The Local Assistant should establish the objectives or goals prior to embarking on upgrading of a single building or a systematic upgrade program. This will help the Local Assistant and the owners find common grounds if the objectives are acceptable to both parties. The Local Assistant should evaluate the building as a whole, and not deal with one objective without considering all.
The Local Assistant can use the objectives to help them prioritize the items for upgrades. Some occupancies have objectives that stem logically from the use. For example, if early warning and safe exiting are achieved as primary objectives for a residential occupancy upgrade, then property protection may not be as critical if fire spread to neighbouring properties is not an issue.
The following is a list of common objectives and corresponding fire and life safety upgrades in existing buildings.
Objectives* |
Possible fire safety system upgrades |
Early warning |
Fire alarm system, sprinklers (in lieu of heat detectors) |
| Safe exiting | Upgrading exits, fire separations, sprinklers, emergency lighting |
| Fire containment/property protection – includes adjacent buildings and wildfires | Sprinklers, fire separations, closing existing unprotected openings, clearing property debris, “Fire Smart” principles |
| Early notification to responders | Monitor fire alarm off site, fire alarm system |
| Control of hazardous activities/storage | Fire compartments, sprinklers, secondary containment |
| Improve fire fighting capabilities | Standpipe system, water supply |
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