With fire detection systems, the alarm itself is only part of the story.
Where the detectors are installed, how the system is maintained and whether it suits the building all make a difference. A detector sitting in the wrong location isn’t much use, and a system that hasn’t been maintained can leave you with a false sense of security.
The reason businesses invest in professional fire detection services is simple. If a fire starts, you want to know about it before someone happens to smell smoke or see flames.
Fires Don’t Always Start Where People Are
Think about the areas of a commercial building that aren’t constantly occupied.
Electrical rooms, storage areas, plant rooms and back of house spaces can all contain potential ignition sources, but people aren’t necessarily walking through them every few minutes. A small electrical fault can create smoke before there’s an obvious fire. If it happens overnight, nobody may notice until the situation has developed considerably.
A professionally designed and installed detection system gives the building another set of eyes. It can identify smoke or heat and raise the alarm while the problem is still in its early stages.
The Right Detector Depends on the Room
Different parts of a building behave differently. A standard office is a fairly straightforward environment for smoke detection. Move into a warehouse, a commercial kitchen or an area with machinery and the situation changes.
Smoke, dust, steam and fumes can all affect detection fire equipment. Installing the same type of detector throughout a property without considering those conditions can create problems, including unwanted alarms or detection that isn’t suited to the space.
Proper assessment matters. When considering fire detection system installation, the building’s layout, what happens in each area and the potential risks all need to be considered. A detector might need to be positioned differently in a warehouse than it would in a small office, for example.
Installation Is Only the Beginning
Testing and maintenance are such an important part of looking after the system. Detectors can develop faults, batteries can need replacing and components or connections can deteriorate over time.
There’s also the fact that buildings change. A business might renovate, install new equipment, change the layout or turn an old storage area into something completely different. Those changes can affect whether the existing detection system still makes sense.
A system that was appropriate five years ago may need to be reviewed after a significant renovation or change in how the building is used.
False Alarms Are a Problem Too
Early detection is important, but nobody wants an alarm going off every time there’s steam in the kitchen or dust in a work area.
Repeated false alarms can become annoying for everyone in the building. Staff become frustrated and people can start treating alarms as something to be ignored.
The solution is to make sure the equipment and its positioning are appropriate for the environment. Good fire detection services look at the actual conditions within the property rather than treating every room the same.
Get the System Right From the Start
If you’re fitting out a new property, renovating or upgrading an old system, you need to look beyond the equipment itself. The system needs to suit the building and how it’s used. Detectors need to be appropriately located, alarms need to be clearly heard or seen where required, and the whole system needs to be tested and maintained properly.
Fire Master has been providing professional fire detection services to Melbourne businesses for over 20 years. Talk to us today and let us be your partner in fire safety. Call 1300 599 765 or enquire online.