30Things To Consider When Assessing Your Building's Fire Protection System

12 September 2016
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If you've recently moved into a new commercial building or you've been in your current one for a while, it's important that you evaluate your fire protection system. What was a good fit when it was installed may prove to be insufficient over time. Here's a look at some of the things that you need to consider as you're evaluating the condition and functionality of your building's fire protection system.

How Old Is The System?

Fire protection advances quite a bit over time. That means that an older fire protection system may not have all of the features that can help to keep your employees and your building safe. Consider how old the system is and what new features may be available in the new systems to help you decide if it's time for an upgrade. Talk with your local fire protection contractors about the differences between your current system and the newest options available.

How Much Has The Business Changed?

When the initial fire protection system was installed, it was designed according to the optimal needs for the business at the time. That takes into consideration the building layout, the staffing, the machinery and other factors of your daily operation. If you've expanded the building, added equipment in other areas or are establishing a different type of business than what was in the building previously, it's time to have the fire protection system evaluated. You'll want to have the commercial fire alarm company come out and help you determine what kinds of new protections your business will need. For example, there may be new fire code requirements based on the size of the business. You may also need to have different or more fire extinguishers installed. Even something as simple as moving where your supplies are stored can affect your fire protection systems, especially if you have flammable items in storage.

How Often Does The System Need Maintenance?

If you're calling your service technician on a frequent basis or your alarms are triggering unnecessarily, it may be a sign that your fire alarm monitoring system is wearing out. Sometimes it's as simple as replacing a sensor or two, but in many cases, it means a complete system replacement. By installing a new system, you can minimize the service calls and ensure that the system is ready to respond when you need it the most.

These are just a few of the things you should think about when you're trying to decide if your commercial fire alarm system needs to be replaced. Talk with your local contractor today if you have any other questions about the condition of the system.