Welcome to our central page for how COVID-19 is affecting the Fire and Life Safety Industry. Updated daily, this page will cover all relevant content to your business, in addition to state, federal, and legal updates. Feel like you have something we should share? Email relevant articles to COVID19@BrooksEquipment.com for our team to review.

Latest News

Friday, October 16, 2020

Today, Robert gets pumped up about Diane Pein’s interview on our latest FireTech Talk where she offers some outstanding points about recruiting, hiring, and retraining personnel in the industry. He’s also excited about the latest Product Spotlight, featuring VESDA products and accessories.

Thursday, October 8, 2020

Brandon Stephens walks you through how to use and view the Space Age Resource page on the Brooks Equipment Website. This step-by-step tutorial will help you and your technicians navigate all things Space Age—from who they are to what they make.

Thursday, October 8, 2020

Today, Robert talks about our Tech Series covering Code Compliance and Safety at Construction Sites—a big topic these days because of all the temporary structures being utilized due to COVID. He also touches on our new Webinar: Space Age Electronics Resource Page “How To”, which shows you how to navigate this great resource. Finally, he introduces you to the latest Product Spotlight, featuring Space Age’s WES3 Wireless Notification devices and the specs and product details.

Tuesday, September 29, 2020

Let Brandon Stephens walk you through how to find current and archived Hot Topics on the Brooks Equipment Website! Use this resource to access legislation and code updates as well as educational pieces for your team.

FED Resources

Paycheck Protection Program

The Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) is designed to provide loans for small businesses to keep you in business and your workers on the payroll. You can apply for a loan through any existing SBA 7(a) lender or through any federally insured depository institution, any federally insured credit union, and any Farm Credit System institution (that is participating). You should consult with your local lender to see if they are participating. PPP will be available through June 30, 2020. SBA will forgive loans if all employees are kept on the payroll for eight weeks and the money is used for payroll, rent, mortgage interest, or utilities.

• Overview of the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) - Click Here
• Information for Businesses Applying for PPP Loans - Click Here
• PPP Application Form for Borrowers - Click Here
• PPP Fact Sheet - Click Here
• PPP Interim Final Rule - Click Here
• PPP On-Demand Webinar - Click Here
• PPP Loan Forgiveness:

  PPP Loan Forgiveness Application Form 3508S is the simplest form for PPP loan forgiveness and you should use it if your PPP loan amount is $50,000 or less. Instead of having to show your forgiveness amount calculation as required on form 3508 and form 3508EZ, you simply certify seven things (initial each item).

  
  
  • Application 3508S
  • Instructions 3508S

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  PPP Loan Forgiveness Application Form 3508EZ is a short-form application for PPP loan forgiveness. To be eligible use Form 3508EZ, you must meet the following criteria:

  • You are self-employed and have no employees; OR
  • You did not reduce the salaries or wages of your employees by more than 25%, and did not reduce the number or hours of your employees; OR
  • You experienced reductions in business activity as a result of health directives related to COVID-19, and did not reduce the salaries or wages of your employees by more than 25%.
  
  
  • Application 3508EZ
  • Instructions 3508EZ

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  PPP Loan Forgiveness Application Form 3508 (revised) is the long-form application for PPP loan forgiveness. This is the form that is required if you don’t qualify to use form 3508S or 3508EZ.

  
  
  • Application 3508 (Revised)
  • Instructions 3508 (Revised)
  
  

  You should apply for forgiveness through the bank where you received your PPP loan. You will likely receive an email from your bank when they begin accepting PPP Loan Forgiveness Applications. Most banks will be accepting PPP Loan Forgiveness Applications electronically through an online portal, in a similar manner to the original PPP loan applications.

Facility Reopening Fire & Safety Checklist

As the dust settles, we want to help set you up for success as your customers move to more normal operation. We have provided two simple checklists you can use with your customers to help them stay safe from COVID-19 and to ensure their facilities are ready for employees and customers.

• NFPA Reopening Buildings Checklist - Click Here
• Businesses Prep to Reopen - Click Here
• Brooks' Business Reopen Checklist - Click Here

Other Resources

• Best Practices for Re-Opening Retail Food Establishments During the COVID-19 Pandemic
• FED Essential Business Travel Letter
• Brooks Equipment's Opinion on the Essential Nature of the Fire and LIfe Safety Industry
• Updated Guidance to Recognize and Support Essential Critical Workers During the COVID-19 Crisis
• Key Employment Provisions in Families First Coronavirus Response Act
• Learn about a wireless evacuation and emergency system you can offer for mobile health care applications

Latest Protocol from the CDC

CDC - How to Protect Yourself and What to Do if You are Sick Click Here

Best Practices for Fire Equipment Distributors:
For complete information on how to protect yourself, employees, and customers from COVID-19, go to - https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/guidance-business-response.html

• Employees who have symptoms of acute respiratory illness should stay home until their doctor releases for work.
• Employees should wash their hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. When soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 65% alcohol.
• Employees should avoid touching their face, eyes, nose, or mouth.
• Employees should cover their mouth and nose with a tissue when they cough or sneeze. Used tissue should not be re-used and should be put in a waste basket immediately. Where tissues are unavailable, employees should cough or sneeze into their upper sleeve.
• Routinely clean all frequently touched surfaces in the workplace, such as workstations, countertops, and doorknobs with cleaning agents that are usually used in these areas (follow the directions on the label).
• Provide disposable wipes for employees to clean keyboards, telephones, work surfaces, etc., before each use.