Indeed, one of the most vexing problems for property owners with alarm systems is dealing with an unattended false alarm. There are considerable expenditures and losses due to misplaced intervention as well as evacuation from the premises in case of an emergency. In the worst-case scenario, repeated evacuation procedures desensitize people within the building leading to the startling fidelity ignoring warnings. 

Set off due to smoke from cooking, dust, or other renewable factors, false alarms can and will put your fire alarm system’s credibility in peril. It makes sense to equip people with information that will help them solve the problem of escorting alarming noises from fire alarm systems. 

Knowing such methods will enable you to make your security system more effective while decreasing unwanted alerts. In this article, we will uncover practical approaches to eliminate all the false alarms while guaranteeing dependable function during emergencies.

What Is A Fire Alarm System?

Fire Alarm systems are an irrefutable part of a building’s defense system against hazards like fire. The core purpose of a fire alarm system is to detect and notify the users about the flashing fire indicators like smoke and fire, along with triggering the alarm. A fire alarm system is a compendium of various other components.

In modern setups, FAS can easily be integrated with other security systems installed in the building. Integrating Advanced FAS, modern control systems, automatic door opening equipment, emergency lights, and even building security systems add layers of security in case of any emergencies.

Fire alarm system preventive maintenance routines improve system dependability and reduce misfires.Regular testing and maintenance are crucial in any system.

What Is The Main Cause Of False Alarms?

Despite being an essential safety feature, the fire alarm system can be a source of false alarm triggers which can be annoying for the occupants and the owners. False alarms can be highly damaging as they can lead to a reduction in trust, potential complacency, and most importantly, serious emergencies. Hence, it is crucial to get to the root cause of the problem. Down below are 7 key reasons as to why a false alarm can potentially happen. 

1. Dust and Dirt Build-up

Every now and then people may notice an alarm going off without any real danger present. One of many reasons these situations may occur is due to dust and dirt accumulating within the smoke detector. Furthermore, smoke detectors do tend to be on the more sensitive side and that means that they tend to accumulate a lot of dust. This can especially be the case in construction areas, poorly ventilated areas, warehouses, or even photoelectric optical models. All of these factors can lead to a greater risk of danger completely masking more sensitive detectors.

2. Steam and Humidity

High humidity or steam produced over a shower, in a kitchen, or even in a laundry room can turn on the smoke alarms. Often, an alarm system will steam for smoke and trigger alarms. This is often the case in bathrooms and kitchens, which may have a sudden fluctuation in environment. The spy particles disturb the sensors which are made to capture fine particles that might signal smoke.  

3. Improper Placement of Detectors  

Incorrect installation of fire alarm detectors is one more reason for false alarms. For instance, the location of the smoke detector might be afixed too close to an air vent, duct or fan which might blow dust, smoke or even steam directly toward the detector, activating the alarm. Also, detectors too near kitchen appliances and heating elements are bound to give more false alarms due to trivial amounts of smoke or heat. It is vital that detectors are placed at the correct positions to avoid triggers that have nothing to do with fire.

4. Smoke from Cooking 

Both residential buildings and business premises have experienced smoke-related false alarms and cooking is one of the most common causes. Smoke is often produced when frying, roasting, grilling, or even toasting, and that is generally sufficient to trigger a smoke detector. Most of the time, the smoke that is generated is harmless and is associated with some cooking activities. However, in some instances, it can be misinterpreted as the first signs of fire, leading to an unwarranted, premature alarm. This is extremely problematic in kitchens or dining areas with smoke detectors that are mounted in close proximity.

5. A Low or Poorly Functioning Battery 

In fire alarm systems, a low battery… a State College family of four called 911 after they thought their home was on fire, only to be greeted by the smell of smoke billowing from the kitchen. The alarm bells in the children’s bedroom were coincidentally set to go off as the fire alarm sounded, leading the automated system to ring up the alarm. Now owning a zuttion micro sterling bronze fire alarm/carbon monoxide detector, the parents never lose sleep thinking their children are in danger – until the alarm sounds. 

6. Age of the system

With the passage of time, parts of fire alarm systems can become faulty, leading to deactivation, or worse, a false alarm. Take smoke detectors for instance; they might become too responsive due to overuse. Systems age and break down over time and become more prone to incongruity in terms of accuracy and precision. Environmental shifts such as fire or smoke may be wrongly detected as changes in the environment due to inaccurate systems. Fire alarm systems, worst maintained, or old systems are highly prone to errors and complications such as false alarms.  

7. Other Device Interruption  

Other equipment like air conditioning, large scale machinery, and heating appliances have the ability to trigger fire alarms. Those engines can bring about changes in airflow that create a false environment which distracts the alarm causing false alarms. The shuddering whoosh from the air conditioning can in fact force dust or other fragments towards the smoke ceiling causing it to detect smoke although it is not present. Also, other appliances that provide warmth can cause alterations in air temperature which trigger the devices sensitive to heat mechanisms.

How to Avoid Unnecessary Triggers of Alarms in Fire Alarm Systems

We’ve put together a list of 7 tips that can help mitigate false alarm triggers in your fire alarm system.

1. Maintenance And Cleaning of Detectors

Dust, dirt, or even oil can collect on the detectors in your fire alarm system which can lead to false alarms. This is especially true for optical and photoelectric smoke detectors that contain light sensors to detect smoke particles in the air which need to be maintained. If dust or dirt enters the sensor, it can scatter the light and cause the alarm to go off. Cleaning is important to prevent this from happening. To prevent this scenario from happening, vacuuming or blowing away the dust would give more clean detectors which are less likely to be triggered by smoke caused by environmental factors. An effective way to improve the reliability of the system is by regularly cleaning it.

2. Smoke Detectors’ Optimal Positioning

Unacceptable positioning results in most smoke detectors false alarms. Oftentimes, smoke detectors being installed too near air vents, kitchens, and bathrooms results in constant and repeatable false alarms. Dust and other particles can be brought into air vents resulting in the triggering of alarms. In order to avoid this, smoke detectors must be placed 10 feet away from cooking appliances, humid areas, and fireplaces. It’s recommendable to use heat detectors instead of smoke detectors in kitchens. Proper placement results in fewer detectors being set off because of mundane day-to-day activities.  

3. Smoke Detector Types  

Every type of smoke detector works on a different basis hence not all smoke detectors are alike. The two main types are: photoelectric detectors and ionization detectors.  

While photoelectric detectors would reduce false alarms, ionization detectors are susceptible to set off from steam and cooking but they are the most efficient in detecting rapidly spreading fires.

Photoelectric detectors are typically more sensitive to smoldering fires and are less prone to being triggered by cooking smoke or steam.  

If you are putting smoke detectors in areas that are likely to produce a lot of smoke and steam, photoelectric detectors are generally the best option. In comparison, ionization detectors work best in hallways or other low activity areas. With the right detector placed in the right space, you can minimize the frequency of false alarms.  

4. Avoid Drafts and Air Vents While Installing Smoke Detectors  

Drafts and ventilation can set off false alarms without reason, as airflow may disturb the sensor or bring things closer to it. For example, smoke detectors placed near windows, doors, or air vents may provide false readings because of the moving air. Air currents can bring dust or even minute particles to the detector, activating an alarm. To avoid this, smoke detectors need to be placed far from open windows, vents, or doors. Also, make sure that detectors are not placed right in the path of air conditioning units or fans. Following this guideline will greatly reduce the chances of setting off an unnecessary alarm.

5. Don’t Forget to Test the System Often

One of the most crucial maintenance activities on your fire alarm systems is ensuring that they are operational at all times, so hearing them go off at the designated windows is within the expectation set. A large number of units come with operational features whereby each of its components can be individually tested. Milestone testing at one-month intervals assists with the detection of non-efficient components, which can work without activating alarm signals. It is also expected that all units which are meant to be triggered will respond correctly and meet the calls and set benchmarks. If there are any alarms that are supposed to go off, but no signal is sent, it means that the processes are inefficient and need some professional attention. For them to run efficiently without any interruptions happening, regular rounds for examination must be done.

6. Power Supply and Batteries

Your fire alarm system can go off accidentally with a weak battery or malfunctioning power supply. In fact, many systems warn users when the battery is low or running out, which can easily be confused for a fire alarm. Always remember to check the batteries in smoke detectors regularly and make it a point to replace them at least once every year. For hard-wired systems, check that the power supply is working and there are no issues with the wiring. A well-maintained power source improves the chances of the system functioning as intended, and also minimizes the chances of a false alarm from low power or loose wiring.

7. Install a System with “Hush” or “Silence” Feature

If cooking results in non-stop cooking alarms, perhaps you need a different system – one with a “hush” or “silence” feature. This feature gives you the option to mute smoke detectors when they are not at the fire stage. It is quite beneficial to places like kitchens where cooking smoke or steam can cause a lot of unneeded commotions. The alarm system silences itself when the smoke level reaches a specific mark, allowing the user to ventilate the area or get rid of the smoke’s source. This lessens the need for many hasty evacuations and helps in dealing with alarm fatigue.

Conclusion

Taking steps to eliminate unwanted fire alarm system fires is critical to preserving the credibility and dependability of the system. Cleaning detectors, applying the appropriate type of system for the specific property, and correct installation all help in minimizing disturbances caused by excessive false alarms. For assistance with setup and servicing of the fire alarm systems, contact Currant Live. Their expert team can assist with all your security needs, from Fire Solutions to Commercial CCTV and Intruder Alarms. For more information, visit Currant Live.