There were over 1 million fires in the U.S. during 2019. They claimed close to 4,000 lives and destroyed $14.8 billion in property.
Making sure that your facility and its infrastructure have some degree of resistance to fire is crucial. Fireproofing is required by law and is enforced through various fireproofing codes at the local, state, and federal levels.
If you are wondering about the materials involved and the applications for fireproofing, read on.
What Is Fireproofing?
Fireproofing in the most basic sense is making sure that your structures and their material components have some degree of resistance to fire. This can include things such as having fire protection systems in place.
It also means that your facility is up to code for all state and federal fireproofing codes. The best way to find out what codes apply to your specific facility is to contact your local fire marshal.
Increasing Resistance to Fire
To put it bluntly, your structure will only burn if it is made from flammable materials. In a residential setting, making your home fireproof is all about building it from non-combustible materials.
If you live in a rural area prone to wildfires, this means making your home out of bricks, stone, or concrete instead of wood.
It also means that you should have a metal roof and clear out all vegetation around to create defensible space.
If you run a facility and want to fireproof it, there are a few things you can do. The most important is to make sure your facility is built from fireproof materials such as metal and stone.
You also need to make sure that all appropriate fire mitigation methods are in place. These help prevent fires from starting and proliferating. One of the best ways to do this is to read up on your local, state, and federal fire codes.
You can do a bit of research on the internet to find out what these are, or you can contact a local fire marshal to get a straight answer from a professional.
No matter what type of facility or business you have, you can expect an inspection from a representative of the state fire marshal’s office.
This means they will physically send someone out to your property to make sure that it meets all necessary fireproofing codes. If you fail your inspection, you can expect to receive hefty fines and worse.
This is why it is important to always work with your local fire marshal to make sure that your facility, building, or business is in compliance with fire codes. These codes exist to keep your employees and structures safe from the threat of fire.
Fireproof Your Property Today
Whether you own a commercial, industrial, or residential property, fireproofing is very important. Without some level of resistance to fire, your property could go up in smoke in an instant.
Fireproof your property today to ensure that it stays safe for many years to come. If you have any additional questions about fireproofing Contact Us today. We can help answer your fireproofing and other engineering-related queries.
