As a property manager, ensuring the safety and well-being of your tenants should not only be top-priority, but is the law. One critical aspect of being a PM is fire safety and smoke detection in rental units. By taking proactive measures and implementing best practices, you will create a safer living environment for your tenants and protect your property from the devastating effects of fire.
Here are some essential tips for property managers to ensure fire safety and smoke detection.
Smoke Alarm testing- ensure each unit has fully operational and up to date smoke alarms. Detectors should be placed outside of bedrooms, on each floor of the unit. Test the alarms regularly and replace batteries at least once a year. Consider hard wired alarms which are interconnected to a main control panel. This saves time in the event of an emergency.
Educate Tenants- provide tenants with information on fire safety practices and the importance of smoke alarms and horns in multi-residential buildings. How many times have you found the horns covered or taped over? Education is best practice. Create educational material and or host fire safety workshops to raise awareness with tenants abut fire safety and emergency procedures.
Develop and Communicate Safety Plans- Work with your residents to develop fire escape plans for each unit. Identify primary and secondary escape routes, designate a meeting point ( not the front lobby) outside the building which gives emergency and fire fighters clear access.
Maintain clear exits- ensure all exits, hallways and stairwells are clear of obstructions, clutter, and flammable materials. Regularly inspect common areas and enforce policies that prohibit storage in these areas to maintain clear evacuation routes.
Conduct Fire Drills- Organize annual fire drills in your buildings in collaboration with tenants to practice evacuation procedures. Simulating emergency situations can help tenants familiarize themselves with escape routes and proper procedures in the event of a fire, and can help Property Managers work through any "hiccups", so the process can be smoothed out in a real emergency.
Stay Compliant- Spend the time working with your fire and safety companies to learn codes and regulations. Ensure your buildings meet all criteria for smoke alarms, fire extinguishers, emergency lighting and other safety measures. Stay up to date with changes in regulations and promptly address any compliance issues and deficiencies.
By prioritizing fire safety and smoke detection in rental units, PM can create a secure living environment for tenants and reduce the risk of fire related incidents. Remember, proactive measures today can prevent devastating consequences tomorrow.
Let me now in the comments what other important measures you adhere to in ensuring your properties are compliant and safe?
Contributing Author: Tami Bergen
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