Fire Alarm Inspection - What To Expect For Business Owners

Business owners will need to make sure their facilities are safe which will mean that a fire alarm inspection should be performed. Building codes in all municipalities require that certain fire protection systems and equipment are installed and that they are kept functional at all times. This often equates to having an inspection once or twice a year. One example of a small business that has such safety requirements is a daycare center or preschool. The owner of this organization will want to make sure the young children and staff members are kept safe. Not only will this be crucial for the wellbeing of the youngsters and adults, it is mandated by the local municipalities and the licensing authorities. Here are some things to think about:

Safety Equipment Requirements

There are several factors that will dictate what type of systems will need to be installed in a facility. The city's zoning regulations, the licensing agency's rules, number of inhabitants and size of the building. Some common devices that must be available to monitor and maintain safety include fire extinguishers, sprinkler systems, smoke detectors, alarms and heat sensors. The alarm systems in the building will need to be hard-wired into the structure and monitored by the local fire department. If alarms become triggered, not only will the blaring sound notify occupants of the building to get out, it would send a signal to the firefighters so that they could load up the truck and head over. All systems must be regularly checked out by an inspector to make sure they're up to snuff. Another item that must be in evidence is a posted exit plan so that everyone knows the best ways to get out in case of an emergency. Lit exit signs must be posted above the doors.

Fire Drills Must Be Performed Monthly

In any school, daycare center or preschool setting, monthly drills must be held in order to familiarize the children with the practice of calmly exiting the facility. They need to know exactly what to do if they hear that loud blaring sound, as do the staff members. Typical drills would start with the alarm's sound, then the children calmly lining up, teachers grabbing their roll books and everyone walking out into the playground or yard. Teachers would need to call roll to make sure everyone is accounted for, and then they would trek back in to continue with their day. Very young tots and babies must be loaded up into strollers or movable cribs and brought out. When inspectors from the licensing agencies and fire department come to perform an inspection, the drill records will be viewed, too. Without these practice runs, if a real emergency occurred, the children and staff members might panic and not know how to get out safely.

When a business owner runs any sort of company, he or she will be responsible for the wellbeing and safety of all who enter the facility. Having a regular fire alarm inspection is part of keeping everyone safe and sound.