As a facility manager, you hear a lot about the importance of maintaining your facility’s fire and life safety systems. It’s important to the integrity of the building as well as the safety of its occupants to ensure your facility’s fire barriers are up-to-date with the codes and standards. This includes the maintenance of a building’s fire doors, fire and smoke dampers, firestopping (fire-rated walls, ceilings and floors). However, one area that is often overlooked is a facility’s above ceiling inspection. Fire safety inspections above the ceiling are just as important as any other fire protection inspection. In fact, above ceiling is one of the most common inspections that is required by Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ). This is why went want to emphasis the importance of above ceiling services to help prevent fire hazards as well as allowing a fire to spread.
Buildings are constantly changing from small equipment upgrades to full building repairs. And with mechanical work is often being performed out of sight, you have no idea what’s going on up there. Unfortunately, it is left looking inadequate with various issues that could become potential fire hazards. Anything from bad wiring to unsealed holes from the penetration of pipes could be creating risks above the ceiling.
Often, work performed above ceiling is left looking less than adequate. This may not seem like something to be concerned about, especially since it is hidden out of view. However, above ceiling issues can be full of fire hazards. There are numerous things that could be going on up there and here are a few of the top issues:
Faulty Wiring
One of the top reasons for a fire starting and the wires above your ceiling are no exception. In fact, wires wrapped around sprinkler lines and hangers can be a potential fire hazard, and should be removed using zip-ties to connect. However where wires are joined together heat is created, and if too much heat is built up it can cause sparks, which can create a fire. Therefore preventing fire and smoke from spreading by containing it to its original origin will help keep everyone inside safe.
Missing Junction Box Covers
The first line of defense against the spread of fire above ceiling is the junction box covers. If the junction box covers are missing, fires started can continue to grow and spread. Another way to prevent the spread of fire and smoke is making sure that your facility’s fire walls, ceilings, and floors are properly firestopped.
Unsealed Penetrations
Gaps and holes from penetrations allow easy access for fire and smoke to spread quickly throughout the building. Firestopping above the ceiling will help contain both fire and smoke by preventing it from spreading throughout the building giving everyone inside plenty of time to evacuate to safety.
Maintenance above the ceiling may not seem like a high importance item on your to do list, but it should be! If there are fire hazards above your head that go untouched, it could cause a fire that could spread throughout the building putting everyone’s lives in danger.
Above Ceiling Services To Help Prevent The Spread Of Fire Right Above Your Head!
Looking to prevent fire hazards from happening right above your head? Our technicians are familiar with the building and fire codes that are mandated and can perform above ceiling services, which include:
- Survey above ceiling penetrations an perform minor firestop repairs
- Prepare a schedule of installation repairs for fire-rated barriers
- Install missing junction box covers
- Remove wires from sprinkler lines and hangers and use zip-ties to connect above ceiling
- Master report with digital documentation via our web-based inspection software, LSS Site Surveyor
For more information, Contact Us Here or call 888.675.4519
