How to Manage a Fire Alarm Installation?

In a new building construction, most often, it’s the electrical contractors who have the task of installing the fire alarm system. Generally, this system does not represent a significant portion of the overall electrical quote. And, sadly, a common result is that these systems do not get the attention they deserve. Most experienced contractors will let you know, the building does not get a certificate of occupancy until the contractor has completed the installation. In such situation, the delay in issuing the occupancy certificate will irritate the owner and also often cause loss in revenue. The owner will then expect the electrical contractor to reimburse the lost revenue. So, in order to avoid this issue, you need to develop a plan to manage the fire alarm system.

Developing this plan, first you must know the basics of the new system’s computer based technology and the codes that affect the system’s installation. If you desire to avoid confrontational meetings with either the authority having jurisdiction or the owner, it’s recommended you establish a specialty systems team within your electrical organization whose accountability includes detailed fire alarm systems knowledge. Then you need to make product training available to your specialty systems team. This training should go beyond simple ‘awareness level training’ which will only cover acquaintance with the switches, basic operations and wiring techniques. You should offer in-depth training that will let them completely understand the fire alarm equipment, both its acceptable applications and its limits and limited programming and troubleshooting techniques.

After you have the well trained specialty systems team in place, determine that you will focus on not more than two equipment suppliers. The equipment on the market today has several sophisticated features that if you don’t restrict the number of suppliers, your specialty systems team will never gain the expertise required installing the systems efficiently. The specialty systems team should be well versed with the National Fire Alarm Code. This essential training will prove particularly useful when dealing with on-site construction changes that affect the installation of the fire alarm and its coordination with other trades. Making these preceding decisions will ensure you are ready to manage the installation of fire alarm systems in Mumbai.

For each job, you must copy the technical specifications that outline the fire alarm system scope of work and have the specialty systems team read them. Ensure that the supplier knows who is in charge of the systems project and the decision responsibilities he or she has. The specialty systems must be able to interpret the specifications and relate the supplier’s quotation directly to the project he/she is directing. The specialty systems foreman must also have the authority to make site-specific decisions and coordinate swiftly with their superiors when the person requires additional equipment or a decision to submit a change order. Any firefighting company in Mumbai must be able to manage the system installations which will then lead them to increase their revenue and offer better services.