Despite your best maintenance and care, like all your electronic appliances, fire alarm systems must eventually be upgraded and/or replaced. While the natural tendency is to use your existing equipment as long as possible, there are five critical signs that your fire alarm system can no longer perform its essential function. Fire alarm systems are a life safety device, and you can’t afford to operate your business with an inadequate system.
All Protect Systems, Inc has been installing and servicing fire alarm systems for Ontario area businesses since 1996. While you are free to delegate your fire alarm responsibilities to their expert technicians, they’d still like to share some of their expertise with you. Keep your eyes open for the following signs that your fire alarm system has passed its expiration date.
1. Age
While regular maintenance by trained technicians can prolong the life of your system, years of non-stop use eventually take their toll. Fire alarm systems typically last about 15 years, so if you’re getting close to that mark, it’s time to start thinking about a new one.
Not only does the system performance degrade with age, but it also becomes outdated in terms of code and newer technologies. However, this can actually be a very good thing. Not only are newer panels better at protecting your property, but you can even enjoy cost savings through system upgrades, such as migrating from old-fashioned landlines to modern cellular communication.
2. False Alarms
False fire alarms are a tremendous disruption to commercial activity and a danger to the community. Fire trucks responding to a false alarm aren’t available elsewhere, and their urgency to arrive at the scene may cause accidents on the road.
Unfortunately, as fire alarms age, their sensors don’t function as well as they should. Not only do they increase the risk of false alarms, but they also may not sense a fire as quickly as they did when it was new. Even if the fire alarm system is still in good condition, you should replace smoke detectors every 10 years or according to the manufacturer’s instructions, and replace heat detectors after 15.
3. Frequent Repairs
Even if your system isn’t having false fire alarms, you may be plagued with frequent trouble or supervisory signals that tend to happen when you’re least ready for them, such as in the middle of the night. While it’s cheaper and easier to summon an All Protect Systems technician to simply have him silence the trouble, another one may quickly follow.
Sensors, wires, and the fire alarm control panel suffer from dirt and exposure to humidity and other environmental factors. The smallest glitch can cause the system to beep, and then your phone starts ringing. If this becomes a regular situation, it’s probably about time to replace your system.
4. Inspection Problems
Depending on your facility’s requirements, you need annual and perhaps even monthly inspections. If you notice that your inspector is finding increasing problems during his evaluation, it’s probably time for you to consider a new fire alarm system.
5. Building Changes
You can’t make any structural changes to your building without the approval of the fire marshal, but just because you can meet the minimum code requirements, it doesn’t mean that you can’t benefit from a newer system. It may be more cost-effective to replace an existing system than simply modifying it during major changes to your building structure or usage.
As a building owner or manager, you have a lot of responsibilities which include keeping your fire alarm system up to date. If you don’t feel like doing it yourself, don’t hesitate to contact the specialists at All Protect. They can handle the installation, inspection, and service of your commercial fire alarm system.