Fire alarm systems are the most crucial system that every building should have, and these systems stand vigilant to protect our lives and properties from destruction by fire. Fire alarm systems are used to provide early warnings to the occupants in the building and to the authorities. They also signal many other third-party systems in the structures, like the central battery system/emergency lighting system, which helps in guiding the way to exit. Many systems will be activated in case of emergencies, and all these systems need regular maintenance.
The foundation of fire safety
As we all know, a Fire Detection and Alarm System (FDAS) is designed to safeguard lives and properties during an emergency or a fire outbreak. FDAS offers early detection and provides us with warnings using a sounder or flasher, or it will trigger the voice evacuation system when available to provide the proper evacuation.
FDAS also help reduce property damage by detecting a fire in its early stages, sending signals to activate various other systems available in the building, and sending the signals to the relevant authorities.
The importance of maintenance
Regularly maintaining fire alarm systems in all buildings is like giving them a health check to ensure they are prepared to respond in emergencies or fires. We can think of it as our safety superhero quietly standing by. This involves inspecting and servicing all the parts, from control panels to detectors, call points, sounders, flashers and even the connections to third-party systems. By doing this, we minimise the risk of alarms being caused by sensitivity or calibration issues. False alarms not only waste the time of emergency responders but also result in fines that cost us money. Investing in a fire detection and alarm system is crucial for protecting lives and property, and regular maintenance, like changing its oil, extends its lifespan and safeguards your investment. Without maintenance, the system may fail prematurely, leading to replacements. Therefore, we should treat our fire detection and alarm system as a superhero by giving it the attention it deserves to protect our property for years.
Critical aspects of FDAS maintenance
Inspection and testing are parts of fire alarm system maintenance. Certified professionals conduct scheduled inspections to ensure all system components function correctly.
These inspections involve checking if the detectors, control panels, wiring and notification devices are working correctly as they should.
Each of these detectors, such as gas detectors, heat detectors, smoke detectors or combined detectors, needs regular checks to ascertain their capacity to detect a fire (smoke/heat/gases). This is referred to as the calibration of the sensor such that it has suitable sensitivity to the immediate operating environment.
Some fire alarm systems have backup batteries to power them when there is a loss of electricity supply. As these batteries become old, periodic evaluation and substitution are crucial. This system may fail if one fails to replace these components as scheduled.
Using software in fire alarm systems creates a need for upgraded patches addressing security weaknesses and increasing system improvements. The system’s software must be updated regularly to keep it reliable and secure.
Comprehensive documentation of the maintenance process is critical. The detailed inspections, testing, calibration, repairs and component replacement records form part of the system’s history and are vital for troubleshooting, reporting and compliance.
Consequences of neglected maintenance
When fire alarm systems are not properly maintained, their general condition may become inadequate to ensure safety. The system can fail to provide timely warnings because components become non-operative or insensitive. This leads to slow response times for fires that pose more danger to residents.
False alarms will likely occur in a poorly managed system, wasting resources and undermining citizens’ confidence. The prevalence of false alarms often makes the occupants in a building get tired and ignore warnings that ought to be treated seriously.
Many jurisdictions have their own regulatory provisions and rules for regular fire alarm system maintenance. Failure to observe such maintenance is unlawful and attracts heavy fines or jail time. Further, an unnoticed system might fail to give prompt notification to insurance companies, as well as cause harm to property owners.
In addition to legal implications, financial losses may be incurred because of an outdated and/or sub-standard fire alarm system. It also encompasses the expenses associated with repairs or replacing damaged property lawsuits of parties injured by the failure of the detection system to generate an early fire alarm.
Best practices in fire alarm maintenance
Scheduled inspections should be carried out by competent people aware of local rules and national standards. The employees should be able to detect any malfunction before it adversely impacts the organisation’s operations.
A complete preventive maintenance programme should be adopted involving planned examinations and items replaced per the manufacturer’s recommendations and accepted standards in the sector.
Accurate records should be kept of all maintenance activities, such as inspection reports, calibrations, battery replacements and software updates. The compliance document serves as a record of this system’s maintenance and demonstrates that the system is compliant with requirements.
Staff and building inhabitants should be educated on what to do during a fire alarm or emergency. Such exercises help occupants take appropriate and immediate measures, improving general safety.
There should be reasonable and publicly communicated emergency procedures that outline ways of evacuating. These procedures should be reviewed regularly to advise and alert the occupants of emergencies.
The heroes of fire safety are fire detection and alarm systems that save lives and properties from the consequences of fire. These, however, are by no means perfect and need constant updating to prevent glitches or malfunctions. Failure to ensure that a fire alarm system is continuously operating leads to an unsafe environment, untrue alarm activations, litigation and liability issues.
The importance of fire alarm system maintenance in today’s world, where safety comes first, cannot be underestimated. Through proper service management and adherence to the best practices, it will be possible to guarantee that those systems remain unshaken pillars, always prepared to rescue life and property from any eventuality.
About the Author
Mohammed Faheemuddin is a Fire and Life Safety Engineer with experience in the design, programming, testing and commissioning of fire detection and alarm systems, voice evacuation, and emergency lighting/central battery systems along with exposure to various international codes, standards, technical specification and other regional regulations. He is a Certification Specialist in Dubai Civil Defense’s Emirates Safety Laboratory.
