Almost all commercial properties and many residential properties have a fire alarm system, which detect fire through a variety of strategically mounted heat and smoke detectors, pull stations, as well as the building’s sprinkler system.   In the event that a fire is detected, the alarm system notifies a central call station, which in turn notifies the nearest fire department, which will dispatch the fire department.  The fire alarm system will also trigger a variety of audio and visual alarms within the structure, notifying occupants of the fire.  In many buildings there is a central panel in the lobby of the building, which tells responding fire fighters the area or zone that the fire is in.  

The components of a modern fire alarm system are very complex and sophisticated and periodic inspection of the entire system is required under the provisions of the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), which has been adopted by local jurisdictions responsible for enforcing building codes.  In most jurisdictions, the local Fire Marshall will require that evidence of this yearly inspection be provided as a condition of continued occupancy of the building.  

The qualified technicians completing the inspection will test all components of the system to make sure that they are in proper working order.  In addition, they will verify that the system is communicating with the central call station either by a hard-wired phone line or wirelessly, depending upon the system being used.  In the event that any issues are discovered, they will be able to be immediately resolved no matter what type of system is being used.  Yearly fire alarm inspections are not only required by law, but they are critical to keeping the occupants of any commercial or residential structure safe!

Posted on behalf of Callaway Security