Category: Fire Alarms

Fire Alarm Inspections & Testing

Just like any other component of your building’s fire protection scheme, your fire alarm system needs to be inspected on a regular basis to help prevent system failure. Early warning of a fire is critically important for the people inside your facility. Getting your systems regularly inspected and tested will help to ensure that your people get the early warning they need to safely escape from a fire.

NFPA 72

Inspections and testing of your fire alarm systems are required per NFPA 72. NFPA 72 is the National Fire Alarm and Signaling Code. It is enforced by most local jurisdictions, but you should check with your Authority Having Jurisdiction to see if your area has additional requirements. Inspections should be performed by a certified technician.

How Often Do Fire Alarms Need to be Tested and Inspected?

Fire alarms need to be inspected and/or tested:

  • Monthly
  • Semi-annually
  • Annually

The frequency of inspections and testing of the components of fire alarm systems is detailed in NFPA 72.

What Happens During a Fire Alarm Inspection?

During a fire alarm system inspection, all the components of the system are visually checked to help ensure that they are in operating condition. During testing of fire alarm systems, the system components are checked for functionality. The components that need to be inspected and tested include:

  • Fire alarm control panel
  • Smoke detectors and heat detectors
  • Manual pull stations
  • Horns and strobes
  • Batteries
  • Annunciators and zones
  • Output relays and activations
  • Flow switches, tamper switch, and low-pressure alarms
  • Supervised control valves and switches

Get Your Fire Alarms Inspected with Davis-Ulmer

At the DU Family of Companies, we provide inspections and testing of fire alarm systems in accordance with NFPA and local regulations. Our certified technicians can perform inspections monthly, semi-annually, annually, or as often as needed. We have experience with a variety of commercial, industrial and residential applications. We provide fire protection services for customers in the Eastern United States.

Commercial Fire Alarm Systems

Commercial buildings such as offices, retail centers, multifamily residential buildings and hotels need effective fire alarm systems to keep employees, residents, and guests safe. Early detection and warning of a fire buy the critical time needed for people inside the building to escape safely.

Designing a Commercial Fire Alarm System

Fire alarm systems should be designed to meet the needs of your facility. Alarm systems can be either simple or complex, depending on the type of building. Fire codes and standards also determine the design of a fire alarm system. Things to consider when designing a commercial alarm system include:

  • Code compliance
  • Reducing false alarms
  • Ease of maintenance
  • Technology advancements
  • Integration with emergency communication

It is important to take these things into consideration when designing an alarm and detection system for commercial facilities. Typically, a fire alarm system consists of a fire alarm control panel, initiation devices and notification devices. You can elevate your alarm system through voice evacuation, alarm monitoring and better technology.

Networked Fire Alarm Systems

Large commercial buildings including high rise offices and commercial campuses may consider installing a networked fire alarm system. In this type of system, there are multiple control panels that are distributed on various floors of different buildings and all the panels communicate with each other. Networked fire alarm systems allow you to view the entire system from a central location.

Fire Alarm Monitoring

Improve your fire alarm system through alarm monitoring. When a monitored alarm goes off, a signal is sent to a central station where a live operator will alert the proper authorities. Fire alarm monitoring gives commercial building 24/7 protection from a fire, break-in or sprinkler activation.

Contact Davis-Ulmer for Commercial Fire Alarms

At Davis-Ulmer Fire Protection, we provide commercial fire alarm and detection systems for a variety of facilities across the Northeast United States. We can design and install alarm systems as well as provide ongoing inspections, service, and repair. The team at Davis-Ulmer also provides alarm monitoring services for commercial buildings so you can have peace of mind that your facility has round the clock protection. Contact Davis-Ulmer Fire Protection to learn more about commercial fire alarm and detection systems.

What Makes a Great Fire Alarm System?

There is no question that fire alarms play a vital role in any life safety system. A fire alarm system provides early warning of a fire, allowing people to evacuate a building safely.

Basic Alarm System Components

Any basic fire alarm system will include the following components:

  • Fire alarm control panel
  • Initiation devices
  • Notification devices

The initiation devices detect a fire through smoke, flame or heat detectors. Another type of initiation device is a manual pull station. The initiation devices send a signal to the fire alarm control panel. The control panel receives a signal and triggers the notification devices to alert building occupants through alarm, bell or horn sounds.

How to Elevate Your Alarm System

While a basic fire alarm system gets the job done, there are some ways that you can make your fire alarm system even better. 

  1. Inspect and Test Regularly – Fire alarm systems need regular inspections and testing to keep them functioning for years down the road. Getting your system inspected helps you comply with NFPA standards and local code as well as giving you peace of mind that your system will work when it is needed. 
  2. Use High Quality Parts from Top Manufacturers – When it comes to fire alarms, your building occupants deserve the best. High quality parts will help prevent failure of your system. Some top manufacturers include Siemens and Fike.
  3. Get Fire Alarm Monitoring – Fire alarm monitoring gives yo

  4. ur building round-the-clock protection. When a monitored alarm goes off, the authorities are immediately alerted and dispatched to your facility. 
  5. Install Voice Evacuation – Voice evacuation systems take your fire alarm system to another level by using voice commands to direct building occupants of what to do in a fire or other emergency situation.

Davis-Ulmer Provides High Quality Fire Alarm Systems

At Davis-Ulmer Fire Protection, we design, install, inspect and service fire alarm and detection systems. We use high quality parts from top manufacturers and provide fire alarm monitoring. We also offer access control systems, CCTV systems, nurse call systems and ADA area of rescue intercom. Our service team provides ongoing alarm inspections in accordance with NFPA standards. Contact us today. 

Conventional vs. Addressable Fire Alarm Systems

If you are considering replacing an existing fire alarm system or installing an alarm system in a newly constructed building, it is important to understand which system is right for your application. There are two main types of alarm systems: conventional and addressable.

 

Conventional Fire Alarms

A conventional fire alarm system works well in smaller facilities. The system and its components are wired to the same cable that connects to a fire alarm control panel. Conventional alarms will detect a fire and tell you the zone or area where a fire is located on the control panel, but it will not tell you the exact location of the fire.

Addressable Fire Alarms

Addressable fire alarm systems work well in larger buildings or campuses. An addressable system has components that have individual unique identifiers. When a fire is detected by a component, the fire alarm panel will display the location of the fire on the fire alarm control panel. Addressable fire alarms make it easy to quickly pinpoint where the fire is located.

Which System is Right for You?

If you are unsure if your building needs an addressable of conventional fire alarm you need to consider how important it is to be able to quickly pinpoint where the fire was detected. If you have a large expansive facility, you will want to know exactly where the alarm went off to be able to protect your property and the lives of the people in it so addressable fire alarms might be the right choice.

However, if you have a small building, having conventional alarms will work well for you. It is not as important to know the exact location of the fire in a smaller building because you will likely be able to locate it quickly on your own. Conventional fire alarms are much less expensive and do not require as much labor to install.

Davis-Ulmer Installs Fire Alarms

At Davis Ulmer Fire Protection, we can design and install fire alarms for your facility. We have experience installing both conventional and addressable systems and we can help you figure out which system is right for your application. We use high quality manufacturers for our alarm systems including Siemens, Fike, Vesda, SigniFire, and more. Our fire alarm team is trained in working with commercial, industrial, retail, and residential applications. Davis-Ulmer can perform inspections, testing, and service of your fire alarm system after installation to keep it running smoothly. We install and service our systems according to local fire code, NFPA standards, and insurance requirements. If you are looking to install fire alarm system in NY, CT, PA, NH, MA, or NJ, Davis-Ulmer has you covered. Contact us to learn more about the fire alarm systems we provide.