Fire alarms are an essential part of the security system. However, regular fire alarm system maintenance is mandatory for safety compliance. Regular maintenance can effectively prevent false alarms and ensure quick response during fire emergencies.
This blog will cover a comprehensive fire alarm maintenance checklist to help you maintain your fire alarms for optimal usage.
Top 10 Must To Check Fire Alarm Checklist
#1 Inspect Control Panel Functionality
The first and most essential point of the fire alarm maintenance checklist is inspecting control panel functionality. This eventually involves:
- Checking if the fire alarm control panel shows no fault or trouble indicators.
- Checking the system logs and testing LED displays or touchscreens to ensure optimal functionality.
#2 Test Smoke Detectors and Heat Sensors
Another essential tip for the fire alarm maintenance checklist is testing the smoke detectors and heat sensors.
- You can use smoke/heat simulators to check the detection accuracy of your fire alarms.
- You can also clean sensors to remove dust or debris regularly. Accumulation of dust and dirt can cause false alarms.
#3 Check Manual Call Points (Break Glass Units)
A fire alarm maintenance checklist also includes checking manual call points and break glass units. This includes:
- Ensuring that all manual fire alarm points are accessible and functional, as this can drastically improve your alarm performance.
- Testing the trigger and reset mechanism of the alarm system can be a great way to maintain your fire alarms.
#4 Inspect Fire Alarm Sounders and Sirens
The fire alarm maintenance checklist involves fire safety system checks by inspecting fire alarm sounders and sirens. This inspection usually includes:
- Checking and confirming the loudness and clarity of sound of the fire alarm system, which is also beneficial for regular fire alarm maintenance.
- Checking whether it has coverage in all required zones or if you need to expand your system to help keep your fire alarm system updated.
#5 Verify Battery Backup and Power Supply
Verifying battery backups and power supplies is also a vital part of the fire alarm maintenance checklist. This step involves:
- Testing battery life and charging capability in case of a power outage or failure can help you ensure optimal performance with minimal downtime.
- Inspecting the wiring connection to detect any kind of wear or corrosion that can affect your fire alarm's performance can also help optimize your alarm’s performance.
#6 Review Fire Alarm Signals and Monitoring Devices
The fire alarm maintenance checklist may also include reviewing fire alarm signals and related monitoring devices. This fire alarm testing procedure involves:
- Confirming proper transmission to monitoring stations or fire departments for seamless fire detection.
- Inspecting connections to the external alarm systems can be a great option for keeping your fire alarms well-performing.
#7 Inspect Wiring and Circuit Integrity
The fire alarm inspection checklist may also include inspection for wiring and circuit integrity. Checking wiring and circuit integrity involves:
- Identifying if your alarm system has damaged cables, loose connections, or corrosion.
- Looking for signs of tampering or pest damage which can lead to false alarms or missed detection.
#8 Clean and Dust Alarm Components
Another key point of the fire alarm maintenance checklist you should remember is cleaning and dusting alarm components:
- Regular cleaning and dusting can prevent false alarms caused by debris build-up in detectors.
- You can use soft brushes or vacuum cleaners with care for fire system maintenance. This will also help in ensuring higher efficiency.
#9 Log Test Results and Maintenance Records
Commercial fire alarm maintenance usually involves keeping fire alarm service records. You can do the following:
- Maintain compliance with fire safety regulations.
- Keep records of all fire alarm maintenance services to know their current status and decide on fire alarm testing frequency.
#10 Schedule Regular Professional Inspection
Lastly, schedule regular professional inspections by hiring a reliable fire alarm service provider.
- Annual or semi-annual checks by certified fire alarm technicians can be beneficial for both commercial and residential fire alarm upkeep.
- They can also help in ensuring your fire alarm system meets local fire code requirements.
FAQs: Fire Alarm Maintenance Checklist
A fire alarm system should be tested once every week to ensure no faulty call point/points. Also, a fire safety system should be checked once every year.
Yes, a professional is needed for fire safety system checks as they have specialization and experience to identify issues in the system easily.
A fire alarm maintenance checklist includes testing fire alarm systems, evaluating battery backup and power supply, assessing alarm audibility, verifying control panel, and so on.
Fire alarm and smoke detector maintenance are crucial to reduce the chances of costly emergency repairs and replacements.
Dust, humidity, and other environmental factors can affect the performance of an alarm system by hindering detector sensitivity and triggering false alarms.
The batteries of a fire alarm should be replaced if there is a missing or weak chirp sound, false alarms, visible damage, or it has aged.
There are various factors that can influence the lifespan of a fire alarm system such as the quality of the product, regular maintenance, etc. The general lifespan of a system can be between 10-15 years.
Keeping alarm maintenance records can help you track the status of the fire protection system and develop future maintenance strategies accordingly.
Regular fire alarm system upkeep and maintenance is crucial and should not be avoided. Avoiding regular maintenance can result in issues like delayed or missed alarms because of the inability to detect heat and smoke.
Self testing of the alarm system is an important part of the fire alarm maintenance checklist. However, it should not substitute maintenance by professionals who can easily identify potential issues with the system.