The Importance of Fire Alarm Inspections
The purpose of a fire alarm system is to notify occupants and authorities when there is a fire to keep people safe and minimize damage.
But what if it doesn’t work?
Fire alarm technology CAN fail which is why it must be preserved through regular inspections and maintenance. In this post, we’ll cover the importance and benefits of fire inspections and how they can achieve proactive protection for your organization.
These are the crucial steps to verify that every device related to a fire system works the way it was designed. Why does that matter? Because fire systems are designed to alert people of the danger, allow proper and quick evacuation, and dispatch local authorities for damage control.
Common issues uncovered
Some of the most common things our technicians run into during fire inspections might seem small, but present major risks and implications if left in disrepair.
Smoke detectors are dirty. According to an article by Ready.gov, it takes less than 30 seconds for a small flame to turn into a major fire and only minutes for a building to be engulfed in flames. If a smoke detector is dirty, there can be a delay in activating the alarm during a fire when every second matters.
Waterflow switches are defective. Waterflow switches detect flow conditions in a building’s sprinkler system and send an alarm when they have been triggered. If water is flowing, there is likely a fire so it is imperative these devices function properly.
Tamper switches are misadjusted. In fires where sprinkler systems were present, the death rate was 89% lower and spread was confined to the object or room of origin 95% of the time, according to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA). Tamper switches must be open to allow water to flow through a sprinkler system. If they are closed or not fully open, there may not be an ample supply of water during a fire.
The benefits
We recommend regular fire system inspections to ensure:
Life Safety – keep your team and clients safe from harm
Reduced Loss – reduce severity and cost of damage in the event of a fire
Compliance – prevent fines or consequences from local jurisdictions or insurance companies
Need help now? Get in touch with our experts.
A fire is scary enough and we don’t want system malfunctions to add to the panic and loss. Don’t simply cross your fingers that your system will work when you need it most. Hire a professional for fire inspections to ensure proactive protection and compliance.