Reaping The Rewards Of A Commercial Fire Alarm System
You have worked hard to build your business, and you need a commercial fire alarm system you can depend on to keep everything safe and secure. The right commercial fire alarm system can keep your inventory, customer data, equipment, and professional aspirations from going up in smoke. Commercial fire alarm systems provide near instantaneous notification that there is a fire brewing up. Commercial systems are equipped with multiple sensors that detect fluctuations in temperature, the presence of toxic gases, and other harbingers of danger. When the system detects that a fire is smoldering, it notifies everyone within the structure and sends out an automatic notification to emergency responders. This provides sufficient warning to building occupants that they need to evacuate and it shortens the response time of firefighters, EMTs, and law enforcement. Commercial fire alarm systems provide protection against more than just fires. They can be used to communicate with personnel and customers in the event of a fire, flood, tornado, active shooter, etc. This allows the business owner to relay critical information regarding the situation and what individuals should do to protect themselves. Moreover, systems equipped with television cameras allow business owners to shelter in place and help direct […]
Read MoreThe Process Steps For A Commercial Fire Alarm System Inspection
Keeping your commercial fire alarm system working properly requires routine inspections. These systems are designed as a quick-response method to alert you and the occupants of your building of a threat so a safe evacuation can be done. A commercial fire alarm system inspection needs to be performed by specialists who understand how the systems work and know what to look for as far as possible malfunctions. Below is the typical process that is followed to make sure your system is operating correctly. Report Inspection Times to Local Authorities The fire alarm inspectors need to notify your local emergency response team that they will be performing an inspection of your commercial fire alarm system. During the inspection, it will be necessary to test the operation of the alerts and emergency services needs to be aware they are not needed to report to the property, that it is a test of the equipment. Two Technicians will Perform Inspection When you schedule the inspection of your commercial fire alarm system, you can expect two technicians to arrive at your property. One of the two will station him or herself by the fire alarm panel and the other will proceed into the interior […]
Read MoreNational Fire Protection Association Requires Commercial Fire Alarm Systems
The National Fire Alarm and Signaling Code put out by the National Fire Protection Association states the provisions for installing commercial fire alarm systems. This code does not state when a fire or detection system is required, however; that job is part of the NFPA Life Safety Code. The Life Safety Code states when you are required to install commercial fire alarm systems or fire detection systems. This code not only specifies when you have to install one of these systems, it also specifies which criteria the alarm must operate under. Smoke Detector Requirements The Life Safety Code states if your smoke detector is only used for an elevator recall or your heat detectors are only in place to shutdown an elevators power then they are not required to activate your buildings commercial fire alarm system. These same detectors do not need to activate the alarm system if their sole purpose is to close or shut down dampers on the HVAC. Another instance where your detectors are not required to activate commercial fire alarm systems is when they are used for closing automatic doors. While under these situations the detectors are not required to activate the alarm system, they must […]
Read MoreAn Overview Of Commercial Fire Alarm Systems
Commercial fire alarm systems will provide warning of a danger to occupants so they have time to evacuate a property and prevent serious injuries or even death. Technology has made it possible for these systems to pinpoint the exact location of the heat or smoke that’s of concern inside your building. There are some older versions of fire alarm systems still in use which may be using buzzers or belt methods. If you are interested in updating or inspecting your fire alarm system, contact 1st Alarm Fire Today. Inspecting Commercial Fire Alarm Systems Local authorities and insurance carriers require routine inspections of commercial fire alarm systems. As a business owner, you are responsible for scheduling and ensuring these inspections are carried out within the specified time frame. An inspection by a certified technician will give you confirmation that your system and all its components are in proper working condition. The technician will also make sure there has been no damage to your system or anything that would impair its operation. With each inspection, you should also compile documentation that the system and its components have been checked and found to be in proper working condition. When to Schedule Commercial Fire […]
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 […]
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