101: It’s Not Just A Highway Anymore!
Highway 101 is easily one of the most famous stretches of road in America, so much so that even people who know next to nothing about California know its name. In the fire suppression and life safety industry, “101” has a very different meaning which has nothing to do with highways or intro-level college courses.
NFPA 101, known as the Life Safety Code, is where the requirements and testing protocols for exit signs and emergency lights exist. A very important bit of information to have when performing new construction or retrofitting an existing building for code compliance! This code, which architects and builders depend on, explains how and where exit signs and emergency lighting should be placed, among other important requirements, also details how and when they should be tested and inspected, also known as “T&I.”
Under NFPA 101, a “burn test,” which validates the equipment is in working order, should be conducted annually for 90 minutes. This shows all lights and emergency fixtures are receiving power, the bulbs are in proper working condition and that they will activate in case of a fire.
During the testing process, the regular and backup power to the emergency lighting system is checked, as well as the proper functioning of the circuitry and any other necessary diagnostics which can help identify potential problems before they become bona fide dangers to people, pets and property. By conducting this testing, essential repair issues can be located and attended to, offering extra peace of mind for tenants, managers and owners alike.
For more information about NFPA 101 and how Statcomm can use this and other fire safety codes to help keep your family, tenants and property safer, call us at (650) 988-9506 or email askstat@statcomm.com to arrange a call back! Remember, an ounce of prevention may be worth a pound of cure…or even more!
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