Commercial Fire Alarms and Control Panels

What to Be Aware of so You Do Not Get Burned

Before there were modern day fire alarm control panels and easy-to-use touch screen computer interfaces, the only defense against fire was for an individual to call for emergency response services. The first electric smoke detector was patented over 100 years ago, but was unable to be affordably mass produced until around 1970. Prior to then only large businesses were able to afford smoke detectors. Up until fairly recently most fire alarm control systems were also prohibitively expensive for all but the largest companies. Fire control equipment is constantly evolving as are the fire codes. There are many considerations to be concerned with when dealing with fire control panels and fire suppression systems.

As advancements in electronics and computers were made the cost of fire alarms have leveled. Newer effective fire suppression chemicals have also increased the effectiveness of fire suppression systems. Depending upon the type and purpose of the building, specific types of fire suppression systems may be required for the intended purpose. For example, restaurants will require a different fire suppression system than a computerized data center.

Of all the varying types of suppression systems available on the market, the most commonly installed is a standard wet pipe system which is what most of the public has seen throughout retail shopping stores. Other systems can be dry pipe systems or strictly use a chemical suppression system designed for sensitive electronics or conditions where grease or other flammable liquids may be present.

If the building is in the planning stages a basic fire sprinkler can seem like a sizable investment. If the building in question is already completed or being purchased retrofitting the structure may be necessary in order to bring the property up to minimum fire code requirements. The cost can be much higher than new construction. It is important to note regarding real estate transactions of commercially zoned property that real estate agents will very likely be ill equipped to make an informed assessment of any fire control panel or suppression system. Contacting a fire alarm or security company like, Brothers Fire Protection, which may inspect fire suppression equipment may be necessary to prevent additional costly oversights after the real estate transaction has been completed.

Regardless of the type of business, it is mandatory to have an inspection performed of any fire sprinkler or suppression system present at regularly scheduled intervals. Usually the interval is consistent with a one year period. In many jurisdictions, however, it may be more frequently required.

To learn more about fire sprinkler systems, fire alarm systems, and fire suppression systems contact Brothers Fire Protection.

Article independently authored by Dan Elliott. 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.

3 Things You Can Do to Keep Your Fire Sprinkler System in Working Order

Having a fire sprinkler system is a great way to protect your home and office from fire. Since a fire sprinkler system is the first line of defense against the loss of property due to fire, you want to be sure that your sprinkler system is in proper working order at all times...otherwise, it is just glorified "room décor". So, what can you do to make sure that your system will work when or if it is needed? After all, a system is only as good as its maintenance. There are several precautionary measures you can take to make sure that your system is in proper working order. Here are the 3 main steps you should take:

Protecting Your Fires Sprinklers

Keep your fire sprinklers in working order by making sure that there is nothing blocking them. Be sure that there are no pictures or large pieces of furniture away from the walls where the sprinklers are installed. In addition, do not hang lamps or plants near the sprinklers. Also, remember to never use the sprinkler heads or pipes as hooks or "closet rods" as even lightweight items can damage the sprinkler system. Be sure that if you are painting the room, you keep paint away from the sprinkler or sprinkler cover. To paint in a room where these are installed, be sure to cover the sprinklers with plastic and then remove the plastic as soon as the job is completed.

Other precautionary steps to be taken include being very careful to avoid the spray heads when moving tall objects and teaching children not to play or touch (assuming they can reach it) the components of the system.

Keeping the Valve Turned on and Opened

It sounds obvious, but should still be checked. Be sure that the control is open. An opened control will be in line with the pipe while a closed one will form a right angle to the pipe. Many professional recommend using a padlock to keep the valve in the on position. In the event that your system is turned off, be sure that you turn it back on as soon as possible. You should also be sure to never store anything within 1 foot of the water controls as this can impede usage.

Water Flow Testing

At least once a year you need to test the rate of the water flow. Here are 6 easy steps to ensure your system is working properly:

1. If your sprinklers are connected to a central alarm, let the fire department know you will be conducting a test.
2. Find the flow test valve. It is usually labeled main drain, inspector test or test and drain.
3. Slowly turn on the control valve so that it is in line with the pipe.
4. When the water begins running, let it run for about a minute. If your system has an alarm it will sound.
5. Slowly turn the control valve off.
6. Write down the date you performed the test.

For more information on fire sprinkler systems contact Brothers Fire Protection 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.

The Fire Triangle and How to Extinguish Fires

The fire triangle is a graphical device for understanding the needed components to cause and sustain a fire. Each of the three legs of the triangle represent one of three needed elements, namely, heat, an oxidizing agent and fuel. A fire can only burn if all three elements are present and, by extension, fire fighting involves depriving the fire of one of the elements.

The removal of heat is a common fire fighting tactic. For instance, spraying water on a fire cools everything down and prohibits the fire from continuing to burn. If you imagine a burning building with fire fighters using fire hoses, you can see the that there is plenty of fuel in the form of wood, drywall, etc. and there is plenty of oxygen in the surrounding air but the water being applied removes the heat and the fire is eventually defeated.

Removal of fuel is a second way to defeat fires. This method is used frequently when combating grass fires like those that seem so frequent in California. It is impossible to remove the oxygen as it is in the surrounding air but by creating fire breaks the flames can be contained. A fire break is constructed by removing all the fuel, in the case grass, in a long, wide path or strip around the fire. When the fire burns up to the break it will extinguish as it has burnt all the fuel behind it and can't burn the bare ground in front of it. Lacking a source of fuel, the fire goes out. The concept is also used to stop forest fires although the breaks must be wider to be effective.

Removing oxygen is the final way to extinguish a fire. You may have used this method yourself if you have ever had a grease fire in a pan or pot. By simply putting the lid on the pot, the fire goes out. It still has fuel, your food, and has heat but it rapidly consumes all the oxygen in the pot. Of course, the lid is not air tight and oxygen is streaming in to replace the consumed oxygen but it is doing so at rate that is not sufficient to sustain the fire.

Removing oxygen is also a way to prevent fires. When a camp fire is finished we are all advised to cover it with dirt. The dirt prevents the oxygen from reaching the coals and continuing to burn. The dirt also prevents new fuel from falling into the hot coals and starting a new, larger fire.

For more information on fire safety equipment please visit Brothers Fire Protection or call 800-607-2767.

Article independently authored by Eric Parish. 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.

Fire Safety - University and Colleges Sacrifice Students' Safety For Financial Reasons

Fire safety and prevention is always paramount, but facilities with buildings constructed over twenty years ago may not meet and satisfy current fire code regulations. Nowhere is this more important than with colleges and universities, many with buildings constructed more than one hundred years ago. Protecting the country's youth does not always take a front seat, but proves to be costly every year.

One main problem regarding latent and potential fire hazards on school campuses pertains to housing and dormitories. Many of these structures which were built more than thirty years ago were not designed with present fire codes in mind. Many of these facilities relied upon the use of asbestos to help combat the threat of fire. Due to the health risks which asbestos presents, asbestos materials have been removed and replaced by safer building materials. In doing so, it has increased the risk of death and extensive property damage. Open stairwells, the lack of fire barriers, and the lack of fire or smoke dampers are just a few more of the crippling aspects of older dormitories. On-campus fraternities and sororities often share similar weaknesses.

Another consideration of a serious problem, although it is much more specific, affects those individuals in wheelchairs. Universities and colleges have added elevators in many older buildings to maintain compliance with accessibility requirements. While this allows wheel chair access to all floors of a building, in the event of a fire elevators are deactivated. Obviously the outcome of a fire in one of these buildings is easily predictable without incorporating areas of rescue assistance for wheelchair access.

Fire alarm panels and control systems have come a long way from the basic siren or bell system with which most adults may remember from elementary school. Today in addition to the traditional fire alarm systems, modern fire alarms, control panels and security systems have evolved into highly complex addressable computer panels and communication centers. Costs can easily exceed well beyond $20,000 for a fire control system in a university dormitory setting. The major obstruction to updating or upgrading these aging buildings is the growing budgetary limitations. The cost to retrofit many of these buildings is prohibitive. Much of the monies delegated to construction and infrastructure is tied up with new buildings and facilities. Schools may qualify for federal funding for the purpose of retrofitting and upgrading those structures which currently do not meet the minimum fire codes.

For more information on commercial fire alarms and fire suppression systems, please visit Brothers Fire Protection or call 800-607-2767.

Article independently authored by Daniel Elliott. 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.

Get the Facts About Fire Prevention

• Fact:Each year in America there are more than 4,000 people who die as a result of fires.
• Fact: Installing smoke alarms and a fire sprinkler system will reduce risk of death in a home fire by 82%.
• Fact: 90% of home fires can be contained with just one sprinkler, the one closest to the fire, resulting in less water damage than of the fire department.
• Fact: Modern fire sprinklers are inconspicuous and can be mounted so that they are flush with the ceilings or walls.
• Fact: Home fire sprinkler systems only add 1 to 1.5% of the total building costs in new home construction.
• Fact: A residential fire occurs every 76 seconds.
• Fact:49% of all home fire deaths resulted from fires that were reported between 10:00 PM and 6:00 AM.
• Fact: 17 people die in home fires every day.
• Fact:18% of home fire deaths occurred in homes in which only a smoke alarm was in use.
• Fact: Fire sprinklers save lives, reduce property loss and will even help lower your homeowner insurance premiums.

If you have never been the victim of a house fire, then you can only marginally relate to the feelings of desolation and loss. There is little in life that can prepare you for seeing the ashes of what was once your home. As you stand there, you can't help but think of the good times you shared within the walls of your home, of the special keepsakes that have been destroyed, the photos or scrapbooks that you lovingly placed in albums and many other reminders and mementos that contributed to who and what you are. Simply stated, a fire is one of the most devastating things that can occur in the life of anyone.

In addition to the emotional loss, the economical strain of a fire can take some time to recover from. After all, once you have received the insurance money, there is time spent to replace things such as clothes, household items like appliances and computers, groceries and many other things that one can so easily take for granted. Plus, there is the time you have to take off from work in order to get situated and settled in at new residence.

So, why should you become the victim of a home fire when it can be avoided? After all, there is an assortment of products available to prevent property loss due to fire. Even if you have a smoke alarm, it is not enough. Today, you can have a home sprinkler system installed that effectively puts out fires-in some cases, quicker than the fire department can arrive! There are many companies who specialize in installing home sprinkler systems and who will be happy to walk through your home to let you know how their system can save you the emotional and economical stress of a home fire. You don't have to become one of the statistics!

For additional information on the topic of home fire sprinkler systems visit Brothers Fire. Article independently authored by Janet M. Slagell. The content herein may or may not reflect the views and opinions of Brothers Fire. Click for search engine optimization and search engine marketing or visit WebDrafter.com's Blog.

8 Reasons You Should Have a Fire Protection System in Your Home

Your home and family are two of the most important "possessions" you have. And, as a responsible adult you want to protect them in every way you can. For the home or business owner, there are very few things more devastating than fire. And yet, many homes and offices still do not have an effective fire protection. If you think that you can beat the odds, and not need to get fire protection, then consider these facts from the National Fire Protection Agency.

• Fires kill more people in America every year than all the natural disaster combined, with 80% of these deaths occurring in the home. In fact, nationwide, there are more than 4,000 people killed by fires.
• Installing both smoke alarms and a fire sprinkler system reduces the risk of death due to a home fire by 82%
• The NFPA has no record of a fire killing more than 2 people in a completely sprinklered public assembly, educational, institutional, or residential building where the sprinkler system was working properly.
• According to the CDC, in 2008 fire departments responded to 403,000 home fires in the U.S. There were 2,755 (not including firefighters) deaths, and another 13,560 civilians injured.
• Fire and burn injuries, in 2006, resulted in $7.5 billion dollars spent in medical care.

Basic Reasons to Choose a Fire Sprinkler System in Your Home

If you are still not sold on why you should have a fire sprinkler system in your home, for whatever reasons, consider these 8 statements:

1. Fire hoses, typically use more than 8 1/2 times more water than sprinklers do to contain a fire, this is a difference of firefighters using 2,935 gallons of water versus the 341 gallons of water used by a sprinkler system. The ultimate result being that there is less water damage to items in the home, yet the fire is still contained effectively and efficiently. It should also be noted that only the sprinkler closest to the fire, and will spray directly on the fire.
2. In 90% of home fires it is only necessary to use one sprinkler to contain the fire.
3. The chances of a sprinkler accidentally discharging due to manufacturing defects are extremely rare. In addition, modern sprinklers provide inconspicuous protection.
4. Installing a fire sprinkler saves lives, reduces property loss and can even lower homeowner insurance premiums.
5. When you are building a new residence, having a fire sprinkler system added to the construction only increases building cost by 1-1.5%.
6. The chances of a fire sprinkler not working are slim and are dependent on the plumbing system in the home. If the plumbing is functioning correctly, so will the fire sprinkler.
7. In the majority of cases, a home sprinkler system can contain and potentially extinguish a fire faster than the fire department can arrive on the scene.
8. Residential sprinklers systems can be recessed into the walls or ceilings, and some can be painted to match the room's decor.

For additional information on the topic of fire sprinkler systems visit Brothers Fire. Article independently authored by Janet Slagell. The content herein may or may not reflect the views and opinions of Brothers Fire. Click for search engine optimization and search engine marketing or visit WebDrafter.com's Blog.

Commercial Losses - Fire Control and Suppression Systems Can Prevent Financial Loss

Fire alarm systems are required by law in almost every commercial and industrial place of business. There are few exceptions to this rule. Deciding which type of fire alarm system and suppression system is rarely left up to the business owner or property owner. Specific alarm systems and monitoring panels will be determined by the local authorities.

Even though building codes and fire codes will dictate the type of system needing to be installed, these requirements are strictly the bare minimum that the local jurisdictions and state government mandate. Frequently the bare minimum will still result in vast amounts of property damage. For this reason it is always important to inquire of the fire alarm installation company how best to improve on the fire codes with regards to the installed fire suppression system.

If the building or facility is being erected, going the extra mile by installing additional fire prevention measures will lower the chances of extensive property loss when a fire does occur. For proper installation of a new fire alarm and suppression system or improving a current fire control system, contracting with a professional and competent installation company will need to be arranged. With new construction, this is taken care of by the general contractor overseeing the entire construction project. If the building is already established and occupied, then any improvements to the fire alarm system will most likely be set into motion by the property owner or property manager.

Fortunately fire codes do not change drastically or frequently, but if the codes do change, occasionally those structures currently established may not need to upgrade the current fire suppression system due to being grandfathered. One exception to this rule may be when the property is sold.

Local or state law may dictate that in order to complete the real estate transaction the existing fire suppression system, including the control panel, may need to be updated. Should this be the case, the cost can be surprising. The expense of upgrading or modernizing the fire control components will need to be taken into account along with the details of the real estate transaction. Many real estate agencies and service will not always be aware of specifics of this type.

It is recommended that the sale of the commercial property be contingent upon a fire inspection. Many professional and experienced fire alarm installation firms can be utilized in this manner. Without a satisfactory inspection, the new property owner may be fined and ordered to improve or bring the current suppression system up to date which can easily reach into the thousands.

For additional information on the topic of security and fire alarms as well as inspections visit http://www.brothersfire.com.