Maintaining and, if needed, repairing your fire alarm system should be an inarguable priority for any commercial establishment. Even though fire protection is a critical element of the safety of the building’s inhabitants, it’s easy to let the maintenance and fire alarm repairs go unattended, particularly because the system is so rarely needed. But in order to make sure you stay on top of fire alarm repairs, here are some of the things you should look out for when inspecting your fire alarm system.
Dust and Dirt Buildup
One of the most insipid enemies of a fire alarm is dust. As it builds up, the effect is gradual, but when enough dust collects, the sensors are not able to do their jobs. A fire alarm depends on sensors picking up small particles from the immediate atmosphere. When the concentration is high enough, the alarm goes off, alerting—and possibly saving—those inside.
When the dust blocks the sensors, they are not able to take the readings they need to. This can make the alarms either malfunction or not work at all. Periodically dusting off the alarms can help preempt future fire alarm repairs due to the effects of dust. However, if the dust has been allowed to build up over a period of time, you will have to take more detailed steps. This may require the fire alarm to be removed and even disassembled.
Tampering
Even the most well-meaning people can make the mistake of tampering with a fire alarm. Typically, this is done when the system is going off, and someone feels the alert is premature. To disable the alarm, something is done in an attempt to stop the noise. But proper fire alarm installation requires the system to have the right connections, both inside the unit and to the interlinked system. It’s therefore crucial to double check for evidence of tampering. A fire protection company may have to be called in to fix any devices that have been tampered with. Fire protection companies are well equipped to repair or replace alarms after doing a quick inspection.
Improper Installation
If the right fire protection service is not employed to install the system, there is a good chance a mistake will be made. With the variety of different connections that need to be made, without error, across the system, any small slip-up can render the entire system dysfunctional. If the system is having any troubles at all, it’s best to call in professional fire protection services in order to make sure everything was installed correctly.
Fire alarm repairs should be a priority if any of the above issues are discovered. For the sake of safety, a fire protection company should be contacted to make sure any repairs or adjustments are made correctly.
