Make Sure Your Sprinklers Are in Working Order as We Enter Party Season

19498093_SSummer is almost here, right around the corner, and that means one thing: party season. Yes, we’ve entered party season – wedding receptions, family reunions, graduation parties, etc. The list goes on and on. Most of these special occasions occur in reception halls, people’s houses, banquet halls, etc. If you own and operate these spaces, we suggest you make sure your sprinklers are all up to snuff.

There’s nothing worse than sprinklers malfunctioning at a gathering, spraying when they shouldn’t, getting every one wet and ruining pricey dresses and tuxes. Or, God forbid, the sprinklers don’t work at all and fail to react when there actually is a fire! There’s so much uncertainty when it comes to gatherings and you need to make sure that everything is in perfect working order.

MAINTAINING YOUR FIRE SPRINKLER SYSTEM IS IMPORTANT

Have you ever been to a party where the sprinklers come on for no apparent reason? It kills the mood. Have you been to a party where a fire erupts? Even a small fire, easily taken care of, will also ruin any reception and gathering. This summer, make sure everything is in working order. Contact us today and we’ll make sure your summer parties aren’t ruined by faulty or non-working sprinklers.

Davis-Ulmer Sprinkler Company has been servicing fire sprinkler systems since 1946.  Our NICET certified technicians will work with you to design, install, service, and maintain a fire sprinkler system so you are protected from a fire.  Davis-Ulmer serves the Northeast region of the United States.  Contact us today to schedule an inspection of your fire sprinkler system.

Reduction in Fire Emergency Calls Partly Attributed to Fire Sprinklers

sprinkler2Every year countless calls are placed to emergency service providers around the country, many of which concern either residential or commercial building fires. Just recently, a spokesperson for the National Fire Protection Association noted that the amount of calls placed each year is slowly, but steadily declining. While there are still thousands of fires in this country alone every year, there are a few factors that are reducing these incidents, including fire sprinklers.

Even if a fire sprinkler system is installed in a home or a business, a call will still need to be placed to emergency services. In some cases, sprinklers are so effective that they can completely put out a fire before it spreads however. And while fire sprinklers are a factor to consider in this drop in calls, there are also other reasons behind it.

STRICTER BUILDING CODES AND INCREASED AWARENESS FOR FIRE SPRINKLER SYSTEMS

Increased awareness and education could be one of these. Now more than ever people are aware of how to avoid and prevent fires from ever starting, and most public buildings have stricter fire safety codes than they did decades ago.

Buildings are also being made with better materials that are less flammable. Combine that with more smoke alarms and fire sprinkler systems, and you can see why things are looking good for the future. Unfortunately, people are still getting injured and even killed by fires on a daily basis, and only more awareness of fire safety protocols and additional fire sprinkler prevention systems can correct that.

One day we hope to see a fire sprinkler system installed in every building, and we’re optimistic about the future based on the direction things are moving.

Davis-Ulmer Sprinkler company is your local fire sprinkler system installer in the New York area.  We have been working with customers in a variety of industries since 1946.  Our 24/7 emergency response team is ready to respond should the need arise.  Contact us today to get the ball rolling on a fire sprinkler system for your new construction or retrofitted into your existing building.

New Jersey Legislators Aim to Make Homes Safer

sprinkler2We’ve talked several times about the importance of having fire sprinkler systems in not only commercial buildings, but residential properties as well. We’re happy to see that many areas of the country seem to be getting the message, although things are not changing as quickly as we would like. The main reason that people aren’t rushing out and installing sprinklers in their homes is simply that it is not an idea they are used to. Once it becomes commonplace in several states, the rest will follow. Today, we’re going to look at some updates on this issue in regards to New Jersey.

NEW HOME FIRE SAFETY ACT

Last month the New Jersey Senate passed a law called the New Home Fire Safety Act. If this law goes into effect, it would require all future one and two family homes to have a fire sprinkler installed during the construction process. While this wouldn’t change anything for existing properties in the state, it would be a huge step forward going into the future.

HOMES ARE MUCH SAFER WITH FIRE SPRINKLER SYSTEMS INSTALLED

Advocates for fire safety have been very supportive of the bill, but there are still some homeowners and builders in the state that are apprehensive to the idea.  Some of the concerns that they’ve brought up, like potential flooding and false alarms, are not really an issue. Research shows that only good can come from having sprinklers in homes, and homes that have them are much safer from fire than any property without.

We hope to see this bill get passed through the New Jersey government, and we look forward to seeing similar laws put into place around the country. Keep checking back with us for more updates on this issue!

Source: http://www.nj.com/opinion/index.ssf/2015/04/letter_fire_sprinklers_in_new_construction_will_sa.html

Davis-Ulmer Sprinkler Company is your local full-service fire protection company serving New Jersey and the surrounding states since 1946.  Our NICET certified technicians will work with you to design, install, , and service your fire sprinkler system whether it is into new construction or retrofitted into an existing structure.  Contact us today to find out more.

Prevent Your Sprinkler System from Freezing

34238235_SAs we move into the coldest parts of winter throughout many areas of the country, we’d like to take some time to talk about fire sprinkler freeze-ups and how to prevent them. In certain situations, a properly working sprinkler system can be the difference between massive property damage and even loss of life during a fire. However, if your sprinkler system isn’t working because water has frozen in the pipes, it is virtually useless. Take advantage of the following tips to prevent your sprinkler system from freezing.

KEEP THE WATER PRESSURE NORMAL

Making sure the water pressure is at a normal level can go a long way towards ensuring your sprinkler system is in great shape. On days and nights where the temperature is particularly low, you should check the water pressure at least once every 24 hours. Similarly, you should be draining any water that has built up in auxiliary drains as often as possible.

INSULATION IS KEY

Another way to prevent freezing altogether is to install more insulation in your pipes. This is especially useful if your system is located in a place that doesn’t typically receive a lot of heat. The more insulation your system has, the less likely the temperature of the water will be able to drop.

SYSTEM ALARMS CAN HELP PREVENT FREEZEUPS

Finally, you may even want to install a water flow alarm in your system. This will let you know any time that water is flowing into the system, and alert you when the temperature is low enough that the water could freeze.

Follow this guide and you should encounter no problems even during the coldest days of the year. In the event your sprinkler system has frozen, contact us immediately and we can take care of the issue!

Davis-Ulmer Sprinkler Company is your local fire protection company based out of New York.  Our NICET certified technicians perform as needed inspections and can help you make sure your system is ready for the cold weather.  We have been working with fire protection equipment for a variety of industries for over 70 years.  Contact us today to find out what we can do for you.

Preventing Cooking Fires

19500490_SMost people cook their own food at least a few times a week, and making your own meals at home is one of the best ways to both stay healthy and save money. Unfortunately, cooking is one of the leading causes of home fires and injuries. On the bright side, just about every type of cooking fire is caused by human error and can be prevented if the proper safety measures are taken.

IN THE KITCHEN, PRACTICE SAFETY FIRST

There are a few general safety guidelines you should follow any time you decide to cook or grill food. First of all, don’t use the stove if you are feeling sleepy or have consumed a lot of alcohol. Even though your stove and oven may have automatic safety features in place, you still need to be on alert. In addition, once you start cooking, you shouldn’t leave the kitchen until you are finished. Don’t leave open flames unattended, and don’t try to cook too many things at once without any help. Of course, if you are baking something in the oven, you don’t have to stand and watch the timer for hours.

KEEP FLAMMABLE ITEMS AWAY FROM STOVE

One of the best things you can do to avoid cooking fires is to keep flammable material away from the cooking area. This includes several common items that may be in your kitchen like wooden utensils, towels, and oven mitts. If you need to use any of these items, do so carefully and don’t place them near the stove.

In the event that a fire does break out, leave the area immediately and call your local emergency services. If you follow reasonable safety procedures while cooking, you will hopefully never be in this situation. Now, stay safe, and don’t forget to enjoy your next cooking experience!

Davis-Ulmer Sprinkler Company is your local fire protection company in the Northeast region.  We have been in the fire protection business for over 70 years and have provided fire protection equipment for businesses and homes alike.  Whether it is new construction or retrofitting an existing building, Davis-Ulmer will help you design, install, and service a fire protection system that will give you the fire protection you need.  Contact us today for more information.

What Are the Three Major Causes for Office Fires?

Office FiresWith approximately 6,000 office fires in the United States each year, having a fire safety plan for your business is absolutely essential. The three major causes for office fires are arson, smoking materials in areas where smoking is permitted, and wiring and appliance malfunctions.

AN EFFECTIVE FIRE SAFETY PLAN WILL HELP SAVE LIVES

In order to create an effective fire safety plan, you should first be aware of what your fire safety system already includes. Be aware of the number and locations of manual pull alarms, smoke detectors, fire extinguishers, fire doors, exit doors, and sprinkler outlets. Keeping these areas easily accessible is a vital part of making sure your fire safety plan works if and when it needs to. Regularly check for missing or broken safety equipment, malfunctioning exit lights, trash impeding exits, open fire doors, and blocked stairwells.

Fire emergency plans should take into consideration the unique features in each business site and be displayed at regular intervals. In the case of an alarm sounding, always treat it as an emergency, calling the fire department before investigating the source of the fire yourself. If the alarm is caused by a malfunction rather than a fire, be sure to call 9-1-1 in lieu of the fire department.

CLOSED DOORS HELP STOP THE SPREAD OF FIRE AND SMOKE

During evacuation, close doors to alleviate the spread of smoke and fire through the building. Avoid the use of elevators and establish an employee meeting place a safe distance from all entrances to the building.

Source: Office Fire Safety

Davis-Ulmer Sprinkler Company is your local fire protection expert that can work with you to get the fire protection you need.  We have been installing fire sprinkler systems for a variety of industries in New York and surrounding states since 1946.  Contact us today to find out more information about what we can do for you.

How to Maintain Smoke Alarms

Fire DetectorOften the simplest fire detection and prevention tools are the ones that save the most lives, which is my smoke detectors and alarms are so important. However, even if you have multiple detectors installed throughout your property, they are useless unless they are working properly. Even if you believe your detectors are on and working, you don’t want to wait until an actual fire starts to find out. Several times a year you should test your alarms to ensure they are working as intended. Take a look at the following steps to learn how to correctly test your alarm and fix it if it isn’t working.

TEST ALARMS REGULARLY

The first thing you should do is let everyone else in your home know that you are testing an alarm. You don’t want a member of your family to call the local fire department when there is no fire to put out. Next, you should have someone go to the opposite end of the property to see if they can hear the alarm from the furthest point away from its location. Once they are ready, push and hold the test button for a few seconds until the alarm starts going off.

TEST AND REPLACE BATTERIES

If the alarm doesn’t go off, the first thing you should do is replace the batteries and check to see if the device is on. After doing so, test the alarm again. If it still isn’t working, you may have a faulty device that needs to be replaced.

Repeat this process with every alarm in your home. You should also get a smoke detector test aerosol can and spray near each device. This will let you know whether or not your device will properly detect smoke in the area. For more fire alarm safety tips, keep checking back with the Davis Ulmer blog!

Davis-Ulmer is your local fire and smoke detection expert in Northeast region of the United States.  We have been designing, installing, and servicing fire detection systems since 1946.  Davis-Ulmer knows that early detection is a critical component to any fire protection system and fire safety plan so we will work with you to get the fire alarm system you need.  Contact us for more information.

Fire Safety This Holiday Season

16682030_SWith the hustle and bustle of the holiday season, fire safety vigilance probably isn’t on the top of your to-do list. That said, December is the biggest month of the year for electrical fires and it’s not hard to see why. We’ve put together a list of four fire safety concerns to keep in mind while decorating and celebrating this season.

THE DANGERS OF STRING LIGHTS

The biggest cause for electrical fires over the holidays is string lights. This is becoming less of an issue with the new popularity of LED lights, but is always something to be wary of. Be sure to inspect the strings carefully for frayed cords or cracked bulbs before they make their way onto awnings, mantles, and Christmas trees. And never use indoor lights outdoors or outdoor lights indoors. Check your labels.

INSPECT AND CLEAN YOUR CHIMNEY

Oh, the weather outside is frightful, but a fire can be so delightful – as long as it’s managed properly. Whatever your choice of indoor heating is, make sure chimneys are cleaned and furnaces inspected before use to avoid heating-related fires.

Be particularly aware of advent and holiday candles around the house. Stockings on a mantle are a wonderful tradition, but keep an eye on how close the toes are getting to your yule logs. And check to make sure that your smoke alarms are working properly so they can keep an eye out while you’re not looking.

KITCHEN SAFETY IS VERY IMPORTANT

Finally, be extra cautious when dealing with kitchen sources of heat. From turkey fryers to roasting vegetables, grease fires can start suddenly. Never douse a grease fire with water – use baking soda instead.

Davis Ulmer Sprinkler Company wishes you and yours and safe and Happy Holidays! Contact us today for any of your fire prevention needs. With over 70 years in the fire protection business, we are the premier full-service fire protection company in the New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, and Pennsylvania area.  We would like to be your fire protection and life safety provider.

Source: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/hometalk/holiday-safety-tips_b_6345768.html

Fire Inspection Checklist for Winter

Higher Fire Deaths Show Need for SprinklersWinter is here, which is actually a perfect time to inspect and update your fire prevention system. The first thing to check for is to assure that any dry pipes are properly equipped to handle freezing temperatures this season. Are all low point drains bled down? If not, start doing this weekly to prevent the pipes from freezing.

FIRE PROTECTION SYSTEM INSPECTIONS CAN HELP SAVE LIVES

Air driers should be functioning properly. Valve closets also need to be maintained at 40 degrees Fahrenheit. Also make sure that the antifreeze you’re using is appropriate for the system you’ve currently got installed. For all indoor pipes, assure the insulation is still up to scruff and heating systems are functioning. Any wall openings or gaps need to be closed up to prevent heat from getting out and cold from getting in.

Swivels need to be lubricated properly and perhaps most importantly, check your fire department connections. For more standards, be sure to check out the NFPA 25, “Standard for Inspection, Testing, and Maintenance of Water-based Fire Protection Systems.”

KEEP YOUR FIRE SAFETY STANDARDS HIGH

Winter is one of the harshest seasons for fire safety. We’re all cooking huge meals indoors, candles adorn every surface, heaters are on full-blast, and holiday lights are strung about the house. Just because it’s cold and wet outside doesn’t mean it’s time to let up on your fire safety standards. Constant vigilance is key.

Stay vigilant and contact Davis Ulmer Sprinkler Company today for all of your residential and professional fire safety system needs. Our experts are happy to help! We have been providing fire protection systems to customers in the New York area since 1946.  We have the knowledge and experience to provide you with a turnkey fire protection system that will help protect you and your loved ones.  Contact us today for more information.

Source: http://www.axa-matrixrc.com/documents/maintain_water_based_fire_protection_systems.pdf

Falmouth Firefighters Praise Sprinkler System

_DHI5873Over the weekend in Falmouth, firefighters rushed to the scene of a service center and took over 30 minutes to put out a fire that occupied a single room. The only reason the fire was contained to just the electrical closet was because of the sprinkler system in the center. It fired off in that room, which helped contain the fire until the firefighters could show up.

FIRE SPRINKLER SYSTEMS SAVE LIVES

It was only after the fire, during a press release that the fire chief stated that the fire would have consumed both the service center where it started and the entire fitness center next door if it had not been for the sprinkler fire suppression system that had been installed. They say the sprinkler system is what saved the lives of the people in the fitness and service center that day, and it’s often over-looked just how important they can be.

BUILDING WAS SAVED BY FIRE SPRINKLER SYSTEM

The fire suppression system didn’t just save lives though, it also saved buildings. The fitness center had to be closed on Monday, as they repaired the electric, but otherwise it would be up and running in a few days with no problems. If that fire had continued, they would be looking at most of the facility left as charred rubble. Even the service center should have little problem with getting up and running, which means the sprinkler system saved hundreds of thousands in repairs and profits.

This is actually one of the few instances where firefighters are specifically mentioning how important the sprinkler system was to saving people and the buildings from being completely ruined. It could lead to a spike in people looking to make sure their homes and offices have the sprinklers installed. And with good reason. They may just save your life one day.

Davis-Ulmer Sprinkler Company is the premier full-service fire protection company in the New York, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Connecticut areas.  Our NICET certified technicians will work with you to give you the fire protection you need to protect for your facility and the people inside.  Fire sprinkler systems save lives, but they also can save a lot on reconstruction costs in the event of a fire.  We have installed fire sprinkler systems in businesses since 1946.  Contact us today to get a quote for a fire sprinkler system today.  We also have a 24/7 emergency response team ready to help you in a time of need.da

Source: http://www.pressherald.com/2014/11/09/fire-in-falmouth-doused-by-firefighters-sprinkler-system/