Inspection of fire safety equipment and devices by specialist companies during the COVID-19 pandemic
In view of the emergency situation, the authorities are simplifying procedures in numerous cases. In our previous article, we reported on the simplifications affecting medical examinations and fire safety inspections. The article in its entirety by clicking here you can read it.
However, obligations related to the operation of life and health protection equipment remain in place. These include the inspection, maintenance, and operator control of fire protection equipment, devices, and appliances by specialized companies, periodic safety inspections of elevators, cleaning of ventilation equipment, and so on.
Since the National Directorate General for Disaster Management of the Ministry of the Interior has not issued an official statement regarding the facilitation of such tasks, they must be performed in a documented manner even during the emergency period, in accordance with the applicable legislation. In our experience, many maintenance and inspection companies cancel or postpone their contractual obligations, citing the emergency situation. In our opinion, owners, operators, or tenants who neglect the periodic inspection, testing, and maintenance of their equipment for this reason are not acting correctly. This is also true if the area in question is temporarily inactive during the emergency.
Review by a specialist company
In order to ensure compliance with the above, we recommend that you formally notify the specialist companies carrying out maintenance and inspections of your continuing need for their services and, at the same time, provide them with information on the conditions under which they are permitted to enter your premises and carry out their work. This includes, among other things, which routes the employees of the specialist companies may use and which areas they may enter. Please inform them whether the equipment necessary for the work is provided on site or not. (Such equipment may include ladders, scaffolding, other work tools, etc.)
It is worth asking what additional protective equipment they were required to wear during their work in order to prevent the spread of coronavirus (protective masks, rubber gloves, etc.).
If any changes or new provisions come into effect in relation to the above, we will keep you informed in our regularly updated articles on our website.
Let's take care of each other, together we will succeed!
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