Commercial Fire Extinguisher Inspection Requirements

Fire extinguishers are a critical piece of an overall fire alarm and safety system as they provide the first line of defense to extinguish a fire before it becomes uncontrollable, dangerous and deadly. It is important for all commercial properties to maintain recommended extinguisher inspection requirements so that your extinguisher will be ready when needed.  

All fire extinguishers are required to be inspected internally on a monthly basis and annually by a professional and licensed fire extinguisher service company.  Monthly inspections should be recorded on the back of the tag with the initials of the person doing the internal inspection. Fire extinguisher professionals should record their inspection on the tag with their annual inspections.

Monthly internal extinguisher inspections must include:

• checking the pressure gauge to be sure it is pointed to green and ready to go
• a visual inspection to be sure there is no rust or corrosion on the extinguisher
• verification of overall readiness and easy access

Annual extinguisher inspection requirements from a licensed professional must include:

• Overall visual inspection of the unit and components for readiness
• Verifying the pressure is adequate with the pressure gauge
• Locking pins and valves are in place and undamaged
• Verification of the chemical compound and weight of the extinguisher
• Any required six-year inspections on extinguishers six years old from the manufacture date
• 12 year required inspections that include in-depth service and recharging

High-Rise Security Systems Offers Licensed Extinguisher Inspections

HRSS provides licensed fire extinguisher inspections for all types of commercial properties in and around the Chicago area. We offer professional extinguisher services for all types of extinguishers including those rated for class A, B, C, D, and class K fires.  We make sure that your fire protection system is ready to use and provides a reliable protection intended to contain any fires before they become an uncontrollable.

HRSS is recognized as a leading fire and safety systems provider, offering professional and licensed inspection and testing services of your fire alarm system including portable extinguishers. Contact us today to learn more and to speak with a fire protection specialist for all your extinguisher inspection requirements.

 

Fire Alarm Systems for Commercial Buildings

Fire alarm systems for commercial buildings must meet guidelines enforced by the authorities in your jurisdiction which includes guidelines established by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), the International Building Code (IBC), and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) legislation.  The fire marshal in your state is often the authority with jurisdiction, having fire inspectors work on their behalf.  

If you are a building owner or electrical contractor trying to establish which codes and regulations to abide by, you can contact your state fire marshal for direction or simply contact a fire and safety system expert in your area.  

Commercial Building Owners Have Responsibility

Building owners have a responsibility to all occupants that either reside, work or frequent their facility, safeguarding them from hazards associated with the type of structure and business conducted on the premises.  

For example, restaurants need to meet additional guidelines for fire detection and suppression in the kitchen, manufacturers are required to install the correct fire alarm system in their commercial building depending on the products used, and hospitals and campuses must adhere to strict regulation for detection, alarms and evacuation procedures.  

Your fire and safety system expert on commercial building requirements will be able to answer all your questions for your unique structure based on building design, and activities conducted on the premises.  An experienced and knowledgeable fire and safety consulting firm will know all required regulations applying to your building and even assist in gaining permit approval for your AHJ.  

Fire Alarm System Design for Commercial Buildings

Whether your structure is a simple low-rise building, a high-rise structure or a complex such as campuses and hospitals, your fire alarm system must begin with a thorough comprehensive design covering all aspects of fire and safety.  NFPA101 is the Life Safety Code that most jurisdictions require adherence to, with specific guidelines established for commercial buildings.

Features of a comprehensive design include one or two-way communication, capability to recall elevators, early warning detection sensors, emergency unlocking of doors for evacuation, and heat or water flow detection.  

HRSS are Expert Fire Safety Consultants to Commercial Building Owners

High Rise Security Systems are experts in all required regulations, assisting owners and contractors with compliance and permit approval.  We provide a thorough design in AutoCAD so that all parties involved are working from consistent prints to scale in the latest revision level.

Fire Alarm System Equipment for Commercial Buildings

HRSS are licensed distributors for the leading manufacturers of fire detection systems including Notifier® by Honeywell, a leading global fire system utilized around the world.  

Fire alarm systems for commercial buildings include control panels with sensitive early warning fire and smoke detection, audio speakers for an orderly audible evacuation directing occupants to a safe exit and preventing panic.  Wireless technology, central command centers, battery chargers and auxiliary power supplies are all part of an effective fire alarm system in commercial buildings.

High Rise Security Systems is a leading fire and safety system expert in the Chicagoland area, helping building owners and contractors provide a safe environment in virtually any type of structure.  We assist with all aspects of fire alarm systems for commercial buildings, from design to equipment sales, testing, inspection, and even monitoring 24/7/365.  Contact us today for complete compliance and confidence in fire safety system for your commercial building.

Commercial Fire Alarm Installation

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Commercial Fire Alarm Installation: The Shop Drawings

Fire alarm system designs must comply with the National Fire Alarm and Signaling Code, NFPA-72. Also, in most jurisdictions, a building permit is required which should include the required fire alarm systems. These must be approved before any installation may begin.

For approval, complete specifications, system descriptions and drawings, must be submitted. The notification appliance circuit, input/output matrix and battery calculations must be included.

Shop Drawing Requirements

Shop drawings are the detailed drawings submitted to the authority having jurisdiction for the location involved before review and approval. These provide the details of the system and connections, such as the location of each device, appliances, wiring sequences and methods, and depictions of how the components are to be linked. Floor plan drawings, control panel wiring, riser diagrams, conduits and routing details must be included.

Point-to-point wiring diagrams must depict exactly how the electrical network will be connected.

Formatting the Shop Drawing for Commercial Fire Alarm Installation

Using uniformly sized paper, the drawing detail should include:

1. Identification of the building, deed holder, and occupants
2. Name of installer or contractor
3. Location of protected premises
4. Citation that the design is in accordance with NFPA®70 (Standard for Fire Safety and Emergency Symbols)
5. Date of issue and any revisions

Moreover, drawn according to scale, shop drawings for fire alarm systems should clearly identify the floor, compass direction, walls and doors, partitions, descriptions and device locations, primary power location, monitor and control interface locations. All components of the fire alarm system, conductor, conduits, and site of air diffusers located near smoke detectors should also be depicted.

System Representation

Shop drawings must represent:

1. Location of control equipment
2. Field wiring terminals
3. Circuit identification
4. Indicators and controls
5. Connections to supervising stations and safety control interfaces
6. Risers with wiring diagrams included

Notifier Fire Alarm Panels

Notifier Fire Alarm Panels are the most capable control panels available. This state of the art emergency management system can be configured to control a few interconnected detection devices for small buildings, to monitor a large campus, or a complicated high-rise block wirelessly.

In simplest terms, fire alarm control panels consist of connected detection elements that sense the presence of fire and smoke, output devices like alarms to notify occupants of a potential emergency, a power source, and a secondary power supply.

Notifier by Honeywell Fire Alarm Control Panels are designed with industry leading smoke detection capability to provide the earliest possible warning in case of emergency.

The Notifier Fire Alarm Panels can be equipped with a variety of accessories to accommodate facility types and unique requirements. The system communicates with a central monitoring location and can transmit emergency information from fire detection devices to remote fire departments.

Evacuation Assistance

Notifier Fire Alarm Panels may be integrated with Onyx Digital Voice Command, an emergency voice communication system that can provide live paging or digital voice commands to direct evacuation. Also, Notifier offers their LED Sign Gateway to display predetermined graphic instructions to assist further in an emergency evacuation situation.

Connectivity

For large hospitals, high-rise buildings and campuses, the Notifier High-Speed NOTI-FIRE-NET will link multiple Notifier intelligent fire alarm control panels into a single system. Each panel may be programmed differently, while NOTI-FIRE-NET maintains integration among all units. To monitor existing conditions from a remote location, Notifier offers a choice of Gateways to access the control panel from any remote location. Each Gateway protocol may be programmed for a range of circumstances.

Installation

Contact a certified Notifier representative to design the best system for your facility. Early detection and notification are the most important elements of occupant safety.

Unique Features of the Notifier Fire Alarm

Notifier by Honeywell fire detection systems are state-of-the-art monitoring devices that detect, warn, suppress and communicate during smoke, fire and dangerous gas emergencies. Honeywell has been a worldwide leader in atmospheric condition management for decades and offers integrated systems designed for early detection and quick response.

Fire and Smoke Detection

Notifier smoke detection devices employ ultra sensitive photoelectric sensors. When smoke passes the detector, the sensor’s light beam is interrupted, thereby causing the alarm to activate. These detectors detect the presence of smoke often before the fire has had a chance to develop. The detectors immediately notify the control personnel of a problem.

Notifier Fire Alarm Monitoring Systems

In addition to the photoelectric smoke detection devices, fire alarms are strategically placed to respond to any fire emergency. These systems are armed to notify all occupants of the emergency while directing notifications to control personnel.

With audio and video instructions and carefully planned evacuation routes, occupants are directed to leave the building at the first sign of danger while emergency response agencies are directed to the location.

Creating a safe environment for all occupants in every building type is the principal objective of Notifier’s broad line of fire detection and fire alarm monitoring devices. Linked together with wireless technology in a holistic network to manage smoke and fire emergencies, the systems transmit instantaneous information to a central control location. The Notifier system instantly notifies emergency response agencies to assure quick response.

Fire System Monitoring

Having the best possible detection and notification system is important. But system effectiveness can be compromised without ongoing testing and maintenance. Sensors become neutralized with dirt and grime, and parts wear out over time. In Chicagoland, High Rise Security Systems provides professional, ongoing preventative maintenance to assure your sophisticated Notifier fire alarm systems remain in top condition.

 

What Fire and Safety Specialists Will Say You Need

What Fire and Safety Specialists Will Say You Need

Building managers, owners and designers know that the physical safety of occupants and residents of a building or complex is the most important priority. Consulting with fire and safety experts is necessary for these individuals to understand the potential risks, OSHA requirements, and guidelines set by local ordinances.

In Chicagoland, High Rise Security System experts are trained and certified to work with every type of structure and to advise the best solutions to maintain the highest degree of safety. Below is a list of suggestions that a certified fire and safety expert might offer to ensure you are in compliance and providing the safest environment.

OSHA Requirements

In the workplace, OSHA requires automatic fire detection and notification systems in conjunction with a clear evacuation plan. In a new or renovated building, the evacuation plan should be part of the design process.

Fire Alarm Monitoring Service

Even the latest fire detection devices must be regularly inspected and tested by trained technicians to ensure proper working conditions. Over time, accumulated grime and foreign material interferes with the sensitive detection components and may not respond to a disaster in a timely fashion. Regular monitoring is critical.

Install Sprinkler or Fire Suppression Systems

To protect property and reduce the threat of human injury, fire and safety specialists recommend fire suppression equipment and strategies. In cases where flammable materials or dangerous gases are used, fire safety experts can advise the proper types of equipment to minimize risk.

Integrate Fire and Security Systems

Fire and safety experts suggest that every detection, notification and evacuation device in the building should be integrated to wirelessly transmit warnings and notifications to a central control point. This allows for instant notification of emergency agencies, evacuation of occupants and other action required.

What is an integrated Alarm System?

 

What is an Integrated Alarm System?

Designing a fire and security detection and alarm system into a new building in a piecemeal fashion is a waste of time, money and energy. With wireless connectivity, every device for fire and physical safety can be integrated into a seamless system to be monitored from a central control point.

When fire, smoke or unauthorized entries occur in a building or complex, integrated alarm systems will be activated and control personnel notified of the location of the emergency. A Closed Circuit TV (CCTV) system can focus on the specific area of the threat to assist in directing evacuation if needed.

Collaborating with a NICET-certified fire safety and monitoring company like High Rise Security Systems in Chicago will help you to design the right integrated system for your high-rise or campus buildings.

Notifier Integrated Alarm Systems

Notifier by Honeywell Integrated Systems wirelessly connects all fire and smoke detection, alarm, access control and evacuation systems into one system connected to a single point-of-control work station. At the very moment a threat occurs, the location and severity of the problem can be instantly detected, assessed and acted upon.

In case of a fire or smoke emergency, the integrated system identifies the exact location to initiate evacuation while instantly signaling for emergency personnel response.

If an unauthorized or troublesome intruder should be present, personnel can locate the individual, while the integrated alarm systems call for emergency help and lock down specific areas if necessary.

Systems like CCTV and motion detectors help to visually identify the location of an emergency or stranded individual.

Evacuation Systems

In emergencies, an integrated system recognizes the location of the problem and provides audio and visual instructions to all occupants to vacate the building. Special directional and live or recorded voice instructions will direct the way.

 

What is a Photoelectric Smoke detector?

There are two methods of smoke detection on the market. These are: photoelectric and ionization, and each is effective for specific situations. Photoelectric detectors tend to respond quickest in smoldering, smoky environments, while ionization detectors respond faster to flaming, spreading fires.

Many fire safety companies and OSHA recommend a combination smoke detector that employs both methods.

What is a Photoelectric Smoke Detector?

Photoelectric smoke detectors operate with a light source and a sensor. When smoke particles pass into the light path of the detection device, the light is scattered and then detected by the light sensor. With this interruption, the device sounds an alarm that alerts occupants to the presence of smoke.

A photoelectric detector usually acts more quickly since fires often begin in a smoldering state before bursting into flames. Early on, the source emits larger particles that can be detected by the photoelectric sensors sooner than other methods. Early detection is critical in saving lives and immediate response.

Notifier Advanced Multi-Criteria Fire Detector

Notifier by Honeywell incorporates four systems for early fire detection. In addition to a photoelectric smoke detector, the Multi Criterial Fire Detector adds thermal, carbon monoxide and infrared monitoring which detects every element of a developing fire at the earliest stage.

Smoke Alarm Placement and Maintenance

OSHA recommends that all photoelectric and other smoke detection devices be kept separate from areas of contact or corrosion. These are highly sensitive and abuse can cause the system to become unreliable.

Qualified smoke alarm system maintenance specialists should perform regular preventative maintenance on sensitive photoelectric smoke detectors. Over time, ambient dust, grime and foreign material, will accumulate on the sensors and light source causing the equipment to malfunction or become inoperable. In Chicago, contact High Rise Security Systems to discuss ongoing maintenance of your smoke detection systems.

 

Integrated Alarm Systems: Protect your Business From Multiple Threats

What are integrated alarm systems?

Protecting the physical safety of building occupants is the ultimate responsibility of every building owner or manager. Protection from fire, smoke and unwanted intruders should be a principal design consideration for any building. Technologies such as state-of-the-art smoke and fire detection, visual monitoring, central door locking and unlocking capability and secure access control allow for the integration of all components into a single, easily managed system.

Integrated systems are a convergence of all of many technologies designed to protect occupants and materials from the spectrum of potential threats.

What Are the Benefits is Integrated Alarm Systems?

All functions may be controlled from a central point through an integrated Notifier by Honeywell Gateway System. Security personnel, working from a central control room, can monitor every system in the building.

The advantages are:

• Immediate crisis detection
• Quick response to developing threats
• Immediate interface with appropriate emergency agencies
• Systems may be monitored from any location
• Appropriate evacuation instructions through public address voice commands
• Lock-downs to isolate undesirable intrusions or fire/smoke situations
• Identify external threats before they occur

In some cases, even energy management systems can be incorporated into fire and security systems.

Fire Detection and Notification Systems

In Chicago, High Rise Security Systems (HRSS) is an experienced, licensed fire and physical security company. During the design or renovation of any building, HRSS will design the appropriate integrated system that unifies all security systems wirelessly for central monitoring. The design will be determined by the size and use of the facility. With Computer Aided Design capability, HRSS experts can replicate the entire building to determine the proper placement, number and types of equipment to be used.

Closed Circuit Camera Surveillance

Interior and exterior surveillance technology has evolved significantly. Camera systems may be installed with 360 degree flexibility and set for zooming in for a close-up image. External CCTV cameras are even designed to “zero in” on a license plate number as a vehicle speeds away. Visually monitoring entry and exit is an important function and may be used to identify unwanted intruders.

Access Control

Access control is intended to identify those who should be admitted to a building and reject those who are not. Today, means of identification are becoming more sophisticated than traditional ID cards. Fingerprints, eye scans and other methods are becoming more prevalent in the security industry and may be incorporated into integrated alarm systems.