How to Make Your Facility Safer During Fire Prevention Month
- by Bryan Veldboom - updated on 10/20/2020
October has been designated Fire Prevention Month. It's the time of the year when business owners throughout the country test their smoke and carbon monoxide detectors to make sure they're working properly. It's also the perfect time to test the batteries in other crucial applications and replace any spent light bulbs or fixtures you've been putting off. Make the most of Fire Prevention Month with our battery and lighting test guide below.
Smoke & Carbon Monoxide Detectors
As we mentioned above, checking your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors is crucial to ensuring worker safety. Most of these devices run on 9-volt batteries, although some models use AA or AAA batteries as well. Many facilities use alkaline batteries for these applications, however, if you're looking for a better long-term solution, we suggest switching to lithium batteries.
Lithium batteries perform better and last significantly longer than alkaline options. One UltraLife 9-volt lithium battery can last up to ten years in your smoke or carbon monoxide detector. That saves you money, as well as maintenance time.
While checking your safety devices, you may find that it’s time to replace an old or malfunctioning smoke/carbon monoxide detector. We can supply you with a number of replacement options, including combination carbon monoxide and smoke alarm models, as well as dual sensor models that use both photoelectric and ionization sensors to detect different types of fires. Also, be sure to have a supply of battery backups on hand for the rest of the year.
We also offer sealed lead acid (SLA) batteries for fire alarm system control panels. If you have a fire alarm system, be sure to check that your batteries are still going strong.
Backup Generators
While you are testing smoke and fire alarms, why not take the opportunity to test your other battery-operated devices? Let's start with any generators you might have. The lead acid batteries used to power generators typically last between 24 and 36 months. For best peace of mind, we recommend replacing them every 24 months. Not sure how long it's been? We can test your generator's batteries for you and let you know if it's time to replace them.
Don't have a backup generator? We can help you with that too. We have a wide variety of portable and inverter generators perfect for a variety of business needs.
UPS Systems
Now that you’ve checked your generator, what about your UPS system? UPS systems are important for powering crucial systems in the event of a power failure. They also guard against potential loss of data and protect computers and other equipment from the damage caused by sudden electrical surges. Unfortunately, they can’t do any of those things without a healthy Sealed Lead Acid (SLA) battery.
Check your UPS battery to be sure it's functioning properly. While it’s true that many UPS systems will alert you when it needs to be replaced, it never hurts to double check. If it is time for a replacement, we recommend using Duracell Ultra SLA batteries. These high-rate batteries are specifically designed and tested to meet or exceed the original manufacturer standards.
Touchless Applications and Thermometers
COVID has dramatically changed the modern workspace. In order to protect the safety of clients and staff, many facilities have switched over to touch-free sinks, toilets, hand sanitizer stations and paper towel dispensers. What about thermometers? Is your facility using them for employee/client temperature checks?
Be sure that you have an adequate supply of backup batteries on hand for all of these applications. At Batteries Plus Bulbs, we can provide you with a wide range of battery sizes, including AA, AAA, C, D, 9V or coin cell, to help keep your touchless devices going strong. If you’ve been using alkaline batteries for your touch-free devices, considering making the change to lithium ion batteries, which offer a much better ROI. Interested in going touchless? Check out our touch-free page for ways to help make your facility safer.
While we're on the topic of germs, consider any cleaning equipment you might have. Industrial scrubbers and sweepers are more important than ever. Check to be sure that your batteries are working properly. If not, we can recommend the best deep cycle batteries for your needs, as well as top-quality chargers to help maintain them.
Lighting
As the days grow shorter, lighting is more important than ever. Be sure to take a walk through your facility's interior and take note of any bulbs that have burned out. We also offer replacement fixtures, ballasts and emergency lighting.
Does your facility still use incandescent or other inefficient lighting? Now might be the time to switch to a more energy-efficient option. We offer lighting retrofitting services, which will help you save on energy costs. Best of all, our experts will help you take advantage of energy rebates and other savings you might be eligible for.
Okay, now that we've covered the interior, let's take a walk outside. Proper outdoor lighting is key to ensuring employee safety, so be sure that parking lots and other common areas are well-lit and that all bulbs and fixtures are functioning properly.
As you gather supplies for the winter, print off a copy of our Maintenance Checklist to use as a guide. Are you interested in reducing your power and lighting costs? Sign up for one of our free business accounts . Not only will you be eligible for volume discount pricing and fast, local delivery, you'll also have access to a dedicated advisor who can recommend ways you can save even more. We offer in-person or virtual site assessments to help you cut your costs by using power and lighting and more efficiently. Plus, you'll have access to thousands of power and lighting solutions.