Responsible Priorities

While individual countries have had events that have impacted their citizens, the COVID-19 pandemic is unique. Family, community and country tragedy in the form of loss of life, stress and interruptions of daily life have made it a struggle. Multiple shutdowns, the inconsistency of implementation and clarity of proper protocols early in the pandemic have created confusion in certain societies

Out of all of this, businesses have been and are continuing to be challenged to respond safely, restrict, restructure, partially or fully close, as well as reopen to the public. This is compounded because this is not a one-time occurrence as seen with other disasters. With floods, earthquakes and similar calamities, those who are subject to these events typically can anticipate a relatively linear process through a cycle of awareness, preparation, event, aftermath and recovery. In these types of natural disasters, the events are usually limited to a local or regional area, so there is outside assistance available.

Unfortunately, with COVID-19, the entire world has struggled. There have been conflicting views on how to address and accommodate, which confuses the public, as well as business owners and facility managers. Because COVID-19 has not been a linear process, but rather a recurring set of events, it is a challenge to learn and adapt while meeting the needs of businesses, employees and communities.

For FMs, part of this process requires consideration of the responsibility to fire safety. This is especially critical during the pandemic as health care workers, firefighters and other emergency responders are already stressed. In many cases, communities are exceeding the capacity of their emergency response networks, leaving it upon everyone else to limit the issues that might require emergency responder attention.

Inspections, testing, maintenance & repair

In the early days of the pandemic, it was common to be approached by multiple stakeholder groups, including business owners, FMs, authorities having jurisdiction (AHJs) and fire safety service vendors asking for relief from the normally scheduled inspections. FMs reported being overwhelmed, concerned about exposure from technicians, preservation of capital, maintaining their employees and businesses, as well as long-term liability. AHJ employees were stressed as they operated in multiple areas, supporting their communities as emergency responders and health care advocates. Fire safety service providers’ issues reflected the larger FM concerns with the added influence of knowing they are an integral part of the life safety measures in the communities they serve.

Questions about stopping or delaying inspections, testing, maintenance and repair activities were, and still are, common. The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) provided guidance on keeping buildings safe for occupants and the community, so that they might be able to continue to serve.

Some areas to consider prior to modifying any inspection, testing maintenance and repair schedule (ITMS) should include:

• Life safety and egress is, in many cases, dependent on the fire protection systems (extinguishing, notification, containment, etc.) operating properly. By reducing or eliminating ITMS activities, the risk of these systems not operating properly in an event increases.

• Emergency responders rely on fire suppression and safety systems to protect occupants until they can arrive and begin operations so that the fire does not grow, requiring more resources than anticipated or available. • Unoccupied or reduced occupancy facilities are at additional risk due to lack of people identifying issues early on. This can include leaking pipes, fire alarm systems in supervisory/trouble conditions, missing or used fire extinguishers, obstructions to egress and other issues.

• How long is too long? For many, the pandemic has stretched on longer than anticipated. So, if someone is considering delaying ITMS activities, the natural question is: for how long?

There is not a one-size-fits-all answer to these questions. Each facility is unique in the community it serves and the types of systems that are installed to protect. For example, it is common to have two buildings that appear from the outside to be very similar, but due to time of construction or other factors, one may have a fire sprinkler system and fire alarm system, while the second building only has a fire sprinkler system. If all other factors are the same, the second building may need additional attention to the fire sprinkler system, because it is the only system protecting the building and occupants.

For these and many more reasons, most jurisdictions have deemed fire safety service technicians as essential workers, recognizing the important functions they provide in keeping their communities safe.

Building reopening

Fire safety challenges for businesses extend well beyond ITMS activities. If a facility has shut down due to the pandemic, there are considerations that should be factored into reopening a fire-safe facility.

• Any delayed ITMS activities should be completed prior to opening. Additionally, FMs should ensure:

• Fire sprinkler systems and fire pump systems (NFPA 25) are active and in good working order.

• Fire alarm systems (NFPA 72) are active and free of trouble, supervisory or alarm conditions.

• Fire extinguishers (NFPA 10) are present and in good condition. • Fire doors, emergency lighting and exit signs (NFPA 80 and NFPA 101) are functional and in good condition.

• At a minimum, a monthly level inspection identified in the various NFPA Standards should be completed.

Means of egress are critical to fire safety and other emergency incidents. Prior to reopening, it is important to validate appropriate egress is available. Consideration should be given to all three components of the means of egress: the exit access, the exit and the exit discharge. The distance to exits and the path of travel through the facility must be unencumbered. Ensuring clear guidance with fire exit maps, exit signage and lighting is an important part of keeping people safe. Verifying that the paths to all fire exits are clear of storage or other obstructions and doors are not blocked or locked is critical. FMs should conduct fire exit door tests to validate that the doors will properly and fully open. It is possible that doors that have not been operated in a while may be difficult to open, or that landscaping or hardscaping (sidewalks, pavers, etc.) will impede door operation.

Additionally, if ingress or egress paths and patterns have been modified to provide for more social distancing, it is imperative to confirm sufficient egress. Some FMs may even want to keep doors open to limit contact with surfaces and reduce the spread of COVID-19. While that is an appropriate goal, it is also essential to ensure that fire doors are not prevented from closing automatically in the event of an incident.

Fire drills should not be overlooked. In the past, occupants may have had regular drills that acclimated them to the expectations and process of an evacuation during an incident. However, due to extended periods of time away from the building, additional issues distracting occupants, and occupants who may be unfamiliar with the facility, holding a fire drill near or upon the time of reopening is appropriate to maintain occupant safety.

Changes in use

With the challenges of pandemic response, businesses are becoming more creative in the use of their available space. It is incumbent on the business to have a qualified review of the change in use and to work with the jurisdictional authorities for approval. Consideration of the egress, suppression, notification and other fire safety features and systems must be considered.

One opportunity that may be overlooked is the change in the types of products a business is storing in its storage areas. Even if the area was always used for storage, introducing more hazardous products into the area may prompt a need to reevaluate the protection provided. A common example of this has been the introduction of significantly larger volumes of hand sanitizer. Many of these products are classified as flammable or combustible liquids, creating unique hazards that must be properly mitigated.

There are so many issues and subjects for FMs to consider related to the adjustments necessary to continue to operate. It is understandable why fire safety subjects may not receive the attention they need. However, it is imperative businesses realize their importance and work together to keep communities safe and productive. Businesses are vital to the character and vitality of the community, and so they have a significant responsibility to the community to remain viable and safe during these times. With careful thought and some planning, businesses can operate while mitigating these risks.