Excess Inventory? Removed a System? From panels to peripherals, we purchase fire alarm devices.
WE BUY THEM!
Here at Protegis Fire & Safety, we buy parts that you don’t need! Our goal is to recycle and refurbish parts back to working order! All while paying you for your unwanted devices.
EMAIL YOUR PARTS LIST Compile a list of parts you have to sell and send an email to marketing@protegis.com for review.
PARTS LIST REVIEW Our buyer will review your list and will confirm purchasing all or a portion of your parts inventory.
RECEIVE YOUR OFFER An offer will be sent and upon receipt of your parts you will receive a credit to your account.
SHIP THE PARTS Depending on the amount of parts purchased, items can be boxed or sent on a pallet.
Protegis is available 24/7 for emergency services, diagnosing problems, providing system repairs, and central monitoring. We are your One-Stop Shop; no matter how big or small your system is, we can help!
INSPECTIONS
Protegis inspects systems to ensure they adhere to the industry standards established for inspection and testing of fire alarm systems, proper test methods, and frequency for system components.
MONITORING
Protegis’ wireless fire alarm monitoring program “Lose the Lines” allows you to “lose” your phone lines and replace with a wireless communicator. All equipment, installation and programming can be included for one low monthly cost.
INSTALLATION & RETROFIT
Protegis has factory-trained and certified technicians who install and maintain systems for nearly all brands and provide diagnostic, parts, and repair services to keep systems operating at peak performance.
False alarms are annoying. Sure, it’s better safe than sorry, and more often than not, false alarms are worth it. Almost all of us would rather have that happen than the alternative. With that being said, it doesn’t mean they should frequently be happening. You can do things to ensure that false fire alarms aren’t an ongoing issue in your home or place of business.
What Causes Them?
There are a lot of reasons that fire alarms can get tripped. Reasons include dust, insects, strong chemicals, and poor installation. Let’s take a closer look.
Dirt, Dust, and Bugs
Believe it or not, insects cause a lot of false alarms. Some are so small that they’re able to get inside the device and inadvertently mess around with its sensors. This can be exacerbated by excess dust and dirt, making your detector overly sensitive to things in a given area, therefore increasing the likelihood of a false alarm.
Poor Installation
The fact is most business owners at first tend to view fire safety as a sidebar issue to what they have going on with their day-to-day. This makes them want to save on costs by using more inexpensive equipment. While you don’t need the Cadillac of fire safety equipment, you DO need to invest in dependable, reliable brands and products.
Doing so will save you a ton of money. Most false alarms are caused by low-quality detectors and, even worse – poor installation or incorrect placement. Things like being installed too close to a bathroom or in an area where they’re exposed to pollen particles can also make your detector more susceptible to a false alarm. Additionally, be careful about your alarm’s proximity to heat-generating assets like ovens, stoves, radiators, and the like, as those can trip alarms, too.
The best rule of thumb is to try to place your alarms 10-20 feet away from these sorts of things – making it easier to avoid a false alarm.
Chemicals
One of the biggest culprits for false alarms is chemicals. Microparticles inside your wall and even some cleaning agents can trigger your detector. When you’re repainting your home or commercial space – we recommend disabling your alarm *while* you work and then turning it back on once you’ve had a few hours to settle.
What Can I Do To Avoid These Things?
The first thing you should always try is to clean up the area near your alarm. Like anything else, they accumulate dust, dirt mold, and other debris. Vacuum vents near detectors, sweep and clean the areas around them, even gently wipe them down. And always – rest your device when you do.
Additionally, always be sure you have a fire safety pro come through once a year to check up on your alarms. They may need minor things like battery replacement – but they can also help you figure out where to best place your detectors so they can do their job as intended. Doing so – will dramatically decrease the risk of a false fire alarm.
And above all else – even if you hear an alarm and you’re 99% sure it’s nothing, follow your regular fire safety protocols to the ‘t.’ Exit the building, get people to safety – then try your best after the coast is clear, to try to identify what caused it. And if you’re unsure, call in a pro.
If you have a question about this or any other fire and life safety topic, please get in touch with Protegis Fire & Safety.
Making sure your alarm is working and in the best possible condition can save lives. However, alarms are not infallible, and sometimes they, too – begin to show wear and tear. Here are some reasons why you might need to get your fire alarm replaced.
Why You Should Replace Your Fire Alarm
The no-brainer reason right off the top is that the alarm itself has failed and is no longer working. We’ll usually discover this during inspections and it’ll need to be addressed immediately. Even if it’s defective or malfunctioning, falling out of compliance with local state and federal authorities and regulations can cost you a pretty penny. Make sure that your building is as safe as you can possibly make it or it could cost you.
The second reason is that when we do inspections, we sometimes find that certain components of an alarm aren’t working or need replacement. That OR the alarm is showing signs that it will fail in the near future. Just like components of a car, when it’s time to replace a part, it’s simply time to replace it.
The last reason to get a new alarm is if you’re doing renovations – where you’ll have to cope with new codes and standards that might make purchasing an upgrade necessary.
Longevity
Most fire alarm systems last around 12-15 years depending on the make and model. Keep in mind, however – that that life span depends on your taking care of it and making sure that it’s properly installed, fixed and maintained over the years. When these things aren’t happening, your alarm could wear out sooner than expected and you might not realize that you need it replaced until it’s too late.
Why Go New?
It should go without saying that newer systems come with a whole host of advantages. Technology has taken a massive step in recent years and the effectiveness of modernized alarms has increased tenfold. In addition, the newer your system is, the less you’ll have to worry about tests, repairs, and inspections – which for a little while – will save you and your company some money. Most importantly – if a fire does break out – lives will be saved.
If you need to repair your alarm or are worried you may have to replace your system soon, then call Protegis Fire & Safety and we’ll be happy to discuss your needs.
Most of the time, we like to share blogs that give you free advice. Just some things that you don’t need to go out of your way to ask us about, or that if you did – would be wisdom that we’d give out for free. But occasionally, your problems or issues go beyond mere inquiry and seep into the area of ‘I need help!’
And when you have issues in your commercial space – you’ll clearly want to employ the help of a professional fire service company. But where do you start? What kinds of questions do you ask?
If you seemingly know almost everything except where to start, then today’s blog is for you. Here are a few things you should ask any potential fire protection company before you hire them. Let’s jump right in!
What services do you provide?
What kinds of fire protection systems you have or need will go a long way towards determining which fire protection company you go with. Some companies specialize in certain areas over others. Some only work with commercial businesses. Some only work with residential fire safety. Some dabble in both.
So when you sit down for your first conversation, ask the company what they offer and what they feel they specialize in. Then, it’s simply a matter of inventorying the companies that have the capabilities to meet your needs the best.
How much experience do you have?
The amount of experience a company has lets you know that the business you’re about to engage with has a long, extended track record. Bad businesses go away quickly, and the longer that business has been around, the more likely they are to be reputable and have some sort of calling card.
What organizations and certifications do you belong to and have?
Being in the fire safety business isn’t just a matter of tacking up some fire extinguishers to the wall and sending an invoice. Believe it or not, it’s an ongoing, ever-evolving industry with new technology and new codes to grapple with all the time. To keep up, we like to join many organizations – like the NFPA, FSSA, and the NAFED. Long story short – it takes a lot of time, knowledge, and effort to be a leader in this field, and involvement in these sorts of organizations is a good sign that the company you’re potentially going to do business with is dedicated to their craft.
Pricing
Let us say this in the clearest possible terms: Fire safety is not a joke and should never be taken lightly. Our company (and many others) emphasize quality and service. We all want a fair deal, but just because it’s cheap doesn’t mean it offers you the best value.
Before selecting a fire protection company, be sure to consider all factors and make an informed decision. Be safe, and feel free to reach out to us anytime to discuss your life safety needs.
