Most private citizens are not aware of how much work goes into following fire safety protocols in commercial buildings. Commercial building owners, however, tend to be well aware of the need for protecting customers and employees in the event of a fire. The best way to offer comprehensive protection is through installing an advanced fire alarm system. Not only will it help to ensure the safety of any people in the building, but it can also minimize property damage. Read on to find out more.
Central Station Monitoring
Any building can fall prey to power outages and equipment failures. That’s why it’s important to have redundancies in place. Central station monitoring can help to detect such disasters as fires, perimeter intrusions, hold ups, extreme or unusual temperature changes, and more. When it is certified to UL standards, central monitoring provides commercial spaces with a valuable backup plan. Video monitoring is also available in the form of alarm verification, recordings, patrols, supervision, and more.
What is UL Certification?
UL, or Underwriters Laboratories, inspects and certifies central stations. To be listed as a ul central station, a monitoring company must adhere to UL Standard 827 and undergo annual audits to ensure the facilities are in compliance with UL’s strict standards of excellence. The companies providing these services must adhere to certain protocols when it comes to both automated services and data storage.
State-of-the-Art Intercoms
One way to help ensure employee and customer safety in commercial spaces is to install a valcom intercom system. These intercoms are designed to allow users to initiate a conversation with just one button push. They can be installed according to the specifications of the company and can include as many as 10,000 or more zones. In the event of a serious disaster, an advanced intercom system could mean the difference between life and death.
Regular Testing
In addition to central monitoring, all commercial spaces should have their fire alarm systems evaluated regularly. This helps property owners to ensure their systems are up to code and are in compliance with the latest safety specifications. If the system being inspected is old or malfunctioning, it can be replaced with an advanced fire alarm that is capable of performing at a higher level.
Factors that impact the lifespan of any fire alarm system include temperature and voltage fluctuations, humidity, and other environmental issues. These problems can occur even in newly installed systems, so there is no excuse for neglecting to perform periodic inspections.
What’s Involved in Alarm Testing?
In addition to performing functional tests of the system’s control panel, remote annunciators, and backup power supply the technician performing the inspection will also verify open communications with the monitoring center and ensure the alarm signals are being received. The technician will then inspect the various input devices, such as heat detectors and smoke detectors, and confirm the location of all devices connected to the alarm system. These should be clearly labeled at the control panel. All input devices will be individually cleaned and inspected, and the functionality of any notification devices will be verified. This includes intercoms as well as lights, strobes, horns, bells, and other alert systems.
In addition to regular inspections, commercial property owners can also receive product recommendations and recommended device layouts. Learn more online today.
