A fire alarm system is a critical part of up-to-date fire protection for your business.  In this article, we will look at the most common types of fire alarm systems that businesses use.

First, let’s look at what a fire alarm panel is.  Here is a concise definition from Wikipedia:

A Fire Alarm Control Panel (FACP), or Fire Alarm Control Unit (FACU), is the controlling component of a Fire Alarm System. The panel receives information from environmental sensors designed to detect changes associated with fire, monitors their operational integrity and provides for automatic control of equipment, and transmission of information necessary to prepare the facility for fire based on a predetermined sequence. The panel may also supply electrical energy to operate any associated sensor, control, transmitter, or relay.

There are two main types of fire alarm systems that are typically used in business:  conventional and addressable.

Fire Magazine’s Natasha Sabin explains that every device connected to an addressable system has its own unique address.  So, when the system detects a fire, the location of that device is communicated to the panel, making it possible for you to pinpoint the exact location of the fire quickly and efficiently.

A conventional fire alarm system, however, does not give you the precise location of the fire.  However, by wiring your system into different zones, you can get a broad idea of the location.

If you are unsure which type of fire system is right for your business, give us a call or email us at 1-800–988–2378 sales@bestsecurityproducts.com.  We specialize in Honeywell fire systems and can help you determine whether you need addressable components, conventional components or both. 

The best fire solution for your business is one which takes into account your unique needs and workplace model.  Protecting yourself, your employees, your customers and your assets is worth installing the most up-to-date and technologically advanced system.  Don’t wait until it is too late to update your fire system!

According to this article from the New York Times, 7 siblings died in a house fire in Brooklyn, New York.  The cause of the fire was a hot plate which warmed food while the family slept.  Due to Sabbath restrictions, the Orthodox Jewish family was unable to light a flame, so the hot plate was used to keep food warm overnight.

This tragedy is made even worse because the family could have been warned about the fire if there had been working smoke detectors throughout the home.  Instead, only one smoke detector was found – and it was in the basement.  There were no working smoke detectors on the first or the second floor of the home.

While we grieve for this family, we can also learn a lesson from their tragedy:  make smoke detectors a priority both in your home and in your business. But having smoke detectors present is not enough if they are not checked and maintained regularly.

Here are some tips from Tim Gibson of Expert Village on how to test your smoke detectors:

1.  When you push the test button on a smoke detector that is interconnected with the other smoke detectors in the house, make sure you hear the test beeps from the other detectors.

2.  Press and hold the test button for one to two seconds until you hear the series of short beeps.

3.  If you press the button and you do not hear the beeps, you may need to change the batteries, replace the smoke detector itself or have the wiring checked.

Watch the whole video here.

The Insurance Institute for Business and Home Safety has released some simple precautions that you can take to reduce the likelihood that your business will be faced with a commercial electrical fire.

The institute points out that electrical fires are one of the leading causes of commercial and residential fires, and these fires frequently lead to death, injury and loss of business property.

The good news is, according to the institute, that man of these fires can be prevented and/or controlled by following a few guidelines.

Here are a few highlights from the institutes guidelines; you can read the entire article here.

Identify signs of trouble by keeping an eye on the following areas:

• Corroded Wiring:  If your wiring is old or defective, it may cause an electrical fire.  Outdoor wiring is more prone to this danger than indoor, and wiring that comes in contact with corrosives is more likely to be a danger than wiring that is not exposed to such substances.
• Fuses and Circuits: If you blow fuses or trip circuits often, they pose a risk of overheating and fire.
• Hot Spots:  Excessive heat can be created when there are loose connections, corroded connectors or short circuits, among other things.

Lighting Systems are another potential area for fire hazard:
When bulbs are replaced in light fixtures, be sure to use the recommended wattage indicated on the socket. Make sure the fixtures are placed in areas where breakage risk is low, and keep them away from materials that are combustible.

If you see flickering or dimming lights, call your electrician to inspect the electrical system, as this could be an indication that a circuit is overloaded or that there is a short in the wiring.

Click here to read the entire article from the Insurance Institute for Business and Home Safety.

At Best Security Products, we specialize in commercial fire systems for your business or industry.  Contact us at 1-800–988–2378 or sales@bestsecurityproducts.com