Just because buildings have been closed, or perhaps operating at reduced capacity, doesn’t mean facilities managers have been able to relax. It’s possible things have been trickier in some instances due to having to juggle and rearrange existing scheduled maintenance. And now that the country is taking steps towards getting back to normal, there might suddenly be a lot to catch up on.
As buildings begin to be reopened and to welcome staff and customers back, the main focus is likely to be on how to manage social distancing requirements in a space not designed for it. Next on the list may be what can be seen – if regular cleaning has been interrupted, for example, you’ll be getting on top of that, as well as looking at how to achieve Covid-safe cleaning routines going forward. There may be equipment and machinery to service, vending machines to clean and check, or repairs and refurbishments to get underway. The to do list is a long one.
Whatever your focus, we know you’re going to be busy right now. And while we appreciate you probably have enough on your plate, we want to bring something else to your attention: fire damper testing.
We know it’s already on the radar for a lot of people as demand is on the increase. However, because it isn’t visible, it’s one of those things that it’s easy to leave until tomorrow. Let’s face it, no one is going to be aware of it, unless there is a fire and the resulting investigation sees a gap in the testing record.
When it comes to fire safety, you can’t leave anything to chance. It’s not just your dampers and whether they are operating, either – it’s also the liberties people can take with them, unknown to you. We’ve seen dampers propped open with cutlery, used as a handy conduit for wiring and more. And the effects of such thoughtless acts can be catastrophic.
It’s essential that testing records are kept up to date, so now is a good time to check where you stand. You might find you’re playing catch-up and need to take action immediately or, bearing in mind the increased demand we’re facing, you might want to book your test in early to be sure you aren’t left disappointed – and non-compliant – further down the line.
When it comes to keeping buildings, and the people who use them, safe and healthy, protection from fire and provision of clean air are two of the most important issues.
We’ll not only conduct a thorough inspection, and also clean and service the dampers, as required. As part of our overall service to clients we’re assisting with deposit thickness testing in ductwork as an indicator for poor air quality as part of our fire damper testing routine, ask one of the team about this when you call.
Get in touch today to book your fire damper testing and let us help you get on top – and keep on top – of maintenance and compliance. It’s one less thing for you to worry about.
