Fire Safety: The Goals of Visual Inspections

Mr. Ray,

Have you any estimate of the effectiveness of inspecting, testing and maintenance programs for fire-alarm and detection systems?

Have you any estimate of the actual compliance rate of these programs, especially considering the economic climate during this recession?  Are these programs being executed 100% of the time, on time, as directed by code?

Have you any estimate of the overall reliability and effectiveness of properly maintained fire-alarm and detection systems?

Do you believe that manufacturers and suppliers of such systems have done their best to provide system components and technology that maximize reliability and effectiveness?

For example, Dr. John Hall, NFPA, recently estimated the reliability and effectiveness of fire sprinklers at something less than 100%.  He derived this figure by estimating the the effectiveness of sprinklers, when they operate as designed, is nearly 100%; the reliability of fire sprinklers, for a variety of reasons, is something closer to 90%.  When multiplied, the product was approximately 92-94%.  The overall reliability & effectiveness of fire sprinklers might be a subject of discussion, but the method for determination of this number is straight forward.

I suspect that fire alarm and detection systems are also less than 100% reliable and effective; and the problem of false alarms or other improper operation might be a large factor.

I am operations manager for EverGlow NA, Inc., a manufacturer of (non-electrical) photoluminescent emergency lighting - code approved exit signs, exit path markings, stair nosings & handrail markers, etc.  Photoluminescent (PL) emergency lighting offers the building owner many advantages over electrical exit signs due to reduced maintenance costs and virtually fail-safe operation.  The combination of electrical and non-electrical emergency lighting offers the building occupant maximum safety during an emergency evacuation.  Manufacturers of electrical emergency lighting have only recently begun to acknowledge that inspection, testing and maintenance of their electrical lighting systems is not being done; their response has been to introduce to the market automatic systems for same.  But, these automated inspection and testing systems cannot change lamps, LEDs or batteries when necessary.

We develop a software solution called PlantLog that is specifically designed for visual inspections in large facilities.

I enjoyed reading this article as it could help serve as a template for our customers who wish to also include Fire & Safety checks into their record keeping and reporting process.

Thanks!

Jim