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 fire alarm systems need to be replaced within 5 years from the date of manufacture. Keep in mind that… 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 »
Do you need pull station covers? Well, they’re a good idea because they help protect manual pull stations from several things. Protection In high traffic areas, pull station covers help protect against accidental impacts. Ideally, you don’t want people to set off accidental alarms, right? If someone accidentally bumps into the pull station, the cover… Read more »
We take smoke detectors for granted. They’re everywhere these days, but that wasn’t always the case. The Early History of Smoke Detectors In the 1930s, there was a Swiss scientist named Walter Jaeger. He accidentally invented the smoke detector when he made a device to detect poison gas. His sensor device was supposed to move… Read more »
How can medical facilities prevent fires from breaking out and/or be prepared in case there is a fire? Whether it’s a nursing home or a hospital, no one wants a fire to occur in a medical facility. Fires cause damage and can also injure or kill people– especially if they’re sick, disabled or elderly and… Read more »
Did you know October is National Fire Prevention month? What are some things businesses can do to stay fire free? Maintain Fire Alarm Systems First, it’s important to maintain fire prevention systems. Make sure your smoke alarms are working– test them! Does the alarm sound? If you don’t have a sprinkler system, think about installing… Read more »