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Emergency situations can disrupt, cause confusion and result in injury or death. In these situations, proper procedures are often forgotten. Such emergencies may consist of violence, accidents, health issues, severe weather, earthquakes, or an intruder on site. CareHawk’s systems allow for automated local security alerts, district...

Are there other concerns in deciding whether to replace the fire alarm system or reuse or upgrade the existing fire alarm system? Yes, there are other significant and potentially costly concerns when “upgrading the fire alarm system” or “replacing the fire alarm system.” The specific...

It's an advanced communications system that can take care of a school's day-to-day needs, from monitoring entrances to playing music to signaling class changes. But in an emergency — whether it's a severe storm or an armed intruder — it could mean the difference between life...

What questions should I ask the fire alarm contractors? Look for fire alarm contractors certified by the National Institute for Certification in Engineering Technologies (NICET) in fire alarm systems and request copies of certifications. NICET certification is the industry’s method of verifying an individual’s experience,...

What if I have a really old fire alarm system? What are my options? You probably have multiple options. The first step is to bring in the contractor currently servicing the system, another fire alarm system supplier or a consultant to perform a feasibility study...

To ensure reliability an agreement should be made with manufacturers, suppliers or other competent contractors for regular servicing. The name and telephone number of the servicing organisation should be prominently displayed by the indicating equipment. It is the responsibility of the occupier of the premises to...

Annual inspections by the fire department are performed to assess and mitigate potential fire- and life-safety hazards in buildings. Most fire departments provide you with a written report of any corrections that are necessary. These inspections vary in type and frequency, depending on the jurisdiction,...

While K-12 schools and college campuses generate the majority of crisis scenarios and media coverage, houses of worship represent a departure as highlighted by this emergency operations planning guide from FEMA. Typically devoid of the same security measures deployed in school campus settings, houses of worship...