Fire Alarms

You Can't Put A Price Tag On Safety

You've heard the saying, "you can't put a price tag on safety." Well you can't—until it comes time to pay the bill on a newly installed fire alarm system! Here in lies the dilemma, we know we need the fire alarm system for our safety and the safety of our loved ones, or anyone who may be in our business, but does it have to be so expensive?

National and local codes and standards in the area of Life Safety are not created to increase the cost of a fire alarm system, but to ensure that the equipment installed is dependable by itself, as well compatible with the other equipment in the system, the lay out and design of a system is right for the application, and to make sure that the company that designs the system, installs the system and maintains the system has done their job right.

A System Designed To Help Save Costs

At Watchman we know that you come to us to provide a system that will help save lives and protect your property in case of a fire or other emergency, and we also know that you have to pay the bill. Our approach to designing a system that will cost you the least is to meet with you first, to find out what you need. What is your budget, what exists on site, sprinklers, smoke detectors, etc. Then we will talk with the AHJ (authority having jurisdiction), usually the fire department or building inspector in your area who will let us know local codes, standards and practices that you will need to be aware of. They will also want to do a final inspection of the system. We have found that involving the AHJ during the initial design stages dramatically reduces the chance of unforeseen costs at the end of the process.

Keep Your Fire Alarms In Working Order

Codes and laws are constantly changing. Here are some things you should keep in mind. A fire alarm system won't do its job if it isn't working!

  • Have your system inspected and tested at least annually
    ( NFPA72 National fire alarm code states at least every 3 years for residential and at least every year for commercial properties)
  • Smoke detectors older than ten years of manufactured date need to be replaced according to NFPA72
  • Have your system monitored 24 hours a day by a UL listed central station using two means of communication and a fire control panel that will test communications daily.
  • Never silence a fire alarm control panel on your own when there is a trouble condition. No matter how irritating the noise is. Call your service company immediately for service.

Call us for help on your fire alarm system. We appreciate the opportunity to prove ourselves on designing and maintaining a fire alarm system you can live with.