Article by Dale Grant – Marketing Specialist
In the realm of fire safety for commercial facilities, the landscape is undergoing a major technological transformation.
Traditionally, the division of labor was clear-cut. Smoke detectors detected fires. Fire alarm systems alerted occupants and fire sprinkler systems battled the flames. However, the inevitable progress of technology has blurred the lines and introduced a new player into the fire safety arena – comprehensive security systems.
Moving far beyond simple intrusion detection and surveillance, modern commercial security systems have become an important piece of your building’s overall Fire Prevention strategy.
Advanced Surveillance for Swift Action
A properly zoned fire alarm system will divide a building into distinct areas. When a fire is detected in said area, it notates the area of the building’s fire alarm panel allowing anyone monitoring the panel to know just where a problem has been detected. A security system equipped with proper surveillance technology can allow security personnel to quickly dispatch emergency services to a precise location or, in the event of a minor fire, leap into action with handheld fire extinguishers, eliminating the threat before it spreads.
Ensuring Occupant Safety
Emergencies demand swift action, and this is where modern security systems shine. They enable efficient visual scans of the building during evacuations providing real-time information to first responders. This allows security personnel to alert them of anyone trapped or injured who may require immediate assistance.
Mass Notification
Mass Notification Systems (MNS) can also work in conjunction with security systems, empowering emergency personnel to orchestrate evacuations and provide vital real-time updates. The result is a well-coordinated response that can mean the difference between safety and chaos.
Remote Monitoring for 24/7 Vigilance
Emergencies don’t keep office hours, fortunately your monitoring does not need to either. Modern security systems provide remote monitoring options allowing you to observe emergency notifications in real-time and direct a timely response to the incident whether or not you are onsite.
Cloud-based Insights
Post-incident analysis is crucial for future prevention. With cloud-based storage solutions, security systems allow for data to be reviewed to determine the causes of fires. Once the cause of the fire has been determined, informed changes to your existing fire prevention policies can be put into place to avoid a similar incident occurring in the future.
The integration of modern security systems into your fire safety strategy is not just a wise choice; it is a transformative leap forward. These systems don’t merely complement traditional fire safety measures; they elevate them to a new level of efficiency and effectiveness.
Contact Oliver Fire Protection & Security to schedule a FREE Integration Survey of your building’s existing security system.