Over the last decade, we have seen a greater focus on integrated testing. This includes:
- Part 7 of the Ontario Fire Code (OFC)
- The CAN/ULC-S1001 Standard for Integrated Systems Testing
However, despite the obvious overlap between these two integrated tests, many building owners/managers are frustrated when they find out that their fire safety company is not authorized to help them with both tests.
The good news is that we can help! We are your integrated testing experts and we are one of the few firms in Canada authorized to help you with both Part 7 and ULC-S1001.
Of course, working with a single company is certainly the simplest way to proceed. However, there are also a number of value-added and cost-saving reasons to work with a single provider.
They include…
1. Cost Savings
It’s always in your best interest to build an ongoing relationship with any company.
For example, we have one partner that we’ve worked with for 15 years. First and foremost, we’re proud to say that this building has never had a notice of assessment during that time.
We’re able to offer ongoing services to this partner at a lower cost because we are already experts on their building.
Think of it this way: If you have to hire two separate companies for Part 7 and ULC-S1001, both of these companies need to quite literally learn your building from the ground up. And there is a lot of duplication and overlap between these two companies. You’re basically paying two different firms to learn your building and a considerable amount of documentation.
However, if you work with a company like ours, we already know your building and already have your documentation on file.
This is a far more efficient and cost-effective way to do things.
2. A Lower Probability of Errors
This ties into the previous point.
The more people/contractors you have working on your building and viewing your documents, the more potential there is for human error, simply because there are more people involved.
On the other hand, if you have one single engineer working on your building, they quickly become an expert on your building. Any would-be errors can be caught right away.
3. Forward-Looking and Customized Services
You’re running a building. You don’t have time to keep up with changes to the fire code. That’s why you hire someone like us.
If you have someone looking ahead on your behalf, you will never have to worry about being blindsided by changes. Your fire safety company should be coming to you with any would-be updates to regulations or the fire code, and tell you their plan to help you stay up to code and stay in constant compliance.
4. Simplified Ongoing Compliance and Worry-Free inspections
We often say that compliance is not really something you achieve, it’s something you maintain.
If fire safety is something you only worry about in the days or weeks leading up to an inspection, two things will happen:
- Your stress level will be sky-high leading up to the inspection
- Your inspection will likely go poorly, with a lot of unwelcome “surprises.”
Fire safety needs to be top of mind 365 days a year. But, again, you don’t have time to worry about it. That’s why it’s in your best interest to work with a fire safety company that can look after this for you.
They can help you come up with a plan to keep your staff trained, keep your equipment properly maintained, and keep your documentation complete 12 months of the year.
This leads to worry-free inspections and far better outcomes.
5. Contractor Management
If you work with an experienced fire safety firm, we can liaise with your various contractors on your behalf and act as your project managers.
We thrive at taking complex requirements and turning them into a simplified and actionable plan, and help you see the plan through from start to finish.
Let’s Start Preparing For Your Next Inspection Right Now
Your ongoing journey to maintaining sustainable compliance can be complex, so don’t do it alone!
If you want to ensure that your building is safe and compliant, please feel free to reach out to admin@fcsfire.com or 1-800-281-8863.
