Fire alarms, extinguishers must be managed through weather

Whether your healthcare facility is in Las Vegas or Bangor, Maine, extreme weather will always be on the table. From ice, snow, and freezing temperatures to extreme heat and humidity, this weather can put healthcare facilities and their occupants in danger. And it always puts Life Safety Code® (LSC) compliance to the test.

Fire alarms usually don’t have too many weather-related performance issues. However, fire alarm designers should be aware that a building’s HVAC air intake can set off a duct detector with too much humidity.

Outdoor fire extinguishers are, of course, more susceptible to the elements. The gauge on the fire extinguisher can move out of compliance based on the temperature and pressure relationship. Monthly checks are required to keep an eye on this.

Additionally, when a fire extinguisher gets pressurized, the extinguisher can be filled too fast, which heats up the container. Once the container cools down, the extinguisher will be underpressurized and out of compliance.

Further, some of the pins for fire extinguishers can be troublesome. If you don’t use the exact branded parts an extinguisher needs, the metal can fuse or rust together.