QRFS Team

Learn NFPA inspection testing, and maintenance guidance in light of coronavirus—and tips for performing tasks safely As the coronavirus pandemic continues to immerse the world in an unprecedented crisis, inspection, testing, and maintenance (ITM) of fire protection systems remain vital. The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) is urging government officials and property owners not to exacerbate the situation by ignoring...

Take advantage of these free and discounted online training options while you’re stuck at home It’s hard to believe that it’s only been a few weeks since the coronavirus pandemic caused life to change drastically. Many individuals are looking for ways to stay productive as social distancing forces people to remain at home. For professionals in the fire protection industry...

Grooved pipe fittings make for faster installations—and an impressive variety of couplings, tees, and other sprinkler pipe fittings make them far easier, too.

UL-listed canned smoke offers the most effective method for testing smoke detectors Working smoke detectors more than double people’s chances of surviving a fire by sounding an early warning, states the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA). But while conventional wisdom urges business and property owners to check these life-saving devices once a month by pushing the “test” button, the Boston...

Learn how smoke in a can works—and why it is a convenient, reliable smoke detector tester Smoke detectors are fundamental fire protection equipment, and they’ve saved innumerable lives by providing early warning of fires. National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) research reveals that 40% of home fire deaths happened where no smoke alarms were present, and 17% occurred when the smoke...

Learn the NFPA systems and essential fire safety guidelines for hospitals and other medical facilities A 2013 study published in the Journal of Clinical Anesthesia concluded that “Fire happens with alarming frequency and potentially devastating consequences in hospitals around the world.” NFPA Journal summarized the study and global news reports that show how poor hospital fire safety leads to hundreds...

Protecting nonstructural components from earthquake damage In earthquake-prone areas, proper design and engineering make sure buildings stay structurally sound during a seismic event. But earthquakes damage more than just piers and beams, so it’s important to protect a building’s nonstructural components, including the mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and fire protection systems (sometimes abbreviated MEP-F). Seismic protection for ductwork, plumbing, and other...

New technology spurs new requirements in the latest edition of NFPA’s inspection, testing, and maintenance standard The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) refers to its standards as living documents, continuously adding new ways to keep people safe in an ever-evolving world. Innovation in fire safety technology is constant, and the most significant changes to the 2020 edition of NFPA 25...

Learn the requirements for AED signs, exit signs, and fire extinguisher signs No one expects an emergency to happen. But when they do occur, life and fire safety signs that illuminate the path to safety or the location of critical life safety equipment can save lives. In this blog, we examine model code requirements for some of the most important...

Highly-visible signage is an essential life safety measure Most people can figure out how to exit a building in normal circumstances. But add fear and an emergency, and normal tasks suddenly become difficult. Darkness after losing power and a fire’s smoke make everything worse. This is why it’s so essential to make egress—the act of escaping a building—simple and easy...