Wednesday, February 04. 2009 Fire Alarm Systems Service Providers (General)

If you own or manage a commercial property you have probably experienced the anxiety of a visit from your local fire marshal.  Our pop culture has taught us to vilify and ridicule the fire marshal as "uncool", ala Jim Carrey's character Fire Marshal Bill (follow this link for a fun reminder: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3ao2bIg5kTY).  We all know the fire marshal's primary concern is preventing loss of life and property as a result of a fire - this is serious business.  One of the items the fire marshal will inspect is the building's fire alarm system.  He will make sure the fire alarm has the appropriate service documentation and inspection reports and check the control panel to verify it is is normal operating condition.  If he finds a problem with the fire alarm system he can issue daily fines or even close the building to the public until repairs have been completed.  Needless to say, this can be a very expensive problem.

Because fire alarm systems are so critical to life safety, it makes sense to choose the correct service provider to maintain and certify your system.  As with all service industries, fire alarm companies can be good or bad.  How can you tell the difference?  One sure way is to look at what they emphasize as important.  Do they sell on price alone?  Do they demonstrate a commitment to employee training?  Have they implemented technology into their inspections and reports?  Are their employees uniformed and their vehicles clearly signed?  These are strong indicators of the quality and competency of a service provider - and they will affect the price.  Companies that invest in quality will cost more than than others for maintenance and inspection, but they will keep the total cost of ownership far less.  Read this article to learn more about the world of fire alarm service providers: http://www.lvrj.com/news/37788019.html