Commercial, industrial and government properties face very strict requirements for fire safety systems. These requirements are always to follow specific national, state and local codes and infractions are supported with laws. When reviewing fire protection companies in Los Angeles that you may wish to work with, there are a number of issues that must be considered. The company you eventually choose must have the capability of designing, installing, monitoring and maintaining the system. Here are a few tips that may help you make a well informed decision.
Reputation:
The longer a company has been in business, the better. It goes to show that they are well respected and they have a loyal customer base. Companies that have been in business for a good number of years will also be in a better position to weather economic downturns that may drive other companies with less experience out of business. A company that is proud of its reputation will be happy to provide you with a list of installations and testimonials.
Product knowledge:
Attempt to establish how current the knowledge base is of the company and its people. New equipment comes on the market frequently; find out if the company is tied to one equipment manufacturer or whether they have the freedom of choosing the best equipment for your installation. Find out if the fire protection companies in Los Angeles that you are interviewing can install a fully integrated system, including smoke and heat detectors as well as alarm systems, emergency lighting and CCTV systems which can be integrated into access control and for the remote monitoring of safe evacuation from the building.
Breadth of service:
To avoid the expense of an emergency call-out, the company should have a maintenance and service department that conducts routine inspections of the installation. The company should be able to work to a fixed schedule so that the inspections can take place with minimum disruption to the personnel in the building. You need to work with a company that provides 24 hour response to any problems that might crop up.
Tailor made system:
Large buildings with complex requirements will usually mean that the fire protection companies in Los Angeles that you are considering have a dedicated design team which can provide a bespoke solution.
Staff quality:
The installation company that you choose must have knowledgeable staff that can offer advice, do the work efficiently and do it with minimum disruption. You will need to find out how the staff is trained, do they go for specific training from the product manufacturers they represent? Are the staff licensed and do they work in accordance with mandatory health and safety rules and what insurances cover the staff and their workmanship?
Once you have had an opportunity to speak to references you will be in a good position to select the best fire protection companies in Los Angeles for you situation.