Fire Alarms for Minneapolis Businesses

Every Minneapolis business should have a fire protection plan in place, and this means more than just having a Minneapolis fire alarms company install a system. As one article noted:

In fact, whether it is taking fire protection measures in Minnesota at your office or practicing fire prevention at home, just be sure to that you are ready, in the event of the worst.

How do you make sure you're ready? Have an exit route and emergency action plan in place. Also have a fire prevention plan put together. Taking these important steps will help to save lives in the event of an emergency.

Read the entire article: "A Fire Protection Plan for Your Business." 

Types of Fire Sprinkler Systems

When you think of a fire sprinkler system, you might think of the ceiling-mounted system that covers an area in water when it detects a fire. This is one system, called a wet pipe system, and it's automatic device that supplies pressurized water to the room or rooms a fire has been detected in.

Another type of fire sprinkler system is called a dry pipe system. This type of sprinkler system is used in buildings that are unheated, as well as in refrigerated coolers and other cooler areas. This system is the second most common, after the wet pipe system, but is more expensive to install and keep in good condition.

A third type of sprinkler system is known as a deluge system. With a deluge sprinkler system, the sprinklers are actually open, allowing a greater flow of water from the pipes to the affected area. This can help put out a larger area of fire than the previous two systems.

The pre-action system is meant to not only protect life and extinguish fires, but also protect property. These systems are used frequently in museums and in other places where rare or expensive materials are kept.

Interested in learning more about which type of sprinkler system is right for you? Get in touch with Brothers Fire, an experienced Iowa fire protection company with over 10 years of experience. You can reach us by phone at (800) 607-2767.

Fire Protection Technology from 3M used by NASCAR Drivers

Chemicals company 3M has long been a source of innovation, and for years, one of the areas they've done a lot of good work in has been the race car fire protection industry. Here, they've provided NASCAR drivers with the fire protection technology used in race cars, like its Novec 1230 Fire Protection Fluid. 

This fluid is now becoming more and more common in Iowa fire protection systems. When the need for fire protection is there but water or dry chemical suppression agents will damage important electrical systems, this can be used to help stop the spread of a fire, providing more time for those in a building to escape and protecting more property by the time the fire is extinguished.

Ready to learn more about Iowa fire protection company Brothers Fire? Call today at (800) 607-2767.

How Fire Protection Systems Work

The modern-day fire protection system is a far cry from the one that was available to Iowa businesses a few decades back. In the past, fire protection consisted of a fire alarm system and a suppression system that merely tried to control a fire long enough for firefighters to arrive and finish the job. Today's fire protection system also couples an alarm and suppression system, but nowadays, a suppression system has the potential to completely knock out a fire on its own.

The most common system used for suppression is the sprinkler system. This often utilizes water, though other types of suppression agents (such as foam or gas) can also be used. When a fire is detected, usually by the presence of smoke in the air, the fire alarm portion of the protection system is activated, and the suppression system attempts to control and extinguish the fire as quickly as possible.

Brothers Fire has been helping Iowa businesses with their fire protection needs for the past decade. Interested in learning more about how we can help? Get in touch today by visiting our website.

A Firefighter's Take on Sprinkler Systems

Rhett Fleitz, a firefighter for nearly 15 years, recently sat down for an interview with an Indiana-based fire protection company in which he was asked for his opinion on sprinkler systems. Fleitz's response?

"The statistics are staggering when you compare life loss and property loss in sprinkled and non-sprinkled buildings. It should be a no-brainer."

Fleitz is the writer for a fire service blog called The Fire Critic, where he examines the fire service industry, its tools, and its methods from a firefighter's perspective. Fleitz credits sprinkler systems for doing a lot of the work before firefighters even arrive, saying that the systems "do a great job of keeping fires contained to the room of origin if not putting them out completely."

Brothers Fire Protection can help you install a sprinkler system in your Minneapolis home or business. Such a system can prevent serious damage, and can save lives by containing or extinguishing fires. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help! (800) 607-2767.

NFPA Poster Focuses on Fire Safety for Seniors

A brand new poster released by the National Fire Protection Association encourages seniors to develop an escape plan should a fire ever start in their place of residence. The poster, which measures at 8 and a half by 11 inches, would ideally be placed on bulletin boards of senior centers, churches, grocery stores, and other areas.

The posters can be downloaded for free from the NFPA website.

Learn more about how Brothers Fire Protection can help you keep your Minneapolis home or business safe in the event of a fire. Call us today at (800) 607-2767.

New Types of Fire Suppression Technologies

When most people think "fire suppression," they think of water-based sprinkler systems, and with good reason. For a long time, these were the most popular types of fire suppression systems. Today, however, there are a number of newer technologies that are starting to make inroads.

Compressed foam is one such fire suppression technology. This works in a similar way to a water-based sprinkler system, but won't damage electrical equipment like computers. Inergen is another type of fire suppressant that isn't new to fire protection specialists, specifically, but might be new to those who aren't familiar with the industry.

There will undoubtedly be more leaps in fire suppression technology as we move toward the future. Just know that water isn't the only source of protection! There are others that can help slow the growth of a fire or extinguish it completely, and actually cut down on damage done by the fire suppression system.

Contact Brothers Fire to talk more about how we can help your company with fire suppression!

NFPA Conference & Expo Happening in June 2012

The National Fire Protection Association's annual Conference & Expo will be taking place on June 12, 2012, and it should be a great conference for those in the fire protection industry. New York City Firefighter Jay Jonas will be there, speaking about his time with Ladder 6 and his experience inside the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001.

Jonas is now a deputy chief with the department, and will talk about the lessons taken away from that fateful day, as well as the improvements that have been made in the fire protection industry.

Here's a video of Jay Jonas speaking at the 9/11 memorial in New York.

The Expo will take place in Las Vegas, and registration is still open for those interested in attending.

If you're in need of fire protection services or products and you're located in Minnesota, we'd be more than happy to help. Give Brothers Fire a call today at (800) 607-2767, or visit our website at BrothersFire.com.

Interesting Facts about Fire Sprinklers

Fire sprinklers are effective tools in the fight against spreading fires in both homes and commercial office buildings. The fire sprinkler is not a new invention, nor an invention that came about in the past century. The concept behind the sprinkler is fairly old, and these devices have had quite a bit of time to accumulate some history. Here are some fun and interesting facts about fire sprinklers.

• Fire sprinklers have been used in the United States since 1874.
• It costs between $1-2 to build sprinklers into a new building, and between $1.50-2.50 to retrofit an existing building with sprinklers.
• A 1988 survey found that nearly half of hotels and motels had sprinkler systems installed. The number is likely higher today.
• Sprinkler installation makes up approximately 1% of the cost of a new building.
• A fire has never taken multiple lives in a fully sprinklered building.

Brothers Fire can help install a new sprinkler system in your home or commercial property. To learn more, contact us today at (800) 607-2767.

Winterizing Your Sprinkler Systems

Along with annually maintaining and inspecting your fire sprinkler systems, business owners should be prepared to have their systems winterized on an annual basis. Whether the system is dry or chemical-based shouldn't make a difference in deciding whether to have it done.

Brothers Fire Protection of the Upper Midwest is more than capable of winterizing commercial fire protection systems. For more information on this valuable service, please see our Winterizing Fire Sprinkler Systems service page at www.BrothersFire.com. 

The NFPA's Fire Sprinkler Initiative

The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) has launched its Fire Sprinkler Initiative, and as part of this movement, it released this video of a single-head fire sprinkler system in action. Watch the video below or learn more about the Fire Sprinkler Initiative at www.FireSprinklerInitiative.org.

 

DuPont FM200 Fire Sprinkler System at Work

DuPont makes great fire sprinkler systems, and the FM200 is one of the best known. See it in action by watching the video below.

Fire Protection Job Opening at Brothers Fire Protection of Minnesota

Want to work for the Upper Midwest’s leading fire protection company? Do you have experience in an office environment? You might be what we’re looking for at Brothers Fire Protection.

We’re looking to hire a service coordinator/inside sales assistant. The position's duties include customer service and relations/ proposal and quote reports preparation; scheduling; dispatching; and much more. For functions and requirements, please check out the Employment page at www.BrothersFire.com to find out more information.

We're looking for a service coordinator/inside sales assistant. Find more information on our blog. 

Workplace Fire Prevention

Our commercial customers might be interested in sharing this video with the businesses residing inside a facility so it can be shared with employees. Fire prevention isn't just about having the proper fire safety equipment installed -- each person also must take the correct course of action to extinguish or escape from a fire should one occur in the workplace.

Making Sure Your Property Doesn’t Go Down in Flames

The Wichita Eagle recently reported:

Another factor is that new homes — in subdivisions that are sometimes located farther from fire stations — are built with thinner lumber and more open floor plans that make them burn faster, safety officials say.
 Source: http://www.kansas.com/2011/11/06/2091846/modern-houses-go-up-in-flames.html

And many of these homes don’t have sprinkler systems in them, the Eagle reported.

Fire sprinklers are a necessity for any home, but especially for any business. Here are some reasons why you should have your business outfitted with fire sprinklers:

• The law: In most cases, fire sprinklers need to be installed in buildings. Just as is the case with fire extinguishers, not having them can mean you’re not following the law.
• Fire line of defense: A great sprinkler system should be your property’s fire line of defense should a fire break out. It should be able to douse enough of the fire to prevent the damage from spreading, and allow your fire suppression system to handle the rest.
• Automatic: With an automatic fire sprinkler system, your property will be protected from the moment a fire is detected. No worries about what to do.

Brothers Fire Protection offers commercial fire sprinklers in Minnesota.

Fire Alarm Systems Are a Business Necessity

As a business owner, you must think about what will happen if a fire were to break out. Without the proper preparation, you can lose all your investments, and suffer a loss of business, disruptions and financial strains. It can be hard to rebuild, and some find themselves unable to reestablish their business once they’re affected. For these reasons, it’s important to have equipped a functioning fire alarm system.

The alarm system you choose must be able to warn your employees of the danger. The first 1-2 minutes of a fire are the most crucial. When a fire strikes, you fire suppression system should go off, and with a reliable unit, you can ensure the safety of your business and manpower.

Your systems should also include the ability to warm local authorities about the fire. Once this happens, they can arrive and begin to resolve the issue, and protect your physical property.

Fire alarms can greatly protect your business. If you’re looking for a fire alarm system company in Minnesota, contact Brothers Fire at www.BrothersFire.com. 

Brothers Fire Protection Earns Underwriters Laboratory Listing

Accreditation is the highest level a fire alarm company can achieve

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:

Stephen R. Cieslukowski

9950 East Highway 10

Elk River, MN 55330

P: 800.607.2767

F: 763.441.5010

www.BrothersFire.com

 

ELK RIVER, Minn. – Brothers Fire Protection announced today that its fire alarm and life safety team has been granted an Underwriters Laboratory (UL) listing for the company’s fire alarm and monitoring services. This is the highest level of accreditation a fire alarm company can receive.

“We are very proud of the team led by general manager Rick Halloran, and the time, effort and sacrifice they made in reaching this significant milestone in the development of our fire alarm and life safety division,” said Stephen R. Cieslukowski, president of Brothers Fire Protection.

The listing, granted after months of review and on site testing by UL, will allow the company to service Minnesota UL/AHJ (authority having jurisdiction) user group cities, including Brooklyn Park, Brooklyn Center, Burnsville, Chanhassen, Chaska, Coon Rapids, Eden Prairie, Fridley, Golden Valley, Maple Grove, Plymouth, Shakopee, Shorewood and St. Anthony.

“Everyone at Brothers Fire Protection is very excited that we can begin to service our customers located in these markets,” Cieslukowski said.

Brothers Fire is one of the Midwest’s leading companies for fire suppression systems. The company for more than 10 years has served clients in the Minneapolis, St. Paul and Upper Midwest areas with fire sprinklers, alarm and suppression systems design, building, installation, inspection and service.

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