Security and Fire Safety Tips for Emergency Preparedness

Emergencies are always unexpected and can take many forms, ranging from fire to break-ins. While you can’t predict exactly when or where they’ll happen, you can make sure you’re prepared if and when they do.

Preparation is crucial in emergencies because when bad things happen, it’s normal to be stressed and not able to think. This stress can lead to poor decisions that put you, your team members, and your valuable assets at risk. 

Combining traditional safety measures with modern access control gives you the best protection for what matters most–your people and property.

Emergency preparedness includes identifying exit routes and making sure everyone knows how to use them. Fire drills should be conducted so emergency procedures can become second nature and be followed in the case of an actual emergency. In addition, having regular maintenance performed on your security and fire systems will help ensure that they perform as intended when you need them. Cloud-based security systems help you respond faster and coordinate better when every second counts.

Part of your emergency preparedness scenario should include having procedures in place in case your fire or security systems have issues. Here are some smart ways to be prepared.

Fire System Failures and Solutions

If your fire alarm system goes down, you will need to conduct a fire watch that has been planned and practiced in advance. This procedure involves assigning one or more people to notify the fire department and building occupants in case of an emergency. They will also need to walk the building to verify that no fires or enhance risk of fire exists. They may also identify and control fire hazards, raise an alarm, and help people get out of the building. The newest fire safety access solutions work wonderfully here–they give emergency responders critical information about your building layout and who's inside, even when primary systems aren't working.

There’s a common misconception that a fire watch is only required when a fire protection system has been impaired for four cumulative hours in a 24-hour period (or 10 hours in the case of water-based systems). This is not true. The NFPA specifies a fire watch to be instituted if the sum of all outages exceeds the stipulated time frame in a 24-hour period. Unlike other fire and security vendors, Brothers Fire & Security has had experience with, and can help create, such a policy and can take over your fire watch responsibilities. 

Sprinkler systems can malfunction by going off when there’s no fire. Or not going off when required. Knocking sprinkler systems with construction or maintenance equipment, or having pipes that freeze can cause sprinkler heads to burst, are two examples that can cause sprinkler systems to mistakenly go off or fail not to.

If that’s the case, everyone should be removed from the area, and electrical equipment should be shut off before turning off your building’s main water supply to stop the flow of water. As with other emergency procedures, these steps should be assigned to one or more people and practiced in advance. 

Security System Failures and Solutions

Security systems can also fail. Your system may be older and need to be replaced, especially if regular maintenance hasn’t been performed on it. Batteries wear out and fail to work, so you’ll need to set up a regular schedule to replace them. Power surges or lightning strikes can also damage a security system and cause it to not operate properly. This can be detected by routine inspections and by calling your security system company if you’ve had a surge or lightning strike so they can test your equipment to make sure it will function properly when you need it.

Hackers are also a threat to your security system–they can jam signals or access camera feeds without permission. Cloud-based security options provide stronger protection against cyber threats than older systems ever could. 

The best security systems will have anti-jamming as well as encryption capabilities so any data is unreadable to someone without authorization. If you suspect your security has been hacked, contact your vendor so they can check and make any necessary adjustments to your system.

Access Control Systems: Emergency Preparedness

Many businesses face a critical gap in their emergency planning: their security systems and emergency protocols often operate on their own, creating confusion and delays. Traditional key-based systems can't adapt to rapidly changing emergency situations, leaving you with difficult choices between security and safety.

Quick Response During Critical Situations 

During emergencies, securing your facility quickly becomes essential. Today's access control technology lets you manage your building's security remotely, helping you respond to situations even when you're not on-site. This capability proves especially valuable when you need to secure areas during a developing situation or when you need to provide immediate access to first responders.

Smarter Building Management During Emergencies 

Well-designed access control systems provide practical benefits during evacuations and emergencies:

• They create accurate occupancy information to help first responders know who might still be inside
• They streamline evacuation by automatically adjusting access permissions along exit routes
• They balance security needs with emergency access requirements
• They help track movement through your facility, improving accountability during critical events

Integration with Fire Safety Systems 

One of the most helpful aspects of modern access control is how it works together with your fire safety equipment. When properly integrated, these systems:

• Work together to unlock emergency exits when needed
• Adjust access restrictions automatically to support safe evacuation
• Maintain appropriate security while ensuring everyone can exit safely
• Provide consistent, reliable responses based on your building's specific needs

This thoughtful integration helps ensure your emergency plans work effectively, with all your systems supporting rather than hindering your safety goals.

Working With the Right Partner

One of your top priorities is keeping people and property safe. To best achieve that goal, your fire and security needs should be taken care of by an experienced partner you trust. They’ll need to be able to not only install the equipment you need, but also test, inspect, and maintain your systems so they’ll be ready when necessary.

Brothers Fire & Security is a leading provider of fire and security solutions in the Upper Midwest. Our goal is to develop lasting, value-driven partnerships with our clients. Whether you're a business owner, property management company, or a public institution, we have the expertise to address all your fire and security needs from routine maintenance to one-time occurrences.

Let's strengthen your emergency response plan together. Schedule a friendly, no-pressure security assessment and find how our integrated access control solutions can better protect what matters most.