It is paramount that any building has its fire alarm systems
properly maintained and functioning as required. It is worth stating that no
matter which building it is, residential, office, or industrial, the operation
of a fire alarm system is critical in the occurrence of an unfortunate event.
Routine maintenance also guarantees that your system is operational and aligns
with the current fire safety laws within your jurisdiction.
As promised in the previous blog post, here is a
comprehensive fire alarm system
maintenance checklist to ensure that our readers are proactive in fire
alarm system maintenance:
Periodical fire alarm system maintenance assures you that
your system is functioning well, especially when there is an emergency.
Sensors, alarms, and communication with emergency responders may not work if
they are not maintained properly. These potential failures can result in
disastrous effects on the business venture.
Moreover, maintenance is also mandatory in many
jurisdictions such as the UAE. It is the belief that buildings should put into
practice the principles of fire safety, such measures as, for instance, the
obligatory inspection and testing of fire alarms. Maintenance also ensures that
the system complies with such laws to prevent violations that lead to penalties
as well as the prevention of fire-associated disasters.
A maintenance checklist is a systematic approach that will
help you confirm the functionality of all aspects of your fire alarm system.
This way nothing is overlooked hence any discreet is noticed early enough
before it transforms into a major problem.
The control panel is the central part of every fire alarm
system, and basic visual inspection of this component is one of the easiest
ways to identify the presence of potential problems.
- Make sure that the panel is clean from dust and other
materials that may be on the surface or in its vicinity.
- Consider whether there are any warning lights or messages on
the control panel.
- Ensure the power indicator lights on the control panel are
working appropriately to ensure the system is getting power.
- Frequency: Periodic inspections of the control panel are
suggested every month to check whether items in need of service are identified.
These are essential elements in any fire alarm system since
detectors are devices that can identify the existence of smoke or elevated
temperatures which may be precursors to a fire. These devices cannot be
preserved and they require testing from time to time to know if they are
functional.
- Check the functionality of smoke detectors by testing
aerosol smoke for fire alarms which gives a realistic smoke simulation.
- Handle heat detectors by using normal heat from a hair dryer
or any specific heat testing instruments.
- Ensure that the detectors are not dusty or blocked in any
other way so that they can work effectively.
- Frequency: The proper functioning of detectors should be
checked at least every six months while there should be a monthly check
of the detectors through mere sight.
Alarm sounders and strobes are intended to inform people of
the need to leave the building in case of fire. It is, however, important to
make sure that they are operationally effective.
- Check the volume and tone of sounders to confirm they are
working perfectly.
- Ensure that the individual strobe lights are blinking
effectively and are easily seen from the front, sides and rear.
- Ensure that the alarms are both audible and visible
throughout the building, especially in noisy zones or areas that have many
hearing-impaired individuals.
- Frequency: It is recommended to conduct tests on sounders
and strobes at least every three months, especially in a building that is
experiencing heavy traffic or noisy environments.
Fire alarm pull stations or manual call points are installed
in buildings so that the tenants or the inhabitants of a specific house can
initiate a fire alarm when needed. Because of this, they require testing to
confirm they are working as expected at all times.
- Check on each call point to ensure that once a call point is
touched or pressed, the fire alarm is being sounded.
- Make sure you are not placing obstacles in the way of the
call points and that they can be reached easily.
- Ensure that there are
call points placed at the appropriate places and they are labeled in accordance
to fire safety rules.
- Frequency: Call points should be checked every quarter to
confirm they are fully operational and easily accessed.
Most fire alarms are hard-wired to the local fire department
or a monitoring center that alerts the fire department when the alarm is
sounded. It is essential to make sure that this communication link is properly
established to avoid any form of breakdown.
- Check the compatibility of the alarm system with the
monitoring center or emergency services.
- Make sure that when the fire alarm is pulled, a signal goes
to the emergency responders without any delay.
- Make sure that at least one other backup communication line
is available where necessary; such as in cases where the primary communication
line is out of order.
- Frequency: Comprehensive tests should be done quarterly to
ensure that all communication links are in good condition.
Your fire alarm system is dependent on electricity, but when
there is a power failure, the backup power source has to be the batteries. When
the backup system is checked frequently, there is increased protection all the
time.
- Check if the battery backup turns on in the event of power
failure.
- Check the batteries for any signs of corrosion or leakage.
- Ensure that the battery is not expired and replace the
battery if it has expired to provide a steady source of power.
- Frequency: Backup power should be checked at least once per
year, with batteries replaced every 2-3 years, or as required by the specific
model.
This means that fire alarm system maintenance is not only
checked physically, but record keeping is also crucial for Fire Risk Assessment
and future problem-solving.
- Make certain that all maintenance records are current after
the last check, testing, or repair work.
- Maintain photocopies of the compliance certifications and
verify their current status frequently.
- Keep a record of any part replacement, repair, or system
enhancement.
- Frequency: Fill the records after every inspection, test or
maintenance session.
As for regular control, it is crucial to note that a
certified fire alarm technician should inspect the system.
- Rely on licensed practitioners to assess the functionality
of all fire safety parts such as the circuits, detectors, alarms, as well as control panel.
- Ensure that the fire safety laws of the specific region have
been complied with in the design of the system.
- Exploit the opportunities of venturing into other costs and additional potential problem areas that are not easily detected during periodic
examinations.
- Frequency: An annual professional inspection should be done
to check on full system compliance and effectiveness.
Yes, fire alarm system maintenance is a legal requirement,
but let’s not forget that it is perhaps one of the most necessary forms of
maintenance especially as it relates to fire safety for properties, employees
and residents. Following this extensive maintenance guide will help keep your
system in optimal condition and alert you in case of an emergency.
Regardless of the type of property you own – residential or
commercial – compliance with fire safety regulations and conducting regular
inspections will assist you in avoiding expensive repair works, penalties, and,
above all, potential injuries or even fatalities in case of a fire.
To schedule professional help or get a comprehensive
assessment of the state and functionality of the fire alarm system, feel free
to turn to Guard Master Safety Systems for professional help and guarantee your
property remains protected and corresponds to the higher standards of fire
safety.
