fire suppression specialists perform maintenance, repair, inspections, and installation on various fire protection devices. These processes range from routine to complex procedures.

They are trained to deal with different kinds of fire protection equipment such as fire hoses, fire sprinkler systems, kitchen fire suppression systems, fire extinguishers, and other devices.

Furthermore, they can dismantle fire safety and protection devices to do a comprehensive examination of all the following components:

• Head gaskets
• Horns
• Tubing
• Cutter discs
• And other parts

They thoroughly and meticulously examine the parts for defects and replace any damaged or worn components.

Depending on the needs of a commercial establishment, fire suppression technicians are also trained to strategically place signage, window blinds, curtains, stage curtains, and paper cutters. They follow fire protection guidelines of the establishment.

On top of that, senior-level fire suppression specialists can instruct, train, and evaluate the work of entry-level fire suppression system contractors.

Here are the minimum requirements to be a qualified fire suppression specialist. Fire protection companies may require more from applicants. However, here are the basic qualifications needed to be a certified fire suppression contractor.

• Basic training in fire safety procedures
• Vocational education in Fire Suppression Systems and Equipment
• Equivalent training, education, and experience in fire safety and protection planning
• Must have the state-required licenses to perform the job
• Must have up-to-date licenses and permits issued by the state fire marshal

Physical Demands of the Job

Fire suppression contractors will need to be ready to face the physical requirements of the job. They may be regularly required to stoop, kneel, reach with their arms and hands, crawl, or crouch to reach certain fire safety devices’ locations.

They may also need to move or lift heavier objects. Some other physical demands may include balancing, repetitive motion, climbing, visual acuity, mental acuity, and grasping.

Choosing the Right Fire Suppression System Contractors

Take a look at the following vital considerations when employing the services of fire suppression specialists.

Background Check

Every reputable company wouldn’t be opposed to presenting you with their background history.

Whether they have a year or decade’s worth of experience, if they are honest, transparent, and professional in the work they’ve done and are doing, they would welcome an opportunity to let you explore their background.

Make sure you vet potential contractors’ backgrounds as meticulously as possible.

Watch out for any citations from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

You must also look for any significant and long-standing claims or complaints in the last recent years. If they do have any outstanding claims, use your best judgment if you still want to employ these contractors’ services.

Character Matters

Another essential consideration is the local (and even national) standing of the fire protection agency. This part is where you check the general reputation and character of the fire suppression system contractors.

While any fire safety companies may look good on paper, it’s essential to investigate beyond that. Look into the reputation and character of your potential contractor. Ask for a list of referrals or their previous clients.

Go to online review sites and check if there are unhappy and unsatisfied clients. If there are, what were the issues and complaints? What did the contractors do wrong? Were the issues handled in a timely manner?

Also, don’t decide to hire a contractor based solely on whether they have negative reviews. In some cases, there are individuals who will try to defame a business for their own vindictive reasons. Use your best judgment and read between the lines.

Does the negative review have a basis? Or was it written maliciously?

While every project is going to have its own unique obstacles, it’s how the contractors handle the issue that matters the most.  

Working Relationship with Fire Suppression System Contractors

The planning, design, installation, inspection, and maintenance of fire safety and protection systems may take months to complete. Also, there may be some issues that will arise during the duration of the project that may cause delays.

Expect to work closely for a long time with the fire suppression system contractors that you will hire. Because of this, it’s important that you have a good familiarity with the fire protection business you are partnering with.

You should also know who is going to be assigned to handle your project and any issues that may crop up. Who can you turn to if something unwanted happens or if you catch one of the contractors doing something illicit or illegal on the job?

Before the project starts, you should know how to handle these types of issues and who will address them.

You can pay a visit to the contractor and see how they operate their business and their management style. A reputable and transparent company will give you the peace of mind you need.

What to Ask Fire Suppression System Contractors

Here are some questions you can ask potential fire suppression contractors before employing their services.

• How many years have you been in business?
• What fire protection and safety services do you offer?
• Do you have clients in the same industry as I am in?
• Do all your contractors have OSHA certifications?
• How do you manage the budget for every project?
• Do you have NICET-certified specialists?
• How often do your technicians attend seminars and additional training?
• What organizations are you affiliated with or a member of?
• What are the common issues you encounter on the job?
• How do you manage these issues?
• Are you insured and bonded?
• What are your costs? Do you offer financing options?
• Will I have a dedicated project manager I can turn to for concerns about the job?
• How do you do your record and date gathering and collection?

Customer Service Is Vital

In this type of industry, customer service response times are important. You are entrusting the safety and protection of your establishment against fire and other hazards. Thus, you need to make sure that the fire suppression system contractors you hire will be dependable when you need them.

Smaller fire protection companies are great at giving personalized and undivided attention to their customers because of their limited clientele. However, watch out for some limitations.

Can they send someone in case of emergencies? Can they guarantee to assist you when you need them? Are they a full-service fire protection company?

On the other hand, more prominent fire protection companies may have more capacity, equipment, and resources to offer you assistance.

However, if you plan to go with a more prominent fire protection company, make sure you are not just another statistic to them.

Will you have a dedicated project manager during the duration of the project? Do they have a local office with a local staff? If their facility grows, how will your project be treated?  

Make sure you get the answers to these essential questions before you employ the services of a fire suppression contractor.