How Do I Pick the Best Fire Alarm System for My Office?

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How Do I Pick the Best Fire Alarm System for My Office?

If you own a business or are in charge of fire safety at your workplace, one of the things you need to do is manage the fire alarm system. If you are just starting out, or it is time to replace your old fire alarm system, you may wonder what kind of a system you should put in place.

There are numerous types of fire alarms, with various features. Not all alarm types are well suited for all buildings, which is why you need to research this topic thoroughly before you make a choice, or you can ask professionals like for help. However, if you choose to do everything on your own, here’s what you need to know.

Why Do You Need a Fire Alarm System?

A lot of people don’t think much about the fire safety at work. The possibility of fire seems so minute and far-fetched. However, if a fire actually occurs, you need to be prepared. The sooner you locate the fire, the sooner everyone can be evacuated and the fire department called.

Needless to say, the sooner you call the fire department, the likelier you are to avoid serious material and personal damage.

The Potentially Dangerous Elements

Think about your operation. Does it include using any potentially hazardous materials? Restaurants use a lot of food preparation appliances, which should be taken into consideration when choosing the fire alarm system, mechanical shops often have pressurized welding equipment which is highly flammable, and so on.

Once you assess the possible fire hazards, you can determine what kind of protection you need. Most residential and commercial buildings only need the standard fire alarms and smoke detectors, however, it may be necessary to install carbon monoxide detectors as well if the nature of your business requires it.

The Opening Hours of Your Business

There is an important distinction between businesses which are open 24 hours a day as opposed to those which are only open for 8 hours a day. If there are people at the location at all times of day, your needs for a fire alarm are significantly lower. You can get by with just a simple standard fire alarm system.

However, if your office is unattended for long periods of time, like nights and the weekends, you may want to invest in some more expensive and elaborate fire safety system. There are special monitored fire alarm systems which enable you, or someone who is in charge of fire safety, to monitor the situation at the office remotely via the internet. There are even those systems which include cameras, which further help keep your business safe from fire and enable you to react as quickly as possible.

The Size of the Office

The size of the office has some effect on the fire alarm system you are best suited for, but not as much as you would think. The main difference between small and large business buildings is the ease of locating a fire. Smaller offices have less hidden places where a fire can be undetected, so a simple fire alarm is more suited to these kinds of spaces. You could also contact a commercial fire alarm supplier if you’re unsure of your business needs.

On the other hand, if your office is bigger, especially if it has more than one level, you might do better to install something like a segmented fire alarm system. This kind of alarm divides the building into several segments, which enables you to locate the source of the fire more easily and quickly. You will also be able to determine which escape routes are safe and which are best avoided.

To contact Red Truck Fire & Safety Co.
5555 Santa Fe St M, San Diego, CA 92109, United States
800-973-3878

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