Fire Alarm and Sprinkler System Operation, Inspection, Testing and Maintenance aving a properly working fire alarm and sprinkler system is a critical component of any effective fire safety program. Adequately maintaining fire alarm and sprinkler systems is vital. A fire can break out at any time leaving occupants and tenants vulnerable to disaster. By having working fire alarm and sprinkler systems, occupants are better able to evacuate in a timely fashion and can help avoid a massive catastrophe. Here are some considerations every Community Manager should make towards maintaining, inspecting and testing building fire alarm and sprinkler systems.
Take Responsibility for Your Fire Systems As a Community Manager, it’s crucial to take responsibility for the fire alarm and sprinkler systems. Be proactive in managing the inspection, testing, and maintenance of all fire systems (and fire extinguishers) in your building. Prior to the testing date(s), be sure to send out a notice to your tenants informing them of testing and that there may be audible alarms from time to time during the testing process. If there are smoke detectors or notification appliances (“alarms”) in private living areas, an escort should always be provided.
Understand How Your Fire Systems Work Do you know the difference between a trouble condition and supervisory signal on your fire alarm system? Do you understand how a fire alarm system can be activated? As a Community Manager, have you familiarized yourself and your staff where the sprinkler control valves are located and how to close these valves, if necessary? • Fire alarm systems can be activated by “initiating devices” (smoke detectors, heat detectors, manual pull stations, waterflow devices, valve tamper switches, etc.). • An alarm condition means a warning of a fire condition in the building. • A trouble condition or trouble light on a fire alarm system indicates a condition that might adversely affect the proper operation of the system. • A supervisory signal refers to a condition in which a device supervised by a fire alarm system is moved from its “normal” state. For example, a “normally open” sprinkler valve is closed or the air pressure in a sprinkler dry system falls below a pre-set level. • A Community Manager must understand how the fire alarm and sprinkler systems are monitored. Monitoring is the process where the alarm signals are transmitted to a “central station.” The central station relays the appropriate information to the fire department and building management representatives. It’s vitally important to know if your system is monitored via copper telephone lines, cellular phone, or private radio networks. Accurate system callback information is critical to make sure you are notified in a timely manner in the event of an emergency. Update this information regularly with your monitoring provider. • How do you silence or acknowledge these signals? What should you do in the event of a full-blown alarm? How can you find out which device is causing the alarm? It’s important to ask your fire protection contractor for a tutorial on your system and have protocols in place. It’s important to learn as much as you can about the fire alarm system so you can monitor it correctly. When scheduling a fire alarm or sprinkler inspection, please ask your contractor to take some time to explain your systems operating features. As a Community Manager, you can accompany the technician during the testing process to learn more about your systems. Competent and professional fire protection contractors welcome this kind of interaction.
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