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Precision Electrical Systems, Inc.
Precision Electrical Systems, Inc.
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(509) 892-9473


  • Home
  • Electrical
  • Fire Alarm Inspections
  • Alarms
  • Contact Us
  • FAQs

What Should I Expect During a Fire Alarm Inspection and Test

Starting  with fire drills in schools, and eventually in the workplace, blaring  alarms and flashing lights are often the clearest indicator of a fire  emergency and the signal for evacuation procedures. As such, fire alarm  systems need to be properly maintained and regularly inspected in order  to keep all building personnel and visitors safe.

Fire alarm inspections and tests are  necessary to ensure that all existing alarms are compliant with NFPA 72, the National Fire Alarm and Signaling Code. These inspections may  also reveal areas of a building’s fire signaling system in need of  repairs or replacement.

Additionally, by properly maintaining the system as a whole,  businesses can protect themselves in the aftermath of a fire by proving  their system aligns with their insurance provider’s fire protection  requirements.

Fire alarm system inspections are essential to the safety of the  building’s occupants, as well as the integrity of the business’s  physical assets. So what exactly happens during a fire alarm inspection?

What You Need to Know About Fire Alarm Inspections?

Fire alarm inspections may not be on top of the priority list when  running a business, but the time taken and momentary disruption this  procedure may cause is nothing compared to the consequences of a  malfunctioning system during an emergency.

In order to be better prepared for a fire alarm inspection, property managers may wonder:

  • What happens during the inspection?
  • How long does it take?
  • What do my employees need to know?
  • How often does it need to happen?

What happens during the fire alarm inspection and test?

The first step in any inspection occurs before the fire safety  technicians even step foot in the building. They must first make the  local fire department aware of any tests to avoid provoking a false  alarm.

Once on site, the fire safety technicians will conduct tests to  ensure that all components of the system are in working order, including  everything from fire alarm panels and strobes to fire doors and  elevators.

More specifically, items to be inspected and tested include:

  • Smoke and heat detectors
  • Annunciators and zones
  • Batteries
  • Output relays and their interactions
  • Flow switches, tamper switch, and low-pressure alarms
  • Supervised control valves and switches

Running through the appropriate tests will ensure that all NFPA  services and conditions are met, and will help identify any potential  problem areas that might compromise the function of components in the  overall system. Smoke detectors are cleaned, heat-actuating devices are  tested, and devices are tagged as required for record-keeping.

How long does a fire alarm inspection and test take?

The inspection process entirely depends on the size of the facility  in question. Smaller systems over a contained area may take as little as  an hour, whereas larger facilities with multiple buildings and complex  systems may take up to a few days.

These inspections and tests must be thorough, and should not be rushed.

What do my employees need to know about the inspection?

Employees should be familiar with the building’s fire drill procedures,  and should be made aware that testing will be occurring in the  building. While the alarms, strobes, and other disruptive elements of  the system must be tested for functionality, they should only last a few  minutes at a time to ensure everything is working correctly.

How often do inspections and tests need to take place?

Regular fire alarm inspections are an important part of maintaining a  safe, NFPA compliant facility. Every year, fire safety technicians must  test fire alarm control panels, initiating devices, alarm communication  equipment, and remote annunciators. This presents the bulk of the  inspection process.

Every two years, fire alarm inspections should also include  sensitivity tests for smoke detection devices as well as function tests.

Keeping Your Workplace Safe

Fire alarms are often the most effective and immediate way to let  everyone in the building know that there is an emergency and they must  evacuate. Fire alarm systems, including alarms, strobe lights, and smoke  detectors, can save lives and should be regularly maintained to ensure  their continued reliability and proper functionality.

These tests should be conducted by fire safety technicians, who must update tagged devices and provide a thorough overview of the inspection for the record.

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