Importance Of Fire Alarm Inspections

Although people have a busy schedule, it is important to keep up with regular fire alarm system inspections. Fire prevention systems must be well maintained and inspected once in a month to ensure they are working properly. Moreover, a lot of people tend to ignore the fact that fire alarm installations are mandatory. Not everyone is aware of the fact that fire alarms play an important role in enhancing the safety of the building. Moreover, fire alarms act like guard dogs between life and death. Still, the majority of the people out there do not understand why fire alarms require maintenance.

Continue reading to learn more about the importance of fire alarm system inspections for your building.

Reasons why fire alarm inspections are important

Safety: The most common and the obvious reason for scheduling regular fire alarm inspections is to keep yourself, your building, and its occupants safe from fire. Also, a fire alarm system plays a crucial role in alerting the people in the building. Inspections can find out what is stopping the fire alarms to work properly. In case, your fire equipment have any problems that is still less than five years old, then it is necessary to install new equipment. Fire inspections disclose the underlying causes of these issues. Issues like humidity, corrosion, voltage problems will start taking place.

Follow The Code: In addition to inspecting fire alarms for safety reasons, it is also important to follow the National Fire Alarm Codes. Fire alarm inspections and installations are important. This gives building owners an extra incentive to ensure all the inspection requirements are met.

Limit Liability: Every businessman or businesswoman wants to make sure that they save money wherever possible. Fire alarms that are well maintained and are installed properly can help in getting discounts from insurance carriers. Following all the rules and regulations related to the fire alarm installations, you can lessen the occurence of the injuries that can take place.  Also, there may be times when your insurance claim can be declined. This happens if you don’t have proof of regularly scheduled fire alarm inspections.

Public Relations:As a businessman or a businesswoman you want to make sure that all your employees feel comfortable and safe when they enter the place of work. With regular fire inspections you can let your employees know that you care about their safety and well being. 

Gather Data: Performing regular inspections allows the fire experts to collect all the required data. This data is useful in the future. Moreover, it helps the experts to decide which are the best places to install the fire equipment. Driving to your building can also allow them to see which fire hydrants and water sources are closest to your building in case of emergencies.

To conclude, safety should always be the first priority. There are various fire safety guidelines that should be followed to stay safe. Want to get your fire alarm checked by a professional? Do not feel shy to get in touch with professionals. They will complete the inspection and will guide you properly.

To know more about fire alarm system inspections, get in touch with Fire Serv.

A Checklist On Fire Sprinkler Maintenance

Fire mishaps are one of most common type of accidents that occur in residential and commercial settings. There are various methods of avoiding such mishaps. And one of them is installing fire sprinklers in the building.

The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) has laid down various standards for protecting the commercial settings against accidental fire mishaps.

If you have fire sprinkler systems installed in the building, it is essential to follow NFPA 25 standards. Under this standard, conducting prior inspection, maintenance, and testing of the equipment is mandatory. Taking such precautionary steps help in avoiding any fire accidents in the building.

Below mentioned is a checklist for fire sprinkler maintenance and inspection.

What to inspect in fire sprinklers?

Remember fire sprinkler inspection should be carried out on a weekly basis.

1. System gauge: The air and water pressure should be monitored when inspecting the system gauge. The readings should match the normal levels.

2. Valves: Inspect for leaky valves. These are an important part of the sprinkler system. The valves should be properly sealed for maximum productivity. Signages should be properly installed. These depict the correct way of using the valves.

Monthly inspection criteria

1. Wet gauge: These gauges are found on the wet pipes of the sprinkler system. Inspect for any kind of damage. Replace the sprinkler with a new gauge in case of any physical damage. Also, take readings of the water and air pressure regularly.

2. Alarm system valves: External inspection should be performed each month to check for signs of any physical damage.

Quarterly inspection and maintenance criteria

1. Alarm equipments: Inspect the alarm equipments for any signs of potential damage. This should be done every three months.
   

2. Hydraulic nameplates: This should be in secure space along with the sprinkler rider.

While conducting fire sprinkler inspection, make sure that the technicians are licensed. As per the standards set by NFPA, only certified professionals should be allowed to undertake inspection activities.

4 Types of Fire Protection for Schools

A fire in your school building could mean a total devastation. Every school building requires as much fire protection as possible. Hospitals, hotels, stadiums, and restaurants, schools are full of people everyday, all day. Hence, it is very important to make sure that there are sufficient fire protection equipment.

This article will explain about various fire equipments. Have a look.


Fire Sprinklers: Fire sprinklers are important equipments as they help stop fires out before they spread, no matter wherever they are installed. Moreover, fire sprinkler maintenance and inspection is also mandatory because if in case they don’t work, it can be problem. According to NFPA 25 inspections are necessary at least once a week.


Fire Suppression Systems:Fire suppression systems are used in places where special articles are present. These places consist of museums, art galleries, etc. One of the advantages of this equipment is that these systems respond very fast and extinguish fire immediately causing less damage to the articles. There are different types of fire suppression systems. These consist of the following:

1. FM200 systems
   
2. CO2 systems
   
3. Wet chemical systems
   
4. Dry chemical systems
   

Fire Alarms: Talking about fire alarms it is best to get them tested by a professional who has enough knowledge about these equipments and is well trained. Fire alarms are an important equipment because they serve as an indirect form of fire protection. The alarms notify people in the building that there is a fire and that it is time to move out.


Fire Extinguishers: Even small fires can create a huge havoc if they are not stopped from spreading. All staff and faculty should have enough knowledge about fire equipment and should be trained on how to use fire extinguishers.


Fires in your building can be prevented easily. No matter how much equipments you install, some problems may take place by human errors or carelessness.

Whether you require smoke detectors, fire alarms, fire extinguishers, fire alarms, fire sprinkler systems, fire suppression systems installed at your place, there are various companies that have you covered. All fire systems should be tested on a regular basis. Don’t forget that maintenance is essential, as it will find out various issues that may take place. A system that is not maintained cannot be guaranteed to save your life or property


If you require fire sprinkler maintenance, then consider the services of FireServ.

How Often Should My Fire Sprinkler System Be Inspected?

Do you know why installing fire sprinkler systems are important?Your building depends on a network of fire protection equipment so that the building and its occupants stay safe from fire. Although sprinkler systems are pretty mainstream, there are a number of people who have no idea as to why fire sprinkler systems are important.

Moreover, understanding the importance of fire sprinkler systems will help you in understanding why maintaining these systems is mandatory. According to NFPA 25, it is important to maintain the fire sprinklers systems. This ensures that the systems are working properly. Below mentioned is a look at the suggested timelines for performing inspections and why is it necessary?

How often should your fire sprinklers be inspected?

Inspections are necessary at least once a week. According to NFPA 25, below mentioned is the inspection schedule you should follow:

Weekly or Monthly: If you have dry, pre-action or deluge sprinklers systems installed, make sure they are inspected at least once a week. On the other hand, if you have wet pipe sprinklers systems installed, these systems can be inspected once in a month.

Quarterly: Make sure you get your water flow alarm, valve supervisory alarm devices, and hydraulic nameplates inspected.

Annually: Once a year, inspect the pipes and the fittings.

Every 5 years: Conducting an inspection of sprinkler pipings is only needed once every five years.

Fire sprinkler systems save lives. According to the National Fire Protection Association, it has been found that when paired with other safety systems, fire sprinklers are capable of reducing the injuries, property damage, and death by more than 50%. The installation and ongoing maintenance of a sprinkler system should be a top priority for your building or office. Do not feel shy to consult an expert for further information on fire sprinkler maintenance, fire sprinkler installation, and testing.

When you are seeking for a company to inspect and test your fire sprinkler systems, seek for those that hire a well trained professional with proper qualifications and knowledge. The qualification must consist of factory training, certification, and licensure to perform fire sprinklers inspections and tests.

To know more about fire sprinkler inspection, get in touch with Fire Serv.

 

The basics of fire alarm maintenance

Fire alarms act like guard dogs between life and death. When paired with fire sprinkler systems, fire alarm systems give you the response to stop the fire and help the people of the building to get out on time. Nevertheless, the majority of the people out there do not understand why fire alarms require maintenance.

In this blog, learn what you need to know. Let's have a look at what happens during fire alarm inspection and testing.

Below mentioned are some basics of fire alarm maintenance.

Fire alarm inspections: Inspections are important to ensure that fire alarms are in good condition and are working. The fire alarm technician will have a proper look and will check if there are wires that are not connected or are broken. If the technician finds an issue with the fire alarm, he will recommend installing new fire alarms. These inspections will help you ensure that your building or workplace is safe at all times

Fire alarm testing

Once the inspection is done, the next step is to perform a fire alarm testing. This is done to ensure whether the fire alarm will work in situations of emergency or fire. The alarms are to be tested at least once a year. While testing the alarms the fire technician will also check the initiators and the alarm sensors.

Documentation

There are times when fire systems create problems. Do not ignore these problems. Get in touch with a fire technician who is trained enough. The problems have to be taken care of as soon as possible. Hence it is the responsibility of the building owner to have proper documentation. Once the inspection and testing is completed, all the documents are required to be kept in safe places so that the owner has a record of all the inspections that have taken place before and after.

Fire alarm installations are important. It keeps a place safe. A property or a building with proper fire suppression equipment will stay safe and secure. Fire alarm maintenance and testing is mandatory.

Want to get your fire alarm checked by a professional? Do not feel shy to get in touch with professionals. They will complete the inspection and will guide you properly.

Are you looking for a professional who can inspect your fire systems? Get in touch with Fire Serv.

A Day in the Life of a Fire Alarm Technician

Do you have an idea about what your fire alarm technician should be inspecting during your office service visit?

Let's have a look at a normal day of the fire alarm technician and what all is involved in the fire extinguisher service.






Before going to a site, a fire Alarm technician will make the bookings beforehand to make sure that the date and time are suitable for the customer. When the technician reaches the site, he will first check the fire extinguishers to see whether it is up to the date. Also, he will check whether the fire safety actions have been recorded or not. In cases where the recordings have not been done, he will further have a discussion with the client in order to take actions that are required. Once the checking is completed, the technician will start his work.

Testing the fire alarm consists of a number of checks including the following:

1. Does the fire extinguisher show any hindrance? Keeping a track on a system is difficult. Hinderance should always be reported to your fire extinguisher service provider as soon as they take place.
2. The technician will check the batteries for the fire alarm systems. This is done to ensure that the fire alarms are of the correct sizes.
3. In addition, he will also test each and every call point, smoke detector, and heat detectors. If any of them is not working, then he will suggest replacing the fire alarms.
4. Also, does your office have the right types of equipment in the right places? There are times when we see a heat detector placed where a smoke detector is required.

Not only the technician comes for Fire Extinguisher Inspections, but also they are trained to provide you with the right information which may help you in your future. Once the visit is completed, a certificate of Inspection is provided to the customers. Now that you have a clear understanding of why you require fire extinguisher inspections, then make sure you get these inspections done after every three months. Most of people tend to ignore the fire extinguishers as a part of their home safety plan. So do your research and make sure you know how to use them.

If you are looking for fire extinguisher services, then consider the services of Fire Serv. Also if you would like to talk to one of our expert about Fire Extinguisher Inspections, please call (800) 567-5740

Best Fire Alarm Systems For A Business

When you own your own company, it is very important that you protect it with proper insurance. It is also important that you take as many steps you can to protect your company from damage, for example: fire. Hence, you should have some knowledge about the best fire alarms. Below mentioned are a few systems that help you decide which one is best suitable for you.

Conventional Fire Alarms: Conventional fire alarms are one of the most common alarms for businesses. These alarms are fixed in various zones and are connected to a central control panel. The way you fix different alarms in your room, a conventional system enables you to fix them in different areas of your office.

Addressable Fire Alarms: These alarms are also known as intelligent systems. These systems help you to select between manual alarms and automatic alarms. These systems make sure that each single alarm that you have installed will have its own address and also makes it easy to see whether alarms are working or not. Although, the features of these systems are more enhanced, an addressable system tends to be more costly than a conventional system.

Hybrid Fire Alarms:Hybrid systems connect the features of conventional systems with the addressable loops found in addressable systems. By connecting both of them, you get the best results. These systems offer more advanced features and will cost you more to install and maintain the system.

The Takeaway: Before deciding on any of the fire alarm system, make sure you assess your overall needs. Once you know about your requirements, it will be easy for you to select the fire alarm system.Fire alarm system is something you should never-go-without in your company. You need to be sure that all your employees are safe.

Lastly, it is very important to have a fire alarm system in your building. Also if your building has a fire alarm system make sure you get it inspected. Fire alarm inspections should be seen as an advantage to the building or business owner, rather than a barrier.

If you need a fire alarm maintenance company or need fire suppression contractors, contact the team at FireServ today. For more information contact (800) 567-5740

What to expect from an annual fire sprinkler inspection?

When it comes to fire sprinkler inspections, they are essential for the life of fire sprinkler systems. They take place weekly, monthly, half-yearly, yearly, once in a 3-years, and 5-years. Each inspection comes with its own benefits such as extending the life of a fire sprinkler and ensuring the system to function properly at the time of a fire event.If you’re looking for ways to fire sprinkler maintenance, an annual inspection is the best one. Here are the things you can expect at an annual fire sprinkler inspection. 

 

What is checked during an annual fire sprinkler inspection?

The following are the seven things that are inspected at both half-yearly and annual inspection.

• Wet and dry gauges
• Valves
• Hydraulic system nameplates
• pressure -reducing and relief valves
• Fire department connections
• Water flow alarm on both dry and wet systems
• Water flow and supervisory alarm devices

Fours types of inspections that are added annually

• Dry-pipe valves
• Pipes, sprinkler heads and fittings
• Water flow test
• Check supply of spare sprinkler heads and tools.

How to prepare for an annual fire sprinkler system inspection?

In order to prepare for an annual sprinkler inspection, you should:

• Talk to the fire department in advance to provide inspection, maintenance, and testing reports for the year and confirm what the fire department is searching for.
• Discuss the reports with the fire department and explain if there is any issue reported.
• Have a responsible person to accompany the inspector.
• Make notes during the fire sprinkler inspection.

Differences between quarterly and annual inspection

The major differences between quarterly and annual fire sprinkler inspections are the amount of time and details that the inspector uses to check the system. Quarterly fire sprinkler inspections are comparatively less detailed and take less time to check than the yearly fire sprinkler inspections. Most people tend to fall by the wayside of quarterly inspection as it happens several times each year, and may feel insignificant in terms of the inspection and in-depth. However, it is important to know that both types of inspections are necessary to meet your local fire protection codes.

Lastly, regular inspection is essential for your safety and is a vital part of fire sprinkler maintenance. To know more about fire systems inspection and maintenance, contact FireServ - (800) 567-5740.

Fire extinguisher 101: Care and maintenance

In both residential and commercial settings, people mostly depend on fire extinguishers to put off a small fire. But, what if they fail to work at the time of emergency? You don’t want to face such situations? As it may lead to endangering your and your loved one lives and loss of property. So, similar to other emergency equipment, fire extinguishers also need regular inspection. Although most people maintain their fire extinguishers by themselves, once in a while a professional fire extinguisher service is also needed to ensure proper functioning of the fire protection equipment. 

The following are some of the ways to care and maintain your fire extinguisher system.

Seal inspection - If you have a fire extinguisher at home, you need to check its seal from time to time. If you notice any interference with the seal, immediately call fire extinguisher maintenance provider. Loosen or broken seals usually lead to gases or liquids leakage, rendering your fire extinguisher completely ineffective at the time of a fire incident.  

Check the quality of being reached of your fire extinguisher - Regardless of what type of fire extinguisher you’ve installed in your setting, you must place it in an easily accessible location. In case, any member of your family finds it difficult to reach the fire extinguisher, change its position. Consider every member of your family before placing a fire extinguisher, and inform everyone in case of changes.  

Keep a tab on the pressure - Usually, most of home fire extinguishers come with a pressure gauge attached to them. So, you need to monitor if the pressure read on it is appropriate or not. In case, your fire extinguisher has the test indicator, you can use it to know whether the pressure reading is ideal for a proper working fire protection equipment or not. If you read inappropriate pressure levels, you must report to the fire extinguisher maintenance company as soon as possible.

Check for visible damage - Besides checking pressure, you should also look for all visible signs of damage to the fire suppression equipment. These signs include corrosion and clogged nozzle. Such damages is an indication that it’s time to replace your fire extinguisher with a new one. Approach the fire extinguisher service provider to explain all the damages, and they will take care of everything.

Record each and every inspection - Finally, it’s necessary to record all the maintenance and monthly checks properly. You can also keep an inspection tag to your home fire extinguisher so that you know the date you inspected your fire protection equipment.

Are you looking for the fire extinguisher maintenance company in New York? Contact Fireserv

Is your fire sprinkler system ready for winter?

The fire life safety systems are one of the most important fire safety systems in the country. One of the most common fire suppression systems used in all kinds of property is fire sprinkler system. However, just like the all the safety system, it is crucial that the fire life safety systems are also updated for the winters.

Winterining the fire sprinkler system reduces the chances of any damage to the piping and the property due to freezing water. If the fire life safety systems remain unchecked, they can not only cease to work but can burst leading to the damage to the property.

Fire sprinkler system testing

Fair labor standards act (FLSA) advices the homeowners to inspect and test all kinds of fire life safety systems such as antifreeze, wet and dry. It will ensure that the systems will keep on working even in the dead cold. Here are a few things that are required to be checked:

• Check if fire department connection (FDC) is full of water or not. The ball drips also need to be checked if they are working properly or not.
• Check the water storage tank heaters to make sure that they properly work during a crisis.
• It is important that the heat tracing is intact and properly operating. It need to be ready for the emergency. The heat tracing system includes heat trace monitoring systems.
• The wet pipe in the attic areas also needs to be checked. It is the insulation that often gets disturbed.
• According to experts, 40 degrees F is the minimum temperature that is required on any wet part of the sprinkler system.

Dry pipe and pre-action systems

• All the dry pipe and the pre action system need to be checked to ensure that they are not flooded.
• Drain all the low points drain. Special attention needs to paid to the areas outside the the pump room.
• Record and verify the location of all drains and ensure that they are in working condition.
• The proper operation, settings and the function of the air compressor need to be checked.
• Condensation from air compressor tank also needs to be drained
• The valve rooms, stair enclosures, pump rooms, and all areas with exposed piping also need to be checked. Check if:
  • Heaters are working properly
  • Dampers are closed
  • No unprotected openings are present

Antifreeze systems

In the wet sprinklers system, the experts prevent the pipes freezing by adding an antifreeze solution to the sprinkler system. The concentration system needs to be checked by testing out the system. Adjust the level of the antifreeze solution to prevent the system from freezing.

Want to get your fire life safety systems updated for winters? Contact Fire Serv. They are leading fire suppression system services who focus on providing excellent fire suppression and fire extinguisher service to the residents in New York.