The Importance of Fire Alarm Life Safety System Maintenance
Most of us don’t think about our fire protection systems much in the hubbub of day-to-day work. But if you own or manage a commercial property, caring for your fire safety systems is crucial – even if you don’t ever have to face a fire.
Why should fire alarm system maintenance be a high priority? Read on to find out.
Lifesaving protection
Fire can spread through structures in mere minutes – and it can move even more quickly in workplaces where flammable materials are kept.
That’s why the Fire Safety Act of 2014 sets out requirements for fire precautions, including:
- Fire detection
- Fire alarms
- Escape/emergency exit routes
- Ways of fighting the fire such as fire extinguishers
- Employee fire safety training.
A combination of the right preparations, including a good fire alarm safety system and a fire safety plan, can significantly reduce the risk of harm to employees and customers – not to mention damage to your property.
Legal requirements
The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) is a global organisation that sets standards for fire protection worldwide. And their codes are so respected that they ‘have the force of law in Bermuda,’ as the Fire Safety Act of 2014 puts it.
That means that if you’re responsible for safety in a commercial property, you’ll need to know the relevant NFPA standards, including any specific requirements relating to the type of business you’re in charge of.
NFPA standards often contain detailed requirements for the inspection, testing and maintenance of various fire protection systems, including:
- Fire alarms: regular inspection and testing of fire alarm systems according to Fire Safety and Protection.
- Emergency lighting: maintaining emergency lighting systems to ensure they function properly during a fire.
- Fire doors: inspecting and maintaining fire doors to ensure they are in good working order.
Why fire alarm safety system maintenance matters
As you can see, regular testing and checking of your fire safety systems is a must. Without proper maintenance, your fire alarms could be no more than a decoration, unable to help if a fire does break out. But with regular, professional fire alarm safety system maintenance, you’re legally compliant and prepared for a fire emergency.
A great starting point is a professional inspection twice a year, plus a weekly test of your fire alarm. You’ll also want to stay informed about changes to NFPA standards and any local fire codes. Long story short – you need to know whether your commercial site is compliant with fire safety laws.
Get the right fire alarm for your business
When it comes to commercial fire alarms, there are a lot of options to choose from. At Selectron, we’re fire alarm system professionals, so we can help you decide what’s best for you. For example, does your property often experience high room temperatures due to the nature of the work done there? You can opt for a rate-of-rise heat sensor that assesses how quickly the room temperature changes, not simply how hot it is. We also offer smoke detectors that are designed to work in large spaces. And we can provide a carbon monoxide detector for you, too.
If you’d like to know more, our expert team is here to help. Just give us a call at +1 441 236 4181. Alternatively, you can get a fast quote online.
Selectron Ltd
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