Think you know everything there is to know about fire alarm systems? The following are the top 5 things most people don’t know about fire alarm systems.

1. Are fire alarm systems necessary in buildings that have fire sprinklers?

This depends on the facility’s occupancy and the authority having jurisdiction’s requirements. Even if it’s not required, it’s a good idea to install both systems in facilities that are frequently occupied. Fire sprinkler systems are designed to minimize fire damages but fire alarm systems are designed to save lives by notifying the facility’s occupants in an emergency. So if people are located in the building it’s a good idea to have a fire alarm system in place.

2. How long do I need to keep a copy of the fire alarm system inspection, testing, and maintenance records?

NFPA 72 states that a permanent record of the acceptance test results, installation drawings, operation and maintenance manuals, written sequence of operation, and site-specific software must be available for the lifespan of the fire alarm system.  Keep inspection, testing, and maintenance records until the next test and for one year thereafter. According to NFPA 72 section 14.6.2.2, “systems with restorable fixed- temperature,  spot-type heat detectors tested over multiple years, records shall be retained for the 5 years of testing and for 1 year thereafter.”  All of these records may be available in print or electronic format. It’s always a good idea to check with your authority having jurisdiction to make sure you have all the necessary documentation.

3. What’s the lifespan of a fire alarm system?

Generally, a well-maintained fire alarm system lasts between 10-15 years. Once a fire alarm begins to have frequent false alarms it becomes unreliable. People stop evacuating the building when the alarm sounds because they assume it’s just another false alarm. In the event of a fire, this can have grave results.

4. Why should I have my fire alarm system monitored?

In an emergency situation every second counts, you want to make sure first responders are on the scene as soon as possible. Fire alarm monitoring ensures that fire responders are notified as soon as the fire alarm system detects a problem. This helps to save lives and reduce the risk of property damage. Some authorities having jurisdiction require central station monitoring but even if yours doesn’t, it’s still a great feature to consider.

5. Who is qualified to service my fire alarm system?

According to NFPA 72 qualified fire alarm service personnel must meet one or more of the following:

  1. Factory trained and certified for the specific type and brand of system serviced
  2. Certified by a nationally recognized certification organization acceptable to the authority having jurisdiction
  3. Either individually or through their affiliation with an organization registered, licensed, or certified by a state or local authority to perform service on systems addressed within the scope of this code
  4. Employed and qualified by an organization listed by a nationally recognized testing laboratory for the servicing of systems within the scope of this code

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