How to Reduce Commercial Fire Protection Services Cost?
In today’s economy, it’s more important than ever to discover effective ways to save on a facility’s operating costs. You can decrease the frequency of services like landscaping but cutting back on fire protection system services aren’t quite the same. One results in unappealing vegetation the other expensive fire code violations and an enraged boss who must pay the fines, yikes! Fortunately, there are 5 ways to reduce commercial fire protection services cost that’ll keep your facility code compliant:
- Bundling Fire Protection System Services
- Consider Future Needs When Selecting a Fire Alarm System
- Regular Fire Protection Maintenance Prevents Costly Repairs
- Keeping Parts in Stock
- Multiple Year Service Contracts
1. Bundling Fire Protection System Services
In most cases when you purchase a trip’s flight, hotel, and car as a package it’s a much better deal than purchasing each separately. Similarly purchasing multiple services from a one-stop shop fire protection service provider will give you a better price. They can offer you a discounted rate since their technicians can perform multiple services in one visit and aren’t wasting time traveling between sites. Be sure to compare fire protection service pricing and certify that the company can handle all your facility’s fire protection systems. This is one way you can reduce fire protection services cost in your facility.
2. Consider Future Needs When Selecting a Fire Alarm System
Whether you’re deciding between a fire alarm system replacement or install there’s one important tip to keep in mind. Ensure the fire alarm system is expandable and that it can handle additional devices. Then when the facility expands, you’ll only need to purchase and install devices since the panel is already in place. It’s extremely costly to rip out and replace a system that’s only a few years old. Think about what might happen in the future when selecting a fire alarm panel, not just what’s appropriate for today.
3. Regular Fire Protection Maintenance Prevents Costly Repairs
Stay up to date with fire protection system maintenance so that if there are any problems they are noted and fixed right away. Often, small inexpensive repairs fall to the wayside and don’t get attention until they become major costly problems. For example, it’s inexpensive to empty fire sprinkler low point drains to remove any residual water before temperatures hit the freezing point. But if water builds up in the drain, freezes, and bursts it can become a complete disaster. Depending on how far the water spreads and what it damages the cleanup and repairs can be astronomical. Regular system maintenance will reduce commercial fire protection services cost.
4. Keeping Parts in Stock
Keeping a supply of replacement parts and devices like smoke detectors, fire alarm panel batteries, pull stations etc. in stock is a huge money saver. If a technician finds a problem and doesn’t have the replacement part on hand they’ll need to special order it. Instead of fixing the issue that day the technician must come back another time. You’ll not only be charged for the part but the technician’s travel time and the time it takes to fix the fire protection system. Having common parts in stock will eliminate the cost of the added trip, dramatically reducing the cost of fire protection system repairs.
5. Multiple Year Service Contracts
First, fire protection multiple year service contracts don’t have to be like the terrible experience and price you receive from your cable, internet, and phone provider. The fire protection system services contract won’t be $500 annually for the first year then $1000 every year after. Fire protection service companies give you a better deal on multiple year contracts because the only incentive for you to sign is to give you the best price. Just be mindful and make sure you get a cost breakdown. Understand how much fire protection services cost each year so there aren’t any surprises.
If you already have a quality fire and life safety service provider, ask them if they can bundle services together or offer a multiple-year service contract for the best possible price. On your own, you can keep parts in stock and have regular maintenance performed to avoid costly fire protection system repairs. Lastly, if the facility is considering a new fire alarm system ensure it can meet the facility’s needs today as well as those in the future. Above all do your research, perform a thorough evaluation of the fire protection service company. This will reduce commercial fire protection services cost and keep your facility code compliant.
Categorized in: Education, Fire Alarms, Fire Damper, Fire Pumps, Fire Sprinklers, Fire Suppression, General