Brothers Fire Protection offers commercial fire suppression & alarm system installation & inspection for Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa, North & South Dakota.

Showing posts with label fire alarm systems. Show all posts
Showing posts with label fire alarm systems. Show all posts

Friday, April 26, 2013

Different Types of Brooklyn Park Fire Alarms


Fire, when properly controlled, can be very useful. Unfortunately, when left uncontrolled, fire can be a very destructive force. Acting too late in the case of your Brooklyn Park commercial property can not only cause the loss of your property, but can also cause the loss of life as well. That’s why it’s so necessary to have Brooklyn Park fire alarms installed.

Fire alarms in Brooklyn Park are designed to alert employees, residents, tenants, customers and clients on the possibility of a fire in their business, multi-housing facility or intuitional building. However, it’s important to choose the right type of Brooklyn Park fire alarm for your needs, as certain ones are more suited for certain places and situation.

Here are the different types of Brooklyn Park fire alarms. And while many use the term “smoke alarm” interchangeably with “fire alarm,” but smoke alarms detect smoke and not the actual fire. These types of alarms come often in two types:

Photoelectric
Photoelectric alarms “see” the smoke, and as Brooklyn Park fire alarms, are very responsive to smoldering fires or those that generate a lot of smokes. Photoelectric alarms are perfect for areas that have lots of items like PVC or foam. Generally though, these types of Brooklyn park fire alarms are more expensive than the next type.

Ionization
Ionization alarms detect invisible particles caused by combustion. Instead of seeing the smoke, ionization alarms feel the smoke, and can best detect flaming fires with no visible smoke. These types of Brooklyn Park fire alarms should not be placed in kitchens and similar areas due to false alarm susceptibility. Since they do contain a bit of radioactive material, it’s best to be careful.

Call us at 1-800-607-2767 or Click Here to Request a Free Estimate for Brooklyn Park Fire Alarms. 

Tuesday, April 16, 2013

Why Install a Commercial Fire Alarm System in Maple Grove?


For businesses and other commercial properties in Maple Grove, one of the worst things that could befall them is for a fire to break out, causing destruction of property and belongings. Even worse, employees, customers and tenants could be injured.

Trying to come back from a fire is not easy. Businesses have to replace everything and try to get back to normalcy, which is not easy and causes valuable time to be consumed. As a result, many businesses can go under. So, it’s important to have a commercial fire alarm system installed in your Maple Grove business or commercial property.

Here are some points to strongly consider:
·         Once you have a Maple Grove fire alarms professional install the necessary systems, you, employees and tenants/customers can feel more relaxed knowing there is a serious fire safety solution in the building.
·         Advanced fire alarm systems include assistance by providing necessary instructions to occupants to exit the premises upon a fire outbreak. These systems save lives by detecting where the fire is, and directing people away from impacted areas.
·         Installations help to reassure employees and clients that if a fire did not break out, they are not at risk of being impacted by the fire. The system will alert occupants the moment a fire breaks out. These systems are also wired to response centers, which will call local fire service authorities. This will give them a head start, allowing them to stop the fire from spreading and causing total destruction.
·         Fire can drain your business of its energy and cause your employees and clients to lose faith in the operation. Since these systems are now more affordable than ever, you can’t afford not to have one.

Looking for the best fire alarm systems in Maple Grove MN? Give us a call today at 1-800-607-2767.

Friday, March 8, 2013

Maximizing Your Fire Protection

Fire protection is an important thing for any business to have. As one article noted:
In fact, studies show that for the U.S. alone 6,000 workplace fires occur annually.
 If you're thinking of upgrading your Minneapolis fire alarms, here are some things to keep in mind:
  • Pay attention to basic security measures like keeping windows and doors locked after business hours. 
  • Keep combustible materials and dumpsters away from smoking areas. 
  • Use extension cords that are only in good condition. 
  • Have a fire protection plan. 
Read the entire article: "Fire Protection and You." 

Monday, February 11, 2013

Good Plan + Fire Protection System = Lives Saved

When it comes to saving lives and minimizing the loss of property, there's nothing as valuable as a good fire protection system. You can do several things to enhance your employees' safety, and one of these is a comprehensive fire safety inspection, which points out potential fire dangers. As one article noted:
A thorough fire safety inspection can point out hazards that could increase the potential for a fire to begin.
This inspection can also identify what could impede personnel from evacuating the building, including locked doors, equipment and materials inside or outside which can cause blockage when your Duluth fire alarms sound.

Education will help save your employees. By training them properly on fire safety procedures, you'll have a plan in place and save lives should the time ever come.

Read the entire article: "A Fire Protection System and a Good Plan Can Save Lives."

Monday, January 21, 2013

Remote Fire Alarm Monitoring Improved by New Technology


Remote fire alarm monitoring is an essential tool for any business or commercial property to have, as it notifies fire department(s) within seconds of an event being detected. This valuable security measure has saved countless lives and millions of dollars worth of property damage. Still, as one article noticed recently:
… rising communication expenses over the past few years have resulted in increased costs, although still justifiable.
Despite this, Duluth fire alarm monitoring services have eliminated recurring monthly communication expenses, and have improved reliability. These systems can be installed in a day at a reasonable cost, and monthly monitoring costs are more affordable than ever.

Read the entire article: “New Technology Improves Remote Fire Alarm Monitoring.” 

Monday, August 20, 2012

Your Fire Protection System Needs Your Attention

Is your fire protection system really protecting you? How long has it been since your system was installed? How often, if at all, do you have your fire protection system inspected? Have you really given this any thought? It's easy to neglect such things when you are running a business.

Just the normal everyday routine tasks of running your business demand much of your attention, and when business activities don’t go according to plan, your attention is naturally diverted even further from such mundane issues as facilities maintenance. But you should set aside some time to review the status of your fire protection and monitoring systems.

You have a large investment in your building and its contents. What would happen if you had a fire and your automatic fire protection system didn't function as expected? Do you have important documents or expensive equipment, such as computers or production machines that could be damaged? Could they be replaced, at what cost, and how quickly? Could you afford to have production halted for a few days, weeks or months? Proper inspection and maintenance of your fire protection and monitoring systems is essential.

Your fire protection system is just like any other mechanical or electrical system that can fail to perform if it sits dormant for extended periods of time. Anything can fail, but systems that are maintained and tested regularly, are more likely to perform properly when needed. You should have regular inspections and maintenance performed by someone that is trained and qualified to work on such systems.

If it's been a long time since your fire protection system was installed, a review is in order to ensure that it is up to date with local codes. You should also check to see if your original alarm system only provides local warning, or is it connected to the appropriate monitoring service. It may be only local because it was not practical for remote monitoring at the time of installation. But now it is a simple and necessary procedure to set up remote monitoring.

You will also want to review the type of fire protection that you have installed. At one time, water fire sprinkler systems were the norm. Today there are reliable, waterless systems that might be more appropriate if you have irreplaceable documents or expensive equipment that could be damaged by water sprinklers.

You need to arrange for an inspection and a regular maintenance program. You can find a qualified Minneapolis fire protection system company by searching online.

Friday, May 18, 2012

Types of Fire Sprinkler Systems

When you think of a fire sprinkler system, you might think of the ceiling-mounted system that covers an area in water when it detects a fire. This is one system, called a wet pipe system, and it's automatic device that supplies pressurized water to the room or rooms a fire has been detected in.

Another type of fire sprinkler system is called a dry pipe system. This type of sprinkler system is used in buildings that are unheated, as well as in refrigerated coolers and other cooler areas. This system is the second most common, after the wet pipe system, but is more expensive to install and keep in good condition.

A third type of sprinkler system is known as a deluge system. With a deluge sprinkler system, the sprinklers are actually open, allowing a greater flow of water from the pipes to the affected area. This can help put out a larger area of fire than the previous two systems.

The pre-action system is meant to not only protect life and extinguish fires, but also protect property. These systems are used frequently in museums and in other places where rare or expensive materials are kept.

Interested in learning more about which type of sprinkler system is right for you? Get in touch with Brothers Fire, an experienced Iowa fire protection company with over 10 years of experience. You can reach us by phone at (800) 607-2767.

Wednesday, May 2, 2012

Fire Protection Tip: Smoke Alarm Locations

Smoke alarms are inexpensive, but effective, tools that can help alert you to smoke that could be coming from a fire. In order for a smoke detector to do its job properly, however, it's important that it is placed in a location that both gives it the opportunity to detect smoke and alert someone to the potential danger of a fire. There are a few locations where smoke alarms are best placed.

  • At least one on each floor of your home.
  • One outside the door of every bedroom.
Be sure to change a smoke detector's battery at least twice per year. The recommended time to do so is during Daylight Savings time changes in the Fall and Spring. If you're changing your clock, also remember to change the battery on your smoke detector so that it's fully functional should you need it to do its job in an emergency.

Stay tuned to this blog for more fire protection industry news and tips, and be sure to contact Brothers Fire for your Minneapolis residential and commercial fire protection needs.

Thursday, March 15, 2012

An Experimental Fire Alarm for the Deaf

Most fire alarms utilize a high-pitched sound that is tough to ignore. For those who can hear, it's hard not to hear such a fire alarm going off; even if you're asleep. The deaf, however, can't hear an audible alarm going off. If they're asleep, they also won't see a flashing light going off on a fire alarm, either.

That's where a new type of experimental fire alarm comes in.

Anyone who has tasted wasabi knows how potent and HOT this Japanese horseradish can be, especially in large doses. A new fire alarm utilizes wasabi to alert the deaf to potential dangers by spraying canned wasabi into a room. In test runs, this alarm managed to wake 13 out of 14 test subjects within 2 minutes.

Here's a video demonstrating the technology.



Get in touch with Brother's Fire if you have commercial fire alarm or sprinkler needs of your own. We can be reached by telephone at (800) 607-2767.

Friday, February 3, 2012

2012 Annual Forum Announced by Fire Suppression Systems Association

The Fire Suppression Systems Association (FSSA), a not-for-profit organization consisting of manufacturers, suppliers and installers, has announced the dates for its Annual Forum. The event will be held from February 25 through February 28, 2012, and will take place in Rancho Mirage, California. You can learn more about the event by visiting the FSSA website at FSSA.net.

Interested in finding a qualified fire protection company the Upper Midwest? Look no further than Brothers Fire. You can learn more about the services and products we offer by calling (800) 607-2767.

Monday, November 7, 2011

Time Change Means It’s Time to Check Fire Alarms


Many homeowners use the “fall back” and “spring forward” time changes to check their smoke alarms. It’s a good practice for business owners to follow when it comes to their fire alarms.

Most commercial spaces are required by law to be outfitted with fire alarms of some sort. Whether they’re basic or more complex, changing the clocks should mean having your system looked at. Having them examined and regular maintenance done can save you from future high repair costs. Here are some benefits of having your fire alarms regularly maintained:
  • Fewer false alarms: Getting your equipment checked, cleaned and tested on a regular basis will help to ensure your alarm goes off only when a true danger is present.
  • Increased protection: Not only will regular checkups keep your property safe, but will ensure the safety of those who often frequent the premises, including your employees and visitors.
  • Reduced costs: With a system in fine condition, you’ll see a reduction in costs related to false alarms and emergency repairs, and can help you avoid having to buy new parts or equipment.

So, fall back in the right way and get your fire alarms checked out!

Brothers Fire Protection offers commercial fire suppression systems in Minnesota.

Monday, October 31, 2011

Fire Alarm Systems Are a Business Necessity


As a business owner, you must think about what will happen if a fire were to break out. Without the proper preparation, you can lose all your investments, and suffer a loss of business, disruptions and financial strains. It can be hard to rebuild, and some find themselves unable to reestablish their business once they’re affected. For these reasons, it’s important to have equipped a functioning fire alarm system.

The alarm system you choose must be able to warn your employees of the danger. The first 1-2 minutes of a fire are the most crucial. When a fire strikes, you fire suppression system should go off, and with a reliable unit, you can ensure the safety of your business and manpower.

Your systems should also include the ability to warm local authorities about the fire. Once this happens, they can arrive and begin to resolve the issue, and protect your physical property.

Fire alarms can greatly protect your business. If you’re looking for a fire alarm system company in Minnesota, contact Brothers Fire at www.BrothersFire.com. 

Thursday, July 21, 2011

Fire Suppression System FAQs

The Brothers Fire Protection staff gets a lot of questions about fire suppression systems. Here are some of the more common:

Why are fire panels required in a fire protection system?
Fire panels, which should be made from stainless steel, prevent the heat and flames from penetrating flammable drywall or wood.

How often should I have my system inspected?
Annually or semi-annually, depending on the age of your system.

Who should service and maintain my system?
Make sure the service company is licensed and insured with special fire hazard suppression certifications, and is factory trained and certified.

When should I use a fire extinguisher?
An extinguisher cannot fight a large or spreading fire. Only use if you know how to use it and it’s within easy reach. If it’s not in working order or isn’t fully charged, then it won’t do you much good.

When should I fight a fire?
Fight a fire if it’s small and contained; you’re safe from toxic smoke; you have a means of escape; and your instincts are telling you it’s OK.

We are a North Dakota fire protection company that helps commercial client. Learn more about our services at www.BrothersFire.com. 

Thursday, June 16, 2011

MN Fire Suppression Tips

Depending on your municipality, a state-licensed professional for it to be tested your Minnesota fire suppression system. You should follow a maintenance schedule for fire sprinkler systems like:

Monthly – Verify all control valves in the open position.
Quarterly – Conduct a main drain test.
Annually – A professional fire sprinkler contractor should inspect the system.
Every 5 years – Backflow prevention device needs to be rebuilt, and piping needs internal inspection.

Here are some other tips to ensure your fire suppression system works adequately:
-          Know how the kitchen system operates.
-          Have an emergency exit plan.
-          Host monthly a fire drill to ensure everyone is aware of the exit plan.

Thursday, June 2, 2011

MN Fire Protection Do’s & Don’ts

When it comes to Minnesota fire protection systems for your business, you don’t want to take any risks. Making sure your property has an adequate fire suppression system in place is the first step, but you’ll also want to investigate the following to make sure your property and employees are well protected.

Fire extinguishers
This might be the most important you can have in your business, maybe more so than fire sprinklers. Commercial fire extinguishers should never be located more than 75 feet away from your employees. They should also always be located near exists so should something happen, no one has to go back to grab an extinguisher.

You’ll want to have the extinguishers to undergo a yearly professional inspection, and an in-house inspection monthly. Make sure your employees are familiar with the P.A.S.S. system (Pull, Aim, Squeeze, Sweep). If they’re not, then contact your local fire department and see if they would provide commercial fire extinguisher training.

Emergency lights/exit signs
Exit lights should be illuminated at all times, and you should on a regular basis have your signs and emergency lights tested. If you have tested them and neither come on, contact your fire protection company to have a thorough review done.

Fire alarms
Most MN jurisdictions require Minnesota fire alarm systems to undergo periodic maintenance. Items checked at this time should include smoke detectors, pull stains, horns, strobes, sprinklers, etc. Any repairs needed should be made then and there.

Need assistance with your MN fire protection system? Get in touch with Brothers Fire by visiting www.BrothersFire.com. 

Thursday, May 5, 2011

Fire Alarm Systems from Brothers Fire Protection Can Help Protect Your Business

You can't be too careful when it comes to protecting your Minnesota business. You put your life into making sure your company was a success, and you should make every precaution when it comes to its security. 


Many businesses build in place safety measures against would-be criminals, but many often forget about fires. Is your organization prepared to deal with a possible catastrophic fire? If not, Brothers Fire Protection, serving the Upper Midwest, can help. 


With over 10 years of expertise, we’ve made our name as experts installing, testing and sustaining fire alarm systems. We can, and will, create a security system to meet all your requirements. Brothers Fire Protection has created all sorts of fire alarm systems, from basic ones for small companies to voice evacuation systems for large facilities. 


Don’t delay in taking action. Contact Brothers Fire Protection today at www.BrothersFire.com.

Wednesday, April 27, 2011

Brothers Fire Protection Earns Underwriters Laboratory Listing

Accreditation is the highest level a fire alarm company can achieve

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:
Stephen R. Cieslukowski
9950 East Highway 10
Elk River, MN 55330
P: 800.607.2767
F: 763.441.5010
 
ELK RIVER, Minn. – Brothers Fire Protection announced today that its fire alarm and life safety team has been granted an Underwriters Laboratory (UL) listing for the company’s fire alarm and monitoring services. This is the highest level of accreditation a fire alarm company can receive.

“We are very proud of the team led by general manager Rick Halloran, and the time, effort and sacrifice they made in reaching this significant milestone in the development of our fire alarm and life safety division,” said Stephen R. Cieslukowski, president of Brothers Fire Protection.

The listing, granted after months of review and on site testing by UL, will allow the company to service Minnesota UL/AHJ (authority having jurisdiction) user group cities, including Brooklyn Park, Brooklyn Center, Burnsville, Chanhassen, Chaska, Coon Rapids, Eden Prairie, Fridley, Golden Valley, Maple Grove, Plymouth, Shakopee, Shorewood and St. Anthony.

“Everyone at Brothers Fire Protection is very excited that we can begin to service our customers located in these markets,” Cieslukowski said.

Brothers Fire is one of the Midwest’s leading companies for fire suppression systems. The company for more than 10 years has served clients in the Minneapolis, St. Paul and Upper Midwest areas with fire sprinklers, alarm and suppression systems design, building, installation, inspection and service.

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Thursday, March 10, 2011

Brothers Fire Protection Awarded Minnesota Building Contract


The Minnesota Building, St. Paul MN
Brothers Fire Protection, the Midwest’s leading, experienced fire suppression system company, is proud to announce it has been selected as a Life Safety Partner for the Minnesota Building, located at 4th and Cedar streets in downtown St. Paul.

We were selected by SCI and awarded the low-voltage contract to provide Seimen’s products, including fire alarms, security cameras, rescue equipment, card access/door entry and voice/data systems.

Brothers Fire Protection is proud to be part of saving history and contributing to the success of this project. The original Minnesota Building opened in 1929, and has been vacant since 2006. It now houses 137 residential condos and 10,000 square feet of commercial and retail space.

See for yourself why Brothers Fire Protection was awarded this contract. Contact us with your fire sprinkler systems, fire alarm systems and fire suppression systems needs today by visiting www.BrothersFire.com.

Friday, January 28, 2011

Why Should You Have a Fire Sprinkler System?

Since the early days of civilization, man has had a fascination with fire. After all, what's not to like about an element that can be used to keep one warms, cook the food and ward away wild animals? Of course, along with this fascination came a healthy respect as mankind recognized that the same heat that could cook a meal and provide warmth was also a destructive force that could level homes, crops and surrounding areas in mere minutes. Consequently, people began looking for ways to effectively protect themselves against fire and its destructive qualities.

In more recent years, these proactive measures of fire safety have evolved into combining technology with common sense. For instance, leaving food cooking on the stove is a bad idea, but if it does happen, the smart homeowner has a fire/smoke alarm to let them know something is wrong. In addition, now you can choose to have a sprinkler system in their home as well, adding another level of safety.

While for some time, fire sprinklers were primarily seen in businesses, today many homeowners are opting to have them installed in their residence as well. This is because studies have proven the fire sprinkler to be one of the most effective ways to protect against fire damage. So, Why should you have a fire sprinkler system? Consider these facts:
  • The largest number of fires in the US is in homes. The National Fire Protection Association (NPFA) reports that home fires account for 80% of all fire related deaths every year.
  • Home fires show no distinction between old or new homes. Rather, most home fires are caused due to human error, combined with the flaws and susceptibilities of products in the home. (E.g.not cleaning out the chimney or dryer vent properly)
  • A smoke alarm works best as an early warning system; but it does not have the capability to put out the fire like a fire sprinkler system has. When these two systems are used together homes and people are best protected.
  • Every family should practice regular fire drills and be sure to know how to react quickly and effectively in the event of fire.
  • Fire sprinklers make up for human error better than any other form of fire prevention technology. This is because a fire sprinkler system can immediately respond to a fire while it is still small and can quickly and efficiently control the spreading of heat, flames and toxic smoke. A sprinkler system provides one with a life-saving cushion for a time-consuming escape.
  • A fire sprinkler system is easy to maintain, only needing an occasional (about once a year) look to make sure that there is nothing obstructing the sensor or the sprinkler.
  • Smoke does not cause a sprinkler system to engage; rather the system will reacts to high temperatures...typically 135 to 165 degrees F.
  • A fire sprinkler system adds to your home's market value by 69%, and will often lower insurance rates as well.
Learn more about fire sprinklers and fire prevention by visiting Brothers Fire of Minnesota.

Article independently authored by Janet Slagell. The content herein may or may not reflect the views and opinions of Brothers Fire Protection. Click for search engine optimization and search engine marketing or visit WebDrafter.com's Blog.

Monday, January 24, 2011

Wireless Alarm Communication's System

With AES-INTELLINET Wireless Monitoring, it's all about control.  This wireless alarm communication's system allows YOU to own and control your communications from end to end.  It's a cost-effective solution that allows you to cut the cord.

Some of the advantages to AES-INTELLINET Wireless Monitoring are:
  • You can eliminate the cost of dedicated phone lines
  • Easy installation, and easy to use
  • 100% reliable
  • Multi-region coverage
  • Zero transmission costs
  • Independent ownership and operation
  • AND MANY MORE!
Click here to learn more about this incredible system, or cut the cord today by contacting Brothers Fire Protection to see how this amazing product can work for you!