Fire Alarm Inspection Takeaways: Everything You Need to Know
The statistics are staggering.
According to the National Fire Protection Association, local departments responded to more than 1.3 million fires in 2020 that resulted in 3,500 deaths, 15,200 injuries and $22 billion in property damage.
Every 64 seconds there’s a fire in a workplace, every 89 seconds in an individual home.
Great strides have been made in constructing fire-resistant buildings and upgrading fire-suppression systems, but the surest way to avoid tragedy: Inspect your fire alarms and keep all equipment in good working order. Business owners and managers, in particular, have an obligation to keep their workers and the public safe.
Fire Alarm Inspection Takeaways for the Workplace
That’s where quality trained professionals with deep knowledge in all facets of fire protection equipment come into play.
Installing, testing, inspecting and maintaining fire-detection and -suppression systems is highly complex. The company you choose will inspect your entire system—from emergency lighting and alarms to sprinklers and extinguishers. Deficiencies are documented, along with the solutions.
Local, state and national fire codes dictate how often a structure’s fire alarm system must be inspected, but as a general rule multi-unit housing and public spaces such as bars and restaurants, hospitals, and hotels are the most stringent.
As a leader in the commercial and industrial fire alarm industry, Getz Fire
Equipment Company is a dependable source for the latest fire alarm systems in Iowa and Illinois. With 57 years of experience, we know how to blend tried and tested technology with the newest solutions to create the industry’s best fire protection solutions.
Alarm Applications
Our project design and management staff handle projects of any size, and can seamlessly blend our alarms with other larger systems. We routinely create systems for:
- Public Transportation Centers/Airports
- Office and Government Buildings
- Hospitals/Healthcare Clinics
- Manufacturing Plants
- Libraries
- Entertainment and Sports Venues
- Dorms and Apartment Complexes
- School Campuses
- Daycare Centers
- Strip Malls/Retail Shops
Post-Installation
After your new system is installed, we’ll follow up with you and offer helpful suggestions for keeping your alarm running optimally.
Fire Alarm Inspection Takeaways for the Home
Installation
- Install smoke alarms on every level of your home, including the basement.
- Install smoke alarms in every bedroom and outside each sleeping area.
- Install smoke alarms at least 10 feet from cooking appliances.
- Install according to manufacturer’s instructions. Typically, proper placement is on the ceiling. If a wall must be used, install at a minimum of 4 inches and a maximum distance of 12 inches from the ceiling.
- Purchase smoke alarms that carry a UL or FM approved label.
- Replace smoke alarms every 10 years.
Maintenance
It is estimated that half of all smoke alarms are not working as they should because batteries are dead or have been removed. To ensure your smoke alarm is working, test it monthly by pushing the test button. The following maintenance tips will help you keep your smoke alarm in proper working order:
- Vacuum smoke alarms twice a year.
- Install new batteries twice a year and if the smoke alarm beeps to warn that battery power is low. Pick a date that will be easy to remember. Many people change batteries when they change their clocks for daylight savings time.
To ensure you remain up-to-date with your fire alarm inspection requirements, contact our team at Getz Fire Equipment Company today.