Why “Good Enough” in Fire Safety Design is a Disaster Waiting to Happen
- Pavlo Lapikov
- Jun 2
- 3 min read
Updated: Oct 20
Why Do People Still Settle for Just Enough?
There’s a moment right before collapse when someone says, “It’s good enough.” And by the time those words echo off drywall and glass, it’s already too late. If you’ve ever stood on a construction site or sat through a handover meeting where someone chose speed over safety, you know that phrase is not reassurance, it’s a red flag. We live in a world of cost-cutting, quick deadlines, and polished finishes. Somewhere in the mix, safety gets downgraded to a bullet point.
Fire-rated walls that are “kind of sealed.” Exit signs that “mostly glow.” Sprinklers installed for looks rather than coverage. These decisions are not uncommon. But fire doesn’t recognize optimism. It recognizes openings, voids, and delays. And when fire breaks out, “probably” becomes a deadly gamble.
What Happens When You Only Build to Minimum Code?
Let’s get one thing straight. The fire code is not a guarantee of safety. It’s the bare
minimum, the point at which a design becomes legally acceptable, but not necessarily effective. Many treat it like the end goal. Check the boxes, pass the inspection, frame the certificate. But fire doesn’t read paperwork. It reads fuel, oxygen, and time. I’ve investigated buildings where firestop systems ended at the ceiling tiles instead of the structural deck, where rated doors didn’t latch, and where hallways turned into chimneys because someone saved a few bucks on materials. Those savings disappear the moment smoke hits the ceiling.
What Does Real Fire Safety Look Like?
Real fire protection is never an accident. It’s the result of intentional design, verified installation, and continuous maintenance. Here’s what real protection must include:
Full-height fire separations that reach the structural deck
Doors that self-close and latch under pressure
Sprinklers with proper spacing, hydraulic design, and maintenance
Alarms tested under real conditions, not just for a certificate
Firestopping systems that seal every penetration, not just the visible ones
And most importantly, it’s a mindset: do it right even when no one is looking. Because one day, someone will be. And if you’ve cut corners, they might not walk away.
Why “Good Enough” Is Never Good Enough
When fire strikes, there is no margin for error. There are no second chances. Either the system works, or it fails. And when it fails, the consequences are not theoretical. They are physical, irreversible, and often fatal. That’s why the next time someone on your team says, “It’s good enough,” your answer should be crystal clear: “Not for my people. Not for my building. Not on my watch.” Because what passes inspection might still fail the fire.
Want to Build Better? Start With the Truth
Fire doesn’t wait. Neither should you. Fire Heart FSMA helps teams turn safety into strategy with bold campaigns, clear messaging, and tools that change how people design, build, and think. And if you want to understand why these failures keep happening, listen to the Fire Safety Philosophy Podcast. We explore the hard questions, the hidden flaws, and the human habits that put lives at risk. Fire safety is not just a regulation. It’s a responsibility.
If you’re ready to transform how people think and act around fire safety, let’s build something that saves lives. Explore our services and take the first step toward a smarter campaign.
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