Is Your Commercial Fire Alarm System Working?
Do you have your commercial fire alarm system maintained regularly? If you don’t, are you even sure if your system is working? When fire alarm systems don’t work, the chances of being trapped in a fire goes up greatly. According to the NFPA, “Between the years 2011-2015, an estimated 37,910 fires in industrial and manufacturing properties were reported to U.S fire departments per year.” It is always important to have a properly working system in your building, to protect not only you but your employees and customers. When systems are not regularly maintained, they can be a breeding ground for dirt and debris; when this happens, it can send your system into alarm, even if there is no imminent danger nearby.
Fire Alarm System Maintenance
Since the components of a fire alarm system are easily impacted with dirt and debris, it’s important for them to be cleaned out regularly. Built up dirt and debris can really affect your entire system’s functionality. It’s important to do weekly maintenance checks on your system, ensuring it’s working properly; if it’s not, now you know when to call in an expert. The following checklist from Protect and Detect will help you ensure your system is running smoothly.
- Check your fire alarm’s status on the control panel. This will either be on a visual display or by illuminated LEDs, depending on the system.
- Check that none of your pull stations, detectors, or panels have any physical damage to them.
- Check that all pull stations are accessible and detectors don’t have objects within 2 feet of them.
- Inspect the main, vented battery of your system for any damage.
- Visually inspect all structures and components for any damage.
- Write down any problems you do see in a logbook and contact Somerset FAS for a professional inspection.
Your fire alarm system MUST be tested on an annual, semi annual, or monthly basis, by a qualified personnel. If you’re unsure when your system should be inspected, call your local experts, here, at Somerset Fire Alarm and Security! You can also check the NFPA list of codes and standards. It’s always a good practice to call in your local experts, especially if you have an older system or are really unsure of the best practices when it comes to your system.
Keeping Employees and Property Safe
If you don’t know if your system is working properly, how do you know if it’s going to alert you properly in the event of real danger? Improper maintenance can have damaging effects on your system. False alarms can be a real annoyance, especially if you have alarms constantly going off without any real danger in the surrounding area. These false alarms can really affect your business’ activity. A properly maintained and functioning fire alarm system provides peace of mind to those working and visiting your building. In addition to a properly maintained system, enhance your fire alarm system performance with a video surveillance system, this will help you easily and effectively detect where a fire is when an initiating device is triggered (INC.com).
Reduced Costs
When your fire alarm system is in poor condition it costs you more money to get them back into working condition and functionality. In order to avoid those higher costs, it’s important to have regular maintenance. Regular maintenance on your system can help you avoid replacing devices or equipment for your system. A properly maintained system can last for years to come with only minor adjustments, unless your building requires expansion of your system. In the long run, a properly maintained system with regular inspections will save you money at the end of the day.
Everyone deserves fire protection they can count on.
Our goal at Somerset, is to make sure you feel the safest you can in your home or business, we are Committed. Every Minute of Every Day.
Somerset is here to educate, protect, and help the community. We are committed every minute of every day. Call us today with any questions or concerns and we will be glad to help you and your family out. Be sure to LIKE, COMMENT, & SHARE this post if you found it insightful or helpful in any way. Stay tuned for more Somerset FAS blog posts in the future.
