Fire Alarm Installations are not ‘complete’ after becoming operational. The system has to be regularly maintained and monitored or it could bring disastrous results. Electrical fire hazards are more prevalent during the cold months in Whangarei and Auckland.
Heating is more often the main cause of structure fires. Property owners have to be alert to warning signs of a possible electrical fire such as lights that flicker without any apparent reason, an unusual smell, frayed wires or loose connections, discolored receptacles or tripped circuit breakers.
This brings you to the question: how often should you check your fire alarm installation and who is qualified to do the inspection?
It is required that only experienced and trained fire protection experts will conduct all the visual inspections and testing of fire alarm systems. The visual inspection process can be done weekly, monthly, or annually while testing can be done semiannually or annually.
It’s crucial for property owners to know what comprises a fire alarm system. People have to know the difference between a smoke alarm and a fire alarm.
A fire alarm system involves action and detection. It functions more than a sensor does. The fire alarm system can detect a high amount of smoke and it does its part. The sensor is linked to the alarm system which blares when the detection system gets activated. There are fire alarm systems that include a sprinkler system that will sprinkle water to put out the fire.
On the other hand, a smoke detector is often used. The smoke detector as the name implies can detect a high amount of smoke. It works like a sensor. It detects an irregular amount of smoke in the home, and it leaves the owner to do what is required.
New Zealand’s Fire and Emergency New Zealand recommends installing an alarm in each living and sleeping area for full compliance with F7/AS1. Alarms have to be installed on the ceiling at 200 mm away from a wall. When the ceiling is sloping, the alarm has to be set 200 to 500 mm away from the apex. It must not be installed in the kitchen, garage, or bathroom, or any damp or draughty area. As routine maintenance, it’s important to press the test button every month for the alarm to sound. Every six months, smoke alarms have to be dusted and vacuumed. Every year, the expiry date has to be checked as well, and at least every ten years, the smoke alarms have to be replaced.
It’s not wise and safe to assume that the alarm works fine. Fire alarms have to be checked and maintained. Look for experts in fire protection systems who are dedicated to providing fire safety solutions that are specific to your type of business, home, school, or property. Fireco are equipped to do professional testing, maintenance, and inspection of your fire alarm system and can provide smoke detectors suitable for all types of property.
Fireco is proudly local to Whangarei and 100% New Zealand owned and operated.
