Best Ways to Manage Common Fire Alarm System Issues

Business owners in Tulsa and OKC know how vital commercial fire alarm systems are to saving lives and property, but because fire alarm systems have numerous components and features, they can be a little complicated to stay on top of. This can lead to problems that affect how the fire alarm system will perform in an emergency. So needless to say, identifying and finding solutions to these problems should be a high priority.

What are some of the more common problems that business owners might face with fire alarm systems? And how can these be managed?

Robin Hattersley Gray with the Campus Safety Magazine pointed out a few of the most common issues surrounding fire alarm systems that no longer function properly. Here’s what she found:

Incorrect placement of detectors or improper selection of detectors.


An inadequate number of detectors installed, often missing in air handlers.

Incorrect programming of fire alarm panels – Even if panels were programmed correctly when they were installed, if the building layout changes, the panel needs to be reprogrammed to properly recognize to those changes.

Deficiency in system maintenance – dirty fire sprinklers heads, dirty detectors, dead batteries, and etc. Especially in harsher environments is proper cleaning and maintenance of all fire alarm system components a must.

Problems with the audibility and intelligibility of the voice evacuation system. - Improper placement of visual and audible notification devices could alter the effectiveness of the evacuation system, because people don't react to what they don't understand. The notification part of a fire alarm system could fail to work altogether because of an electrical problem or dead battery.

Shortage of electromagnetic doors holders. – This leads tenants to prop doors open.
Other common fire alarm problems include:

Incorrect zoning or absence of zoning altogether.

Glitches in the fire suppression system. – Low water pressure or leaks in the fire suppression system can cause big issues. Accidental discharges in the system can occur if proper testing procedures are not regularly folllowed.

The age of the fire alarm system. – It’s normal for the life span of a fire alarm panel to average about 15 years. After this, there is a large risk that the system won’t respond properly in a fire.

Are you wondering, how you can avoid some of these common fire alarm problems?

You can do much to help prevent these potentially costly and dangerous fire alarm system issues with regular inspection, testing, and maintenance. Proper testing and inspections can reveal these problems before they become serious issues.

Many of these problems can be quickly fixed by replacing and upgrading faulty components or wiring. Conducting regular maintenance and cleaning of system components is also vital.

It’s often best to choose a fire alarm system that can be expanded and of which all components are compliant with local fire codes. Choosing a scalable fire alarm system that will expand beyond just your immediate needs will help save you money in the long run and help keep your business safe and compliant with all fire codes.

Mac Systems in Tulsa and OKC can install and design the best fire alarm system for all your needs as well as conduct certified inspection, testing, and maintenance of all fire alarm and fire sprinkler systems.