Statcomm left you a note on your door or in the entranceway of your building, now what do you do? 

As part of our ongoing “What to expect series,” in this installment we want to give a bit of insight on what happens during the different inspections. In our April release, we went over our initial site visit and what we were looking for.

Statcomm works with your HOA to provide the best value for the required fire alarm testing. To do so, we offer complimentary site walks and tailor the contracts to the exact needs of our customers. We obtain counts of every device on the property in advance so that we can schedule the technicians with the appropriate amount of time it takes to complete the inspections and testing. Statcomm then posts notices of annual testing two weeks prior to the actual inspection to allow residents time to make arrangements to provide access to the unit.  Statcomm may need access to the unit in order to verify that the equipment is functioning properly for either fire alarm or fire sprinkler inspections. Statcomm along with the property manager and potentially the HOA board assume that all residents will be available for testing.  This is the main reason we perform many of our HOA and condominium tests and inspections during evening hours.  If for whatever reason we are not able to access a unit or units we will need to return to test before a system can be certified, all devices must be tested in order to receive the certification. If Statcomm must return for units that we weren’t able to access, then the property will be charged. The property will use its discretion and consult their rules to decide if the charges will be divided between residents that didn’t provide access or cover the additional fees.

(To learn more about Statcomm’s Fire Alarm Testing services please click here )

Each of these inspections has different parameters, requirements, and levels of direct interaction with tenants or homeowners’ spaces. Let’s start by taking a quick look at what each of these requires.

Quarterly Inspection:  At their most basic, quarterly tests are visual inspections to make sure that the system appears operational, there are no leaks on any of the risers or pressure gauges, that the fire sprinklers have no indication of issues, and generally just making sure that everything looks good.

Semi-Annual Inspection: During the semi-annual test we do all the checks which come with the quarterly inspection. We visually check the fire panel for any obstructions, as well as Tamper and water flow switches when applicable. We also ensure that the backup batteries are doing their job and staying fully charged.

Annual Inspection: An annual inspection is a test of every fire alarm and sprinkler device on the property. You must visually inspect and check the function of EVERY fire-related device on the property including:

In unit horns  Common area horns, strobes, and bells Pull Stations
Smoke Detectors Heat Detectors Sprinkler water flow devices
Fire Doors Elevator Recall  Fire Pumps

Five-Year Inspection: The five-year inspection is the most in-depth sprinkler inspection. During this testing, we must shut off the water from the city water to the fire system we’re inspecting. After the water has been shut off, the system is drained and we remove and flush the check valve, perform an internal pipe inspection, and perform a visual check of all accessible heads on the system (including attics if accessible).

Before any inspection, we recommend: 

  • Ensuring someone will be home. This may be a friend, relative or household member over the age of 18. Apartment buildings are typically accessed on a schedule determined by management and a maintenance person may be providing access to the units.  
  • Ensuring clear access to all life-safety-related equipment, such as alarms, smoke detectors, and electrical boxes as necessary. 
  • For annual and five-year inspections, we strongly recommend pets, especially dogs and cats, be removed from the home or contained until the inspection is complete. Because horns and lights will be going off and we want to make sure your furry friends are as happy as possible.

Statcomm is your all-in-one fire protection resource. We specialize in resolving the most challenging fire and sprinkler system issues by applying our expertise and problem-solving techniques to the task. If you would like to learn more about Statcomm and services we can provide to help keep your building safe and in compliance with current regulations please contact our business development department at statcares@statcomm.com


 

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