Male engineer and female technician testing fire suppression system

Fire protection systems are crucial for ensuring the safety of occupants and property. This is why you need to make sure that you have a robust fire protection system that is capable of serving its intended purpose at all times. If your current fire safety system no longer provides appropriate protection for your building and its occupants, you may want to consider retrofitting it. Adding a new or updating your fire protection system will go a long way in ensuring your fire safety needs are met. But what exactly are the benefits of retrofitting your fire protection systems?

Keep reading to learn more. 

Why You Need to Keep Your Fire Protection System Up-To-Date

Retrofitting your fire protection system is a valuable investment. Improving what is already in place ensures your system is ready to solve your fire protection problems. Below are some big benefits of retrofitting your fire protection systems.

Peace of Mind and Safety

Many owners of older buildings tend to avoid retrofitting their fire protection systems due to concerns about the project’s cost and disruption. However, the benefits of having an excellent system in place far outweigh any negatives.

As a property owner or manager, you are responsible for the safety of the occupants of your building. If your fire protection system is outdated, you are putting the occupants at risk. Retrofitting your system ensures that it can detect a fire before it breaks out, something that can help save a lot of lives. You will also enjoy peace of mind knowing that you have done your best to keep building occupants safe.

Male engineer and female technician testing fire suppression system

Property Protection

Fires can cause extensive property damage and losses. To help keep your property safe, you need to ensure that your fire protection system will do its job during a fire.

Retrofitting your fire safety system will help to reduce both fire and water damage. An effective system will detect smoke in good time, keep fires small, or put them out altogether. Similarly, improved systems spray less water than traditional systems. Lastly, when you have a system that is tailored to your building, the likelihood of false or nuisance alarms is greatly minimized.

Code Compliance

Most local authorities require that buildings within their jurisdiction be compliant with all the relevant fire and safety codes. Failure to comply with these code requirements puts building occupants at risk and could see you face prosecution and pay hefty fines.

Fire safety retrofitting ensures that your building stays compliant. Updating your fire protection system to meet current fire safety codes and best practices will help you avoid getting into trouble with the law.

Hand holding a silver fire alarm system sensor

Better Aesthetics

A good property manager should make sure that all buildings under their care look their best. A building that looks great will have a positive impact on both its occupants and the businesses it houses.

As your fire safety system ages, some of its components may become eyesores. This will significantly compromise the aesthetic appeal of the building. Retrofitting your systems can make a big difference in your space. A fire protection system that looks modern will make your building look classier and more beautiful.

Red fire hose and extinguisher in cabinet hanging on the wall

Lower Property Insurance Premiums

Compared to an older system, a retrofitted fire protection system offers better protection for your building. As such, updating or adding a new fire safety system can bring you a host of insurance benefits, including paying lower property insurance premiums.

An effective fire protection system reduces the likelihood of property loss. Your insurance company could give you discounts on your policy for taking steps to make your property safer and more secure.  Such incentives can help you save a lot on property insurance premiums. 

Liability Protection

Building owners and property managers should take the necessary measures to improve occupant safety. When it comes to fire hazards, it is important to prevent fires from happening and be prepared for emergencies.

A retrofitted fire protection system is an important safety feature that can offer protection against liability. When you update your systems, you will be deemed to have taken reasonable care of building occupants and businesses. In case of a fire, a reliable fire safety system can come in handy in terms of protecting you from lawsuits.

Business Continuity

When a building burns, toxic smoke and flames cause damage to property. This can cause significant disruptions to business operations, leading to losses. Also, to return to normal after a fire, you will have to spend money on making the necessary repairs.

An improved fire protection system can detect, control, and suppress fires. A system that functions as expected can help to minimize losses and ensure continuous business operations. As a result, lost income from business or rent is greatly minimized, effectively protecting your business and those of your tenants.

Engineer inspecting industrial fire protection system

Environmental Protection

The benefits of retrofitting fire protection systems are wide-ranging. In addition to the above benefits, the process is good for the environment. When an effective system is installed, water pollution will be reduced considerably when fighting a fire. Similarly, an updated fire safety system can help to cut greenhouse gas emissions released during a fire.

Signs Your Building Needs a Newly Retrofitted Fire Protection System

Oftentimes, retrofits will occur during renovations or when an existing system becomes outdated. However, for effective fire protection, you need to be proactive. Other drivers of retrofits include:

  • Changes in building occupancy or building use
  • Changes to fire and safety codes
  • Changes in potential hazards
  • The need for upgrades in faulty systems
  • Incompatibility of certain parts of a fire protection system
  • Availability of newer technology
  • Tenant demand
  • Insurance company requirements

When you need to retrofit your fire safety systems, be sure to hire the right professionals to do the job. Working with a good contractor will not only contribute to a smooth process but can also ensure the integrity and performance of your system, something that will in turn enable you to enjoy the associated benefits.

Here at JAM Service Company, we are a family-owned business that provides commercial and residential building maintenance services. We have been servicing the metropolitan New York area for over three decades. Our services include plumbing, heating, and fire protection. Contact us now for a system assessment.