Fire alarms are an incredibly important part of your commercial building or business’s fire protection – and they are also one of the most misunderstood parts. These alarms were designed to serve the singular purpose of alerting building occupants of a fire, and that they should evacuate the building immediately. With that being said, there are many myths concerning these alarms that are not true and should be clarified.
Myth: I will be able to smell or see the smoke, so I won’t need an alarm.
Truth: Yes, you may be able to smell the smoke, but your fire protection should not be left up to your nose. There are a number of factors that go into the noticeability of a fire, including where it originally ignites and how it burns, that could cause you to never even smell or see the flames. With commercial fire alarm systems, there will not be any guesswork in your safety. When a fire is detected, these life-saving alarms will give employees enough time to get out of the building safely.
Myth: All I really need is a few fire alarms and my building will be safe.
Truth: Commercial fire alarm systems are obviously a big part of protecting your business, but they are certainly not the only part and should not be your sole form of protection. These alarms should be (and are required to be) accompanied by a fire suppression system in your building. Another best practice is for your building to have 24/7 monitoring for total protection.
Myth: I installed the fire alarm system and that’s it. I don’t need any kind of inspection.
Truth: This could not be further from the truth. Once a fire alarm and fire suppression system is installed, it is required by building codes and regulations to have regular system inspections. These inspections should be done by certified professionals, such as the A Total Solution, Inc. team, to make sure that your system is in proper working order.
For more information on commercial fire alarm systems, business fire protection services, and fire alarm inspections, contact the fire safety experts at A Total Solutions, Inc. for a free consultation!