Maintenance for Common Fire Equipment

Modern homes and businesses are fitted with a range of fire protection systems and other equipment for use in the event of a fire. It’s easy to forget about the maintenance of your fire protection systems, after all they are not something you use daily. However, it is imperative that basic maintenance and servicing is carried out on your equipment so that it is ready for use in an emergency situation. The best way to ensure your equipment is ready at a moment’s notice is to engage a fire safety services company. Astute Fire offer scheduled fire system maintenance services, so you can spend more time with family or running your business and less time worrying about maintenance.

In this blog post, we will be highlighting the importance of maintenance for some of the most common fire equipment.

Fire Suppression/Sprinkler Systems

Fire suppression systems activate automatically when a drastic increase in temperature occurs. They are the first line of defence against fire, so it is critical that they are serviced annually and in working order. A functioning fire suppression system can save lives and make the difference between minor damage and catastrophic damage. Safety comes first, so if you want to rest easy knowing your fire suppression systems are in full working order don’t hesitate to book a service today.

Fire Alarms

Whilst most modern fire alarms will alert you of any malfunctions via the control panel, circuit loss and system irregularities are not easy to for the layperson to diagnose and repair. It is not uncommon for residential and business premises to be fitted with multiple alarms throughout the buildings. Rest assured that the team at Astute Fire will carry out a thorough inspection of your fire alarms, identify any hidden defects and repair them so that you will be alerted immediately in the event of a fire.

Emergency Lighting

Being able to quickly find the nearest emergency exit in the event a fire breaks out will allow for a safe and orderly evacuation. Your emergency lighting should be inspected at least every 6 months. This will involve replacing faulty lamps (if necessary) and a 90 minute test of the battery.  Cleaning of the fittings and surfaces should be carried out every 12 months.

Fire Extinguishers

Fire extinguishers tend to sit idle for years on end. Whilst they are built to last up to 20 years or more; any damage resulting from impacts, tampering or vandalism can weaken their structure and make them susceptible to rust. It is also possible that part of the contents may have been released prior to placing the unit back in place, leaving you with a reduced capacity in an emergency situation. In accordance with AS1851, portable and wheeled fire extinguishers must be tested every 6 months. Pressure testing and refills should be performed at least once every 5 years.

Book a Fire Safety Inspection Service Today

Keeping your fire safety equipment in working order will help to protect your home, business and building occupants in the event of a fire. Neglecting maintenance can render fire safety equipment useless in a critical situation – don’t risk it.

Call Astute Fire on (02) 7813 1777  or email service@astutefire.com.au and we’ll tailor a testing and maintenance plan to suit your needs and keep your systems running 365 days a year.