What is Fire Alarm System
A fire alarm system has several devices working together to detect and warn people through visual and audio appliances when smoke, fire, carbon monoxide, or other emergencies are present. These alarms may be activated automatically from smoke detectors, and heat detectors or may also be activated via manual fire alarm activation devices such as manual call points or pull stations.
Fire alarm systems are expected to help protect people, property, and assets. But you can’t tell if they’re fully operational just by looking at them. As with any other system, electronics and other components can degrade over time and compromise the system’s operation.
Fire Alarm Maintenance Steps
The maintenance activities for fire alarm systems can be summed up in five steps.
- Test and calibrate alarm sensors, such as flame and smoke detectors, per manufacturer specifications. This requires knowing about the different sensors—and their testing requirements, failure modes, and re-installation requirements.
- Simulate inputs and test the annunciators. This requires specific knowledge of the system under test.
- Set sensitivity. This requires an understanding of the particular system, the specific application, and fire detection theory.
- Coordinate with fire department to test the input to their system.
- Check the battery for corrosion and expiration date, then take appropriate action, if necessary.
How Often Should You Service Your Fire Alarm System
You may have a range of different fire alarms on your property depending on its size, location.You can choose conventional alarms, those that have an electronic address, so that you can quickly understand where a fire has broken out, and those that are Wi-Fi connected. There are also different categories and grades of fire alarm system.
Making sure you have the appropriate devices fitted in your property vital, which is why you should always have them installed by a professional.If you are not sure that you have the appropriate fire alarms, carrying out a fire risk assessment will help identify your requirements in greater detail.
According to the fire safety regulations, you should make every effort to ensure your system is adequately maintained. Some businesses take this to mean inspections once every year.
BS 5839, however, suggests that your fire alarm system should be inspected at least every 6 months. If you have larger premises, where there may be more alarms and more complex systems, the recommendation is for quarterly inspections to be carried out.
Testing Your Fire Alarms
A service of your alarm system is intended to check that everything is working properly. In addition to this, you should be carrying out weekly testing as a spot check. This is where the alarms are switched on and any problems identified. As a business, you have a legal obligation to ensure that you have a fully working alarm system on site and that also means someone should be designated to carry out the testing.
The good news is that with proper testing, inspection, and maintenance you can keep your fire alarm system at optimum operating performance. In addition to ensuring protection, keeping your system in good condition reduces expenses by preventing unbudgeted emergency repairs and costly false alarms.
BS 5839 recommends that this is performed on a weekly basis and documented in the fire log book. It’s a routine that most businesses employ. If you are planning to do this on a less regular basis, however, you need to provide a reason to investigating fire safety officers that may pay a visit to your premises. If a fault is spotted with the alarms during these tests, you should call the company who services your system immediately.
If you have any concerns regarding the service and maintenance of your fire alarm system give us a call on 0321-9700008 or email info@universalfireprotection.com.pk
Until next time… stay safe