The Importance of Fire & Life Safety Services

If you own or manage a building, you should be taking measures to protect your building’s occupants. Installing and servicing life safety systems can help to keep people safe.

What are Life Safety Systems?

Life safety systems are composed of elements that help ensure the safety of a building’s occupants during an emergency such as a fire, earthquake, security break-in, gas leak, or power failure. Examples of life safety systems include:

  • Fire sprinklers / suppression systems
  • Fire alarm and detection systems
  • Fire extinguishers
  • Central station monitoring
  • Emergency and exit lighting
  • Mass notification
  • Intercoms

Why do Life Safety Systems Need to be Inspected?

All the life safety systems in your building will need inspections, testing and service to keep them functional and prevent deficiencies. Inspections and testing are required by many AHJs and NFPA standards. Staying on top of inspections offer many benefits including:

  • Prevent deficiencies in your systems
  • Avoid fines due to noncompliance
  • Save money on insurance premiums
  • Prevent expensive repairs down the road
  • Extend the lifespan of your equipment
  • Have peace of mind that your people are protected when an emergency occurs

Life Safety Services from WSFP

Western States Fire Protection is a leading provider of life safety services in the western half of the U.S. We offer a wide variety of services including the design, installation, inspection, testing, and repair for all systems. Some of the life safety systems we work with include fire sprinklers, fire suppression systems, fire alarms, detection systems, security systems, and sound systems.

At Western States Fire Protection, we understand that trying to stay up to date and in compliance with every code and standard for your building can be daunting. It is our goal to help make taking care of your life safety systems easier by providing service bundling for all your life safety equipment. Schedule a consultation with WSFP and we will walk through your building to determine the service requirements for your systems, and we will put together a service package that fits your unique needs.

Fire Prevention Week 2021

 

Fire Prevention Week is October 3rd – 9th, 2021. Every year, Fire Prevention Week is observed during the week of October 9th in commemoration of the Great Chicago Fire that occurred in 1871. This fire killed more than 250 people, left 100,000 homeless, destroyed more than 17,400 structures, and burned more than 2,000 acres of land. The goal of Fire Prevention Week is to raise awareness about the dangers of fire and spread knowledge about fire safety to reduce the number of fire related deaths and injuries. 

“Learn the Sounds of Fire Safety!”

The theme of Fire Prevention Week for 2021 is “Learn the Sounds of Fire Safety!” which aims to educate about the different sounds that smoke and carbon monoxide alarms make. Understanding the sounds of your alarms can help you to take action to keep you and your family safe.

Smoke Alarms

A continued set of three loud beeps means there is smoke or a fire. If you hear this noise, you should get out of your home, stay out and call 9-1-1. When the battery is low on your smoke alarms, they will make a single chirp every 30-60 seconds. If you hear a chirp, replace the batteries in your alarms. After replacing the batteries if you still hear a chirp, it means the alarm is at the end of its life and needs to be replaced. Smoke alarms should be replaced every 10 years.  

Carbon Monoxide Alarms

A continuous set of four loud beeps indicates that carbon monoxide is in your home. If you hear four beeps, you should get out of your home, stay out, and call 9-1-1. If you hear a single chirp every 30-60 seconds, replace the batteries in your carbon monoxide alarms. After replacing the batteries if you still hear a chirp, it means the alarm is at the end of its life and needs to be replaced. CO alarms also have “end of life” sounds that vary by manufacturer. This means it’s time to get a new CO alarm.

Smoke & Carbon Monoxide Alarms for Physical Disabilities

If you or someone in your home has a physical disability, you should make sure that your smoke and carbon monoxide alarms meet their needs. Here are some things to keep in mind: 

  • Install a bedside alert device that responds to the sound of the smoke and CO alarms. Use of a low frequency alarm can also wake a sleeping person with mild to severe hearing loss
  • Use a pillow or bed shaker alarm
  • Use devices with strobe lights to alert people of smoke alarm sounds
  • Sleep with your mobility device, glasses, and phone close to your bed
  • Keep pathways like hallways lit with night lights and free from clutter to make sure everyone can get out safely

Are you interested in learning more about Fire Prevention Week and what you can do to educate others about fire safety? Visit the NFPA’s website!

Fire Protection Services for St. Louis, MO Businesses

St. Louis, MO Fire Protection

Life Safety Services for All Industries

Western States Fire Protection doing business as National Fire Suppression provides fire protection services for St. Louis, MO businesses. With a wide range of industries in the St. Louis area, there are many different types of facilities that require fire protection systems and services.

Fire Protection for Manufacturing Facilities

Manufacturing facilities, including food and automotive manufacturing, require fire protection systems in the St. Louis area. Many manufacturing plants are at risk of fires due to many various hazards. These facilities may require fire sprinkler systems, fire suppression systems, fire alarm and detection systems, mass notification systems and fire extinguishers.

Life Safety Systems for Hospitals

Patients in hospitals are often immobilized which puts them at higher risk during a fire. This means that hospitals need to have the best fire protection systems that are properly functioning. Hospitals often require clean agent fire suppression systems, fire alarm and detection systems, fire sprinklers and fire extinguishers. It is also especially important that hospital fire protection systems are inspected and tested on a regular basis.

Power Plant Fire Suppression

Power plants in St. Louis require specialized fire protection systems to help protect against the hazards present. Power plants may require water mist fire suppression, deluge fire protection systems, fire detection systems and mass notification.

Data Center Fire Protection

Data centers often require clean agent fire suppression systems including FM-200 or Novec 1230 systems to protect the sensitive equipment found in these areas. Water mist systems are also installed as a form of fire protection in data centers.

Fire Protection for Warehouses

St. Louis warehouses need fire protection systems including ESFR sprinklers or in-rack sprinklers. When a fire breaks out in a warehouse, it is important to extinguish the fire as soon as possible to help prevent the spread to other sections of the warehouse.

Full-Service Fire Protection for St. Louis Businesses

National Fire Suppression St. Louis offers full-service fire protection to a wide variety of applications. Whether it’s a hospital, power plant, manufacturing facility, warehouse, data center or commercial application, our team of qualified technicians can provide the service we need. We offer:

Contact WSFP for St. Louis, MO Fire Protection

Western States Fire Protection, doing business as National Fire Suppression, can provide fire protection systems and services to customers in the St. Louis, MO area. We design and install fire sprinkler, suppression, and alarm systems for a wide variety of industries. Our team can also provide regularly scheduled inspections and testing for all your fire protection systems. We have 24-hour emergency service for any of your fire protection emergencies. If you are interested in working with us on your next fire protection project in St. Louis, contact us today.

Fire Prevention Week 2020

Fire Prevention Week

Fire Prevention Week is October 4th -10th 2020. Every year, Fire Prevention Week (FPW) is recognized to educate the public about important fire safety matters. FPW has been sponsored by the NFPA since 1922 in commemoration of the Great Chicago Fire of 1871. The Great Chicago Fire killed more than 250 people, left 100,000 homeless, destroyed more than 17,400 structures, and burned more than 2,000 acres of land. By educating those around us about fire safety and prevention measures, we can prevent tragic fire accidents.

“Serve Up Fire Safety in the Kitchen!”

This year, the theme for Fire Prevention Week is “Serve Up Fire Safety in the Kitchen!” Since cooking is the leading cause of home fires and home fire injuries, it is important to know some important actions that you can take to stay safe in the kitchen. Unattended cooking is the leading cause of fires in the kitchen.

Don’t Leave Your Cooking Unattended

When you are frying, boiling, grilling, or broiling food, always stay in the kitchen. Even if you leave the kitchen for a short period of time, turn off the burner. It’s important to regularly check up on your food when you are simmering, backing, or roasting food. Always use a timer to remind yourself that you are cooking and don’t cook when you have been consuming alcohol or are feeling drowsy.

Clear Your Cooking Area

You should try to keep anything that can catch fire including oven mitts, wooden utensils, and towels away from the stovetop. Setting kid-free zone of 3 feet around the stove can prevent injuries or fire accidents. Always clean up food and grease from your stovetop.

Prevent Kitchen Fires from Getting Out of Control

While cooking, you should always keep a lid nearby. If a small grease fire starts, you should cover the pan and turn off the burner. You should not discharge a portable fire extinguisher into a grease fire. If you have a fire in your oven or microwave, you should keep the door closed and shut off the appliance.

Prevent Burns and Scalds

Some ways to prevent burns and scalds include turning pot handles away from the stove’s edge and keep hot food and liquids away from the table and counter edges. You should keep your appliance cords coiled and away from counter edges. Always keep your face away from the oven door when checking or removing food so heat or steam does not cause burns.

If you are interested in learning more about Fire Prevention Week and how you can participate, visit the NFPA’s website.

Wet vs. Dry Fire Sprinkler System: Which is More Effective?

Wet vs. Dry Fire Sprinkler System

One of the most important ways to make sure that your facility is protected is to have the proper sprinkler system that is designed to meet the needs of your application. Two common sprinkler systems that are installed in properties are wet pipe and dry pipe sprinkler systems.

Wet Pipe Sprinklers

Wet pipe sprinkler systems are the most common form of fire sprinkler. This is the traditional type of fire sprinkler where the sprinkler pipes are filled with pressurized water that will immediately discharge when a fire occurs.

Pros:

Cons:

Dry Pipe Sprinklers

Dry pipe sprinkler systems are filled with pressurized air or nitrogen instead of water to prevent frozen and burst sprinkler pipes in areas with colder temperatures. The pressurized air in the sprinkler pipes prevents water from entering the pipes. When a fire is detected, the air pressure in the pipes is reduced and a valve opens to allow water to flow into the sprinkler pipes and extinguish the fire.

Pros:

  • Will not freeze in cold temperatures
  • Can be installed in addition to a wet system to protect colder environments

Cons:

  • More difficult to maintain
  • More expensive to install
  • Slightly longer response time during a fire

Install a Fire Sprinkler System with WSFP

Are you interested in installing a sprinkler system with Western States Fire Protection? We provide sprinkler design and installation for both wet and dry sprinkler systems. We can help you choose the right system to protect your cold, unheated facility. An automatic dry pipe sprinkler system may be the best solution for your fire protection needs.  Western States also provides inspections, testing and repairs for all types of fire sprinklers. WSFP has experience working with commercial, industrial, and residential applications. Contact us today to learn more about our fire sprinkler services.

Fire Prevention Week

Fire Prevention Week 2019

October 6th – 12th, 2019 is Fire Prevention Week. Fire Prevention Week has been recognized since 1922 by the NFPA. In 1925, President Calvin Coolidge made Fire Prevention Week a national observance. Fire Prevention Week is observed on the week of October 9th to commemorate the Great Chicago Fire of 1871. This fire killed more than 250 people, left 100,000 people homeless, destroyed more than 17,400 structures, and burned more than 2,000.

Fires can be extremely destructive. Learning how to prevent fires is extremely important for your safety and the safety of those around you. During Fire Prevention Week, take time to learn how to stay safe in case of a fire.

“Not Every Hero Wears a Cape. Plan and Practice Your Escape!”

This year, the theme for Fire Prevention Week is, “Not every hero wears a cape. Plan and practice your escape!” This theme highlights the importance of making a fire escape plan for your home and practicing what you can do during a fire to stay safe.

Make Your Home Escape Plan

In a typical home fire, you may have as little as one to two minutes to escape safely after the smoke alarm sounds. When every second counts, it’s very important that you’re prepared and know what to do during a fire. Planning and practicing a home fire escape plan can help you make the most of the time you have to escape.

Here are some steps you should take when making a fire escape plan for your home:

  1. Draw a map of your home with all doors and windows.
  2. Visit each room in your house and find two ways out.
  3. Make sure that all doors and windows can open easily so you can use them to get outside.
  4. Make sure your home has working smoke alarms. Test them to see if they work.
  5. Pick a meeting place in front of your home.
  6. Talk about your escape plan with everyone in your home.
  7. Make sure everyone knows how to call 911 or the local emergency number.
  8. Practice your home fire drill.

Be a Hero in Your Home & Community

According to an NFPA survey, only 1 out of 3 American households have developed and practiced a home fire escape plan. This Fire Prevention Week, you can be a hero by taking small, but important actions to keep yourself, your family, and those around you safe from a fire. One of the easiest ways you can protect your loved ones is to plan and practice a home escape plan. When the smoke alarm sounds in an actual fire, it will be too late to start making a plan.

Interested in learning more about how you can participate in Fire Prevention Week? Visit the NFPA’s website for great resources and materials. Learn how to make an escape plan and raise public awareness about the importance of fire prevention.

Closed Circuit TV Security Systems

CCTV Security Systems

Surveillance Systems Provide Peace of Mind

CCTV security cameras are a great addition to your security system. Protect your facility with state-of-the-art CCTV security systems from WSFP. We have a variety of security cameras that can fit the needs of your facility and keep both your facility and your employees safe.

Installing a Surveillance System

When you install a CCTV surveillance system from WSFP, you can have the peace of mind that your facility is being protected from break-ins and intrusions. A CCTV camera captures video footage and records it for security purposes.

WSFP can help to design a security system that fits the need of your facility. We will determine the appropriate locations for surveillance cameras so that important areas are being monitored such as access points and parking lots.

Benefits of CCTV Cameras

Surveillance cameras or CCTV cameras capture video footage of your property. There are many benefits to having CCTV cameras installed in your business including:

  • Preventing Crime
  • Monitoring activities at your facility
  • Collecting evidence of a crime
  • Making your employees feel safe at work
  • Providing you with peace of mind

Western States Fire Protection is dedicated to providing complete life safety systems that will protect your facility from damage. We can provide security systems as well as fire alarms, fire protection systems, and alarm and security monitoring.

If you are interested in installing a CCTV security system from WSFP, contact us today.

Home Fire Sprinkler Week

Home Fire Sprinkler Week 2019

The week of May 19-25, 2019 is Home Fire Sprinkler Week. The NFPA Fire Sprinkler Initiative and the Home Sprinkler Coalition are celebrating Home Fire Sprinkler Week with a national press event on May 22nd. During this week individuals and organizations are encouraged to promote home fire sprinklers within their local community.

The Truth About Home Fire Sprinklers

According to the NFPA, the vast majority of fire deaths in North America happen at home. 7 people die in home fires every day. One way to solve this problem is to promote the installation of home fire sprinkler systems. The risk of dying in a home fire decreases by about 85 percent when fire sprinklers are present.

Modern construction materials used to build new homes create home fires that burn more quickly. Once a fire starts, occupants may only have 1 to 2 minutes to safely escape a home that is burning once the smoke alarm goes off. Fire sprinkler systems react immediately to a fire to help put it out which allows people to escape safely. Watch this video to see the timeline of a fire in a home and how sprinklers can make a large difference.

If you are building a new home, strongly consider installing a fire sprinkler system. Fire sprinklers are affordable to install, averaging about $1.35 per sprinklered square foot for new construction. This is similar to the cost of carpet upgrades. Having sprinklers in your home can reduce property loss and lower homeowner insurance premiums.

How to Get Involved

If you are interested in getting involved in Home Fire Sprinkler Week, check with your local fire sprinkler coalition to see if they have any events planned. Here are some ideas for how to get involved:

  • Conduct a fire department open house featuring fire sprinkler information
  • Initiate a media event
  • Do a walk-through of a sprinklered home in your community
  • Host a training session about the myths and facts of home fire sprinklers
  • Advocate for a “Home Fire Sprinkler Day” Proclamation in your town
  • Lead a campaign on social media to demand legislators to address local fire problems and support fire sprinklers

Learn More About Home Fire Sprinkler Week

During Home Fire Sprinkler Week, take some time to advocate for home fire sprinklers in your community. If you are interested in learning more about Home Fire Sprinkler Week, visit the NFPA’s website. There you can find information about Home Fire Sprinkler Week events along with educational resources about home fire sprinklers.

Security Systems for Life Safety

Security Systems for Life Safety

Security Systems for Industrial, Commercial, Home, Residential Facilities

Complete your life safety system with a security system from Western States. We provide security systems that will promote the safety of your facility. We can provide security systems in your home, across an entire campus, or in a commercial, industrial, or residential facility.

The NICET certified technicians at WSFP can install security systems that will promote the smooth operation, inspection and maintenance of essential day-to-day operations. When you choose to work with Western States for the installation of your security system, we will implement your system with as little disruption to your business as possible.

Monitored Security Systems

Your security systems can be integrated with our alarm monitoring center. This will allow 24/7 monitoring of your facility. If your security system is activated, our monitoring team will know immediately and alert the proper officials.

Systems and Services we Provide

WSFP offers a wide variety of tools and systems to improve the safety of the people in your facility, including:

  • Access Control
  • CCTV
  • Door Control
  • Fire Alarm
  • Fire & Security Monitoring
  • Nurse Call
  • Security Alarm

If you are interested in installing a security system in your commercial, industrial, or residential facility request a quote from WSFP today!

Alternative Agents for Fire Suppression Systems

Alternative Fire Suppression Systems

When it comes to fire suppression, there are several different solutions to address your needs and adequately protect your facility. Many alternative agents are safe for human exposure, provide rapid dissipation yielding no residue, are electrically non-conductive, economical, and prove extremely effective in extinguishing fires and preventing explosions. These agents work well in environments where water is not effective at putting out fires.

Comply with Environmental Regulations

We are abreast of the most up-to-date environmental regulations on fire-suppressing agents, such as:

Alternative Agents to Consider

In compliance with these guidelines, here are some agents to consider:

  • Argonite: Leaves no residue behind, creates no ozone depletion. Typically used in server rooms and data centers.
  • Carbon Dioxide: Safe and non-conductive. Often used in machine and metal shops, and around electrical panels.
  • Dry Chemical: Economical option for vehicle systems used in mining, logging operations, and spray booths.
  • FM-200: Best option in clean agent fire protection. It’s safe, leaves no damaging residue, and is a high-level green product, causing very low environmental impact.
  • Foam: Used in airport hangers. Stops the spread of fire instantly by mixing with water system to create a bubble bath flame suppressant. Also used in chemical storage and manufacturing.
  • Liquid Agents: Wet chemical systems used in commercial kitchens.
  • Water Mist: Economical option – special nozzles create a fine mist to fight fire, so as to cool the area without dousing electrical equipment. Commonly used in the engine rooms of Navy vessels and cruise ships.

Choosing an Alternative Agent

If you need assistance in choosing the agent that is right for you, hire the help of certified and trained fire protection professional.  They will be able to identify the best, most effective and most economical alternative agents for your diverse commercial and industrial needs. We design, install, and service a wide variety of fire suppression systems. Contact the Western States team to learn about which alternative agent is right for your fire suppression system.