Manual fire alarm station

Just like pulling a lever, when the push element is pushed, it will complete the circuit that notifies the fire alarm system of the zone or exact location where it is being activated, thus putting the fire alarm system into an alarm condition.

Both Manual Pull-Stations and Manual Call Points can come in hazardous area explosion-proof or intrinsically safe versions, meant to be used in explosion-prone environments, such as waste-water treatment plants, nuclear facilities, or similar. These also should be installed in outdoor, weather-prone, or dusty areas, as a regular version of these initiating devices will get destroyed in those types of environments. Also, it is worth mentioning that these initiating devices also share the same type of color-coding no matter where you are in the world or what device you are using :.

All in all, there is no concrete reason or literature discussing the reasoning for having both manual pull-station and manual call points. Similar to how the US continues to utilize the Imperial System of Measurement, instead of the Metric System, it more so seems that the US just likes going against the grain.

Pull stations provide an important failsafe in the event of a malfunction in one or more of the automatic initiation devices. NFPA requires at least one manual pull station for any fire alarm system that uses automatic fire detection devices such as smoke detectors and heat sensors or water flow detection devices such as sprinklers. How many of them are required depends on how large the area to be protected is and how many exits it has.

These requirements are provided in NFPA 72 National Fire Alarm and Signaling Code , which guides the design and installation of fire alarm systems, including fire alarm pull stations. So, the larger the building and the longer its hallways, the more pull stations will be required. Likewise, the more exits there are in a building, the more pull stations will be required. NFPA 72 requires a pull station within 60 inches of every individual exit, and for groups of doors that are more than 40 feet wide away from each other, there must be a pull station on both sides of the grouping.

The placement of fire alarm pull stations is critical to ensuring they provide the protection intended. The requirements for their placement is intended to ensure that occupants leaving any area of the building can quickly and easily find and pull the alarm to warn others of the emergency on their way out.

According to NFPA 72, visual inspections of manual fire alarm boxes are required when they are first installed and every six months after that. Visual inspections are intended to identify any obstructions and conditions that indicate servicing may be needed, such as open or broken covers on dual-action alarms.

Visual inspections may be conducted by the building owner or designated representative. However, any servicing must be done by a qualified professional. When testing, one technician will pull the alarm handle to activate the pull station while another technician watches the alarm panel to confirm whether or not the notification was received that the pull station was activated.

Once this is confirmed, the technician will use a key to reset the pull station. Annual testing is required by NFPA 72 also. If the manual call point is in the end of the zone wire, a 5. Every fire alarm we sell comes complete with a 5year manufacturer's warranty, provided it is serviced in accordance with the requirements of BS part 3.

This guarantee does not cover defects caused by accident, misuse or neglect. What is the single most important thing you can do when it comes to fire safety in your home? Previous: Heat Detector Tester Devices. Next: Fire Manual Call Point. Fire Detection Alarm System.