NTT Blog

Fire Alarm Code Requirements: Are Your Workers in Compliance?

You might think that your business is compliant with fire alarm code requirements. But you might be surprised at how many requirements are easy to overlook. Making sure your workplace is safe and that you meet fire alarm code requirements is crucial.

Improvements in fire codes are one of the primary reasons fires have declined significantly over the last four decades. Despite these improvements, according to FEMA there were still more than a million fires reported in the United States in 2017, and damages caused by fire reached $23 billion.

By keeping your business up to code, you can help keep your workplace from being one of these statistics. Here are five fire alarm code requirements that you should make sure you compliant with.

Smoke detectors placed incorrectly

You might think that just because your workplace has smoke alarms installed that you’re all set in that regard. However, not all smoke alarms are designed the same way. Some are meant to be installed on the ceiling; others are meant to be mounted on the wall.

A wall-mounted smoke detector needs to be placed high enough to ensure that it can detect smoke. A detector placed on the ceiling might need some distance from the wall to work properly. Be sure to check the manuals for your smoke detectors to make sure they’re properly installed. If you can’t locate the manual, contact the smoke alarm’s manufacturer.

Not enough detectors

Do you know exactly how many detectors your workplace needs? OSHA guidelines state that every room, storage area, and hallway should have its own smoke detector. Large spaces might require two detectors, depending on the range of the detectors you are using.

Even if you think your workplace has plenty of fire detectors, it’s a good idea to go through each room and make sure, as well as to check the range of your smoke detectors in case larger rooms and hallways require more than one.

Unmaintained fire alarms

Your fire alarms need to be thoroughly tested and regularly. Maintenance should include making sure your detectors are powered on (whether they’re plugged in or battery powered), testing your alarm system’s sound, and ensuring that alarm activators work. You should make sure that fire alarm systems are tested every month and undergo routine maintenance every year.

Poorly marked fire exits

Fire exits are as essential as fire alarms. In the event of a fire, it’s crucial that people know where to go, and you can’t rely on everyone remembering the fire exit route. Fire exits need to be both clearly marked and illuminated, and fire exit routes need to remain unobstructed at all times.

Unsafe fire extinguisher practices

While fire extinguishers can last for years, the exact amount of time any given extinguisher can last varies from model to model. It’s important to inspect your fire extinguishers regularly to make sure they’re in working order. It’s also important to place them where they are easily accessible to anyone, and their locations need to be clearly marked.

Keeping your workplace compliant with fire alarm codes can be challenging, but it’s an essential part of keeping your workplace safe. Learning everything you need to know about fire alarm codes is a daunting task, one that can be made much easier by learning them in a formal setting.

Taking a class or seminar in fire and electrical safety can go a long way toward making your workplace compliant with fire alarm codes, and giving you the peace of mind that you are fully prepared to handle even a worst case scenario.

If you are interested in learning more or taking a seminar about fire alarm and signaling codes, NTT Training Inc. might be exactly what you are looking for. NTT Training Inc.’s seminar on National Fire Alarm & Signaling Code offers 3 days of hand-on, in-depth education in fire alarm codes and regulations, after which you can make sure your workplace is code-compliant with confidence. If you’re interested in learning more about NTT Training Inc., don’t hesitate to contact us today!