Fire Alarm Inspection FAQ’s
What is a fire alarm inspection?
A fire alarm inspection is a visual check or functional test of fire alarm system components. The control panel, smoke detectors and alarms, sprinklers or suppressants, communication system, and power sources are all inspected to make sure they are in working condition. At the end of the inspection, the fire protection company conducting the inspection will give you a report to submit to your state regulatory agency. Different fire alarm system components are inspected on a weekly, monthly, quarterly or annual basis according to national fire code guidelines.
What are the requirements for a fire alarm system?
Regular fire alarm system inspections are a requirement for businesses, schools, hospitals, and other organizations. The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) and the International Code Council set out national guidelines for periodic checks of every aspect of your commercial fire alarm system. The specific requirements vary by state.
Additionally, local governments may have inspection requirements above and beyond the national requirements. The State of Florida requires that Fire Protection systems be tagged annually, quarterly and every 3 and 5 years according to the NFPA-24 and NFPA-25 by a fire system company licensed the State Fire Marshall.
What is a semi annual fire alarm inspection?
A semi annual fire alarm inspection is one of the periodic inspections required by the NFPA. The NFPA code sets out a periodic schedule for each component of your fire alarm system. Some examples of equipment that must be checked semiannually are: In-Building Fire Emergency Voice/Alarm Communications Equipment, Publicly Accessible Alarm Boxes, and Water Flow Devices. The semiannual inspection must be tagged by the fire inspection company and reported to your state government.
How often should a company test the fire alarm?
A company should test the fire alarm on a monthly basis and conduct visual inspection of various components on a weekly basis. The NFPA Fire Code details which components must be checked weekly, monthly, quarterly, and annually. In Florida, quarterly, annually and multi-year inspections must be conducted by a fire alarm inspection company that is registered with the State Fire Marshall. The only exception is certain government agencies, which can conduct their own inspections if personnel are adequately trained.