SUBJECT:  FIRE ALARM TEST AND INSPECTION INFORMATION

1.       All commercial fire alarm systems are required to be tested, inspected and tagged annually.

2.       This needs to be done by a technician that is certified by the State Fire Marshal’s office specifically to test fire alarm systems.

3.       JCI Johnson Controls has several techs that are certified to do the tests and inspections and we put you on a regular schedule.

4.       Test and Inspection can be added to residential as well although it is not required by law. Having the peace of mind that your system is functional and well maintained will allow you to sleep better.

5.       If your building has a fire sprinkler system it is required to be monitored by a UL listed Central station and the Fire Sprinkler System also has to be tested, many times more often than the fire alarm.JCI does test and service fire sprinkler systems and we monitor the flow, tamper, pressure switches, PIVs and other items that are tied to the fire alarm system.

6.       In order to price out the test and inspection service JCI will need a count of all the fire alarm devices (Smokes, Heats, Flows, Tampers, Duct Detectors etc…) and appliances (Horn Strobes, Strobes etc..) then we can provide you with a cost to inspect the system.

7.       Often insurance companies will not pay claims when there are incidents and the proper tests were not done and documented nor will they pay claims if the panels were not monitored properly. One of the first steps in their fire investigation is getting the report of when the fire alarm went off and when the fire department was dispatched.

8. When you have a system that is grandfathered you may not be up to current code although it is important that you maintain the system, have it tested and tagged annually, clean the smoke detectors often and have fire drills.

9. NFPA 72 requires that fire alarm systems be tested and inspected more often than once a year. Each type of device or appliance has different testing frequencies and often insurance will require additional testing over and above that of the annual test, inspection and tag.

10. Keep the area around your fire alarm panel and power supplies free of storage items or trash or anything that can block access.

The information above is basic information and not technically meant to be exact, it is a general information sheet. I welcome any corrections or additional information.

For more information you can do a simple search on the Internet and get additional information.

It is best to have an alarm company come out to your home or business and do an evaluation to determine the different options for you.

Call Larry Love at 801 898 6003 or email Larry.Love@JCI.com

Larry’s security blog is at www.larrylovesutah.com

https://firemarshal.utah.gov/licensing-and-certification/fire-alarm-systems/