January 10, 2022

Compliance Fire Protection

Hey NYC: Update Your Fire Safety Ordinance

Fire Safety Compliance

Effective in 1984, the Los Angeles Fire Department passed a new ordinance containing code requirements in the areas of building, electrical, fire and plumbing. The Dorothy Mae Ordinance had many new regulations to follow, but most vital to note is that Self-closing devices were now being required on apartment or guest room doors openings into an interior stairway, hallway or exit. Why? Because if there is a fire in a unit just like the tragic one in the Bronx– and the front door is left open– the fire will be delayed from spreading into the corridor for a minimum of 90 mins. That’s an entire 1.5 hours. This is vital time in the case of a fire emergency to allow for evacuation and emergency personnel to take action for fire extinguishing and rescue. Click the following link if you’d like to read the entire LAFD Dorothy Mae Ordinance.

fire door closer

Fire Sprinkler Retrofit

Another regulation added to buildings in Los Angeles that fell under the Dorothy Mae Ordinance was adding sprinkler heads above each self-closing door. This type of retrofitting may not be possible considering the cost and logistics of installing new sprinkler systems in the vast amount of non-sprinklered buildings in NYC. That is why self-closing doors and regularly tested smoke detectors are a vital in order to save life and property assets.

Smoke Detectors are Vital

Smoke detectors within apartment or condo units are local meaning they won’t make an external fire alarm control panel ring nor alert the Fire Department to be dispatched. Smoke detectors in common areas are often connected to a Fire Alarm Control Panel and should make your building’s fire alarm bells ring and sometimes release magnetically-held fire doors to latch. You need to stay compliant and vigilant with annual testing of your fire alarm and fire doors whether you are ordered to do so by the local AHJ, Fire Department, or Insurance– or not. Regardless of where you live, these are important fire safety measures that should be taken seriously by building owners and management.

Supervisory Station Alarm Monitoring

Ask your building management if your Fire Alarm or Fire Sprinkler system is monitored. If there is an emergency, monitored systems will dispatch firefighters within minutes. These systems also require Annual Supervisory Station Alarm Testing. In 2022, dedicated digital phone lines are cheaper than analog lines ever were. Now is the time to take action in order to stay on top of your building’s fire safety for your protection. As we often say, “Know Safety, No Fire”.

Contact KO Fire Protection for your Fire Safety Compliance Needs. Email us [email protected] or Call (818) 259-4412 for questions or to schedule an estimate on testing or repairss.

November 23, 2021

Reg 4 Testing Testing

Elevator Recall Los Angeles

Elevator Recall Testing

If your premises is in the City of Los Angeles, you will need a Certified Reg 4 Testing to test your elevator recall system. That would be considered a Reg 4 Elevator Test. In some cases, your insurance company or the State of CA will also request testing. In that you will need to hire a Certified Competent Conveyance (Elevator) Mechanic (CCCM) who is employed by a Certified Qualified Conveyance Company (CQCC). Call or email us for a quote so we can get you scheduled.

elevator testing

Elevator Recall Repair

Elevator Recall systems can be tricky business, especially because many smoke detectors are obsolete in this day and age. Fortunately, we have the experience in dealing with hard to find replacements in order to get your elevator back up and running, while still maintaining AHJ safety standards. Recently one of our customer’s elevator was down for 3 weeks until we came in and repaired their system after sourcing the proper smoke detectors.

September 14, 2021

Reg 4 Testing

KO Fire, Inc’s President Kevin Opos is licensed by the Regulation 4 Division as a Certified Tester. If your premises exists in the City of Los Angeles, you will need a Certified Reg 4 Tester to test your fire systems. If you receive a notice from the Fire Department, you’ll only have 30 days to hire someone for testing. Call or email us for a quote right ASAP so we can get you scheduled.

Reg 4 Compliance

Building owners and managers must comply with Reg 4 Testing Guidelines or the City Attorney could eventually take action to fine you. We will help you avoid that scenario or if it’s too late we will help get you out of trouble by testing immediately. We have an upstanding relationship with the Reg 4 Unit so we will call the Inspectors to inform them of testing. We will follow standard reporting procedures via the Brycer Compliance Engine. If defects are found, you will have 30 days to make repairs file a retest report. Contact us to receive a quote on Reg 4 Testing and Reg 4 Retest

September 1, 2021

Reg 4 Testing Fire Protection

Fire Alarm Monitoring Service

Your premises may have a Fire Alarm or Fire Sprinkler System with an existing integrated monitoring service. You may be interested in a monitoring service upgrade to digital cellular, or you may be in need of monitoring service initially installed. The way it works is as follows: when your fire alarm or sprinkler system is activated, a signal is sent through a central station monitoring service who will dispatch the local Fire Department to your premises. It’s important to have this tested annually to ensure proper operation. If there are any defects found during testing in regards to your monitoring service operation, it’s in your interest to have it repaired, otherwise you would be paying for a monthly monitoring service that doesn’t work as intended. KO Fire Protection is licensed is Licensed, Bonded and Insured to make necessary repairs.

Monthly Monitoring Quote

Whether requested by the Fire Department or Insurance, you’ll want to get a quote for monthly monitoring services by emailing [email protected]. The information that is important to share with us as a potential service provider is your address, if you currently pay for a monthly monitoring service, and which fire protection systems you have on site. Systems vary and it’s important to know what exists on site so we don’t misquote you. In some cases, its best we make an appointment to stop by the premises.

Supervisory Station Alarm

If your premises is in the City of Los Angeles, you’ll need a Supervisory Station Alarm Reg 4 Test completed for your Monitoring Service. Once the findings of your test pass certification, your Certified Tester will submit a system report on The Compliance Engine by Brycer. There is a standard reporting processing fee of $12, which may be increased over time. If the tester submits a fail, you’ll have 30 days to make repairs then submit a Retest report with another processing fee. Costs vary depending upon your systems and how many defects you had.

Contact us for your Monthly Monitoring Service and Supervisory Station Alarm needs. Email us [email protected] or Call (818) 259-4412

August 5, 2021

Fire Protection Compliance Testing

Regulation 4 Test Los Angeles

Regulation 4 Test in Los Angeles

If your property falls under the Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) of the City of Los Angeles, you need to find a licensed Reg 4 Certified Tester to certify your fire protection systems. You may receive an e-mail or post mail notice from the LAFD that you have 30 days to complete testing. In case of any defects found during testing, you’ll have 30 more days to make repairs. KO Fire Protection is licensed for Reg 4 Testing as well as Licensed, Bonded and Insured to make necessary repairs.

Reg 4 Quote

You’ll want to get a quote for Reg 4 Testing. The information that is important to share with a potential certified tester is your address, how many stories your building has, how many units, and which fire protection systems you have on site. Systems vary and its important for your contractor to know what they are facing so we don’t misquote you and arrive on site with surprises. In some cases, its best we stop by the premises if you have complex systems.

The Compliance Engine

Once testing is complete, your Reg 4 Certified Tester will submit your system reports to The Compliance Engine by Brycer. There is a standard reporting processing fee of $12, which may be increased over time. If the tester submits a fail, you’ll have 30 days to make repairs then submit a Retest report with another processing fee. Costs vary depending upon your systems and how many defects you had.

December 21, 2020

Fire Protection Insurance Testing Fire Extinguishers

Fire Extinguisher Service in Los Angeles

You may have noticed there are tags hanging your fire extinguishers. That’s the State Fire Marshall’s way of making sure your extinguishers are up to code and up to date. A fire safety company must be licensed in order to do the inspection and maintenance on your fire extinguishers.

Old Extinguishers: If your extinguishers are 6 years old from the manufacturer’s date, the stored pressure requires a hydrostatic test that will last the extinguisher another 6 years. That means the extinguisher’s chemical contents must be emptied and proper maintenance procedures should be performed [NFPA 10(98), Sec. 4-4.3] After the hydrostatic test, a white ring as placed around the collar including the new date tested. Once the extinguisher is over 12 years old and is non-chargeable, it should be replaced.
Annual Maintenance: your extinguisher can be tagged for annual certification unless:
- Extinguisher has been repaired by soldering, welding, or use of patching compounds
- Extinguisher cylinder or shell threads are damaged
- Corrosion has caused pitting, including corrosion under removable name plate assemblies
- Extinguisher has been burned in a fire
- When a calcium chloride extinguishing or incorrect agent has been used in a stainless steel shell.
Recall: some extinguisher such as the Kidde brand with plastic handle and parts is under recall program and must be replaced regardless of age.

How to Use A Fire Extinguisher

Los Angeles Extinguisher Service

We are available for extinguisher service in the City of Los Angeles and Los Angeles County. Maintenance is required by the Fire Department, the State of California, or often Insurance companies.

We can give you a quote on maintenance and new extinguisher pricing. Call us at 818-259-4412 we are happy to schedule an appointment on fire extinguisher maintenance and fire extinguisher service You can also e-mail us at [email protected].

December 17, 2020

Fire Protection Testing Compliance Insurance Testing

My Smoke Detector Keeps Beeping

You may have noticed that your smoke detector keeps beeping. It’s keeping you and your neighbors up at night and it’s an absolute nuisance. There are a few things you want to check to find the problem as to why it’s beeping.

The Battery is Backwards: Make sure the battery is installed correctly. Those 6 volt batteries can be confusing. If you can’t see small characters, as someone for help to line up the positive and negative ends of the battery. I can’t tell you how many times batteries were installed backwards.
The Battery is Old: If the battery is burned out, it will make the smoke detector beep. Buy a new 6 volt battery. Get a pack of a few so you don’t always run out of them!
The Smoke Detector is Old: Sometimes once a smoke detector gets too old it becomes defective and putting in a new battery won’t even help. Just replace the smoke detector!
Disconnected Wiring: sometimes the wiring inside the J-box got disconnected. Call a professional such as KO Fire Protection if you don’t have knowledge of basic low voltage electrical connections.

Dual Carbon Monoxide Smoke Detector

Now more than ever we’ve been doing smoke detector testing and smoke detector inspections. Its important to have a standard smoke detector in each bedroom and a dual carbon monoxide/smoke detector in hallways and corridors that sit between your kitchen and your bedrooms. Why? If there is a gas leak in your home, the carbon monoxide detector will pick it up before it gets to your bedroom where you and your family are sleeping. This is of vital important that these are in working condition.

carbon monoxide smoke detector For property owners and property management companies, your insurance company will make sure you test your carbon monoxide and smoke detectors. The process can be tedious to schedule and enter every unit in a building, but its worthwhile and important for life and property safety. Call us at 818-259-4412 we are happy to explain the process to you and provide you with a quote on smoke detector testing. You can also e-mail us at [email protected].

October 26, 2020

Real Estate Fire Protection

Los Angeles Fire Safety Compliance

Fire Safety Compliance in Los Angeles

You may have received a notice from the LAFD, from your insurance company, or because you are in escrow on your property. KO Fire is licensed, insured, and certified to enact fire safety compliance in Los Angeles. Licensed by the Los Angeles Fire Department’s Fire Prevention Bureau, we are reasonable and reliable to make sure your fire systems are in working order and in compliance.

Fire Protection Compliance

With the COVID pandemic, many real estate transactions are currently taking place. We offer timely testing and repairs in order to assist you in moving your compliance forward in order to close your deals. Are you a real estate agent or broker in Los Angeles? Call us. Are you a property owner or property manager or supervisor? Contact us to schedule testing and request an estimate.

real estate escrow There is no fire safety compliance testing we don’t do. The process can be confusing but we are happy to explain it to you and put your mind at ease. E-mail us [email protected] for a quote.

April 20, 2020

Fire Protection Reg 4 Testing

Los Angeles Fire Protection

If you are looking for a Los Angeles Fire Protection company that is reliable, experienced, and insured then KO FIRE is a great choice. We are not only licensed by the Los Angeles Fire Department’s Fire Prevention Bureau, but we are also licensed and bonded by the State of California’s CLSB License Board with a C16 License.

Los Angeles Fire Prevention

KO Fire is licensed by the Los Angeles Fire Department‘s Chief’s Regulation 4 Unit. Also known as The Compliance Unit, LAFD Inspectors highly recommend KO Fire for fire prevention in Los Angeles. We can certify your premises and bring you up to code for the following systems: Automatic Closing Fire Assemblies Testing, Automatic Elevator (Phase I & II) Testing, Automatic Sprinkler Testing, Basic and Complex Fire Life Safety Systems Testing, Battery Systems Only Testing, Central Station Testing, Class I Standpipe Testing, Class II Standpipe Testing, Class III Standpipe Testing, Combined Standpipe Testing, Elevator Testing, Emergency Generator and Battery Systems Testing, Fire Escape Testing, Fire Pumps Testers, Gas Detection Tests, Mechanical Smoke Proof Enclosures Testing, Pressurized Stairshaft Testing, Smoke Evacuation Testing

Fire Safety is your best insurance. Keeping your property protected could save lives and property value. It’s a no brainer. It can be daunting and confusing when hiring a fire safety contractor. Let us answer your questions and do the hard work for you. E-mail us [email protected] for a quote.

April 2, 2020

Fire Protection

What is Reg 4 Testing

Reg 4 Testing

Property owners will receive a notice if you are due for a Reg 4 Test. There are many different types of Reg 4 Tests that you may be requested to get completed within 30 days of receiving it. KO Fire is licensed to take care of all of your Reg 4 Requirements and needs.

Types of Reg 4 Tests

Reg 4 Tests include Automatic Closing Fire Assemblies Testing, Automatic Elevator (Phase I & II) Testing, Automatic Sprinkler Testing, Basic and Complex Fire Life Safety Systems Testing, Battery Systems Only Testing, Central Station Testing, Class I Standpipe Testing, Class II Standpipe Testing, Class III Standpipe Testing, Combined Standpipe Testing, Elevator Testing, Emergency Generator and Battery Systems Testing, Fire Escape Testing, Fire Pumps Testers, Gas Detection Tests, Mechanical Smoke Proof Enclosures Testing, Pressurized Stairshaft Testing, Smoke Evacuation Testing

The Reg 4 Unit is also called The Compliance Unit, so don’t be confused by the different names. Its the same program under the Los Angeles Fire Department Fire Prevention Bureau on Main St. in Downtown Los Angeles.