Important Things Your Firestop Installer Should be Doing
Finding a reliable Firestop Installer can take a lot of time and resources.
Finding a reliable Firestop Contractor can take a lot of time and resources, so it can be a huge relief when you do finally land one that you think is a good fit for your building. You expect they are doing the best they can in a timely, safe, and professional manner. To make sure that they are doing the job up to high standards, here are a couple of noteworthy things to look out for to make sure your money is going to good use. Read on to learn more!
They Have Certifications from Various Firestop Manufacturers
As we know, materials from different manufacturers should never be mixed in one firestop penetration, so it is key that your firestop installer is familiar with all of the materials used in your building. When a specialty firestop installer is certified by one or many other firestop manufacturers, it will ensure that they’re familiar with the specific product type and the specified application for that product to ensure installed systems are “Approved” systems. Different manufacturers have their own sets of specifications, so having a firestop installer that is certified by each manufacturer means they understand the proper use and specifications to the fullest. One example would be if a design required a waterproof system—it would not be good if the installer used a water-based fire caulk versus a silicon-based fire caulk. Make sure your Firestop Contractor is certified by the manufacturer specified in your project!
They Have Implemented a Quality Control Management System
You may have seen the words “FM Approved” or “UL Qualified” before, but do you really know what they mean? Both programs are Quality Control Management Systems based on the ISO 9000 series of management systems specifically tailored to Contractors specializing in fire suppression and firestop system installation. When a Contractor is FM Approved and / or UL Qualified, it means that Contractor has taken a strong stance on their quality of work investing significant time and money in training and developing quality improvement processes to ensure the work completed is of the highest caliber. These programs require annual third-party compliance audits as well as “Designated Responsible Individuals,” or “DRIs,” identified through extensive experience as well as design and specification knowledge testing with regular continuing education requirements to maintain this designation. Most projects specify the Contractor used to install firestop systems must have at least one of these programs in place. When Contractors choose to self-perform firestop work or use a Firestop Contractor without these programs in place, not only could the work be out of spec, but the Contractor takes on significant liability should the systems fail—it could be catastrophic if the failed system also resulted in loss of life! Not only does G&M Services have BOTH the “FM Approved Firestop Contractor” and “UL Qualified Firestop Contractor” programs in place, but we also have THREE DRIs in place to ensure the quality of work we perform meets or exceeds specifications. G&M Services is one of nine Firestop Contractors to be BOTH FM Approved, and UL Qualified in the entire World! G&M Services is also the ONLY Firestop Contractor to be both FM Approved and UL Qualified in the geographic areas we cover to include all of Washington D.C., Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, and Georgia. Choosing G&M Services as your Firestop Contractor not only ensures the work will be completed correctly but will also give you piece of mind knowing your company has a level of protection from liability should a loss be due to the failure of an installed firestop system.
Revitalize Your Business with G&M Services
G&M Services is proud of our employees and the dedication they have for safety in the workplace. We reward our employees for displaying positive safety practices. We incorporate weekly and monthly discussions and meetings to ensure that all involved know how to handle equipment and potentially risky situations during a project. We offer services in the way of concrete drilling and sawing, concrete scanning, and Firestop. To get started with us, call today at 410-787-8828 or visit our contact page. Follow the official company page today on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn.
