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    Category: Fire

    Seven House Fire Prevention Tips

    Posted on by Taylor

    You might think that it will never happen to you, but a house fire can break out when you least expect it. According to National Fire Protection Association statistics, the average homeowner will experience five residential fires in their lifetime. Even more alarming, there is about a 10 percent chance that you or someone you know will be injured in a home-related fire incident.

    Fire Alarm

    The following tips can help you reduce your odds of becoming another household fire victim:

    1. Never leave cooking unattended and teach your children to stay away from the stove. More fires occur in the kitchen than any other areas of a home. Keep a fire extinguisher within easy reach in the kitchen.
    2. Regularly inspect all electrical cords for wear or fraying and replace any that show signs of damage. Don’t cover cords with rugs or carpeting.
    3. Consider consulting with a professional electrician regarding the capacity of your home’s electrical circuits. The modern home contains a host of electronic gadgets that can overload the electrical system and potentially cause a fire.
    4. Try to smoke outside whenever possible and properly extinguish and dispose of butts and ashes. Careless smoking is another leading cause of house fires, especially when people fall asleep while smoking in bed.
    5. Carefully follow the instructions for installing your dryer’s ventilation system. A surprising number of fires result from clothes dryers. Remove the lint from the trap after each cycle, and periodically clean the area under and behind the dryer.
    6. Have your home’s heating system inspected by a professional during the fall, just before the cold weather arrives. Follow the manufacturer’s recommended maintenance schedule, including the regular changing of the unit’s filter.
    7. Avoid using older models of space heaters to supplement the main heating system. Many older models may not have all the safety features that are included with modern units. Keep the heater away from curtains, furniture, newspapers or other items that could easily ignite.

    Contact Titan Alarm, Inc. for more fire prevention tips for your Phoenix, Mesa– or Tucson, AZ-area home. We can also assist you in upgrading your fire prevention systems.

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    Why You Need to Keep Fire Extinguishers in Your Home

    Posted on by Taylor

    Fire Extinguisher

    If you’re like many homeowners, your fire defense setup consists of a few strategically placed smoke detectors and perhaps a fire alarm connected to a home security system. But when you consider that more house fires start in the kitchen than any other area (faulty equipment and unattended cooking are typical causes), it is also important to be able to stop a fire in the early stages. Many kitchen blazes are fueled by grease and can spread quickly. And as most of us learn at an early age, the last thing you should do is attempt to douse a grease fire with water.

    A fire extinguisher is an inexpensive piece of home protection equipment that should be part of every household. You can purchase a small extinguisher designed for kitchens for as little as $10. Keeping one near the stove or cooking area enables you to react immediately and put out a fire before it can spread to walls or curtains.

    Fire extinguishers are easy to use — you can even teach your children to operate them safely. With most models, you only need to pull the pin, point the nozzle toward the base of the flames while standing approximately eight feet away from the blaze, and squeeze the trigger while making sweeping motions with the nozzle.

    Other Areas to Place Fire Extinguishers

    While the kitchen is the most crucial location for an extinguisher, you should consider installing them in any areas that are prone to fires. These include near a furnace or heating unit and inside a garage (many garages serve as storage areas for products containing chemicals that could easily ignite). Other ideal spots include the hallway outside of the bedrooms and in any rooms where you or other members of your household might smoke. All homeowners should also have a fire evacuation plan — place an extinguisher along the escape route.

    Kitchen Hood

    Contact Titan Alarm to Learn More

    Titan Alarm, Inc. offers reliable extinguishers and other fire safety equipment as part of a comprehensive fire protection package for homeowners in Phoenix and Tucson, AZ. Contact us to learn more today.

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    What to Look for in a Fire Protection Solutions Provider

    Posted on by Taylor

    Has the time come to upgrade your business’s fire protection system? Are you constructing a new building and need to install reliable, code-compliance equipment that you can trust to safeguard your investment — and your employees?

    Given the importance of fire safety for any company, your choice of a provider is one of the most critical decisions you’ll need to make. Careful consideration of these factors can simplify the process:

    Fire Alarm

    • Flexibility:

      No two businesses have the same fire protection requirements — a restaurant faces a much different set of risks than an office building, for example. A reputable fire protection company will work with you to design a customized solution that addresses your most daunting fire safety challenges, instead of trying to push a “one-size-fits-all” system that could leave your facility vulnerable.

    • Access to technology:

      Fire protection system technology continues to improve — the newest equipment on the market can detect fires earlier, which can minimize property damage and save lives. Select a provider that offers the latest advancements and knows how to apply them to meet your unique needs.

    • Response time:

      Suppose the recent results of a fire inspection have determined that you need to make some upgrades. You will typically have a short time frame to make the changes and get your building up to code — or risk having your facility shut down. Ask all prospective solutions providers about how quickly they can respond in these situations, as well as how many trained field technicians they employ in your area.

    • Reputation within the business community:

      Gauging the satisfaction level of other customers is invaluable when evaluating any company. Make inquiries to other business owners regarding their choice of fire protection solutions providers. This will help you determine which companies are likely to provide the best service — and which ones to avoid.

    Regular Fire Inspection

    Titan Alarm, Inc. has been providing prompt, reliable commercial fire protection systems and services to all types of businesses in Phoenix and beyond for more than a decade. Contact us to learn more about our services and to schedule a no-obligation consultation today.

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    Tips for “Fireproofing” Your Business

    Posted on by Taylor
    Fire Tech Programming Panel

    Fire is a very real threat that can have devastating consequences for businesses. According to U.S. Fire Administration statistics, there were approximately 98,800 fires to nonresidential structures in the United States in 2016, resulting in 145 deaths, 1,550 injuries and more than $2 billion in property damage.

    Adhering to all fire and building codes isn’t enough to keep your business property safe. You also need to take a proactive approach to fire prevention every day. Easy-to-implement fire protection tips include:

    • Keep all work areas and equipment clean:

      The U.S. Fire Administration points out that insufficient cleaning is the leading cause of workplace fires. Make sure that trash, paper, scrap and debris are properly stored or disposed of, and that all equipment and machinery is thoroughly cleaned and maintained.

    • Don’t neglect your heating system:

      Business owners in southern Arizona sometimes overlook heating unit care because the systems are not used as frequently as in colder climates. However, an improperly maintained system can overheat and cause a fire. Have your unit tuned up by a professional once a year, just before the colder weather arrives. Change the filters according to the manufacturer’s recommendations.

    • Keep the kitchen neat and organized:

      If yours is like many business facilities, several workers share a kitchen or breakroom. Appoint an employee to monitor the kitchen to make sure cooking appliances are being used safely and that everything is put away properly.

    • Check the wiring:

      Perform regular electrical system checks to find loose or frayed wiring, and perform replacements or upgrades as necessary.

    • Monitor smoking:

      Make sure that all smokers stay in the designated smoking areas in and around your facility and have someone monitor them for smoldering butts or ashes.

    Fire Alarm Flaming

    • Limit the charging of electrical devices:

      Many employees these days charge their smartphones and tablets while they’re at work. You don’t have to prohibit this practice — provide designated areas for chargers to prevent explosions that can lead to fires.

    Contact Titan Alarm, Inc. for more advice regarding how to fireproof your Phoenix, Mesa, or Tucson, AZ-area business establishment. We’ll also be happy to fire a no-obligation fire prevention consultation.

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    5 Myths of Fire Sprinkler System Corrosion

    Posted on by Mike Proudfit

    Corrosion in fire sprinkler systems are always a property or business owner’s absolute worse night mare. As corrosion occurs in pipes, overtime leaks may pop up unexpectedly, this leaves property and business owners at a loss, looking for the right answers.

    As you search for answers, it’s imperative that you find the right high quality answers, that can scientifically educate you on what happens to your fire sprinkler systems, and educate you on choosing the right company for your fire sprinkler inspection and maintenance needs.

    There are so many myths out there all surrounding corrosion, which could incorrectly influence your decisions to act on responses to fixing the system.

    We’ve put together a few myths, and truths, for you to educate yourself and make the right decisions when it comes to your fire sprinkler systems.

    Myth #1

    Microbiologically Influenced Corrosion (MIC) is the primary cause of pin-hole leaks in fire sprinkler systems. False.

    Oxygen is actually the main cause of corrosion. Oxygen will expel metals from the walls of the systems piping and will then produce solid waste. Bacteria has been regularly found inside fire sprinkler systems, but there is no correlation between bacterial contamination and leaks from corrosion.

    Bacteria makes up less than 10% of all pin-hole leaks.

    Bacteria

    Myth #2

    The entire system must be replaced once pin-hole leaks are found on a regular basis.

    Unfortunately, fire sprinkler systems are removed and replaced completely when most of the piping isn’t damaged by corrosion. Oxygen corrosion is always extremely localized. Corrosion happens in trapped air pockets in a wet fire sprinkler system, and it also occurs in pools of trapped water in dry and pre action fire sprinkler systems. Keep yourself and your wallet happy, by merely removing and replacing the piping that has been effected by corrosion.

    Corrosion

    Myth #3

    Bad water causes fire sprinkler system leaks. False. 

    Although water chemistry varies throughout the country, but most of the water that is supplied to fire systems is normally very fresh and clean. Fire System’s water source is normally from a municipal water supply.

    Dirty Water

    Myth #4

    Galvanized steel works better than black steel to slow corrosion. False.

    Galvanized steel for dry pipe fire sprinkler systems can start leaking 3x to 4x faster than black steel.

    Black steel pipe can disperse oxygen corrosion. Helping slow corrosion.

    Piping

    Myth #5

    The fire sprinkler piping and fittings quality has dropped. False.

    Defects from manufacturers are very rare. The quality of the fitting and piping being used today surpasses American Society for Testing and Materials standards. Corrosion is rarely the result of defective piping. It is the exposure to different temperatures and the exposure to oxygenated water that creates quickened attack at the weld seams.

    To Sum It Up

    Oxygen causes most of the major issues, when it comes to corrosion in the fire sprinkler systems. The amounts of oxygen that’s introduced to the fire sprinkler piping has a direct impact with the timing of corrosion.

    YOU CAN SLOW DOWN THE PROCESS!

    Contacting Titan Alarm today can help you in the long haul, let us assist you with the preparation and combat of stopping and slowing corrosion in your fire sprinkler systems. Give us a call today 602-680-4567.

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    Fire Sprinkler Corrosion

    Posted on by Mike Proudfit

    Corrosion is one of the most common causes of malfunctioning fire sprinklers and often causes a failing fire sprinkler inspection . When there is Oxygen present in the pipes running along the building for the fire sprinkler system, it can have chemical reactions with water and the metal that makes up the piping, and when it solidifies it can corrode.

    Corrosion in Fire Sprinkler Systems

    Oxygen can dissolve naturally into water. In a normal 1000 gallon fire sprinkler system, any and all oxygen that’s confined inside the pipes of the system will be absorbed. Shockingly it only takes up to 30 days for the dissolved oxygen to produce 34 pounds of solid materials. In any wet fire sprinkler system, the solids can sink down into low spots and begin to cause corrosion. If there is ever fresh oxygen that is then introduced into the system, the corrosion process can begin again, adding more and more solids into the fire sprinkler system. Dry fire sprinkler systems and pre-action systems are not immune to the problems caused by corrosion as well. Corrosion is actually more common in dry sprinkler systems due to the oxygen rates being substantially higher. Moisture gets into the dry systems from testing and or condensation and then interacts with the iron inside the piping causing corrosion.

    Fire Sprinkler System

    Agents that Catalyst Corrosion

    These are the five primary causes that can speed up the corrosion process:

    • When there oxygen is introduced into the sprinkler piping, the oxygen dissolves into the water, and it causes instant metal loss.

    • Solids that are created from reactions that have been listed above, cause corrosion to become more aggressive.

    • When piping is removed, it allows a new location for oxygen to attack.

    • When a wet systems are drained and then refilled with water, inevitably a fresh source of oxygen is then introduced in the system.

    • When temperatures change and air falls below the dew point, water condenses into small drops, speeding up corrosion.

    Solids and Bacteria

    Bacteria exists in water naturally, which is something that can’t be changed. This leads many people to believe that bacteria is the responsible party for corrosion. While it does happen the bacteria is almost always the secondary cause for corrosion.

    Oxygen is almost always the primary cause of corrosion in a fire sprinkler system.

    Want to learn more about corrosion in fire sprinkler systems in Phoenix? You can learn more and find proactive ways to handle corrosion by contacting Titan Alarm today.

    Give us a call at 602-680-4567.

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    Sprinkler System Maintenance

    Posted on by Mike Proudfit

    After you finish your routine maintenance and inspections with Titan Alarm, you may believe that you are completely set and compliant with fire codes. Unfortunately this is not always the case. Fire sprinkler system testing needs to occur outside of the normal annual, and quarterly, testing and inspections.

    Building owners and facilities managers need to be alert and aware as to the age of the buildings they own and manage, and the age of the sprinklers and sprinkler systems that are all installed.

    A lot of the time, there aren’t going to be any visual signs that the sprinkler system are not working properly or need to be tested. This makes it necessary for the building owners to know their sprinkler systems and know all of the codes set in place.

    As a building owner, something you need to look for on sprinkler systems and the sprinkler heads is corrosion, damage or large amounts of dust on the sprinkler systems. All of the above can really impact the way that the sprinklers function. Outside of the regular annual and monthly sprinkler inspections, all of the sprinkler heads have different code requirements for testing.

    Fire Sprinkler System

    All of the standards that have been set by the NFPA vary depending all on the type and ages of the sprinklers and heads.

    Different types of sprinkler heads:

    • Extra high – These sprinkler heads need to be tested every five years. This is not a common sprinkler head and is often used in ovens or heat treating areas.

    • Quick response – This is the most common type of sprinkler head. Following installation, fast-response sprinkler heads do not need to be tested for 20 years. After the initial test, these heads are required to be tested every 10 years.

    • Standard – This type of sprinkler head needs to be tested 50 years after installation and then every 10 years following the first test.

    • Dry pendent – These sprinkler heads need to be tested every 10 years.

    According to NFPA 25 standards, a minimum of four sprinklers or at least one percent of all sprinklers in the building, must be tested. If the building uses multiple types of sprinklers, such as dry, wet or pre-action, then at least one percent of each type of sprinkler must be tested.

    For testing and inspection of sprinkler heads and sprinkler systems in the Phoenix, AZ area, call Titan Alarm today, 602-680-4567 or fill out an online form on the website and a customer service representative will be in contact.

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    Do You Know Your Sprinkler System?

    Posted on by Mike Proudfit

    As the owner of a building or a facilities manager, the building’s fire alarm and sprinkler system may not always be the most pressing priority in your mind, but the systems are very important and it is imperative to be able to understand the basic ins and outs of your sprinkler system.

    Fire Sprinkler

    When situations arise, you need to be prepared to take care of the problem and the easiest way is to make sure that you’re working with a professional company that specializes in Fire Systems and Sprinkler Systems.

    Although a provider like Titan Alarm is needed for fire sprinkler testing, inspection, installation, and maintenance, it still comes down to being the building owner’s responsibility to make sure the sprinkler system and fire alarm system is functioning up to code, so hiring Titan Alarm helps you stay up to code with our routine maintenance and inspection plans.

    Part of the knowledge you need to know as a building owner is knowing what type of system or systems that you have installed in the buildings and facilities, where they are all housed at, and when the most recent testing, inspection and maintenance was performed.

    Building owners and facilities managers need to be referring to the NFPA 25, Chapter 4 for a full guide to the responsibilities of owner’s and facilities managers in referral to their sprinkler systems.

    There’s a few major points from the NFPA 25 Ch. 4 to pay attention to:

    •Make sure you file and know where to locate all of your previous inspection’s paperwork, so that if there is a visit from the fire marshal, it will all be able to go smoothly. If paperwork cannot be found, contact Titan Alarm today to have a technician come out to your facility and be able to do a full inspection and provide you with the required documentation.

    •If the building’s usage and functionality changes, it is the building owner’s responsibility to make sure that there are proper sprinkler systems installed for the new codes that are applicable to the new business. If the building owner is unsure of the current codes and requirements that are needing to be met call Titan Alarm today.

    •After professional fire sprinkler inspections and testing services are finished and performed, it is the building owner’s responsibility to fix any and all impairments and flaws that are recorded in the documents from the inspection. After any inspection, if any repairs or replacements are needed, the Titan Alarm technician will make sure to go over all options with the building owner.

    To have a Titan Alarm professional technician come out and conduct a test and inspection on your current fire alarm system and sprinkler system, give Titan Alarm a call today at 602-680-4567 or fill out one of the forms on the website and someone will be in contact!

    Learn More About Fire Sprinkler Systems

    Fire Extinguisher Inspections

    Posted on by Mike Proudfit

    If you’re a business owner in the Phoenix, Scottsdale, Paradise Valley, Mesa, Chandler, Gilbert or Peoria area, then it’s extremely important that you follow the guidelines for fire extinguisher inspections and maintenance that are set by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA). The NFPA has set guidelines to help business owners, employees and customers stay safe and protected in the event of a fire.

    One of the first guidelines that the NFPA has in place, is they require a monthly fire extinguisher inspection which luckily you’re able to do on your own. While all of these steps and checklists are important for making sure your fire extinguishers stay ready and properly functioning, they are definitely not a substitute for having professional maintenance done on your extinguishers. The NFPA also requires your business to have annual professional fire extinguisher inspections.

    Believe it or not, an annual fire extinguisher inspection doesn’t include testing the fire extinguishers on your premises. That would actually needlessly waste the contents of the extinguisher and if there’s a fire, you may want the fluids that were used during testing to put out the rest of the fire.

    The NFPA recommends testing the extinguishers once every 5 to 12 years, depending on the fire extinguishers you have for your properties.

    Fire Extinguisher Maintenance Checklist

    When hiring a professional technician to conduct the fire extinguisher inspections, the technicians from Titan Alarm will do the following:

    1. The technician will verify that a fire extinguisher is placed within 75 feet of travelling, on every floor in the building and facilities.
    2. Technicians will also verify that a fire extinguisher is placed within 30 feet of equipment in a commercial restaurant or industrial kitchen.
    3. Technicians will ensure that there are fire extinguishers conspicuously placed, not hidden behind objects and that they are ready to be used in case of a fire.
    4. Technicians will make sure that the labels indicating the types of fire extinguishers are all legible so that there is no confusion as to which extinguisher is needing to be used.
    5. Technicians will go and check the pressure dials and make sure the dials are all easily read and pointing to the green area indicating the the extinguisher has a full charge.
    6. The technician will also make sure that the hoses of the fire extinguishers are all intact and not brittle and falling apart.
    7. The pull pin will also be checked to make sure it is securely fastened and that the tamper seal is not broken.
    8. Technicians will check the extinguisher’s body for any damage, dents or cracks.
    9. They will finally check for any modifications to the extinguisher that could possibly limit the fire extinguisher’s operation.

    Fire Extinguisher Inspections In Phoenix, Scottsdale & Glendale, AZ

    Make sure you check the dates on the tags hanging on the fire extinguishers around your premises. If the tags show that more than a year had passed since you had the last inspection of your fire extinguishers, then waste no more time and call Titan Alarm today!

    Give us a call at 602-680-4567.

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    Emergency Lighting and Exit Signs Maintenance

    Posted on by Mike Proudfit

    Emergency Lighting and Exit Signs

    One of the worst times to realize your emergency lighting isn’t working is during a power outage or emergency when it’s needed. With proper testing and inspection, you’ll be able to rely on the fact that your emergency signs and lighting are all functioning properly.

    The minimum time that is required to keep the lighting working in an emergency situation is 90 minutes, that way during the time that the signs and lighting are illuminated people can evacuate the building and premises safely and efficiently. This is why it’s so important to make sure that you have your emergency lighting and exit signs inspected and maintained.

    During your inspection, testing and maintenance of your emergency lighting and exit signs, a Titan Alarm technician will make sure to inspect all of the units in your building and premises, and make sure the lights are all working when they are needed in an emergency or power outage.

    Each of the units that are being tested, will be trigged to their emergency stages, to check that all of the lighting and signs are functioning for 90 minutes.

    Emergency Lighting

    Codes and Standards 

    Every business and their premises need to abide by certain codes and regulations set by the local, state and federal government.

    All of these requirements will affect different areas of a business, things like accessibility, environment and systems, and more for different businesses.

    The International Building Code or best known as IBC for short, sets most standards for buildings. Not every building and business though, is required to listen to every rule and code the IBC sets.

    The International Building Code and National Fire Protection

    Many of the standards that the IBC has in place have to do with fire safety and prevention for businesses. With such a large focus on fire safety and prevention, it shows just how important it is to maintain and have your systems checked and inspected regularly. The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) sets all of the standards for fire safety related practices.

    The National Electric Code, also known as the NFPA 70 is the code that requires you to make sure that the emergency lighting and exit lights are all under a specific type and code, to make sure they are all functioning properly.

    The NFPA rules, codes and regulations do require you to make sure you regularly keep a certain level and standard of different safety measures. The codes also require you to keep your emergency lighting and exit signage in fully operational and functional.

    NFPA 101 and What You Need To Do

    The Life Safety Code, or also known as the NFPA 101 is by far one of the most important codes your business and premises need to follow. Part of this code requires that you have a monthly inspection done of your business’s emergency lighting and exit signs. Requiring that each unit be tested for a minimum of at least 30 seconds.

    Titan Alarm wants to help you and your business be compliant with the NFPA codes and local, state and federal regulations for the safety of your business and it’s employees.

    To get in touch with a Titan Alarm technician give us a call today and we can set an appointment to have a technician out on your premises.

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