Faulty equipment, electrical malfunctions, and human error are common reasons fires erupt in workplaces. That’s why having fully operative fire alarms on-site is necessary. With early warning, employees and customers can evacuate and get to safety. To ensure your building’s alarms will work when needed, an electrician must perform routine inspections. To improve your business’s safety, here’s a closer look at what these inspections entail.

Why Inspections Are Necessary

As a business or facility owner, you must follow guidelines set by the Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA). This includes having fire alarms and fire suppression equipment inspected, tested, and maintained with reasonable regularity.

Businesses that fail to comply with the rules get citations. If issues aren’t corrected, companies are subjected to costly fines. If someone is seriously injured or dies because OSHA standards were intentionally violated, the owner could face up to six months in jail.   

What the Inspection Process Entails

Since hard-wired fire alarms are connected to the building’s electrical circuit, enlist an electrician to inspect equipment. The job typically takes at least two technicians. One activates the fire alarm pull stations while the other makes sure the horns and strobes are triggered.  

As a fire can knock out the electrical system, electricians will ensure alarms can run on a battery backup when disconnected from wires and tubing. The number of fire alarms, spacing, and location is also checked and amended if necessary to adhere to fire code regulations. This is done so firefighters can locate and access equipment quickly.  

How Often to Get Equipment Inspected

According to Chapter 14 of the National Fire Protection Association’s Code NFPA 72, the fire alarm components should be inspected on a specific timetable. Fuses, for example, should be inspected annually, while certain batteries should be checked once a month.

For fire alarm inspections that meet OSHA and NFPA requirements, contact the electricians at Arc Electric Air Conditioning and Heating in Wilder, KY. With over 60 years of experience, the professionals can also provide heating and AC system repair to keep your business comfortable and energy-efficient. Visit the electrical contractors online to discover the scope of their expertise and call (859) 441-7161 for an appointment in northern Kentucky or the greater Cincinnati, OH, area.