Originally Posted By: dwengrow This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
Do we inspect for natural gas leaks, carbon monoxide leaks, smoke detectors and water pressure? If so, then do I need to purchase a carbon monoxide detector, natural gas leak detector, water pressure tester and smoke in a can? IF I do need these where can I get them for a decent price?
Originally Posted By: nlewis This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
David,
If you want to test those items, go right ahead. The way I test for water flow is to turn on multiple fixtures in different rooms and see what happens. Even if there is good pressure at the meter, the galvanized pipes could be clogged, so the pressure reading is not always representative of the flow rate.
You could use the Tiff 8800 gas detector to scan for many different gases. I am not a fan of that meter, though.
I'm sure you can find some smoke in a can somewhere. CO is now sold in a can for testing detectors. NJ state law requires smokes and CO detectors to be tested and certified by the local fire inspector, so we don't get involved with that.
Originally Posted By: gwiggins This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
I do test smoke dectors if they are not hooked to an alarm system. You should be sure to ask as I have called the fire department on one occasion. You can purchase canned smoke through inspecthomes.com for about $6.00 a can and one will last you at least a year. I feel it is worth the price. I explain to the client that when the unit is tested by pressing the test button it tests the circuit but when I use the can smoke it assure the device is detecting smoke. The test seems to empress the client and has gotten me some refferals.
Originally Posted By: dave hartke This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
Gabe,
It has been a few years since I've been in the fire protection business but the system probably has not changed much, of course check it out first. If the alarm has an updated tag by a company or authority then they are probably already on a routine schedule for testing and the HI should probably leave it alone. If the alarms are monitored but no tag or other information indicates a routine maintenance schedule you can test the system but first the owner must call the people who monitor the alarms (ADT, ASI, Vanguard, Fire Department, etc.), give them a code, tell them testing will occur soon, ignore the alarm, and the owner must call back when testing is completed.
The same basic things apply with sprinkler systems. If it is a "wet pipe" system it might trigger a flow switch and send an alarm. If it is a "dry pipe" system it might trigger a pressure switch and send an alarm, and then the "dry pipe" has to be reset. Both of these types of systems will trigger an available alarm if the test valve is opened. Beware! These can resemble a hose bib even though they should be an actual sprinkler head mounted at the end of a water pipe.
Testing any of this stuff other than smoke alarms is probably beyond HI responsibilities but thought you might be interested, and if you accidently send out an alarm you will soon have a yard full of red or yellow trucks with flashing lights. Been there, done that.
Originally Posted By: Scott Patterson This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
I do not test smoke detectors or CO detectors. If you are pushing the button on the detectors all you are doing is testing the buzzer not the detection circuitry. Can smoke can set off a detector, but if the system is a monitored system you will have a big red truck at the front door shortly after testing it.
To insure the safety of my clients I recommend that all smoke detectors should be replaced when a house is sold and any monitored system checked by an alarm company.
Detectors are too cheap not to replace and the liability is too great too pass them off as working.
Originally Posted By: mbailey This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
I am in agreement with Scott on the testing of smoke detectors.
However in South Dakota, one of the states in which we work, the state has HI licensing as well as its own SOP. That SOP mandates that smoke detectors, whether hard-wired or battery, be tested from test button on unit. Point is? know your states inspection requirements if there is HI licensing.