Signage Requirements for Fire Extinguishers

Fire extinguishers provide a valuable first line of defense against controlling a fire and preventing a raging blaze.  The National Fire Protection Association, NFPA, and the Occupational Safety and Hazard Association, OSHA, outline requirements for the location and service of portable fire extinguishers including signage requirements and mandatory inspections.  According to OSHA standard 1910.57, fire extinguishers must have visual inspections monthly and certified inspections from a licensed fire extinguisher professional annually.

Signage requirements for portable fire extinguishers are detailed in NFPA10 within four basic categories:

• Monthly inspections
• Annual inspections
• Hydrostatic testing
• Six-year testing

Monthly Visual Fire Extinguisher Inspections

The monthly visual fire extinguisher inspections can be performed by the business owner or employee designated to perform the inspections and must be recorded on the attached tags. Every portable extinguisher should have attached tags to record a full year of 12 monthly visual inspections.  Maintaining visual inspections and recording the service is required by OSHA and helps to ensure a safer work environment.

• Monthly visual inspections should include:
• Ensure the hose is not blocked   
• Check to be sure the safety seal is not broken
• Check the pressure gauge to be sure it is completely charged
• Make sure the instructions are still legible

Annual Certified Fire Extinguisher Inspections
Licensed and certified fire extinguisher professional must perform the annual inspections which is more in-depth and detailed.  Professionals check the mechanical parts of the extinguisher itself along with the delivery system of the fire suppression agent.  These annual inspections must be documented and recorded on the tag for compliance.

Certified Fire Extinguisher Inspection Companies in Chicago
 Certified fire extinguisher inspection companies must be licensed in the state of service to perform service to portable fire extinguishers.  High Rise Security Systems is licensed in Illinois to provide portable fire extinguisher service, with in-depth knowledge of all inspection and testing requirements.
HRSS offers decades of experience in protecting commercial properties with code compliant fire and safety systems and inspections.  We provide fire alarm system maintenance, repairs, testing, inspections and monitoring 24/7/365.  Contact us today to learn more about our fire extinguisher services.

Strobe Light Requirements for Fire Alarm Systems

Strobe lights are required in fire alarm systems to provide a visual alert of an emergency to people with a hearing loss.  Owners of commercial property are required to equip their buildings with fire alarm systems which provide detection and notification to all occupants, ensuring that all people will receive adequate protection from emergency situations.  Building owners are required to meet the guidelines established by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), International Building Code (IBC), the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and any other local code requirements.
 
These publications detail the code requirements as to when and where strobe lights are required in fire alarm and life safety systems, specifically in NFPA72 and NFPA101.  All regulations require the use of strobe lights in public hallways, restrooms and lobbies so that any hearing impaired individual would receive notification of an emergency.  Educational facilities require strobe lights in classrooms and cafeterias while places of employment are required to install strobe lights in employee break rooms and conference rooms.  Companies are required to accommodate hearing impaired employees with strobes in individual work areas in addition to audible alerts throughout the facility.

Fire Alarm Consultant Provides Detailed Life Safety Design

Seeking the advice from an experience fire alarm system consultant and designer will provide many benefits in ensuring that your system is completely code compliant and that strobes are installed according to the latest regulations.  Fire alarm system designers have experience in all fire code regulations and create a system design that meets the requirements of unique building structures and local code requirements.  The City of Chicago has regulations required for high rise or commercial office properties in addition to federal regulations. 

High Rise Security Systems has a high reputation for skilled fire alarm system design with vast experience in all local, state and federal life safety system regulations.  We work with building owners and electrical contractors to design and recommend the most effective fire detection and alarm system from the most trusted manufacturers of fire alarm equipment.  As an independent fire and safety consulting firm, we provide the best safety solutions that meets your unique objectives.

HRSS is a recognized leader in fire alarm system and life safety systems, offering skilled design that meets all code regulations.  We provide ongoing service including fire alarm inspections, testing, repair, maintenance and monitoring 24/7/365. Contact us today to learn more about fire alarm system regulations in the City of Chicago.

Honeywell Offers the Notifier Addressable Fire Alarm System

Honeywell is a recognized global leader in fire safety, with life safety systems protecting lives and property on every continent.  Notifier® provides protection to buildings of all types with programming options customized to unique building structures.  Addressable fire alarm systems protect mass complexes and large structures with sophisticated detection and early warning of fire, smoke and gas.

Addressable systems utilize smart control panels which is the heart of any fire alarm system, gathering information and identifying locations. The monitoring system integrates with the control panel to dispatch emergency personnel and alert them of precise locations of fire or the source of the fire.  Fire alarm systems may have onsite monitoring provided or utilize an outside fire alarm monitoring company.  

ONYX Series by Notifier Fire Alarm Control Panels

Notifier ONYX Series fire alarm control panels provide capabilities to network up to 318 addressable devices and auxiliary equipment including annunciators for voice evacuation. ONYX control panels include First Vision, a valuable tool which assists firefighters and first responders with a graphic display showing a fire’s current status and how quickly it is spreading.  First Vision gives firefighters a tool to help them determine their most appropriate plan of attack.

The addressable ONYX series from Notifier also provides network capabilities such as linking additional devices with closed-circuit TV, motion sensors to identify stranded occupants and with centrally controlled locking or unlocking of doors.  This provides the ability to lock or unlock specifically determined doors in emergency situations and cases of a security breach.  Many valuable tools are available to alert first responders with early warning and additional information which helps them to identify emergency situations.

Honeywell leads the industry with smart, sophisticated fire alarm and life safety systems utilized in various building structures and types of industries worldwide.  Notifier by Honeywell offers several benefits with smart, sophisticated addressable systems that meet the needs of unique building structures.

High Rise Security Systems is certified Notifier® by Honeywell dealer, providing UL listed equipment designed around your unique building structure.  HRSS is recognized as a leading fire and safety system consultant and service provider, protecting lives and property in and around the Chicago area.  Contact us today to learn more about the Notifier addressable fire alar system.

Photoelectric sensors are used in the most effective smoke detectors, as compared to ionization detectors which are sometimes used in conjunction with photoelectric sensors.  Photoelectric and ionization sensors use different detection methods that may produce varying results.  Photoelectric smoke detectors sense smoke at the earliest stages of a developing fire, detecting the smallest wisps of smoke to provide the earliest warning.

Ionization smoke detectors sense heat and light and are most effective after a fire as already reached full force.  While this type of detectors have their place in fire alarm and detection systems, photoelectric smoke detectors provide early warning of a developing fire.

How Do Photoelectric Smoke Detectors Work?

Photoelectric smoke detectors project a focused beam of light into a mirror, providing immediate notification when the sensor perceives an obstruction.  Even a small amount of smoke causes the light to slightly refract and initiates an alarm.  The alarm is sensitive enough to be triggered by a small amount of smoke from a smoldering original fire source long before flames erupt into a raging fire.  Photoelectric smoke detectors are proven to save lives and property.

Ionization smoke detectors typically activate only when the fire has produced raging flames to initiate the alarm.  These detectors may be used in conjunction with photoelectric detectors provided an added layer of support, they may not provide adequate warning if used individually.  Smoke inhalation alone causes fatalities in 20 to 25% of fires, making early warning of smoke and fire a matter of life or death.

HRSS Offers Photoelectric Smoke Detectors

High Rise Security Systems is a leading fire alarm system company offering design, installation drawings, UL listed fire alarm system equipment, maintenance, testing, inspections, repairs and monitoring 24/7/365.  We have decades of experience in designing fire alarm systems that save lives and property, conforming to all required local, state and federal fire code safety regulations.  We are premiere distributor for Notifier® by Honeywell fire alarm systems, recognized worldwide for reliable fire alarm notification with state-of-the-art equipment. 

HRSS is a leading fire and safety company recognized for our in-depth knowledge of fire alarm equipment and requirements for commercial properties in and around Chicago.  We provide safe and reliable fire alarm systems to low-rise buildings, high-rises, medical facilities, mass complexes, school campuses and unique commercial building structures.  Contact us today to learn more about our fire detection equipment including photoelectric smoke detectors.

Obtaining Approval of Commercial Fire Alarm Systems

Commercial fire alarm systems must be certified for accuracy and completeness to obtain approval from the local authorities.  Your local Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) will have established guidelines set by fire authorities, typically the local Fire Marshall.  In order to obtain approval of your fire alarm system, each element of the detection, notification and evacuation systems must conform to all relevant standards. 

Only a Registered Design Professional (RDP), which is an architect or an engineer, should prepare the fire alarm installation plans.  Plans must include each element of fire alarm systems and must meet all standards set by NFPA72, the code requirements established by the National Fire Protection Association, (NFPA).  The AHJ will verify the credentials of the RDP submitting the plans to ensure their experience with designing and installing fire detection and notification systems.  Once the AJH approves the design plans, they must still be notified prior to installation.

HRSS Offers Certified Fire Alarm System Design

High Rise Security Systems is a leading fire alarm system consultant and designer, helping building owners in and around the Chicago area to design and obtain approval of their fire alarm detection system.  We have decades of experience in designing fire alarm systems to meet all code requirements including NFPA72, in addition to designing a system around your unique architectural structure.  We prepare installation plans with AutoCAD software, detailing the location of each required element, laying out the network and location of fire alarm control panels, all detection sensors, notification and evacuation systems.

We are an independent fire alarm system company with knowledge of different systems manufactured by the most well known names in fire safety.  We are premiere distributors for Notifier® by Honeywell fire alarm systems and many other top manufacturers, providing non-proprietary fire alarm systems which meet your objectives and your budget.  Our technicians are certified and field trained, we are certified with NICET, the National Institute for Certification in Engineering Technologies.

HRSS is recognized as a leading fire alarm system specialist, offering design and consultation to obtain approval of fire detection systems from your local AHJ.  We provide ongoing service and support including maintenance, testing, inspection, repairs and monitoring 24/7/365.  Contact us today for answers to all your questions regarding obtaining approval for commercial fire alarm installation.

Apartment buildings that were constructed prior to the enactment of the Americans with Disabilities Act in 1990 receive different treatment regarding compliance and enforcement of fire alarm system requirements and ADA legislations.  Apartments built after ADA took effect, however, must be fully compliant in terms of accessibility to public areas.  Any apartment building identified as an ADA apartment building, however, must meet special regulations regarding the type of fire alarm system installed and notification devices utilized.

Once apartment units are identified as housing the hearing impaired or any handicapped or disabled person, code requirements call for high candela strobes to be placed in all bed rooms, bathrooms and common areas.  Strobes must be activated from the local smoke detectors serving the apartment and the main building’s fire alarm systems. 

ADA apartment strobes cannot be wired to corridor notification devices as they have different sequences in operation, thus they require a dedicated 24VDC synchronized circuit from a dedicated addressable control module or a fire alarm distribution panel.  This ensures that the strobes will function under many programmable conditions such as corridor or apartment smoke detection, manual pull stations, elevator recall, water flow alarm, apartment carbon monoxide and other devices reporting to the base building fire alarm panel.

The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) mandates that smoke detectors be placed in all bedrooms and within 15 feet of bedroom doors in common areas, while carbon monoxide detectors are required within 15 feet of all bedroom doors but are not required inside sleeping rooms. Hardwired smoke and carbon monoxide detectors must be equipped with dry contact relays for monitoring from the base building system.

HRSS Provides Compliant Fire Alarm Systems to ADA Apartments
High Rise Security Systems offers fire alarm system design and UL listed equipment from the most recognized names in fire safety.  We provide ongoing system maintenance, support, testing, inspections and monitoring 24/7/365.  When you have questions about requirements in your ADA apartment building or any commercial property, contact the fire and safety system specialists at High Rise Security Systems.

HRSS is a recognized leader in fire and safety system design in and around Chicago, IL.  We provide ongoing service and support to maintain reliable and code compliant fire alarm systems.  Contact us to learn more about the fire and safety requirements of your commercial property.

When are Strobe Lights Required in Fire Alarm Systems?

Strobe lights provide valuable visual alert that something is wrong, alerting people and individuals with hearing impairment that an emergency situation exists.  Building owners and contractors must provide adequate protection to occupants through mandated fire alarm system requirements which are detailed in several regulatory manuals.  The National Fire Protection Association, NFPA, outlines these requirements in NFPA72 and NFPA101 standards, the International Building Code, IBC, and the Americans with Disabilities Act, ADA, also provide direction as to when and where strobe lights are required in buildings as part of the emergency and fire alarm system.

All documents require that strobes be installed in public areas such as hallways, lobbies and restroom so that any hearing-impaired person would be alerts to a fire emergency when visiting public buildings.  Common areas such as classrooms, cafeterias, conference rooms, and employee break rooms which are not designated as employee work areas must also be equipped with strobes.  Individual employee work areas such as offices and workstations are not required to have visual strobes, unless accommodating hearing impaired employees and they must contain audible alarms and notifications.

The primary method of notification is typically audible with proper audio notification throughout an entire facility.  When employers and building owners are aware of a hearing-impaired employee or resident, they must make accommodations to provide visual alerts.

HRSS Offers Fire Alarm System Design to Meet all Code Requirements

High Rise Security Systems is a leading fire and safety system specialists with decades of experience in providing safe and compliant fire alarm systems to all types of commercial buildings.  We offer skilled design with CAD to ensure proper placement of all sensors and notification devices including the proper type and location of portable fire extinguishers.  We are often called upon by electrical contractors and building owners for our expertise in fire alarm system design and knowledge of all local and federal safety regulations.

HRSS offers skilled fire alarm system design, UL listed equipment from the most well-known names in fire safety, inspections, maintenance, repair and system monitoring 24/7/365.  We are experienced in all regulations and code requirements assisting building owners with required data sheets for code approval.  Contact us today to learn more about your fire alarm system design requirements and placement of all audible and visual alerts including requirements for strobe lights with fire alarm systems.