Fire safety managers and property owners may feel safe and protected knowing that their buildings are equipped with fire alarms and sprinkler systems, but that is only the first piece of the puzzle. It is also vital that these systems are monitored by a central station that can provide 24/7 monitoring which not only grants peace of mind but could also save more lives and prevent extensive property damage.

Immediate response

Fire alarm monitoring systems enable immediate response by the local fire department and other relevant authorities through the central station that notifies them should a fire be detected. Monitoring equipment is connected to these systems, which transmit information through cellular or telephone lines or radio signals, negating the delay in having to manually call the authorities. In a crisis, this saves precious time when a quick response is necessary and exiting the building should take priority for all occupants. Constant monitoring is more important during off-hours, as covered in the next section.

Human element

A fire alarm monitoring system adds a crucial human element since agents at the central station will continually monitor for alarms, trouble conditions, and any other abnormal signals. Monitoring a building’s alarm systems ensures immediate response to a fire outbreak even if no one is present to report it. Upon receiving a water flow report or system alarm, central stations can quickly notify the local fire department and the property owner’s representative, which can make all the difference when the building is unoccupied. Moreover, they will contact building management personnel to learn about other system conditions or faults and the nature of the emergency to best determine if the situation needs dispatch.

Damage mitigation

Human lives, manufacturing equipment, business records, and costly inventories are only a few of the many critical items at risk that are impossible or highly expensive to replace. Fires that are not addressed quickly enough can lead to devastating consequences. The destructive nature of outbreaks grows exponentially with each second it is left to spread unchecked through the building. Alarm monitoring systems can have a significant impact in preventing this and in damage mitigation to keep fires from causing too much destruction. By ensuring that alarm systems are being monitored around-the-clock, fire safety managers and property owners can rest assured that there will be a fast response to an emergency and increase the odds of the best possible outcome.

Conclusion

Fire alarms and sprinkler systems are two crucial components of fire suppression systems that need uninterrupted monitoring, given that they pick up on the early signs of a fire. By pairing them with 24-hour monitoring, property owners can have full confidence that they are well protected against the risk of fire at all times.

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