Fire safety and suppression systems are a vital piece of any building’s fire safety, protection, and security efforts. These fire safety systems are crucial to help save lives and property. However, since they involve numerous parts, components, and features, problems may arise. Fire suppression contractors share some common issues and how best to avoid them.
Commercial and residential fire safety systems are amazing feats of technology. With that being said, they can be a bit complex – and may lead to problems if not adequately maintained or handled. In today’s post, fire suppression contractors will help us identify and correct these problems.
Inefficient Positioning of Detectors or Incorrect Selection of Detectors
In many cases, there is an insufficient number of fire detectors placed within the building. Often, they lack in air handlers.
System Maintenance Deficiencies
Dirty detectors, dirty and broken fire sprinklers, blocked fire sprinkler heads, are some of the common system maintenance deficiencies. Fire suppression contractors can help address these issues.
This is especially true if you have a commercial or industrial building. You must have professional cleaning, maintenance, and inspection of all your fire safety and suppression systems.
Issues with Discernibility and Audibility of Voice Command Features
Poor placement of visual and audible notification equipment could negatively impact the functionality of the system as a whole. The notification features of fire alarm and suppression systems could collapse and fail to work together.
Whether it’s because of a dead battery or electrical issues, it is crucial to ensure that the discernibility and audibility functions of your systems’ voice command features are in good working order at all times.
Lack of Zoning or Incorrect Zoning
When placing fire alarm and suppression systems, property owners must define correct zoning throughout the facility. This is to ensure that the systems used in a specific zone are what’s recommended for it.
For instance, if you are a restaurant owner, you will need to zone your kitchen area and put commercial kitchen suppression systems in it. For your company’s server or data room, you must use the proper suppression systems that won’t destroy sensitive computer equipment.
Consult with your trusted fire suppression contractors for the appropriate fire safety and suppression systems for each zone throughout your property.
Unreliable Water Source
Occasionally, a facility may get the water used for fire protection from an outside private supply or a municipal location. However, this doesn’t always mean the water supply is always going to be reliable. There may be instances where the maintenance or engineering of outside water sources don’t meet the standards you need to respond to fire emergencies.
If this is the case, consider a backup water source, such as a diesel pump. This type of pump takes water from a water tank.
Also, if an external or municipal water source is going to be your sole fire protection water provider, hire an expert to do a comprehensive assessment of it. Get in touch with a professional fire protection company to guide you on this critical process.
Here are the other prevalent problems among fire alarm and suppression systems:
Fire Suppression System Glitches
Water leaks or low water pressures from fire suppression systems can often lead to severe issues. If you don’t hire professional fire suppression contractors to conduct proper testing procedures, accidental discharges may happen.
Old Fire Alarm Systems
Generally, fire alarm systems can work up to 15 years. Beyond this time, there’s a more significant risk of it not working properly during a fire emergency.
How Do You Avoid Fire Safety Systems Problems?
Professional Testing, Inspection, and Maintenance from Qualified Fire Suppression Contractors
You need to hire a professional fire suppression provider to perform the right inspection, testing, maintenance, and repair (if necessary) procedures on your fire safety systems.
Many of the common issues we’ve listed above can be avoided if you regularly check, maintain, and clean your systems.
When picking a fire alarm system, get a version that offers expansions and upgrades. It must also comply with all the necessary codes and standards. A scalable system that can expand and be upgraded beyond your immediate or initial needs will allow you to save money. It will also help keep your business safe in the long run.