It doesn’t matter what industry you’re in, you must make sure your fire detection system is working as effectively as can be! This is imperative when it comes to ensuring the safety of yourself and others. If you do not know how to ascertain if your fire detection system is working properly yet, use this guide produced by fire alarm installers in Middlesbrough.
Check the smoke alarms
We know, we know, you have probably been told to check your smoke alarms a million times, whether at home or for your business’ premises. However, it cannot be stressed enough how essential it is to have a working smoke alarm. Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue strongly advise that you test your fire alarms once a week, or once a month as a minimum. They also recommend that you change your smoke alarm batteries once a year.
Check other fire safety equipment
In addition to fire alarms, you also need to regularly check other fire safety equipment. This can include fire doors and fire extinguishers.
To check a fire safety door, there are a number of things you need to inspect. For example, you will want to check that the door is certified, that it does not have gaps around it that are more than 4mm wide, that the seals and hinges are in good condition and that the door can close properly.
For fire extinguishers, you are required to check the extinguishers are in a visible, accessible location. You also need to establish that the extinguisher has not had its locks or seals tampered with and that there is no visible damage.
Ask an expert
If you have made these checks and identified issues with any component of your fire protection system that has been damaged or not in the best possible condition, it’s a sign you should consult an expert.
A premises with a more complex fire protection might require further professional maintenance by a fire safety engineer.
The benefits of consulting a fire safety engineer include that they can use their expertise to answer any questions you have about fire safety. Furthermore, the engineer will be able to make recommendations and inform you of any updated legal requirements that you and your fire safety system need to be compliant with. This is especially important for multi-residency buildings, in the wake of the Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022 being introduced recently.
Install a new fire detection system when the time is right
If you have a high quality fire protection system then regular maintenance should be enough to keep it in the best possible condition. However, the time will eventually come when you need to implement a new system. This may be when the equipment itself does not use up-to-date technology or when general wear and tear has impacted its effectiveness so much that even regular maintenance cannot help.
When deciding how to replace or upgrade any fire detection and protection systems, consult a fire and security expert. They will help you find the best safety options for your premises.
2018 ·