Logan Voss
When you oversee a business, you have more responsibilities than simply making sure employees complete day-to-day tasks efficiently. For instance, making sure your employees are safe all hours of the day as they complete those tasks should always be a top priority. One of the most helpful ways of doing this is by installing a functioning fire alarm system. These tips for installing commercial fire alarm systems will help you understand the ins and outs of this process that all businesses must follow.
Become Familiar With Devices
One of the first steps you should take is familiarizing yourself with all the different types of fire prevention equipment. Your system should include devices like smoke detectors, heat detectors, horn and strobe units, and pull stations. Not only should you study how these devices detect hazards and what maintenance they require, but you also need to learn all of the subsections within those devices.
For instance, there are two types of heat detectors: rate-of-rise and fixed-temperature. By taking the time to understand how each device works, you can properly choose the type for your work environment.
Research Relevant Regulations and Codes
When installing a commercial fire alarm system, there are quite a few regulations and codes you’ll have to abide by. Before you install your system, do your homework on all of the local, state, and federal guidelines you have to adhere to. Obtaining the most recent copies of guidelines, such as NFPA’s National Fire Alarm Code, is easy to do and well worth your time.
Choose a Vendor Carefully
When shopping for an alarm system, choose your vendor wisely. You obviously want to be cost-efficient with the system you choose, but you should still ensure you’re getting equipment from a reliable source.
First, shop around at different vendors and compare prices. Then, do some more digging into the vendors to see which one has the proper licenses and certification, knowledge of local regulations and guidelines, plenty of experience, and a good reputation. To make sure the vendor is reliable, look for online reviews and Better Business Bureau ratings.
You should also make sure you’re comfortable with the vendor’s monitoring center. If they have a TMA Five-Diamond designation, then you should be in good hands. Additionally, make sure to ask about details regarding your warranty and maintenance procedures so you can sustain a comprehensive knowledge of not just how the equipment works, but also how to keep it working.
These tips for installing commercial fire alarm systems will help you keep your employees safe and secure at all times. However, a fire alarm system is only one component of office security. Make sure to integrate your fire alarm system with a fully operational office security system, which should include equipment such as security cameras and alarms. That way, you can ensure maximum security for your office at all times, even when nobody is there.
