Every year, it is important to schedule a fire alarm inspection to ensure that the system is operating as designed. The annual inspection report outlines the deficiencies and corrections discovered during the test and serves as a record for any repairs or battery replacements. It is also required by local fire authorities and is a mandatory element of insurance company investigations following a fire event. But how do you get your fire alarm system inspected? How can you ensure that your system is working properly?
To ensure the safety of your building and your family, it is vital to conduct a fire alarm inspection. If you’re unsure whether your system is up to par, contact your insurance provider for help. The company will send a certified fire alarm technician to your property. The inspector will examine the physical parts of your setup, including smoke detectors and heat detectors. They will also check the control panel to ensure that it’s functioning properly.
You should be prepared for the inspection, especially if you have sprinklers. When it comes to these systems, you should contact a licensed company to ensure the system is functioning properly. Make sure you’re able to confirm the location of the equipment. A fire alarm inspector will then test the system. If there’s an issue with any of the components, you should contact the fire department. However, it’s important to note that this process is time-consuming and requires a professional with the expertise and knowledge to perform such a comprehensive inspection.
The NFPA 72 requires visual fire alarm inspections to be conducted on all components on a semiannual and annual basis. The fuses, lamps, and buttons in the control panel should be checked annually. The system should also undergo annual testing. Once a year, you should test all the buttons and fuses inside the panel. This will ensure that they are working properly and that you are not missing any crucial information. You must also have the fire alarm checked if it is legally required.
You must shut down the HVAC system and inspect the components every week. This is necessary to ensure that new air is not entering the building and that the system’s functionality is not compromised. During the inspection, you must also check the pull stations. During grade school, kids pulled the fire alarm during the coldest and hottest days of the year. Today, many school systems have dyed the pull handles blue. This makes it easier to identify false alarms.
The fire alarm technician will check the visual and audible components of the system. They will test the fire alarm system as if there is a real fire. In addition to testing the visual and audible components, they will check the function of the detectors and pull stations. If the detectors aren’t working, they may not be able to detect the smoke or fire. This is why it is critical to have a regular fire alarm inspection.
During the annual fire alarm inspection, you should also check the battery life. Batteries need to be replaced regularly to avoid a fire, and you can have them inspected at the same time. It is also vital to check the battery type. Lead-acid batteries must be checked monthly. Nickel-cadmium batteries must be checked every two months. You should check the fuses inside the panel to ensure that they are working properly.
An inspection should include the pull stations. The pull stations are the last point of the fire alarm system. You can’t have a fire without the proper fire alarm. But a faulty pull station will not work as well as a working one. The fire alarm should be checked by a professional. This is the only way to ensure that your fire detectors are working properly. A professional will be able to check all of the components of the fire alarm system.
If you’ve ever been in an emergency situation and your fire alarm wasn’t working properly, it’s important to get it checked right away. You should contact your insurance company to see if you’re covered for such situations. If you’re not insured, you should also have your system inspected at least once a year. You should also get it checked if the system has a warning sign. If the system doesn’t have a warning sign, it’s a good idea to call the fire department.