Damage from commercial property fires costs business owners over 2.4 billion dollars each year. If you're planning a commercial construction, implementing fire safety features in the building design can save lives and protect the property from harm. Here are some safety elements to include in your building design.

What Are Some Key Fire Safety Features for Commercial Buildings?

1. Fire Suppression Systems

A commercial fire suppression system should be customized to meet the size and layout of the building. The right system includes built-in components that sense fire through heat, smoke, and other signals that activate an alarm system that alerts occupants to the fire. Most fire suppression systems automatically release an external substance—like water, carbon dioxide, or inert gasses—to extinguish the fire after detection.

2. Emergency Lighting

Emergency lighting illuminates a path to safety for occupants to follow during a fire. The system should be integrated into the building design and should, under normal conditions, operate from the building's primary electrical system. 

However, battery backups are crucial so that the lighting will come on if the power supply is interrupted. Install emergency lighting at all stairs, hallways, ramps, escalators, and walkways that lead to an exit.

3. Walls & Floors

The construction materials you choose for the building also play an important role in fire safety. Load-bearing walls, for instance, are integral to the support of the structure, but they also need to be sufficiently thick to serve as fire barriers. 

Stone, concrete, or tile floors have good fire protection capabilities. If you need to install wood flooring, make sure the joists are thicker and positioned further apart than normal for added fire protection. A structural engineer can advise you on the specific thickness needed for load-bearing walls and wood floor joists.

Fire safety should be a priority in any commercial construction. The team at Mid-Penn Engineering in Lewisburg, PA, can implement building design measures that ensure a safe business environment. They've served commercial developers in Central PA and the surrounding area since 1969. In addition to designing the building for fire safety, they can also provide surveying to evaluate the property's suitability for different structures and water drainage. Call (570) 524-2214 to schedule a consultation, or visit them online to learn more about their services.