False alarms from fire alarm systems can be more than just a major annoyance. These false alarms not only disrupt your daily operations, they also require the response of emergency services. There are around 25,000 false fire alarm responses in Houston each year.
Fortunately, you can reduce the chances of a false alarm being triggered on your premises. In this post we will explore practical ways to reduce false alarms in commercial fire alarm systems while helping ensure the safety of both employees and customers alike.
For all your life safety system needs, contact our team today.
Regularly Inspect Your Life Safety Systems
Fire alarms are an essential life safety system for any building, whether residential or commercial. However, simply installing them is not enough. It’s crucial to make sure that they are working correctly at all times. A system that is well-maintained is less likely to fail and go off unexpectedly.
Regular inspections and maintenance is key to ensuring that fire alarms can be relied upon in emergencies. These regular check-ups can help you identify any issues early on and prevent any possible malfunctions.
By making fire alarm inspections a part of your building’s routine, you can take a proactive approach to keeping everyone protected and secure. It is always better to be safe than sorry when it comes to fire safety, making regular inspections and maintenance an absolute must.
Use Additional Detection Systems to Help Reduce False Alarms
While smoke detectors and heat sensors can be lifesavers, they can also be prone to false alarms. Thankfully, advancements in technology are helping to reduce false alarms. Newer detectors have advanced signal processing and enhanced sensitivity controls that can better distinguish between real threats and harmless mishaps.
Additional layers of detection, such as video monitoring, can also help reduce false alarms. Video monitoring is a powerful tool that provides an extra level of understanding that traditional alarms can’t match. By integrating video surveillance technology with existing life safety systems, issues can be quickly identified and resolved in real-time.
Incorporating these technologies into your life safety systems can provide peace of mind that you are preventing false alarms, while still providing optimal protection for your business.
Establish and Communicate Fire Alarm Protocols
When it comes to ensuring the safety of a building, life safety systems are critical. However, false alarms can be a common occurrence and can unnecessarily alarm occupants of the building.
To prevent confusion or chaos in the event of a false alarm, you should establish a straightforward protocol for responding to a fire alarm. This should be communicated directly to everyone in the building. Having a clear policy in place will prevent false alarms from creating unnecessary panic.
A policy could be as simple as:
- Never ignore an alarm. Do not assume it is a false alarm.
- Calmly evacuate the building using the closest exit or stairway.
- Never use the elevator during a fire alarm.
- Once outside, move a safe distance away from the building.
Additionally, it’s critical to ensure employees are properly trained on how to use fire alarm systems. By making sure that all staff members are equipped with the knowledge and skills needed to handle fire alarms, organizations can help prevent alarms from being misused or set off accidentally.
Reliable Life Safety Systems from Wilson Fire Equipment
It’s important to keep your fire alarms and other life safety systems up to date and functioning effectively. Our team at Wilson Fire Equipment has the expert knowledge and can provide quality equipment for your business.
Our technicians will ensure that your system is installed and maintained correctly. Contact us for a quote today.