At Alarm Detection Systems (ADS), we pride ourselves on offering various security services for commercial buildings. We understand nothing is more important than keeping your business, employees, and yourself safe.Â
Regular fire alarm and sprinkler system inspections ensure your systems operate correctly and will inform you of any concerns. For the best reliability possible, ADS’s fire inspectors are thorough and certified under all local and international regulations. This helps to keep you safe, informed, and prepared during your next system inspection.Â
How Often Should Fire and Sprinkler Systems Be Inspected?
In general, fire alarms and sprinkler systems should be inspected annually. However, the frequency ultimately depends on the business, type of building, number of occupants, certification, system specifications, and local laws. Depending on these variables, you may need an entire system inspection performed weekly, monthly, quarterly, semi-annually, or less frequently every four, five, or ten years.
Due to the differences in building codes and laws and the severity of defaulting on an inspection, all businesses and building owners must ensure they comply with their specific inspection regulations. Missing an inspection or violating codes in other ways could leave you with fines, business restraints, insurance problems, and liability in the event of a fire or emergency.Â
Aside from legal expectations, even if you only need an annual inspection, it may be safer for your building and occupants if you conduct inspections more frequently. This is especially recommended for newer or older systems or facilities with high foot traffic.Â
When To Schedule Inspections
Most sprinkler system and fire alarm inspections should be scheduled at least one month in advance. Planning over one month ahead ensures you don’t miss your inspection in case of scheduling conflicts or last-minute cancellations by you or the service provider. Being proactive about scheduling also ensures you don’t forget any inspections.
How far in advance an inspection needs to be scheduled varies by technician, inspection type, and time of year. Some inspectors have more open schedules during the winter and can be more difficult to schedule during the summer. Additionally, larger buildings or multi-unit properties with multiple fire and sprinkler systems need to be scheduled further out due to the amount of work required.Â
If your property needs more than one annual inspection, some inspectors schedule multiple appointments in advance for organization and customer retention. However, in most cases, scheduling inspections is entirely your responsibility.Â
What’s The Process of Fire Alarm and Sprinkler System Inspections?
Once you call ADS, we will schedule an inspection time and date that’s convenient for you. On the day of the sprinkler system and fire alarm inspection, our technicians will arrive at your provided address to visibly inspect, check, and test your fire response systems.Â
Depending on your property’s current components, inspectors will usually check the following:
- Sprinkler heads
- Control panels
- Transmitters
- Smoke detectors
- Smoke dampers
- Heat detectors
- Carbon dioxide systems
- Pull stations
- Strobes
- Horns
- Control valves
- System piping
- Fire department connections
- Water supply
- Fire suppression systems
- Special locking
- Electric strike devices
Our technicians will set off all fire alarms on your property. They may even need to test the sprinklers if any concerns arise, though most sprinkler inspections are done visually. Because of this, it’s crucial to prepare your property by keeping surfaces clean, removing any papers from under the sprinklers, and ensuring no one on the property is sensitive to loud sounds.Â
After the inspection, ADS will send copies of your inspection report to you and your local fire department. These reports include the inspection results of every sprinkler and fire alarm device on your property, including details of any discrepancies or defective systems.Â
Why Is an Inspection Important?
First and foremost, fire alarm and sprinkler system inspections are essential for protecting your building and its occupants, including employees, residents, visitors, and yourself. Catching defects in fire response systems early allows you to fix or replace them immediately. The worst possible time to identify a broken fire alarm is during an actual fire emergency. Which is why regular testing is critical.
Additionally, having regular inspections and staying current with all applicable building and fire codes and insurance requirements protects you from violations, fines, and lawsuits. For the sake of liability, you should keep all fire system documentation organized. Like service receipts and inspection reports, to ensure you have a dependable track record of your systems.
Finally, sprinkler and fire system inspections are essential for peace of mind. You’ve likely invested a lot into your building or organization, and the thought of losing that is undoubtedly scary. Knowing you have a dependable, operational fire alarm system that will notify you, alert the fire department, and attempt to douse the fire the moment smoke is detected will help keep those concerns at bay.Â
Who Requires Fire Alarm and Sprinkler System Inspections?
Fire alarm and sprinkler system inspections are required by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), the International Building Code (IBC), and sometimes by local ordinances.Â
The NFPA is a nonprofit organization focused on eliminating the negative impacts of fires and other hazards. This includes property damage, economic loss, injury, and death. The NFPA 25 lays out a series of inspection, testing, and maintenance standards for different hazardous and hazard-response systems, including sprinklers, alarms, and electrical components.
Comparatively, the IBC is a public health and safety code that’s part of the Family of International Codes focused on safely maintaining buildings and other structures. This code covers many regulations and standards for building inspections and maintenance. This ensures there are enough fire escapes and that all emergency systems are operational.
Quality Control
At Alarm Detection Systems, we follow strict quality control measures. We take extra care during inspections to ensure your satisfaction and safety. We have over 300 trained and qualified professionals on our team and a five-diamond certified central monitoring station that will take action as soon as an emergency arises.
ADS consistently provides same-day and next-day services and pride ourselves on being a one-stop vendor for all security needs, even beyond fire alarm and sprinkler systems. Get a quote today to get started.
About Alarm Detection Systems, Inc.
Alarm Detection Systems is one of the largest alarm firms in the country. Family-owned since 1968, we provide business alarms, fire alarms, card access, security cameras, and home security systems. Proudly servicing Chicagoland, Northern Illinois, Northwest Indiana, and Southern Wisconsin in the Midwest. Call us at 630.844.6300 for more information.
In Colorado, we service all of Denver, Boulder County, Northern Colorado, the Eastern Plains, and Colorado Springs. Call us at 1.800.446.7519 for more information.Â
