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Conducting 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. 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 collect dust and other debris that circulates through the air. Over time, this can build up on the sensors which can lead to your commercial fire alarm systems failure to detect particulates from fires. This can delay the triggering of an alarm and lead to […]
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 […]
Read MoreHow Much Does a Commercial Fire Alarm System Cost?
A commercial fire alarm system is something you may have wanted for your business but you have put off, thinking you can’t fit it into your budget. The question is – can you afford NOT to make room for it? If your business hasn’t experienced a fire, consider yourself lucky. Many others have, and many of them were able to save their assets due to an early warning from a commercial fire alarm system. The cost for a commercial fire alarm system Just like any other investment, you need to understand what the cost will be before you lock yourself into a purchase. The best way for you to find out how much a commercial fire alarm system will cost your business is to have the professionals at 1st Alarm come in to give you an estimate. They will be able to provide you with a good comparison in options and prices. Usually, the cost will depend on the size of your building. It also will take into consideration any local building codes related to a commercial fire alarm system. The cost will also vary depending on the type of commercial fire alarm system and the features that you choose. […]
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