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Commercial Fire Alarm System Inspections Are The Key To Proper Operation
Commercial fire alarms must be inspected regularly otherwise they may not provide protection when a fire begins to smolder. Thorough commercial fire alarm system inspections require visually inspecting the system for signs of damage as well as testing electronics and other components to ensure they are functioning the way they are intended. Failing to inspect, test and maintain your commercial fire alarm system in accordance with National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) guidelines can lead to legal liability and negate insurance coverage in the event of a fire. With regular commercial fire alarm system inspections along with identified repairs and maintenance, a commercial fire alarm system can be expected to provide protection for up to 20 years. Every commercial fire alarm system inspection should begin with a visual inspection for signs of damage Visual commercial fire alarm system inspections should take place at least once every month. Any components that are damaged by wear and tear or vandalism should be refurbished or replaced immediately. This protects the integrity of your commercial fire alarm system and helps ensure that the system won’t fail in an emergency. It is critical to have commercial fire alarm systems inspected by trained professionals It is critical […]
Read MoreConducting Critical Testing And Maintenance Of Your Commercial Fire Alarm Systems
Commercial fire alarm systems must be regularly tested and professionally maintained. When systems fail, it is often because testing and maintenance schedules have not been rigorously adhered to. When it comes to ensuring the safety of personnel and the protection of property, the following are regular tests and routine maintenance functions that should not be ignored. Plus, it is also important to understand the difference between manual and automation testing for various parts of your business, as they can both offer benefits and disadvantages. Seeing as your business should be one of your top priorities, it would be worth considering this. Batteries 101 Batteries have a limited shelf life and operational lifespan which is often between 3-5 years. These tiny components are crucial for providing power to your commercial fire alarm systems in both regular operating mode and when power is cut-off to the commercial fire alarm system. Batteries should be tested while under load and should have sufficient charge to power the system under normal operation. While batteries can function at 20% of capacity, it is recommended that they be replaced at no less than 50% as the failure rate below this level is significant. Smoke Detectors Smoke detectors […]
Read MoreSteps To Ensure Your Commercial Fire Alarm System Continues To Function Properly
When you have spent the money it costs to have a commercial fire alarm system installed in your commercial space – you want to make sure that it is in proper working order each and every day. The only way to do this is to have it properly maintained, inspected and tested on a regular basis. Be sure to talk to your insurance carrier once you decide on having a commercial fire alarm system installed. Many insurance companies offer a significant savings when your building is equipped with a commercial fire alarm system – on the other hand, may not fully insure you if you don’t have one. Inspection of your commercial fire alarm system To start out – your commercial fire alarm system should be inspected when it is installed and then at periodic and regular intervals as long as you have the system. Depending on the type of business you have, some systems are required to be inspected. The instructions given by the manufacturer should be followed to the letter in order to make sure everything is in working order. Testing your commercial fire alarm system Inspection and testing are two different things. Just as you test your […]
Read MoreRoutine Inspection, Testing And Maintenance On Commercial Fire Alarm Systems Reduces Failure Rates
Routine inspection, testing, and maintenance of commercial fire alarm systems is essential for keeping them operational. When commercial fire alarm systems are not properly maintained, they become prone to failures that can cost lives and increase the amount of damage a property can sustain. When it comes to fire alarm operation, an ounce of prevention is most definitely easier to swallow than the pound of cure. Some of the most common causes of commercial fire alarm systems failures are also some of the easiest to identify and correct. Dirt and dust are commercial fire alarm systems worst enemies Dirty smoke detectors and clogged sensors are responsible for a significant number of commercial fire alarm systems failures. Dirt, dust, insect remains, and lint can build up within the smoke detector thus negatively impacting the sensitivity of the unit. It can lead to false alarms that go off without warning, or when a fire erupts, the clogged sensor chamber can slow response time or lead to a total system failure. Commercial fire alarm systems versus high ceilings Another common maintenance problem with commercial fire alarm systems involves the high ceilings that most systems have to contend with. Whether in a warehouse or […]
Read MoreNFPA Testing And Inspection Requirements For Your Commercial Fire Alarm System
The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) sets forth requirements for testing, inspection, and maintenance of a commercial fire alarm system. These are listed under the National Fire Alarm Code also known as NPFA-72. In Texas, businesses are required to adhere to these standards in order to receive and maintain their certificate of occupancy. Required Annual Tests for a Commercial Fire Alarm System For a commercial fire alarm system connected to a supervising station, businesses are required to test the fire alarm’s functions, fuses, interfaces, lamps/LEDs, power supplies, and transponders on an annual basis. This includes testing batteries, fiber-optic power cables, control units, and annunciators. Initiating devices must also be tested annually. These include duct detectors, fire suppression systems, fire/gas detectors, heat detectors, radiant energy detectors, and smoke detectors. The code requires testing on all digital alarm transmitters, digital radio alarm transmitters, and McCulloh transmitters. Required Semi-Annual Inspections for a Commercial Fire Alarm System Semi-annual inspections are required for radiant energy fire detectors and batteries. Required Quarterly Tests for a Commercial Fire Alarm System For a commercial fire alarm system that is not connected to a supervising station, businesses are required to test the functions, fuses, interfaces, LEDs/lamps, power supplies including […]
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