Friday, March 12, 2021

Fire Detection and Alarm System Preventive Maintenance Checklist

 


Installing a sophisticated,
state-of-the-art fire detection and alarm system at your place of business whether a small business, medical facility, or high-rise building, is just the beginning. Fire alarm systems must work right the first time, there are no second chances in life safety performance. A commercial fire alarm system fulfills three basic objectives:

       Save lives

       Protect property

       Provide business continuation

 The reliability of your fire alarm and life safety system is a product of the reliability of all individual components. System reliability prevents commercial fire alarm problems and is the driving force behind every fire alarm inspection, testing and maintenance program.  System reliability is a result of four key elements:

       Fire alarm system design

       System installation

       Life safety equipment

       Inspection and maintenance program

 High Rise Security Systems is experienced in providing all key elements for maximum system reliability and life safety of commercial properties in and around Chicago.

 

Commercial Fire Alarm Inspection Checklist

Every city and state has code regulations regarding commercial fire alarm system maintenance and inspections, with the City of Chicago adopting specific code regulations for commercial properties.  Companies can perform some inspection checkpoints such as checking and replacing batteries, but professional fire alarm inspections are required for code compliance and to ensure life safety performance.

An annual testing and inspection is required by local and national authorities to maintain the reliability of your commercial fire alarm panels, all components and life safety system. Fire alarm inspection technicians first visually examine the physical condition of commercial fire alarm control panels, smoke detection and warning devices, any sprinkler systems, and related systems such as HVAC shutdown, elevator recall and access control to identify excessive dirt build up, loose wiring or physical damage.

HRSS provides full fire alarm system inspections and maintenance to prevent commercial fire alarm problems with a complete, detailed fire alarm inspection checklist:

 

  1. Commercial fire alarm control panels - the heart of any fire alarm system, the control panel connects all components and devices to a central monitoring location and notifies the fire department.
  2. Electrical circuitry and wiring - the entire network depends on sound electrical connections. Technicians inspect for possible disconnections, wear, and tear.
  3. Detection devices - the first line of defense against a fire, technicians inspect and test all detection devices such as photoelectric or infrared smoke detectors and make sure they are thoroughly cleaned for maximum sensitivity. Heat detectors are also inspected, cleaned, and tested.
  4. Manual pull stations - any manual pull systems are tested to ensure they respond correctly and are either verified to be working properly or replaced.
  5. Notification devices - includes visual strobes and audible alarms such as alarm bells, horns, and prerecorded evacuation instructions guiding people to safe evacuation zones. All notification devices are inspected to be in proper working order.
  6. Inspect all power sources - testing of all batteries and backup electrical sources. Batteries and battery chargers should be tested regularly.
  7. Door release and damper control - doors should unlock automatically for safe evacuation and HVAC dampers should close to help reduce the expansion of danger.
  8. Inspect annunciators - this is critical to ensure accurate location information is portrayed to emergency personnel.
  9. Secondary areas and elevator shafts - all areas must be tested for smoke and heat detection devices such as in storage rooms and elevator shafts.
  10. Test central monitoring - fast response is critical to minimize life safety risks. Inspection technicians will test to see how quickly the signal is received from the alarm system to the central emergency department.

 

HRSS performs these basic inspection checklists and more, from field trained, NICET certified and licensed commercial fire alarm inspection technicians. We test and inspect all commercial fire alarm panels and life safety system components to prevent fire alarm problems.  Contact us for all your commercial fire alarm and life safety system needs.

 

This article was originally published at: https://hrsschicago.com/fire-alarm-inspection/fire-detection-and-alarm-system-preventive-maintenance-checklist/

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