A fire breakout is one of the most dangerous accidents to occur around us. As an effort to promote safety and avoid your place from being engulfed in flames, a fire alarm can certainly come handy during such trying times. In order to maximize its effectiveness and ensure that it is working properly, there are certain things to be mindful about when using it.
We have listed down some of the most common fire alarm mistakes committed, and to learn more about how they can be avoided, read on below!
Incorrect Installation
When it comes to installing a fire alarm, it may come along with certain complications. In order to ensure that it doesn’t break or malfunction while you’re trying to work your way around it, it’s best to consult an instruction manual while doing so. Another option is to ask help from a professional who can install the device for you. Unless you are the owner of the building or house, it is required to use a C10 licensed professional for the installation and servicing of the Fire Alarm System.
The location of installation is also important to consider since this may affect the accuracy of the alarm. When a Fire Alarm is installed with a cellular transmitter in a spot in the building where it has a lack of cellular service, it can slow the signal or even make it so the Fire Alarm cannot dial out to call the Fire Department in times of an emergency.
False Alarms
While it’s great that your alarm is ringing perfectly just fine, it can certainly be quite alarming when your device suddenly goes off….only to find it blasting off when there is not even the slightest hint of a smoke. Sounds quite annoying, right? A false alarm may cause unnecessary panic in your household or neighborhood (in case they heard it too). So when installing your fire alarm, It’s best to avoid installing near doors, kitchens, bathrooms and drafts to prevent the occurrences of false alarms.
Lack of Regular Maintenance and Testing
Over time, your fire alarm will need to be checked once in a while even in Residential systems. In order to ensure that it is consistently functioning accurately, it needs regular maintenance. This includes the like of battery replacement as expired batteries are one of the most common reasons for a failed fire alarm system. While having a fire alarm around you adds to that feeling of safety and reassurance, a malfunctioning one won’t be really keeping you safe as it can still cause a fire breakout in the long run.
If you are wondering how often you should have your fire alarm tested, every six months is the most ideal time and is the requirement for Commercial properties with sprinklers. It needs to be checked and inspected annually if it does not have a Sprinkler Monitoring System. These inspections are best done by a licensed professional.
As for maintenance and check-up, this also includes cleaning and ensuring that your fire alarm device is free of dust and dirt that may affect their functionality. This is something that you can do and include during your cleaning day. In the event that you are not able to reach it due to sensitive conditions, you can seek the help of fire alarm services to do it for you. At the same time, you can even let them check your entire system to see if any of it needs repair or replacement.
Using either just a heat detector or a smoke alarm
Ideally, a smoke alarm and a heat detector co-exist and in order to maximize functionality of alerting any signals of fire, there should be a combination of the usage of the two. It’s important to note that these two function differently when it comes to detecting smoke. A heat detector relies solely on a room’s temperature and will go off once it has reached a certain point where it’s hot enough for the room; whereas a smoke alarm will only go off once a thick cloud of smoke is already in the area. This may affect the delay of signaling, hence, increasing the chances of fire consuming the area.
A smoke detector senses smoke and trigger once enough smoke has entered the area around and at a smoke detector. Smoke alarms are great to have in and outside of bedrooms as well as the top of stairwells to help keep you safe especially while you are sleeping. Heat Detectors are usually installed inside of attics since there is a lot of dust floating around. The recommended lifespan of a smoke alarm is 10 years and it is best to test and check your smoke detectors often to ensure they are working properly.
In addition to having smoke and heat detectors, it is always best to have sprinklers as well to help protect your businesses and homes.
Increase the level of your safety with Fire Alarm Testing Inc in the Bay Area
Your safety and the entire community’s is our major concern. When it comes to fire, we at Fire Alarm Testing Inc are always down to help in combating and preventing this. With our Fire Inspections and Fire Alarm Monitoring services, we believe that these help us be one step ahead in keeping the community safe and sound. When it comes to your fire alarm system needs, whether it’s for testing or regular maintenance, we are your go-to people! For any additional inquiries you may have, feel free to drop by our website or contact us, and we’d be happy to have a chat over any concerns you may have.
