The West Hartford Fire Department has some important safety advice for businesses that have been closed for the past several months due to the COVID-19 pandemic but are preparing to reopen.

Submitted

The West Hartford Fire Department is committed to fire prevention and community safety. Reaching out to the people we serve is important because the information we offer may result in a fire being prevented.

The State of Connecticut announced that hair salons/barbershops, offices, retail spaces, museums, and restaurants (outdoor only) may start to re-open on May 20, 2020. The Fire Marshal’s Office would like our business owners and operators to consider taking safety precautions knowing that some occupancies have been vacant for a longer than usual time period.

Because of these temporary closings, some daily/weekly/monthly inspections and testing may have gone uncompleted and it’s vital that they be done in an effort to prevent fires and save lives.

In addition to the partial list (found below) of inspections and tests to be performed by a qualified person before re-opening and inviting occupants into an establishment, the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) has a comprehensive checklist you can refer to and use. It’s on our website: westhartfordtct.gov. Please confirm the working operations of the following:

• Fire protection systems
• Fire alarms systems
• Portable fire extinguishers
• Emergency and exit lighting
• Fire doors
• Exit maintenance

Also, in maintaining social distancing, calculating the modified occupancy capacity (as set by the Governor’s Executive Order, rules by sector can be found here) is a crucial component in the continuing the health and safety of our community.

If you need any assistance in accurately reaching the figure that applies to your business, please feel free to contact the West Hartford Fire Marshal’s Office at 860-561-8320 or navigate to our website www.westhartfordct.gov.

Thank you for joining us in our effort to keep our community safe through fire prevention.

Like what you see here? Click here to subscribe to We-Ha’s newsletter so you’ll always be in the know about what’s happening in West Hartford! Click the blue button below to become a supporter of We-Ha.com and our efforts to continue producing quality journalism.