4 Ways To Reduce False Fire Alarms on Your Fire Alarm System

Did you know that approximately 23% of all Fire Department responses in Ontario are due to false fire alarms? According to the Ontario Fire Marshal’s Office, false alarms are not only a major inconvenience but also present significant safety risks for firefighters. They can even result in hefty fines for businesses. That’s why maintaining a properly functioning fire alarm system and minimizing false alarms is crucial. Here are four effective steps to help reduce the likelihood of a false fire alarm occurring at your facility.

1. Regular Maintenance of Your Fire Alarm System

The most effective way to prevent false fire alarms is through regular fire alarm inspection and maintenance. Fire alarm systems need ongoing attention to ensure they function correctly, especially in commercial buildings. Regularly scheduled maintenance helps detect potential issues before they lead to false alarms.

We recommend partnering with a certified fire alarm installation and service provider to handle your routine fire alarm inspections and upgrades. Some essential maintenance tasks include:

• Testing and calibrating alarm sensors like heat and smoke detectors.
• Stimulating inputs and testing annunciators.
• Adjusting alarm sensitivity.
• Coordinating fire alarm testing with your monitoring company and the Fire Department.
• Checking the fire alarm system’s battery health.
• Regular fire alarm inspections can save you both time and money by preventing unnecessary fire department dispatches due to false alarms.

2. Be Proactive During Construction and Renovations

Construction work, particularly projects that create dust or smoke, can easily set off your building’s smoke detectors, leading to false alarms. To avoid this, it’s important to inform your fire alarm monitoring company of any upcoming construction or renovation work. By putting your alarm system on test, your monitoring company can help prevent an unnecessary fire department response.

Being proactive in communicating with your monitoring company during these times is essential to avoid costly fines and reduce the risk of false alarms.

3. Ensure Proper Fire Alarm System Installation

A properly installed fire alarm system is a critical component of building safety. It ensures that fire events are detected quickly and that occupants are notified in time to evacuate safely. That’s why it’s essential that your fire alarm system is installed by a qualified professional who meets the requirements outlined in the Fire Code.

Your installer should be certified by the Canadian Fire Alarm Association (CFAA) and trained in fire alarm system installation best practices. Ensuring the proper installation of your system is one of the most effective ways to prevent false alarms and ensure it performs accurately in an emergency.

4. Monitor Cooking Areas Closely

Did you know that office kitchens are one of the most common sources of false fire alarms? Smoke caused by burnt food often triggers these alarms, causing unnecessary disruptions and, in some cases, fire department dispatches.

To avoid this, encourage employees to take the same precautions they would at home when cooking in office kitchens. Enforcing cooking and eating area policies can also help reduce the likelihood of smoke setting off your fire alarm system. Additionally, consider installing smoke detectors specifically designed to differentiate between smoke from burnt food and actual fire hazards.

Fire Monitoring Canada: Your Trusted Partner

False fire alarms can be disruptive and costly, but with the right systems in place, they are preventable. At Fire Monitoring Canada, we specialize in fire alarm system installation, inspection, and monitoring services to keep your property safe and compliant with local regulations.

Call us at 1 800 263 2534, email fminfo@fire-monitoring.com, or fill out the contact form below.