State Fire Marshal’s Office Update

Louisiana State Fire Marshal UPDATE INNOVATIVE CONSTRUCTION THROUGH COVID-19 BY: ASHLEY RODRIGUE, STATE FIRE MARSHAL PUBLIC AFFAIRS DIRECTOR As the state now sits almost four months into its fight against COVID-19, it may seem as though Louisiana’s economic future is as uncertain as it was on Day 1. But the State Fire Marshal’s Office (SFM) options for business owners to aim to accomplish effort. From building unique partitions at restaurants to developing creative queing layouts for lines, the partnership between the construction world and the retail and hospitality worlds have taken into account the usual fire safety standards with the new COVIDconsiderate standards. And we anticipate seeing that partnership grow now with another 28 days under Phase 2 limitations. is doing all it can to keep the business community, One sector that may be receiving a lot of inquiries including the construction industry, moving right now is HVAC. While live indoor music is still forward. not allowed, businesses are able to seek permission to bring the music back to life. But there’s a laundry Just recently, Gov. John Bel Edwards announced list of requirements that have to be met when Louisiana would remain in Phase 2 of opening safely submitting that proposal which includes ways to for another month. While it is understandable that ensure the air in a building is at optimum quality and that announcement hit many hard, we believe it is an performance to prevent the spread of COVID-19 as opportunity to see the entreprenuerial spirit that has best as is known at this time. And we’ve already been been sparked by COVID-19 get a little brighter. And hearing from several of you about best practices and that’s where you step in. best systems out there for the business community to If you’ve had an opportunity to review any of the as we know you all are the true experts in your Phase guidelines issued on OpenSafely.la.gov, respective fields, many of which we are just now you will have found, in almost all of them, several learning the basics of out of necessity. in order to maximize their customer count while The SFM wants you to know we’re here to help you keeping the health and safety of those customers, and navigate this new market of demand, and if it hasn’t employees, as a top priority. Some of those options found you yet, we encourage you to go find it. Take have no doubt led to calls to your companies seeking a look at the guidance documents on OpenSafely. innovative ways to achieve those safety measures in la.gov to see what you may be able to offer the an economic, feasible and logical way. And we have various business types in order to help them offer been very impressed by what has come out of that more, and therefore make more, safely. consider. That kind of feedback is much appreciated Again, THANK YOU for what you do!