Fire alarm systems are the first line of defense against a fire event at your facility, notifying occupants of a fire so they can quickly and safely exit a building. A fire alarm system will also alert emergency personnel to a fire so they can effectively respond.
Fire Alarm Inspection is Key to Safeguarding Your Business
A consistent, comprehensive fire alarm system inspection test and inspection is crucial to ensuring your fire alarm system is fully functional and safeguarding your building, its occupants, and valuable assets. Regular inspections are also essential to ensuring your commercial fire alarm system complies with regulations and operates effectively.
But what are the proper fire alarm testing requirements? How often should fire alarms be tested? What are the best fire alarm testing procedures? These important, often live-saving questions should be answered by professional fire inspectors. Rely on a certified, experienced team that can provide inspections, ongoing maintenance and any necessary repairs your fire alarm system requires, from the alarm control panels, notification and initiating devices to emergency power and communications systems.
Best Practices for Fire Alarm System Testing
While some best practices and procedures are ubiquitous, a testing protocol must be developed and specifically applied to each building, complex, or campus of buildings in which the system operates. Different types of businesses/industries, architectural complexities, building location, size, age, occupancy type, usage, and much more create unique challenges for fire alarm tests and meeting fire alarm inspection requirements. The specific functions and purposes of a building, whether it’s residential, healthcare, industrial, or educational, introduce distinct safety needs and compliance considerations that must be addressed during inspections and testing.
The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) recommends weekly, monthly, and quarterly inspections, which can be done by trained staff or a professional fire inspection company like Sciens. At Sciens, we can assist by providing the necessary training and guidance to ensure your team is equipped to handle these inspections confidently and correctly, while staying compliant with regulations. Inspections and testing should follow the National Fire Alarm and Signaling Code (NFPA 72), which outlines the latest safety codes, standards and requirements, from basic fire detection and emergency communications to mass notification systems for weather and other emergencies and threats. In addition to NFPA requirements, it is important to consider the regulations set by your local jurisdiction, which may impose more stringent policies that must be adhered to.
Basic best practices for fire alarm system testing include:
Visual Inspections (monthly)
Conduct a visual inspection of every device and component, including control panels, connections to sprinklers or curtains, manual and automated alarm initiators, extinguishers, fire doors, and more. Be sure and check for dust and debris which absolutely will accumulate and should be removed and the device(s) cleaned.
Functional Testing
Functional testing of all components of fire alarm systems should be tested at least annually. The following is an overview of testing frequencies, per NFPA 72:
- Control Equipment NOT connected to a supervising station (quarterly)
This includes all functions, fuses, interface, lamps/LEDs, primary power supply and transponders. - Batteries (Semiannually)
Lead acid, Nickel-cadmium, and Sealed Lead-acid. Primary type (dry cell) should be aged tested monthly. Charger tests can be done annually. - Control Unit Trouble Signals, Emergency Voice/Alarm Communications Equipment and Remote Annunciators (Annually)
- Initiating devices (Monthly)
Single and multiple-station smoke alarms should be tested monthly. - Initiating devices (Quarterly)
Supervisory signal devices (except valve tamper switches). - Initiating devices (Semiannually)
Radiant energy fire detectors, waterflow devices, and valve supervisory switches. - Initiating devices (Annually)
Duct detectors, electromechanical devices, fire extinguishing and/or suppression system switches, fire-gas and other detectors, heat detectors, alarm boxes, smoke detectors (including functional and sensitivity testing), single and multi-station heat alarms.
The following fire and emergency systems components should be tested annually.
- All emergency alert devices, audible/visual devices such as horns, speakers/PA systems, manual and automated initiating alarms, strobe lights, and text notification appliances. Review the service manuals of all devices and, if appropriate to the environment, simulate an actual emergency using smoke and/or heat.
- All backup and emergency power supplies and connectivity to other emergency alert devices annually. Do not overlook batteries. Replace them regularly and make sure no corrosion has built up on terminals.
- All manual and automated communication systems to outside agencies, which may include non-fire related emergencies. Critical to this is the proper operation of any installed ERCES, BDA, and/or DAS systems.
- All visual evacuation routes, including egress lighting, and make sure all exit doors are clearly marked, accessible, and functional.
A full fire alarm system activation should be done semi-annually or annually to ensure all components work together properly.
Notify a building’s occupants prior to the testing
This is a requirement in most jurisdictions. You should provide written notification to tenants and occupants at least 24-48 hours in advance of testing. Include details such as the date, time, and expected duration of the testing. Clearly state that it is only a test and that no action is required from tenants during the process. However, your tests should include evacuation procedures that are practiced regularly by your staff.
Control Panel Inspection
Inspecting the control panel is a key step in your testing process. The control panel is the “brain” of your alarm system. Check all error codes and alerts. Inspect the wiring and connections to ensure they are secure. Update the software of your control panel to get the latest features and upgrades that have been made to the system.
Documentation and Reporting
Every inspection should be done with a comprehensive testing checklist to guarantee everything is properly and thoroughly inspected. Document all tests on standardized forms, along with each component’s condition and maintenance history, to ensure your testing is clear, accurate, consistent, and comprehensive.
You are required to keep a log of inspections, testing, and maintenance and retain them for up to one year. Records must be readily accessible and provided to the Authority Having Jurisdiction (AJH) during inspections, audits, or upon request.
Pro Tip – Keep a printed copy of your most recent fire alarm report at the fire alarm panel for easy access in the event of an unplanned visit from the fire inspector.
This documentation ensures that you remain compliant with all codes and regulations.
What are some common issues to look for during fire alarm testing?
While you should always adhere to all your testing protocols and procedures, some issues come up more frequently than others. These include:
Battery failure
Depending on the size of your system, having backup battery power units is a good idea.
Malfunctioning Systems
Faulty sensors, corroded wiring, software errors, and even critters that nest in the equipment are common. These issues can lead to false alarms or no alarms, which contribute to confusion and potentially panic in the event of an emergency.
Age, Wear & Tear
Hopefully, your fire alarm system has never had to be activated because of an emergency. But that doesn’t mean it’s not getting old or there has been wear and tear. Even janitorial cleaning can cause issues. At some point, your system will need to be upgraded or replaced. This is where an “ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure,” as Ben Franklin once quipped.
Environmental Challenges
Environmental factors can significantly impact the performance and reliability of fire alarm components, depending on your location and business type. Conditions such as extreme heat, cold, humidity, dust, dirt, or even high altitude can degrade system performance over time.
Environmental sensors are specialized devices designed to monitor and measure these conditions, providing valuable insights to safeguard your fire alarm system.
Evolving Space, Evolving Safety!
Your business may have evolved since your fire alarm system was installed. Personnel change locations, purposes of rooms/offices change, storage, walls installed, or maybe even entire floors shift in what they originally were intended for. As a result, smoke detectors, heat detectors, pull stations, and other initiating devices may no longer be properly positioned or located to provide effective coverage and protection. Life safety systems should also be considered if any changes are made within a building.
Seconds count! Speaking of location, make sure your address is clearly displayed and visible from the street. This helps emergency responders locate your business quickly and efficiently during critical situations, saving valuable time when every second matters.
You don’t know what you don’t know
Are you actually testing your system to be compliant with all national, regional and local codes and regulations? Maybe, maybe not. Contact your local fire authorities and code enforcement office to get a clear understanding of what your space requires for testing. Having a team like Sciens is a great way to help navigate through the complexities of testing.
Choose Sciens as Your Fire Alarm System Professionals
While some routine inspections, such as weekly or monthly checks, can be performed by trained on-site personnel, annual inspections require the expertise of certified professionals to ensure compliance with NFPA 72 and state laws. Having an experienced, knowledgeable partner to perform and log thorough inspections and testing of your system will keep your business compliant, keep your insurance company happy, and give you peace of mind knowing your business is secure and safe.
Working with Sciens will:
- Reduce costs and improve efficiency
- Keep your system up to date
- Stay ahead of expensive and potentially life-threatening emergencies
- Reduce risk
- Ensure your system operates when it’s needed most
- Provide insights, guidance, and opportunities to improve your systems
- Educate and inform your staff of the best practices with testing procedures
Take the first step toward ensuring your fire alarm system is fully compliant and reliable. Contact us today to schedule a comprehensive review and inspection of your entire fire alarm system, and rest assured knowing your business is safe, secure, and prepared for anything.
