Welcome to 2020! For facilities managers, the new year brings a whole host of new inspections and tests. It can be hard to keep track of all the things you need to get done this year, which is why we’re going to help you figure out if you need to have your fire suppression system inspected, or if you’re good for another year. If you’re just not sure or need a quick guide to help you make a decision, this is the blog for you.
Here are four signs it might be time to schedule your fire suppression system inspection in the new year:
No One Can Remember the Last Inspection
The first step is to figure out when your last inspection was. If you can’t remember, and no one at your facility can seem to remember either, it’s probably a good sign that it’s time to schedule one. While inspections can feel like a hassle, they’re important for the safety of your facility and those in it. What’s more, a fire suppression system that’s functioning properly can help to minimize damage in the event that there is a fire hazard. As a general rule of thumb, if it’s been about 5 years since your last full-system inspection, it’s time for a new one.
Your Sprinkler System Needs Maintenance
Your fire sprinkler system is one of the most important parts of your fire suppression system. If you’re noticing little leaks around the facility, or you see discolored water spots, water corrosion, or any other kind of damage, it’s in your best interest to have that system inspected. Again, it’s better to be safe than sorry. If you get your sprinkler system inspected and serviced now, you don’t have to worry about an accident or malfunction in the future.
Fire sprinkler system technology has come a long way in the past few years. If you haven’t had your system looked at recently, a simple inspection can show you a number of areas you might be able to upgrade that system for even better protection.
Your Alarms Aren’t Working Properly
If you’ve been noticing your fire alarms acting up, it’s a good sign that an inspection is in order. Whether they’re going off for no reason, or they’re not alarming at all, it’s a problem. In most cases, your alarm system is directly tied to your fire sprinkler system. If the alarm system isn’t working properly, it may not trigger the sprinkler system to kick in in the event that a hazard is detected.
You can and should test your alarms yourself, to make sure they’re responding as they should to hazards. If for some reason they aren’t responding correctly, call your service provider to set up an inspection. It will cost less, in the long run, to have an inspection done than it will to wait for something to go wrong.
Your Building Has Changed or Expanded
If you’ve recently completed a renovation, have added on to your facility, or have even changed the function of your building, a fire suppression system inspection is in order. Different systems are required for different buildings, so if yours has changed at all, your fire suppression system may also need to be changed, added onto, or upgraded to fit new code requirements.
Though a fire suppression system inspection might seem like just one more cost to add to your list this year, it’s important to remember that your fire suppression system is what keeps you, your property, and the people in it, safe. What’s more, a regular inspection is likely to cost considerably less than all the maintenance you’d need to complete after waiting for years to have the system properly upgraded, and certainly less than what it would cost in the event that a fire did start and your system couldn’t put it out.
Ready to schedule your facility’s fire suppression system inspection? Give the Vanguard team a call at 800-444-8719 or contact us online today. We’re happy to inspect and service any fire suppression system, whether we installed it or not.
