Many business owners get a commercial fire alarm system installed in their building(s) and then forget about it. Then, when it’s needed, and it doesn’t work, they’re out of luck, right? Just like with most things, commercial fire alarm systems need to be checked every now and then, and they might require maintenance every couple… Read more »
When people think of fires, they usually think of homes burning down to the ground. But there are also plenty of commercial building fires, too. Though the numbers of fires have thankfully decreased over the past couple decades, commercial properties still experience over 100,000 fires annually in the U.S. and the cost of them has… Read more »
Is it time to budget for a new commercial fire alarm system? Or would it make sense to buy some replacement fire alarm parts for your current system? Consider the Age How old is your existing fire alarm system? If it’s over 15-years-old, it might be time to invest in a new system that has… Read more »
Choosing the right commercial fire alarm system is one of the most important decisions a property owner or manager can make. The right system not only alerts occupants to danger — it can also notify first responders automatically and help limit property damage. Here is an overview of the main types of commercial fire alarm… Read more »
Is your commercial fire alarm system right for your building? It is a question worth asking — because not all systems offer the same level of protection, and the right fit depends on the size, layout, and occupancy of your property. Understanding Fire Code Requirements The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) has published more than… Read more »
Do you live or work in a high-rise building such as an apartment building, hotel or hospital? When you have many floors in a building, fire alarm systems can be more complex than if there was just one or two floors full of rooms. The Complexities of Fire Alarm Systems for High Rise Buildings Designs… Read more »
How much do you really know about commercial fire alarm systems? It turns out there are several myths or falsehoods about them… and fires in general. Not a Critical Need For starters, some people assume they don’t need any alarm system in their building because they’ll be able to see the smoke, or smell it,… Read more »
A commercial fire alarm system is made up of several key components that work together to detect danger and protect building occupants. Understanding these features helps building owners and managers make better decisions about installation, maintenance, and upgrades. Smoke Detectors Smoke detectors are the primary sensing device in most commercial fire alarm systems. When they… Read more »
When’s the last time you replaced your commercial fire alarm batteries? Did you know that the average life of commercial fire alarm batteries is 5 years? After that, they’re pretty much useless. Timeframe Battery backups in commercial fire alarm systems need to be replaced within 5 years from the date of manufacture. Keep in mind… Read more »
There are two types of smoke alarms: photoelectric and ionization. With photoelectric, a steady beam of light is used. If and when smoke particles enter the internal chamber of the alarm, particles scatter the light beam and redirect it to a photocell, triggering the alarm to go off. Ionization alarms use ions, electrons and electrodes…. Read more »
