Where Should Fire Alarm Pull Stations Be Located?
While they generally go unnoticed until a moment of need, fire alarm pull stations are an integral part of a business or large residential building’s commercial fire system.
What is a fire alarm pull station?
As opposed to a smoke detector or sensor, human intervention activates a manual pull station and is the catalyst for setting off a fire alarm. These stations are utilized when someone identifies fire or smoke in a building, and the alarm has yet to go off.
A manual pull station is essential to any fire safety system because it provides a hands-on way for occupants to trigger an alarm if the smoke or heat detectors malfunction. This requirement is also part of NFPA 101, which is one of many NFPA codes and commercial fire safety standards regulated by local authorities having jurisdiction.
What’s the difference between single- and dual-action?
There are two common types of pull stations, which include single action and dual action. A single-action pull station is the simple version, where all one needs to do is pull down on the lever. A dual-action pull station means that someone needs to take two actions to sound the alarm. In some cases, that means opening a box or breaking glass around the handle before someone can access it.
While a single-action pull station is more straightforward, there’s an introduced risk that a child or someone playing a practical joke can easily access the equipment. A dual-action system is more likely to prevent an accidental activation.
Where should I install pull stations?
The location of your fire alarm pull stations will depend on the design and occupancy of your building. While most buildings require at least one pull station, many buildings will need multiple across different floors and areas to meet standards set in NFPA 72, National Fire Alarm and Signaling Code.
Generally, fire alarm pull stations must be located within 200 ft of each other and 60 inches from exits. If your building has long hallways and a lot of exits, you are likely going to need a lot of fire alarm pull stations. A fire alarm pull station also needs to be placed between 42 and 48 inches from the floor with no surrounding obstructions, keeping it accessible to anyone.
How do I get started?
Business and building owners can get started with fire alarm pull station installations as they arrange their overall fire system installation. Working with the team of expert service technicians at FSS Technologies allows you to leave the details and the legal requirements of your building’s fire alarm system to us.
If you have any questions or want to set up a consultation, contact us today!
Explore Our Other Blogs
How Do Wireless Doorbells Work?
A doorbell is a pretty self-explanatory tool—you press the button outside, and a chime goes off inside, alerting the homeowner that someone is at the front door. Like everything else, though, today’s technology has brought even the humble doorbell into the limelight as an indispensable tool for convenience and security. Pros and Cons of Wireless…
Choosing a Safe Neighborhood in Chicago
There are a lot of great places to live in Chicago. From the historic vibe of Printers Row to the ultra-stylish River North, there are neighborhoods to fit every personality. But are they safe? It turns out, many of them are. According to Niche.com—which ranks neighborhoods based on crime, schools, cost of living, etc.—the short commuting times…
How Poor Security Can Cost Your Business
Poor security practices have hidden costs With the many expenses that business owners must juggle for day-to-day operations, security often falls by the wayside. Even though it seems like an easy way to save money, the cost of handling a break-in can surpass the money you’d spend on installing and maintaining a security system. Here…
Smart Home Security & How to Implement
Home Security Paired with Home Automation Security vs. home automation is the friendliest rivalry around. Why? Because they play so well together. Security systems used to have a singular focus—keeping unwanted people out of a house. But as technology evolves, security equipment placement throughout the home for protection performs a dual purpose: Helping homeowners with…
Why Emergency and Exit Lighting Matter
Emergency lighting and exit lighting are vital components of life safety systems. They’re a standard part of any commercial structure and not as noticeable on a normal day. When power fails or a disaster happens, these lights guide people to safety, helping prevent panic and ensuring clear evacuation routes for everyone in a building. Whether…
What are the Different Kinds of Security Video Storage?
Security Video Recordings Storage How much storage does a security camera have? It is a seemingly simple question, with a surprisingly complicated answer. Security and surveillance cameras can use a variety of storage types, each with their own advantages and disadvantages. To choose the right security video storage for you, you will need to consider…
What to Do If a Package Is Stolen
According to a recent study, nearly one in four people report being a victim of package theft and nearly half know someone who has had a package stolen. Of course, the uptick in package theft is not that surprising, considering consumers purchased $2.86 trillion in online retail goods in& 2018. Many of these items land squarely in…
Local Alarm System vs. National Home Security Company
When looking for home security, you may find yourself stuck between local alarm companies and national home security. Find out why more and more people are turning to local home security companies. Knowledge One of the biggest advantages of using a local company is that they will be familiar with local safety concerns, any jurisdiction regulations…
Can Video Doorbells Be Used in Apartments?
It is at the discretion of your building manager as to whether you can use a video doorbell for your apartment. There usually are two concerns that arise when it comes to video doorbell usage in a rented property: installation concerns and privacy concerns. Issues with Video Doorbells Installation Concerns Many video doorbell systems require…
Fire Prevention, Protection, and Suppression Systems
Fire safety is a crucial matter that every business should prioritize. Whether it’s caused by arson or an accident, a fire can cause catastrophic damage to a company’s property, inventory, and equipment if the proper protection measures aren’t in place or there are operational issues. In more unfortunate cases, insufficient fire safety standards can put…