Fire Alarm Systems: Inspections and Maintenance Requirements

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Fire Alarm Systems Inspections and Maintenance
Requirements Installing a fire alarm system to
your business is the first step in protecting
your business from fire. Moreover, you must
ensure that it remains effective and functional
in accordance with federal guidelines. In order
to help you meet these requirements and
safeguards, the National Fire Protection
Association (NFPA) publishes updated standards
every three years. You can keep your business'
fire protection system up to date by following
NFPA 72 National Fire Alarm and Signaling
Code. Are the inspection and testing
requirements the same everywhere in the U.S.? The
NFPA 72 outlines the basic requirements of the
NFPA, a nonprofit organization that aims to
minimize the effects of fire and electrical
hazards. OSHA and local jurisdictions have
adopted many of the recommendations in NFPA 72,
making them mandatory for businesses. It is
therefore the responsibility of states to ensure
compliance with these laws. Businesses keep their
fire protection systems compliant by performing
periodic testing and inspections. Fire Alarm
System Inspection Requirements The different
components of your fire alarm system should be
inspected throughout the year at different
intervals. A 'test' is a hand-on operation of a
component, whereas an 'inspection' is a visual
examination of the product. Some inspections can
be done by employees, but others require a fire
protection company. It is recommended to inspect
the control equipment every week. Inspect the
fuses, power supply, signals from the control
unit, and interfacing equipment of the
system. Every 30 days, the fire alarm batteries
should be checked for corrosion or damage. The
smoke detectors should also get inspected at this
time. The digital alarm communicator receiver
(DACR) should be checked as well. During each
quarter, the supervisory signaling device needs
to be inspected. It monitors your business's
various alarm systems, so make sure it's in good
working order. Your fire sprinkler system's water
lines should be inspected at this time. You
should inspect radiant energy fire detectors each
quarter if you use them. Testing Your
Commercial Fire Alarm System Along with the
annual inspections, you should test your fire
protection system every week, month, and quarter.
Batteries and engine-driven generators should be
tested weekly to ensure they will work in the
event of power outage.
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• Batteries should also be checked every month. In
  every 30 days, a charge test, 30-minute discharge
  test, and load voltage test should be conducted.
• To ensure that the supervisory signaling system
  is functioning, the DACR communication receiver
  and radio receiver should be tested every month.
  As part of this testing, the radio alarm
  supervising station receiver (RASSR) and repeater
  station receiver (RARSR) must be monitored.
• Additionally, battery tests should be conducted
  weekly and monthly at the end of each quarter.
  Initiating and signaling systems must also be
  tested during this period. In addition,
  off-premises transmission equipment should be
  tested to ensure rapid response times in the
  event of a fire.
• Maintenance of Fire Alarm System
• Fire alarm system maintenance can be summed up in
  five steps.
• Calibrate and test fire alarm sensors, such as
  flame and smoke detectors, according to
  manufacturer specifications. This requires
  knowing about the different types fire alarm
  sensors and their testing requirements, failure
  modes, and re-installation requirements.
• Analyze inputs and test the annunciators. This
  requires specific knowledge of the system under
  test.
• Set sensitivity. This requires an understanding
  of the particular system, the specific
  application, and fire detection theory.
• Coordinate with fire department to test the input
  to their system.
• Take appropriate action if necessary based on
  battery corrosion and expiration date.
• Keep your business compliant with the latest fire
  alarm parts
• Replace your fire alarm parts immediately if it
  no longer meets the necessary qualifications. We
  at Quickshipfire, the top fire alarm equipment
  supplier in USA, will ensure your business stays
  compliant with fire safety regulations by
  providing you the right fire alarm system parts.
  We can meet all of your fire protection system's
  needs. You can order top fire alarm parts online
  including Siemens parts, Simplex parts, Notifier
  parts and more from our website. Having your
  business protected will make you feel at ease.
  So, contact us today!
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