A fire alarm is an essential piece of safety equipment in a building. It helps alert occupants of the building that there is a potential fire and needs to be addressed as soon as possible. But sometimes a fire alarm can be an annoyance, especially when it goes off at odd times or when there is no actual fire. If you find yourself in a building where the fire alarm is sounding and there is no actual fire, you may need to know how to turn it off.
What Kind of Fire Alarm is it?
The first step to turning off a fire alarm is to figure out what kind of fire alarm it is. Generally speaking, there are two types of fire alarms: automatic and manual. An automatic fire alarm is usually triggered by something like smoke or heat sensors, while a manual fire alarm is usually triggered by a person pushing a button or pulling a lever.
If the fire alarm in the building is an automatic fire alarm, then it will typically be connected to a fire alarm panel that is located in a nearby room. This panel will typically have a big red button that is labeled “Silence.” If you press this button, it should stop the fire alarm from sounding.
On the other hand, if the fire alarm is a manual fire alarm, then it will typically have a big red lever or handle that is labeled “Shut Off.” If you pull this lever or handle, it should stop the fire alarm from sounding.
Check the Fire Alarm Panel
If the fire alarm is an automatic fire alarm, then it is likely connected to a fire alarm panel. This panel will typically be located in a nearby room and will display information about the alarm and any other connected alarm systems. It is important to check the fire alarm panel before attempting to turn off the fire alarm.
On the fire alarm panel, there will typically be a “Trouble” light that is lit up if there is an issue with the alarm system. If this light is lit up, then there may be a malfunction with the alarm system that needs to be addressed. In this case, it is best to contact a professional to help diagnose the problem and repair it.
Locate the Fire Alarm Control Unit
Once you have checked the fire alarm panel and have determined that there is no issue with the alarm system, the next step is to locate the fire alarm control unit. This unit is typically located near the fire alarm and will have a big red button or lever labeled “Shut Off.” If you press this button or pull this lever, it should stop the fire alarm from sounding.
Turn Off the Fire Alarm
Once you have located the fire alarm control unit and have determined that there is no issue with the alarm system, the next step is to turn off the fire alarm. If the fire alarm is an automatic fire alarm, then simply press the big red button labeled “Silence” on the fire alarm panel. If the fire alarm is a manual fire alarm, then simply pull the big red lever or handle labeled “Shut Off” on the fire alarm control unit.
Reset the Fire Alarm
Once the fire alarm has been turned off, it is important to reset the alarm system. To do this, simply press the big red button labeled “Reset” on the fire alarm panel. This will reset the alarm system and will ensure that it is functioning properly.
Check for Smoke or Heat Sources
Once the alarm system has been reset, it is important to check for any smoke or heat sources that may have triggered the alarm. If you find any sources of smoke or heat, it is important to address them as soon as possible to prevent any further issues.
Conclusion
Knowing how to turn off a fire alarm in a building is an important part of being prepared in the event of a potential fire. If you find yourself in a building where the fire alarm is sounding and there is no actual fire, the steps outlined in this article should help you turn off the alarm and reset the alarm system. It is also important to check for any smoke or heat sources that may have triggered the alarm, and to address them as soon as possible.