Welcome to 2022! It’s that time of the year when “new year, new me” is the trending hashtag globally; and yes, we’re taking full advantage of the fact that it rhymes (fire protection can be one of the cool kids too 😎🤣).

2020 and 2021 passed in a blur of pandemic news, which we can all hope is mostly behind us. But the building safety world just quietly kept moving, and Onetrace kept iterating and working hard to ensure that fire protection businesses have a system that’s not only great for their operatives on site, but also efficient and effective for those in the office.

Our new year’s resolution is to build the best possible fire protection traceability software for our clients, that can improve their efficiency and impact on fire safety. But we’re not the only ones with resolutions for 2022, so we’ve put together a list of resolutions that can keep your business and your home safer for this year and many more to come!

Have bi-annual fire drills

Fire drills are an important part of keeping team members and loved ones safe in the event of a blaze. Naturally, we all assume that everyone knows what we know (it’s a very common cognitive bias); but when you’re relying on this information for an emergency, it’s better not to assume.

Try to have two fire drills a year. This will ensure that longer-serving team members will have these procedures reinforced, and any new starters will experience the drill with everyone, strengthening the knowledge of fire procedures they learned during their induction.

For families with children, it’s even more prudent to reinforce what to do in a fire emergency as during a panic, kids can forget something they learned years ago; a regular reminder will stick in their heads and they will remember this in the event of a fire.

Ensure your active fire protection systems are maintained

How often have you picked up a food item from the back of a cupboard and realised that it was out of date? It happens to everyone. Now think about the last time you had your smoke alarms checked, or your fire extinguishers serviced. Do you have the right fire extinguishers in an accessible area near the most common spaces where a fire is likely to start?

Make a checklist of all the fire protection systems that you have in your building, and make a note of the expiration, renewal or service dates, where applicable. If you haven’t had one in a while, make a note to have a fire assessment done by a certified fire protection operative, as they will be able to recommend any additional fire protection systems that can help when it counts, such as additional smoke detectors or fire extinguishers.

They will also check your passive fire protection, such as ceilings, walls and any fire doors, especially if you have had work done as there are cases where compartmentation has been opened for access but not sufficiently replaced. By having a simple check, at work or at home, you will have a better sense of security and fire protection.

Start with fire safety

The best form of fire-stopping is when the building itself was designed with fire-stopping in mind. Most fire-stopping systems are fitted in the later stages of a build, or during renovation, but some buildings could be much more effective in slowing the spread of smoke if compartmentation was considered during the design phase.

Get Onetrace Fire Protection Traceability

If you’re a business that’s all about fire-stopping and traceability, then Onetrace is the choice for you. While it creates a much more efficient workflow if used effectively, it can also keep your business in line with current 3rd party accreditation standards and fulfils the requirements of the golden thread; so even if your business isn’t yet accredited, your work would be compliant.

There are many benefits, bells and whistles of Onetrace. It’s an all-in-one place for fire protection traceability and unlike similar systems, it’s very cost-effective, making it a perfect choice for small and large businesses alike.

Once you’re ready to see what all the fuss is about, you only need to simply get in touch or request a demo. If you’re not ready to commit, that’s okay - you can try Onetrace completely free for 7 days with zero obligation or commitment. No fuss, no hassle.