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Remote security | disaster prevention
Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the majority of businesses are now operating from home. While technology has enabled us to work and problem solve and create together remotely, we still have a physical location to worry about. Will it be safe and secure? Will it be the target of thieves or vandalism?
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Each year, there are about 4,000 school fires. These fires result in an estimated 75 injuries and more than $66 million in property damage. When parents send their children to school, they expect them to be safe. Continue reading to learn about school fire alarm systems and the part they play in keeping students safe. What School Fire Alarm Systems Do School fire alarm systems exist for the same reason as the ones in your home. They detect fire. The systems in schools are much more technical, however. A school fire alarm system can be set off in one of two primary ways. A system will automatically turn on if smoke or high heat is detected. It can also be manually started through a pull lever. Understanding the Pull Lever System The pull lever system is vital in school fire alarm systems. It allows anyone to alert the school there's a fire, even if it hasn't been detected by sensors. These levers are located throughout the school in strategic areas easy for students or staff to access. The levers are spaced out so one can always be quickly found, no matter where a person is located. The Control Panel The control panel is typically located in the front office, but not always. This panel is the only way a fire alarm can be turned off. It also tells the staff where the fire is happening. Control panels note the location of the fire in one of two ways. It might alert nearby staff where the fire alarm lever was pulled, which gives a general idea of where the fire is. It might also state which part of the alarm system was automatically activated. Regular Inspections Are Vital School fire alarm systems are an integral part of keeping both staff and students safe. If the alarm system quits working and a fire happens, the lives of many people are at risk. The importance goes beyond working home alarm systems. In a home, family members can usually be quickly alerted of danger and gotten to safety. In a school, it can be hard to locate everyone inside within the small safety window a fire presents. For this reason, it's integral that schools get their fire alarm systems regularly inspected. This needs to be done by a professional who understands the intricacies of these systems. Integration Benefits Today's fire alarm systems can be integrated into school security systems. It's highly recommended that schools take advantage of this. The primary benefit of integration is that the fire company will be automatically called when an alarm system is activated. When staff doesn't need to worry about making the call manually they can focus on getting everyone out of the building. This isn't the only benefit. Integrating your fire alarm with your security system also saves money and is more convenient. For More Information Still have questions about school fire alarm systems? Contact us today. One of our associates would be happy to assist you.
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Sonitrol's proprietary technology will reduce false alarms, receive priority police response (average 3-5 minutes), and ensure employee safety 24/7.
In 2017, there were an estimated 110,000 nonresidential building fires. Fires can cause damage to your building, and more importantly, harm anyone inside. Having a fire alarm system will help reduce damage and prevent anyone from getting hurt. Below we'll review how a commercial fire alarm system works. Components Of A Fire Alarm There are many components to a fire alarm system. To take care of any issues that may arise, it's best to understand all the components. Control Panel The control panel monitors and commands the initiating devices. It’ll send out a signal to the other devices if there is an issue. The control panel has a display which will allow you to: Disable alarms Manually signal alerts Reset or reprogram the system Power Supplies The fire alarm system should have a primary and secondary (back up) power supply. There is normally some form of wire hookup as the main power supply, and batteries are installed as back up. Initiating Devices These devices tell the system when there is a fire or smoke nearby. You can get automatic and/or manual devices. Automatic Devices can include: Heat Detectors CO2 Detectors Flame Detectors Photoelectric, Ionization, and In-Duct Smoke Detectors Water Flow Detectors Manual Devices can include: Pull Stations Alarm Buttons Break Glass Stations Notification Applications These devices alert you if there is a fire nearby through a combination of light and sound. These can include: Sirens Speakers (voice evacuation systems) Flashing Lights (strobes) Horn-Strobes Building Safety Interfaces Interfaces make it easier for people to leave the building safely. These can include: Exit lighting - shows you the way out. Ventilation systems - redirect any toxic smoke in the area. Magnetic Smoke Door Holders – close doors to prevent smoke from spreading. Duct Smoke Detectors – shut off fans or close dampers to keep smoke from spreading. Communication Device You need some way for the alarm to communicate with a professional monitoring system. Once the system has been notified, the fire can be taken care of. The device can be a phone line, network connection, and/or cellular communicator. Other Potential Components Sprinklers Two-way communicators Fire Doors Elevator Recall Remote Control and Display Panels Checks the system status Start or silence the alarms Activate/deactivate different safety components in the building Types Of Commercial Fire Alarm Systems There are two types of commercial fire alarm systems, conventional and addressable. Conventional Conventional systems will identify which zone of a building is in trouble. It won’t inform you which part of the system was triggered. So, you may know which floor the fire is on, but not the exact location. These systems tend to be cheaper and are mainly used in smaller buildings. Addressable An addressable system connects all devices through one wire. This wire is attached to the control panel. These systems will identify which device was triggered. You'll know the exact location of the fire. They're vital for larger buildings. How A Fire Alarm System Operates Once a device is triggered the control panel will send out a signal. This signal is sent to your professional monitoring center. The operators in the monitoring station will check to see if it’s a false alarm. If it’s a genuine alarm they’ll contact the fire department. Do You Need A Fire Alarm System? Commercial fire alarm systems are vital for your building's and its occupants' safety. Now that you understand them you'll be able to make more educated decisions when a fire breaks out. Reach out to us today if you have any questions or concerns.
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In 2016, shoplifting and employee theft cost the retail industry about $49 billion. That's a lot of money companies are losing out on. It's no wonder people want more security options to protect their businesses.
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Your company’s security doesn’t stop with the installation of a security system. Having policies and procedures in place can stop security breaches before they even begin. But how do you ensure security policies get followed? With a system of easy steps, enforcing your company’s security policy will become second nature to everyone. Let’s look at how to enforce security to keep your company, employees, and customers safe.
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Do you feel comfortable turning the lights off and leaving your small business at night? Are you confident that your business is safe and protected? The unfortunate truth is that nearly 9 percent of small businesses are robbed each year. This equates to millions of businesses suffering from a burglary or theft. One way to protect your small business is by investing in a self monitoring security system. Read on to learn about the pros and cons of this system. Explore this blog to help you reach a decision on how to make your business safe.
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