I often think how lucky we are to work in a profession in which we save lives. It can also make us a good living if we pay attention. Do you pay attention?


The technology and process of designing and installing fire alarm and detection systems changes frequently. Often, the manufacturer’s engineers discover new ways to approach a product design that will more reliably operate a fire alarm system control unit, detection device or notification appliance or new methods to decrease the installation time for a new system.


My point? As a fire/life safety professional, you must know about the changes and opportunities to discuss them with customers. Research in the field of detection continues and often uncovers new ways to approach life safety issues. The design and installation of fire alarm systems all have one goal: to provide reliable protection for the occupants where the systems exist.


The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) received reports of 1.24 million fires (a 9.8 percent year-to-year decrease) in the United States during 2013. However, the NFPA received reports of 487,500 U.S. structure fires during 2013, an increase of 1.5 percent from 2012. These fires resulted in 2,855 deaths, 14,075 injuries and $9.5 billion in property damage. Fire departments reported that structure fires accounted for 4 percent of their 31.6 million total calls, while false alarms accounted for 7 percent and emergency medical services calls accounted for 68 percent.


We still have our work cut out to reduce loss of life and false alarms. 


It has been my mantra in these columns that fire alarm system installations and their inspection, testing and maintenance represent the key areas we need to improve if we ever hope to reduce false alarms, increase operational reliability and have a positive impact on lowering the death rate due to fires. People continue to ignore legitimate alarms because they think they are false or a test.


To address concerns over frequent fire alarm system testing that might reduce the occupant’s response to actual fire emergencies, the NFPA Research Foundation recently published “Guide to Applying Reliability Based Decision Making to ITM (Inspection, Testing, and Maintenance) Frequency for Fire Protection Systems and Equipment.” This guide was developed following a workshop that looked at the ITM issues of all systems.


As stated in the guide’s introduction: “Many NFPA fire protection system standards contain requirements for periodic inspection, testing and maintenance (ITM). These are often historical requirements that are not based on ITM data or on observed deficiencies.”


Workshop participants found that no relationship exists between the frequency of required inspection/testing and the consequences of failure of the inspected system element. They felt that many failures do not result from equipment but arise from poorly managing changes in a facility’s conditions. In establishing ITM frequency, seriously consider this factor.


The workshop participants concluded that further investigation would either validate or invalidate the theory that the code requires too-frequent testing of fire alarm systems and their components. Until the NFPA Research Foundation collects the relevant data, and it is reviewed by knowledgeable professionals who develop suitable recommendations for changes to the code, you still need to follow the ITM requirements.


The most important requirement is to properly notify building occupants of the intention to conduct fire alarm system tests. Also, inform them when you have completed the tests, and make provisions to notify occupants to take the appropriate action if a real fire emergency occurs while testing the system.


False alarms remain an important issue that affects the operational reliability of fire alarm systems. Take responsibility for every system you install to ensure that you do not locate detection devices in an environment that will cause them to initiate false alarms.


With the knowledge that we make a difference by saving lives comes the responsibility to ensure that we pay attention to the issues that impact the reliability, dependability and credibility of the fire alarm systems we install.