112th Precinct Community Council

Alarm systems

Test your alamrs

Alarm systems
By
Heidi Harrison Chain

First I want to wish everyone a safe, happy healthy new year.

Last week, in an office building in the City, all was quiet. Nothing unusual. No alarm ringing. No fire. No smoke. Suddenly, the fire department responded to a floor by breaking down the fire door and then inspecting the floor looking for the fire.
The FDNY had gotten an alarm that there was a fire on the floor. Something was wrong with the alarm system that triggered this alarm. When the fire department came up via the fire staircase- No one heard them. In order to save everyone¡¦s life they broke down the door. God Bless them for doing this- they are there to save us!
Everyone should test their fire and burglar alarms on a regular basis. Having a home or office burglar alarm system installed that is not working is simply a waste of money. Having a fire alarm system that is not working could result in a loss of life.
In our Community Emergency Response Training ¡V we learned that everyone should have an evacuation plan in the event that we are told to evacuate. We all have been part of fire drills. But we should plan and practice the drills at home and at work.
The OSHA web site gives the information required for a work location, as follows:
For an alarm system to be effective, you must have an emergency action plan that addresses how employees, including disabled workers, will be informed that an emergency exists and how they should respond. The alarm system must inform "all affected employees" that an emergency exists and what their immediate response should be based on the alarm sequence. This plan should include:
„X How and what warning(s) will be provided through the employee alarm system for necessary emergency action as called for in the emergency action plan, or for sufficient reaction time to allow the safe escape of employees from the workplace or the immediate work area, or both; 1910.165(b)(1)
„X Procedures for sounding emergency alarms in the workplace. For those employers with 10 or fewer employees in a particular workplace, direct voice communication is an acceptable procedure for sounding the alarm provided all employees can hear the alarm. Such workplaces do not need a back-up system. 1910.165(b)(5)
„X A current list of key personnel, such as the plant manager or physician, in order of priority, to notify in the event of an emergency during off-duty hours.
The OSHA web site also lists the information on the recommended testing of the alarm:
Employee alarm systems are important life safety devices and must be maintained in an operating condition at all times except during repairs or maintenance. 1910.165(d)(1).

Routine Test and Maintenance
„X Test the reliability and adequacy of non-supervised employee alarm systems every two months. Use a different actuation device in each test of a multi-actuation device system. 1910.165(d)(2)

„X Maintain or replace power supplies as often as necessary to ensure a fully operational condition. Provide a back-up means of alarm when systems are out of service. 1910.165(d)(3)
„X The servicing, maintenance, and testing of employee alarms must be done by properly trained persons. 1910.165(d)(5)
„X Do a visual check to ensure that employee alarm devices are not obstructed/installed in a manner that would prevent sound or light from reaching or entering the protected areas.
„X Restore all employee alarm systems to normal operating condition as soon as possible after each test or alarm. Spare alarm devices and components must be readily available. 1910.165(c)(2)