Jun 1, 2011

Fire Alarm Pull Station

Most people recognize fire alarm pull stations when they see them, considering they are installed in schools, offices, warehouses and public buildings throughout the entire United States. They are usually a bright red color and often have the word “Fire” written on them in large type. There was a time, before effective automatic fire detection existed, that pull stations were responsible for controlling the fire alarm system. Of course, advances in technology have dictated that most fire alarms are due to automatic detection rather than manual activation. However, this does not change the fact that fire alarm pull stations are an important component of a fire alarm system.

Varieties of Fire Alarm Pull Stations

Fire alarm pull stations have changed over the years, although they still exist for the same purpose. Most types today are either “single-action” or “dual-action.” Essentially, these are so named because they require either one or two actions to activate the alarm. The most common type of fire alarm today, especially in schools, is the “T-bar” style. These are popular in schools because they are very easy to activate, requiring the user only to pull down a lever in order to sound the alarm. Dual-action pull stations are also popular, however, because sometimes single-action systems can result in false alarms. This is particularly common in narrow areas, as clothing or carried items can catch onto a piece of the device.

Fire alarm pull stations cannot be deactivated by merely pushing a lever back up or by pressing a button. In many cases, it is required to turn off the alarm manually through the fire alarm control panel. Some stations also have keys that can reset the system back to its default setting.

Functions of Fire Alarm Pull Stations

As mentioned earlier, fire alarm pull stations exist to allow occupants in a building to activate a fire alarm in case it is not detected by sensors. When they are turned on, the following happens:

A system-wide alarm sounds, warning everyone to evacuate.
Usually, alarm lights will flash on pull stations and/or along hallways.
Emergency services are contacted automatically.
Sometimes, fire sprinkler systems will automatically turn on.

When in a large building, it is always a good idea to take note of where the pull stations are located and to be aware of how to use them in case of emergency. After all, you never know when fire alarm pull stations could save lives!

Home Security News

Installing a Home Security System?

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