1. How often does my fire alarm system need to be inspected?

Your fire alarm system should be inspected annually by a certified fire alarm technician

2. How often should the batteries in my smoke detector(s) be changed?

We recommend that you change the batteries and test your smoke detector(s) when the clocks spring ahead or fall back.

3. How do I test my smoke detector?

There are three ways to test your smoke detector:

a. Press the test button on the unit
b. Light a candle and blow it out under the unit
c. Use a can of smoke, directing the spray at the unit

CLICK HERE FOR FURTHER SMOKE DETECTOR MAINTENANCE & TROUBLESHOOTING

4. When does my fire extinguisher require service?

Your fire extinguisher requires an inspection annually by a certified fire extinguisher technician. It will require recharging when used, if the plastic seal becomes broken, or if the gauge displays 'recharge' or 'overcharged'.
Your fire extinguisher will require service 6 years from the date of manufacture or 6 years from the previous hydrostatic test. This service will include discharging the unit, and the visual inspection of the cylinder looking for rust, pitted corrosion, or damage. The unit is then refilled and recharged. The fire extinguisher head is also taken apart, inspected and re-assembled at this time.
Your fire extinguisher will require service 12 years from the date of manufacture or 12 years from the previous hydrostatic test. This service will include discharging the unit, and the visual inspection of the cylinder, looking for rust, pitted corrosion, or damage. The unit is then filled with water and pressurized to detect any cylinder weakness, emptied, dried, refilled, and recharged. The fire extinguisher head is also taken apart, inspected and re-assembled at this time.
All of the above service must be done in a certified shop.

5. How do I know if a company or their shop is certified?

You can ask the company to produce their certification.

6. How often does my emergency light unit(s) need to be tested?

Emergency light units should be tested for 5 minutes on a monthly basis and is normally done by the owner. A 30 minute test should be done annually by a certified company.