It is important to know what causes a false fire alarm
Fire alarms are essential to keep your home or business safe. False fire alarms signals can disrupt your business, cause you to lose money, and drain fire response team resources. They could possibly cause the fire department to respond to a false alarm instead of a real emergency somewhere else. Once false alarms become constant, they become a huge inconvenience. It is important to know what causes a false fire alarm and ensure that your system is working correctly to avoid these headaches. Keep reading to learn more.
System Malfunction
A system malfunction is one of the most common causes of false alarms. Your fire alarm could be malfunctioning because the system’s internal workings are aging and need replacement. Most detectors should be replaced every 10 to 15 years. But, you do not have to wait until the recommended replacement time. You should replace your alarm as soon as the components start to fail and trigger false alarms.
Smoke Detector Activation
Things like cooking fumes, steam, and cigarette smoke can falsely activate smoke detectors. It is essential that all building occupants know the location of the detectors when dealing with smoke when cooking or otherwise. A fire professional should always inspect detectors that are overly sensitive to ensure they are working properly.
Insects
Many people may not be aware that insects can lodge themselves inside fire alarms. Once inside, insects can set off the alarm by interfering with the sensors. Be sure to open up your smoke detector to see if there are any bugs crawling around inside.
Manual Error
Another common cause of false alarms is vandalism to break-glass emergency alarms. Some people purposely vandalize fire alarms. If you choose to use this type of alarm trigger, be sure to have them placed in secure areas that are not prone to vandalism. Accidents do happen, however, and these alarms can be triggered by mistake, so plan where you will install these systems to avoid any issue.
Low-Quality Products or Installation
When choosing your fire alarm system, investing in reliable brands and well-made products could save you time and money. Since many false alarms are caused by low-quality fire alarms, poor installation, and incorrect placement, it is important to choose your supplier carefully. Before committing to a fire alarm system, research the best brands and hire an experienced fire protection company to install the devices for you.
Commercial and Residential Fire Prevention from Judd Fire Protection
If you want to ensure your home and business are safe throughout the year, trust Judd Fire Protection, LLC. We have over two decades of experience designing, installing, inspecting, and repairing residential and commercial fire protection systems. We serve clients throughout Maryland, Pennsylvania, Washington, D.C., Virginia, and West Virginia. If you are interested in finding out more about our services and protecting your home and business, give us a call at 410-871-3480 or contact us online. For more fire safety tips, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest.