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    Category: Fire Systems

    What You to Need Know About Fire System Tests and Inspections

    Posted on by Titan Alarm

    fire-system-testing-and-inspection

    If you’re a commercial building owner or manager, then you’re probably familiar with the National Fire Alarm and Signaling Code, otherwise known as NFPA 72. This code lists the most current safety provisions regarding the installation, performance and testing of fire alarm and detection systems in a business establishment.

    Why Should You Have Your Fire Alarm Systems Inspected on a Regular Basis?

    Some business owners and business managers may wonder why they need to make the effort and bear the expense of having their alarm systems inspected. Why test fire alarms? Why inspect fire extinguishers? Here are just a few of the many important reasons:

    • It’s the law: Noncompliance with NFPA 72 can result in fines or imprisonment — or both.
    • Protecting lives: The failure to maintain an effective, properly operating fire alarm and detection system places the lives of your employees and customers at risk.
    • Complying with local fire codes: Regardless of where your establishment is located, NFPA 72 compliance is necessary to meet the requirements of fire and building inspectors.
    • Limiting liability exposure: If an injury or fatality occurs due to a fire at your property, you could be held legally liable if it is determined you did not take appropriate steps to maintain NFPA 72 compliance.
    • Rejection of insurance coverage: Per above, even if you have liability insurance coverage, your carrier is likely to reject your claim if you fail to provide adequate proof of an annual fire system inspection.

    Fire System Inspection Checklist

    To help building managers ensure compliance with fire system testing and inspection standards, the National Fire Prevention Association has developed an extensive checklist of items that require attention. Depending on the system component, it may require testing on a monthly, quarterly, semi-annual or annual basis. A total of 23 components are included on the current fire alarm testing checklist:

    1. Control equipment for buildings connected to supervising station
    2. Control equipment for buildings not connected to supervising station
    3. Engine driven generator — central station facilities and fire alarm systems
    4. Engine-driven generator — public fire alarm reporting system
    5. Batteries — central station facilities
    6. Batteries — fire alarm systems
    7. Batteries — public fire alarm reporting systems
    8. Fiber-optic cable power
    9. Control unit trouble signals
    10. Conductors — metallic
    11. Conductors — nonmetallic
    12. Emergency voice/alarm communications equipment
    13. Retransmission equipment
    14. Remote annunciators
    15. Initiating devices
    16. Guard’s tour equipment
    17. Interface equipment
    18. Special hazard equipment
    19. Alarm notification appliances
    20. Off-premises transmission equipment
    21. Supervising station fire alarm systems — transmitters
    22. Special procedures
    23. Supervising station fire alarm systems — receivers

    Titan Alarm, Inc. Can Handle All Your Fire Alarm System Inspection and Testing Needs

    It is critical your fire alarm system inspection is conducted by a reputable, professional company. In addition to installing high-quality alarm systems, Titan Alarm, Inc. can provide reliable inspection and testing services for businesses throughout the Phoenix, AZ area. Contact us for more detailed information regarding the items on the NFPA 72 fire system inspection checklist and to schedule an inspection at your facility today.

    Learn More About Testing & Inspection

    Updated by Titan Alarm on November 5, 2018.

    Moving Checklist: Fire Safety & Home Security

    Posted on by Titan Alarm

    fire-safety-and-home-security

    There’s a lot to think about when moving into a new home, and one of the most important elements is your new home’s security. However, with all the attention on the details such as hiring a moving company and packing up your belongings, you might not have time to think about it.

    The following checklist provides tips for new homeowners that cover many of the home safety and security essentials:

    • Exterior doors: All your exterior doors should have high-quality deadbolt locks. It’s also a good idea to have the locks changed — you never know if there are extra keys to the existing locks still floating around. If your new home has sliding glass doors, make sure they are equipped with at least one of the following: insertion pin lock, track lock, hinged door bar, wooden or metal dowel in the door track.
    • Garage door: One of the most important tips for home security is to ensure your new home’s overhead garage door is equipped with an automatic opener, as this can prevent intruders from gaining access. Also be certain the main door as well as the door that leads from the garage into your home have top-quality deadbolt locks.
    • Windows: Unlocked windows are a favorite entry point for burglars. Another essential security tip for new homebuyers is to make sure all windows are equipped with keyed locks. Also be certain the keys are easily accessible in case of an emergency.
    • Lighting: Your home’s front entrance should have sufficient lighting to allow you to easily identify nighttime visitors. Floodlights or motion sensor-controlled exterior lighting are an extremely effective intruder deterrent. Equipping the interior of your home with smart lighting technology that allows you to automatically turn the lights on and off at predetermined intervals is another reliable home security measure.
    • Fire safety: Perhaps the most critical safety tip for home security is making sure your fire and smoke detection equipment is in good working order. You should have smoke detectors installed in the kitchen, hallways near bedrooms, at the top of all stairways and inside the garage. Additionally, place fire extinguishers in the kitchen, basement and garage. Another key safety feature is a monitored fire alarm system that will provide an immediate alert to first responders.
    • Home security system: One last important tip for new homebuyers: If your new home has an outdated security system — or no security system at all — strongly consider having one installed before you move in. A state-of-the-art security system should include features such as strategically placed high-tech video surveillance cameras, motion sensors, access control devices and energy management solutions. Integrating these features with the implementation of smart technology allows you to control and monitor your security system on a 24/7 basis via smartphone app.

    We’re Here to Assist You With Your Home Security

    If you’re planning to move to the Phoenix, AZ area, Titan Alarm can handle all your home security needs. We offer a wide selection of security cameras, motion detectors, fire alarms and other security essentials. Contact us for more valuable moving tips for new house buyers and to schedule a no-obligation security consultation.

    Learn More About Home Security

    Updated by Titan Alarm on November 5, 2018.

    20 Ways to Fireproof a New Home

    Posted on by Titan Alarm

    fireproof-your-home

    How to fireproof my house — that’s a common consideration for builders of new homes in the Phoenix area. The following tips can prove invaluable for learning how to fireproof your house and prevent a disaster from occurring:

    1. Instead of installing carpeting made of wool or synthetic materials, consider carpeting made from fire-resistant materials that can prevent a fire from spreading as quickly.
    1. When installing your appliances or other electronic devices, take care to avoid overloading the electrical wiring, as this can lead to short circuiting and subsequent fires.
    1. One of the best ways to fireproof a room used for storage such as a basement or attic is to avoid filling it with flammable “junk” such as newspapers, old clothes and boxes after you move in.
    1. Another question that homeowners sometime ask is “How do I fireproof my doors?” While many newer homes feature doors made from metal or other fire-resistant materials, you can also coat doors with fire-resistant paint.
    1. If you are buying brand-new furniture for your home, ask the store to coat it with fireproof chemicals. If you are bringing existing furniture, purchase and apply a fireproof spray.
    1. Don’t forget to fireproof your outdoor furniture as well, especially patio furniture in close proximity to barbecue grills or fire pits.
    1. Place fire extinguishers in as many rooms as possible, particularly “high-risk” rooms such as the kitchen, attic and basement.
    1. If you are installing a tile roof, choose interlocking materials free of cracks or openings that can allow burning embers to enter your home.
    1. Instead of building your home with wood, consider less combustible materials such as face brick, adobe, metal siding or concrete block.
    1. Avoid installing windows with single glazing. Double glazing with tempered glass offers a much more effective defense against fire.
    1. Ensure all bathroom, clothes dryer and kitchen vents include fire-rated assemblies and automatic backdraft dampers.
    1. Once you’ve moved into your new home, be sure to properly maintain your furnace. The simple act of replacing a clogged filter can significantly reduce your fire risk.
    1. A surprising number of fires are caused by accumulated lint in clothes dryers, so be sure to clean the lint trap after each load.
    1. Keep all indoor and outdoor candles within plain sight while burning. It is also a good idea to extinguish interior candles when leaving a room.
    1. Keep all recycling bins outside, especially during the hot summer months.
    1. Turn off any unused appliances prior to leaving your home, even for a short period of time.
    1. When setting up a barbecue grill, choose a flat spot located as far away as possible from trees and foliage.
    1. Never leave food cooking on the stove or in the oven unattended for any length of time.
    1. If you have children, be sure matches and cigarette lighters are kept out of reach.
    1. Last, but certainly not least, install an effective, reliable smoke detection and monitoring system.

    If your home is located in the Phoenix, AZ area, contact the experts at Titan Alarm to learn more about your fire system options.

    Learn More About Fire Alarm Systems

    Updated by Titan Alarm on November 5, 2018.

    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.

    corrosion2

    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.

     

    dirtywater

    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.

    Learn More About Fire Sprinkler Systems

    Updated by Titan Alarm on November 5, 2018.

    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.

     

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    Agents that Catalyst Corrosion

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

    • When there is Oxygen 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.

     

    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.

    Learn More About Fire Sprinkler Systems

    Updated by Titan Alarm on November 5, 2018.

    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 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 systems 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.

    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.

    Learn More About Service & Maintenance

    Updated by Titan Alarm on November 5, 2018.

    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. 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

    Updated by Titan Alarm on November 5, 2018.

    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.

    Learn More About Testing & Inspection

    Updated by Titan Alarm on November 5, 2018.

    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 actually 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.

    Learn More About Testing & Inspection

    Updated by Titan Alarm on November 5, 2018.

    Required Testing of Emergency Exit Lighting

    Posted on by Mike Proudfit

    Most of the emergency lighting that is installed in businesses are lighting devices that contain a battery and are simply powered. These devices are also connected to the electrical supply of the building to help keep the battery inside the lighting charged and ready to go if there is a power failure. In the emergency event of there being a power outage, the emergency lighting is then activated so that the occupants of the building are able to see their way around to be able to exit. Most emergency lighting is only able to stay lit for around 90 minutes, which is the minimum required time by law.

    Emergency Lighting and Exit Signs

    Exit signs that are lit from the inside operate in the same way as most emergency lights. Many of them have multiple sets of light bulbs because they constantly stay on. One set of the lights that is on most of the time operates at 110 volt electricity which is what the building has hardwired into it. The second set of lighting only comes on when there is a power failure. Which unfortunately means that signs that look like they are working properly, may actually have the secondary bulbs burnt out and you may not even know.

    In large buildings like hospitals and schools, emergency power for the exit signs and emergency lighting is normally powered by an emergency electricity generator. When testing these emergency lighting, the emergency generator is normally tested as well. Which is normally done by either maintenance of the building, or by trained professionals who know the ins and outs of emergency lighting and electricity.

    exitsign

    What type of testing does code require?

    Fire codes require that all emergency lighting and exit signs need to be inspected, tested and maintained at least once a month. The testing of the signs must include at least a thirty second test of the emergency lighting.

    An annual testing and inspection is also required by law, the emergency lighting must also be operated on emergency power for a minimum of ninety minutes. Records that document the testing being done, must be maintained and reviewed by the Fire Marshal or your insurance company.

    How do I test them?

    Most emergency lighting and exit signs have a “test” button on the outside casing. You can push and use this button for thirty seconds to go and test the emergency bulbs and the back up battery power. This method works well if you have a smaller building with only a handful of signs and lighting, but if you have a large facility you need to contact Titan Alarm to have our professional technicians to come out and test all of the lighting and signage across your campus and facilities.

    When testing the exit signs of your buildings you need to check and see if all of your signs are properly lit when in a normal power mode.

    When running your annual inspection of your exit signs and emergency lighting make sure you call Titan Alarm and set up an appointment to have one of our trained and experienced professionals to come out to your facilities to run the testing for you.

    Key Tips For Testing Emergency Lighting

    When it comes to testing and inspecting your emergency exit signs in your commercial facilities, there are only two main components to check to make sure that your emergency signs and lighting are fully operational. Light Bulbs and Batteries. These are the priority to be inspected and tested during routine maintenance on your facilities. National fire code requires that all of your facility’s emergency lighting and signage be inspected at a minimum of once a month.

    There are different models of signage and lighting, some of them will have two different sets of light bulbs that need to be checked during your monthly tests as well. One of the sets runs on the buildings 110v power and the other runs on low voltage in case of a power failure. These lower voltage light bulbs run off of the built in reserved battery. Unfortunately, a sign that looks like it’s working, may actually fail if there’s a power outage because the low voltage light bulbs have burned out.

    Just like the lighting, many of the batteries maintain just enough of a charge to keep the bulbs lit for only a few seconds after being triggered in an emergency. If you don’t go through and test the reserve batteries for a minimum of thirty seconds, you might find out that the lights work every month only to realize that they go out when you need them the most. By testing the lighting for at least another thirty seconds, you can make sure that your batteries don’t only have a misleading surface charge left on them.

    Annual testing of emergency signs is a standard code requirement also. This also involves running the lighting under emergency power for a full minimum of required testing of thirty minutes. Documents showing that all of the testing has been maintained need to be available for review in case a fire inspector requests to see them.

    To test your emergency lighting, use the “push to test” button on the outside of the light’s housing. Press and hold this button for thirty seconds to test the light bulbs and the batteries to make sure they are functioning properly. If the lights dim instantly or the bulbs are not working, it’s time for some replacements and repair.

    For larger facilities that have a lot of devices, or for the annual test, find your circuit breaker or fuse box that supplies your emergency lights power. Turn off the circuit breaker of the facility and make sure all of the lights are functioning through the testing period. If there is other equipment that uses the same circuit, make sure that nothing will get damaged by the interruption.

    If you need help doing your monthly inspections, contact Titan Alarm today! Give us a call today 602-680-4567.

    Learn More About Testing & Inspection

    Updated by Titan Alarm on November 5, 2018.

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