What is a Manual Pull Station?
A manual pull station is a wall-mounted fire safety device that triggers an alarm in the event of an emergency. Pull stations are commonly found in many public buildings across the United States and Canada. Most people have seen them, and some have possibly even pulled one before, whether for a real emergency or a prank (which is punishable by law in most states). Technically referred to as a manually actuated alarm-initiated device, a manual pull station serves a vital role in public safety and remains a key element in the future of fire protection.
How do manual pull stations work?
Manual pull stations are a failsafe feature required by the National Fire Protection Agency (NFPA) to protect citizens in the case that a person discovers a fire before an automatic fire alarm, such as a smoke detector or heat sensor, can. NFPA 72, the National Fire Alarm and Signaling Code®, dictates all requirements related to manual pull stations and other fire alarm system elements. Two different types of pull stations are used today: single-action and dual-action.
Single-action pull stations are activated by pulling down a lever on the alarm. In contrast, dual-action pull stations require additional action, such as lifting or breaking a glass panel over the alarm. The premise behind both types is the same: pulling down the handle will complete the circuit and trigger the alarm. Once a manual pull station is triggered, a special tool is required to deactivate and silence the device, which is why pulling one is never considered a funny joke.
Do I need manual pull stations?
The answer to that question lies in the type of building. Manual pull stations are required in all commercial buildings and any multi-family or multistory buildings, such as apartment or condominium complexes. They are not required for single-family homes. The NFPA states that fire safety should not depend only on a single alerting method, so manual pull stations are required in addition to automatic alerting systems. Specifically, NFPA mandates one manual pull station per automatic alarm per building.
So how many do you need? The size of your building dictates that answer. NFPA’s fire code states that the travel distance to the nearest manual pull station from any point in the building can be no more than 200 feet on any given floor, and they must be within five feet of each individual exit. For example, any group of doors more than 40 feet apart must have a manual pull station on each side of the grouping. The pull stations must be easily seen, unobstructed, and accessible to everyone the building serves.
Do manual pull stations need to be inspected and tested?
When a manual pull station is first installed, the building owner or a designated representative must perform a visual inspection. These visual checks must also be performed every six months following installation. Manual pull stations must also be tested annually to ensure they work correctly. These tests and any other associated services performed on the pull stations must be completed by trained professionals, and these tests are typically rolled into more comprehensive annual inspections and testing that are conducted across the entire fire safety system.
If you have questions regarding the need for manual pull stations or the functionality of your current pull stations, our expert service techs at FSS Technologies are ready to guide you through the process. We offer full-service consultations, installations, and inspections for all alarm system brands, ensuring you get the help you need every step of the way. Contact us today to get started.
Explore Our Other Blogs
Do You Know How Your Alarm System Communicates?
What is alarm monitoring? One of the most sought-after features for residential and commercial security systems is 24/7 alarm monitoring. Monitored security systems are connected to a central monitoring facility with staff who review tripped alarms, verify emergencies, and contact relevant emergency services. Monitors generally reach at least two phone numbers connected to a residence…
Items Burglars Want Most
Burglars move quickly. Because they tend to spend as little as ten minutes inside a home or business, several big-ticket items tend to fall prey to thieves. While some items on our list come to mind instantly, some may be more subtle. Outside of installing a security system, taking extra steps to secure your items…
Smoke Detectors for the Hearing Impaired
What are Visual Fire Alarms? If a fire breaks out, occupants of a building may have as little as two minutes to get out before the fire becomes life-threatening. Fire alarms provide an early warning notification and alert people to evacuate, but what if you are deaf or hearing impaired? How do you know there…
What are Fire Ratings?
Any business owner would be devastated by a fire, and most turn to fire safety systems for preventative and protective solutions. Still, many are unaware that their building’s materials can directly influence how a fire impacts their building’s structure. In addition to investing in a comprehensive fire safety system, it is critical to consider the…
7 NFPA Codes Every Business Should Know
Business owners have an enormous responsibility to ensure their employees and customers are protected from fire hazards. Companies in industries like manufacturing and property management each face unique challenges in preventing fires and meeting code requirements. The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), one of the world’s leading experts in fire and life safety, has published…
How to Conduct a Physical Security Audit
Protecting your livelihood is at the top of every business owner’s mind, but how do you know if your business is truly protected? By performing a physical security audit, you can fully assess any threats that your business might be subject to and take the necessary steps to mitigate those threats. During a physical security audit, each aspect of the business and its security…
FAQs About Fire Alarm Inspections
Fire alarm inspections are a critical part of protecting people, property, and business continuity. For commercial building owners, property managers, and facility teams, these inspections are not just a regulatory obligation—they are an essential safeguard that helps ensure fire alarm systems will function when they are needed most. Understanding how fire alarm inspections work, what…
Home Security Solutions for People with Disabilities
According to the Centers for Diseases Control and Prevention (CDC), one in five American adults live with a disability. The most common disabilities are hearing or vision impairments, mobility issues like arthritis or a diminished ability to live independently, speech and language challenges, and cognitive conditions including dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. Recently we talked about…
Alarm Monitoring Services: How They Work
An ear-piercing siren and flashing strobe lights create an immediate sense of emergency and indicate an alarm of some sort has been triggered. Now that the alarm has been triggered and the warning sirens have sounded, what happens next? If you have a monitored security system, it won’t just be the neighbors or passerby alerted to…
How Video Doorbells Work
A video doorbell is a system that allows you to see who is ringing your doorbell by way of a video connection. If your video doorbell has a two-way audio system, you also can talk to the person at the front door, whether you’re home or not. How you connect your system and how you…