Whenever you think of remodeling you have to bear in mind that it comes at a cost. The remodeling project does not only change the layout of the house but also works on the essential upgrades in terms of the safety and security of the house owners. One such costly upgrade is the installation of the fire alarm. The fire alarm system offers a complete fire safety plan for the residential property. So if you are planning fire system installation you need to learn the basic principles of installation and upgradation for it.
Can anyone install a fire alarm system?
No amateurs cannot install a fire alarm system. As this process requires some technicalities expert fitting is required. Unless you don’t opt for a highly qualified fire installation expert you cannot expect the system to show peak performance in case of emergencies. As it is a tool only used to alert about smoke and fire there are many factors that need to be assessed before installation. Any state-licensed fire alarm company can easily install, inspect, test, and maintain the fire alarm systems.
Fire Alarm System – Crucial Component for Home Safety
Installing the fire alarm system means that you are taking the first and foremost step to protect your life and property. The advanced system can detect smoke or fire quickly so alert the occupants to take necessary actions. So before you opt for a fire alarm system from the experts you should know its proper placement, maintenance tips, and compliance with building code along with the other essential features to keep it running with the optimal performance.
Detection of fire – Some Placement Dynamics
Before you know the key rules of placement it is important to know about the different types of initiating devices that should be placed at different points of the home. As different areas of the home pose different levels of security risk a tailored approach is required to keep things running at peak performance.
Smoke Detectors
The smoke detectors are placed all around the areas, especially in those that have a greater chance to initiate fire. Bedrooms and living rooms are the prime locations for the installation in residential property. But in the case of the commercial one, the high-risk areas can be machine rooms and other areas.
Heat Detectors
An area of the property that has a chance to trigger false alarms is ideal for the installation of heat detectors. Kitchens and garages are the ideal for perfect installation of heat detectors.
Pull Stations
The manual pull stations are easy to access for the homeowners near the exit of the house. The placement should be done at the right position so that the activation can be done at the very moment in case of an emergency. So it’s better to install it near the escape routes and building exists.
Dust Smoke Detectors
Buildings that have ventilation systems are great for placing duct smoke detectors. As a crucial measure, these detectors prevent the smoke spread throughout the building structure and ensure the earliest possible detection of the smoke throughout the building.
Placement of The Fire Alarm System
When you are doing home renovations you need to consider a professional alarm company to do all the work for you. But here are some basic placement instructions you need to know:
The detection of the fire should only be possible if the proper placement of the fire alarm is done. For this smoke alarms are adjusted at every level of the home so that the system will show optimal performance at times of emergencies. Also for instance in the kitchen the smoke detector isn’t useful so in the case of a smoke detector heat detector is ideal.
Dividing The Home in Different Zones for Installation
The proper placement of the devices extends beyond its placement as it involves the creation of zones. Here the novices fail due to a lack of knowledge about zones to ensure full-fledged coverage throughout the building structure.
Zoning – A paramount Step
Divide the entire building structure into zones that are monitored by a special circuit. The zoning allows for a targeted response and quick identification of the fire’s emergence. It is perfect for a commercial building where a centralized system is much more effective for fire detection.
The zoning helps in the comprehensive coverage to minimize the blind spots. The key goal of the whole installation is the detection of fire and it won’t be as effective with proper zoning. To create an interconnected web of protection the detectors are strategically placed in the house.
Complying with Industry Standards and Legislation
The correct placement and installation of the fire alarm system during the renovation projects should have strict adherence to regulations and industry standards.
National Fire Protection Association – Read the full-fledge guidelines that outline the installation and testing of the fire alarm systems. To meet industry standards and ensure optimal working it is crucial to adhere to the guidelines.
Local Codes and Regulations – As for the residential unit installation be aware of the local building codes and regulations. As per your locality the local jurisdictions may have set certain criteria to fulfill that are important to meet. Get the paperwork done before the installation work.
Professional Installation is the key
The execution of the fire alarm system should rely solely on the professionals. Until you don’t hire a certified technician you are wasting your time and money. The certified technicians are trained in the perfect manner to analyze the entire layout of your building and then suggest a suitable installation plan that meets the industry standards. After the installation of the system, the certified technicians conduct the functional tests of the individual system components. This is done to check the efficiency of the system’s responsiveness in case of emergencies.
Regular Maintenance and Inspection
The working of the fire systems extends beyond the initial installation. Regular inspection is required to ensure that the fire alarm systems are functioning perfectly.
Conduct the scheduled inspection at regular intervals to make sure that the system, detectors, alarms, and control panels are responsive in a state of emergency. Inspections are done to verify all the components are functioning the right way. It is important to conduct annual inspections.
The certified technician team that offers maintenance services also implements regular testing procedures to make sure that the system responds in an appropriate manner. The testing not only verifies the functionality of the individual system but also the integrity of the complete alarm system. It is important to maintain a file for documenting the inspections. So if you choose a different certified technician every time, the documentation will help to know the historical record of the system’s performance over the years.
Conclusion
If the question “ Can anyone install a fire alarm system” is still stuck in your mind then it is important to clear that even if you bring the fire installation system yourself the perfect installation won’t be possible without the help of a licensed and certified technician. So make sure you wisely choose the certified fire alarm installation company.