Fire Sprinkler System Maintenance: What You Need Now

Fire sprinkler systems are a critical investment in the protection of a commercial building. Their importance should not be underestimated; state law prohibits the occupancy of a commercial building until the fire suppression system has been tested and approved.

Fire sprinkler systems tend to be the most cost-effective suppression system for building owners, making them a popular solution. However, having fire sprinklers installed simply isn’t enough. For the longevity and optimal performance of fire sprinklers, Delaware businesses should employ regular maintenance on the systems. Here’s what you need to make it happen.  

Compliance with NFPA 25

The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) is the nation’s leading resource on systems of fire prevention. This organization provides numerous codes designed to help both residential homes and commercial enterprises counteract the risks of fire and other safety hazards. When it comes to fire sprinkler systems, NFPA 25 is the manual to refer to.

NFPA 25 is the baseline for the inspection, testing, and maintenance of water-based fire protection systems – not only fire sprinklers, but also standpipe and hose, fixed water spray, private fire hydrants, water mist, and foam water systems for fire suppression. To avoid fire sprinkler system failure and ensure fast, effective response in a fire emergency, refer to NFPA 25 standards and perform due diligence for NFPA 25 compliance. The manual can be downloaded here.

A Testing and Replacement Schedule

Maintenance on fire sprinkler systems will extend their longevity, but sometimes a replacement is called for nonetheless. Testing the systems every five years will reveal whether replacement is necessary on any given sprinkler on the premises. This is especially important for buildings in high temperature climates; likewise, maintenance workers should make sure the gauges on all sprinklers are tested as well. If there is a defect on any sprinkler or sprinkler gauge, that calls for an immediate replacement.

Local fire jurisdictions will be able to advise more thoroughly on what is required for your specific municipality. When it comes time to install, inspect or test fire sprinkler systems, Delaware businesses should contact Security Instrument. We will be glad to perform these services.

About Security Instrument

Security Instrument is a full-service, independently-owned integrator that offers numerous home security options, including security systems for senior citizens. In Delaware Valley, Security Instrument serves thousands of customers located throughout Delaware, MD, NJ & PA.

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Protecting Your Investment: Why Regular Fire Alarm Maintenance Makes Sense

“Plug and play” may be a popular catchphrase for salespeople, but when it comes to a fire and life safety system, it is never a good idea to walk away from a system permanently. A fire alarm system needs regular maintenance in order for this critical investment to be protected. Here are some reasons why regular fire alarm maintenance is important.

Electronics are Temporal

Yes, electronics become outmoded – but we’re not talking about the need for upgrades. This is actually a reference to the slow death of the system, which will surely happen over time. The fact is, electronic components can degrade no matter how well they’re taken care of, thereby compromising the way the system functions. To prolong it for as many years as possible, it’s critical that the system undergoes routine maintenance.

The Air Isn’t Clear

Even the cleanest office space, hallway or lobby can still be subject to dust, dirt and pollutants. The more traffic goes through the area, the greater the risk of contaminants. Dirt and dust can absolutely interfere with smoke detectors, which are a crucial part of the fire alarm and life safety system in a building. But with regular inspection, a cleaning will take place that wipes away pesky pollutants.

People Can Tamper with It  

Fire alarm systems are delicate; they need proper handling in order to operate the way they were designed. That’s why it’s important to make sure the person performing the maintenance is from your licensed security integrator. There are important professional certifications that your integrator has; these enable the company to properly handle an intricate commercial system. Additionally, your integrator should be contacted to deploy to your location as quickly as possible after a break-in or a vandalism episode to check out the system and make sure it hasn’t been compromised.

These are some common sense reasons that every fire alarm system needs regular maintenance and upkeep. To speak with a security integrator that can provide competent fire alarm maintenance in Delaware, contact Security Instrument.

About Security Instrument

Security Instrument is a full-service, independently-owned integrator that offers numerous home security options, including security systems for senior citizens. In Delaware Valley, Security Instrument serves thousands of customers located throughout Delaware, MD, NJ & PA.

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A Guide to Fire Alarm System Devices

Fire alarm and safety systems are like any other type of critical system in a building: They work as well as they are installed and maintained. When installing a fire alarm system in a Delaware building, the integrator will include devices in a variety of categories.

Fire Alarm System Categories

The components that make up a fire alarm system actually many devices networked together. The devices are categorized according to function. Here’s how they break down.

Detection Devices

The detection component in a fire alarm is the “beating heart” of the system, as it detects that a fire is present – or, that certain system and building conditions are either present or changing. Then, they communicate that information to the control panel to trigger the appropriate notifications. Devices in the detection category include the following: smoke detectors, heat detectors, beam detectors, duct detectors, temperature sensors, and water flow switches.

Manual Devices

The manual device in a fire alarm system can only be triggered if a human manually pulls a switch on its interface to tell the device that a fire is present. It then communicates to the control panel so that an emergency response can be initiated. As you may have guessed, examples of manual devices in a fire alarm are pull stations and button stations.

Notification Appliances

Naturally, it’s not enough for the fire to be detected; the occupants of the building must be alerted so they can immediately evacuate, the notification appliances are there to do the job. Devices inside a fire alarm system that are in the notification category are the audible component: the horn, bell or speakers. Some systems may also include a visible component to the notification device, such as a strobe light.

These are the devices that make up a fire alarm system. To ensure fire alarm systems in Delaware buildings are properly installed and maintained, contact Security Instrument for a free consultation.

About Security Instrument

Security Instrument is a full-service, independently-owned integrator that offers numerous home security options, including security systems for senior citizens. In Delaware Valley, Security Instrument serves thousands of customers located throughout Delaware, MD, NJ & PA.

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The Great Paradox: Upgrading to Save With Integrated Security

It’s the big dilemma for every business owner: Do you continue with the services you currently pay for at a lower cost, missing out on potentially streamlining those services and getting better quality – or, do you shift to an upgraded product with higher quality that can combine all your services into one package? After all, the second option can save you money in the long run.

That’s how we present the choice to upgrade to smart security technology. When business owners make the change from a traditional security system that’s limited in the functions it performs to one that integrates their alarms and cameras with non-security systems like lights, locks and indoor climate, two things happen.

First, you streamline your operations.

As a business owner, you can control all those functions in your building with a simple tap on your smartphone. It’s far less tedious than the “old” way of running a business property: walking the premises, locking up, turning the thermostat up and down (or forgetting to before you leave) – and that’s all before you’ve set the alarm. With smart security technology, it’s all done from the convenience of your phone (which means you can do things even after you’ve left for the day).

Second, you save money in the long-term and short-term.

For the business owner who can’t afford to wait a long time to see cost savings, smart security technology can still be a good fit. When you see lower utility bills because the lights and indoor climate can be controlled with your phone or even programmed to come on and off in “scenes” you create, those are immediate cost savings. When loss mitigation goes from being an insurance claim after a robbery to an alarm and camera event that stops a robber in his tracks, those are immediate cost savings. When you think of it this way, the great paradox doesn’t seem so great at all.

To learn more about Delaware security systems, contact Security Instrument for a complimentary consultation. We will be glad to demonstrate smart security technology to you.

About Security Instrument

Security Instrument is a full-service, independently-owned integrator that offers numerous options for home and commercial security. Delaware, MD, NJ & PA homes and businesses are among our thousands of customers.

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Getting the Most Value from Your Security System

In the “old days” of electronic security, getting the most value out of a security system was merely equivalent to making sure it was working. But now, getting your money’s worth out of your security system is an entirely different matter – especially for a business that’s concerned about its bottom line. How can you make the most of what you have? Here are some tips.

Utilize Everything the System Has to Offer

When you have a system that can be automated, take advantage of that by programming your system to create scenes – in other words, create a series of commands for the system so that multiple things can happen with one tap of your smartphone app. When you arrive in the morning, tap on the app to disarm the alarm, turn on lights and get the AC going. The lights and AC commands alone can cut help a business down on overhead.

Let Go of Old Habits

“Out with the old, in with the new.” Now that you have the ability to set scenes that control some of the most important functions of your business property, it’s time to break the old habits that are costing you money: flipping the lights on and off manually around the clock or leaving the AC on all summer rather than managing it with your security app, for example. As far as the alarm goes, it’s time to stop entering the code at the keypad; it’s 2018 and you can disarm it with your smartphone. How does that save you money? For one thing, it greatly reduces the risk of false alarms, which most cities are known to issue fines for.

Ask for a Thorough Demonstration

The best way to learn about getting the most value from your security system is to ask your integrator to demonstrate operating it for you. Before your setup is complete, you should know how to give commands through the smartphone app that perform all the functions you plan to use the system for. To speak with a security integrator that can do this, contact Security Instrument for a complimentary assessment. We offer one of the most thorough security system consultations in Delaware. 

About Security Instrument
Security Instrument is a full-service, independently-owned integrator that offers numerous options for home and commercial security. Delaware, MD, NJ & PA homes and businesses are among our thousands of customers.

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