Installing a whole-house fire detection and sprinkler system is a great way to protect your house from fire damage. Unfortunately, those fire detection systems are not without their dangers. If you're implementing a system like this in your house, you need to understand the most common reasons why they fail. Here are some of the most common reasons why your sprinkler and fire detection system may fail.
Failure To Monitor
If you install the system and then don't keep up with the routine alarm monitoring, pressure testing for the sprinklers, and other inspections, you may risk a failure when you need it the most. Testing the alarms is easy. Just hit the test button on each alarm once a month. The sprinkler system should be pressure-tested by a fire sprinkler company at least twice a year. This helps you to identify potential problems before the system fails.
No Power
Most of these fire detection systems are hard-wired into your household electric system, but others are battery-operated. If the batteries fail and you don't recognize the low-power beep in time, the batteries may fail completely and leave you with an alarm and sprinkler activation system that doesn't work. It's important to test the batteries periodically to avoid this problem.
In addition, don't pull the batteries out of the detectors for any reason. Even if you believe that you'll remember to put them back right away, interruptions and distractions happen. Failing to put the batteries back will render the entire detection system vulnerable.
Location Of The Detectors
If you only place the detection sensors in a couple of places, you may have a fire that doesn't trigger the system until it's grown significantly. Make sure that you place sensors in every room. In addition, keep them away from any air ducts, windows or doors. Otherwise, they can easily be disrupted by drafts and changes in the air circulation.
Dirt On The Sensors
The sensors that recognize the presence of smoke and heat in the house must be clean at all times. Otherwise, they may not be able to properly function. In those cases, you may end up with a system that's unable to respond to a legitimate emergency. The dirt on the sensor can disrupt the sensitivity of your fire suppression system. That means your sprinklers won't engage or anything. Clean the sensors on the detectors regularly so that there's no dust or grime buildup.
For more information, contact a company like Eastern Fire.
