According to a November 2024 report from the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), local fire departments in the U.S. responded to an estimated 1.39 million fires in 2023. The fires caused an estimated $23 billion in losses, as well as thousands of injuries and, worse, fatalities. Of these fires, 118,000, or 8%, were non-residential structure fires.
All those sobering statistics underscore the importance of commercial fire alarm installation. And in places prone to wildfires, such as Oregon and the Portland metro area, they can play even more significant roles in safeguarding businesses and the public.
To that end, the experts at Parkin Electric in Oregon City, OR, put together this guide about installing a fire alarm system in your commercial establishment. Read on to discover the steps taken by professionals to help you up your business’s fire safety ante.
Property Inspection
Under Oregon Revised Statutes 479.255, devices that detect smoke and sound an alarm, integral components of a fire alarm system, are mandatory for specific commercial structures. Examples are businesses that provide accommodations, such as lodging houses and hotels.
If you’re unsure whether your business legally requires a comprehensive fire alarm system or the regulations you must adhere to, don’t worry. Reputable fire alarm installation experts will advise you during the initial inspection. They’ll thoroughly inspect your premises to determine the local, state, and national codes that apply to:
- The specific type of building
- The type of occupancy
- The uses and activities conducted on the premises
The inspection also enables fire alarm experts to discover other safety and security hazards. They’ll account for these risks when designing your alarm system.
Electrical Hazards
According to the latest data from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), an estimated 8,000 non-residential fires caused by electrical malfunctions occurred in the U.S. in 2022. It also reported that 18,900 fires were intentional (e.g., arson).
Electricity doesn’t burn. However, it can cause electrical arks and sparks hot enough to start fires. Such can happen due to:
- Overloaded circuits (e.g., if you plug too many appliances into a single circuit)
- Faulty wiring (often caused by improperly installed or old electrical systems)
- Defective plugs, outlets, and switches
- Overloaded or prolonged use of extension cords
- Outdated electrical panels
While having a fire alarm system can help cut the risks and severity of fires, it can’t stop an electrical malfunction from starting a fire. For this reason, consider working with licensed Oregon electricians. They can address defects and faults in your commercial premises’ electrical system.
If you choose Parkin Electric to install your fire alarm system, you’ll also gain access to a team of licensed electricians for electrical services. We can conduct comprehensive and professional electrical inspections, repairs, and updates.
Unsecured Areas That May Invite Crime
As mentioned above, intentional fires like arson are common causes of non-residential building fires.
Improving the security of your premises can help reduce your business’s risk of being in such situations. For example, you can have our team of experts at Parkin Electric install a security camera system along with your fire alarms.
Consultation and Discussion of Inspection Findings
After the inspection, the fire alarm experts will discuss their findings with you. They’ll let you know whether there are any legal requirements and codes you must comply with.
Even if it’s not a legal requirement, you should still consider professional fire alarm system installation.
Remember: Fires don’t just start inside buildings; they can also begin from outside. Aside from arson, they can start during Oregon’s wildfires.
According to Fire Safety & Journal Americas, the state’s wildfire season 2024 involved 71 large fires burning over 1.4 million acres. The fires prompted widespread evacuations and destroyed 32 homes.
A properly installed fire alarm system will equip your commercial space with devices that detect heat, smoke, and flames at their earliest stages. Once detected, the system will set off visible and audible alarms to alert your building’s occupants of a potential fire. You or other building occupants can then call emergency services and notify the fire department so they can immediately come to the premises and put the fire out as soon as possible.
So, with a fire alarm system in place, you can:
- Enhance workplace safety
- Reduce fire injury risk and severity
- Minimize fire losses
The fire alarm system experts will also provide other safety and security recommendations. As discussed above, these may include installing security cameras and alarms.
Fire Alarm System Design and Approval
The fire alarm installation experts will use the information gleaned through the inspection and consultation phase to create a solution tailored to your business’s unique needs. Doing so allows them to address risks specific to your organization. As a result, they can help ensure your system will help bring your premises up to fire and safety codes.
Once ready, the fire alarm installation company will present you with the design for your approval. Please review it to confirm that it addresses your business’s fire safety and premises security needs.
Commercial Fire Alarm Installation
If you’re happy with the design of your fire alarm system, the next step is to schedule its installation date.
On the day of the installation, the fire alarm experts will arrive on time and show you their company IDs. Once inside the premises, they’ll start working immediately, installing the system’s components correctly and ensuring they don’t adversely affect the aesthetics of the premises.
After completing the installation, the experts will fully commission and inspect the system, ensuring its proper installation. They will also walk you through the completed installation.
Schedule Your Fire Alarm Installation ASAP
A commercial fire alarm installation is a multi-step process that begins with a comprehensive inspection. The inspection allows experts to design a system tailored to your business’s unique needs. Only after you approve the design will the experts properly install and fully commission the system to ensure all components work as intended.
Parkin Electric is a premier fire alarm, security system, and electrical service provider licensed in Oregon and Washington. We’ve been in business since 1945. We’ll use our 80 years of experience, skills, and knowledge to help make your commercial premises safer and more secure.
Contact us today for a free quote or to schedule your business and residential fire alarm installation!