It is critical to have a working fire alarm system if you want to prevent fire hazards in your home. However, this component is usually ignored until such a time when there is a fire safety issue in the house. As a homeowner who's conscious of the realities of fire hazards and the risks associated with them, it is important to inspect your fire alarm system regularly. The questions that may come to mind are why and how often you should do it. Read on for more information on the importance of checking your fire alarm system and how often to do it.

Why inspect the fire alarm system?

A fire alarm system may include fire alarms and smoke sensors installed in the various rooms in the home. When there is smoke or a fire, the alarms are triggered to notify the occupants of danger. These systems allow you time to formulate a quick evacuation plan and ensure that everyone is safe. If you have fire suppression systems in the house, they will also be activated at this point. If the fire alarm system is faulty, it may not be triggered in the event of smoke or fire. This increases the risk of occupants being trapped in the house, especially if the fire isn't noticed until after spreading.

Inspecting the fire alarm system to ensure that it's working at all times will prevent these dangerous situations that may arise if there is a fire.

How often should you check the alarm system?

Fire alarm systems are either electrically powered, battery operated or a combination of the two. A battery operated system may fail to go off in an emergency if the batteries are drained. Check the batteries on a monthly basis to ensure that they are full. Replace the batteries every six months for optimal performance. Also, look out for corrosion which can compromise the performance of the batteries.

There are instances when the fire alarm may start beeping when there is no fire or smoke. This is usually known as a false alarm and may be an indication of a fault within the system. In this case, the system should be checked by a professional who will replace any faulty parts and troubleshoot the system. Failure to have the system checked can result in problems in the future.

Contact a professional for regular inspection and tune-up of the fire alarm system to protect your family from fire hazards.