Posts Tagged ‘Fire Alarms’

New NFPA 70B Guidelines: What You Need to Know

Monday, March 11th, 2024

The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) regularly provides updates to guidelines concerning safe practices and maintenance protocols. Egan Company’s ongoing commitment to safety in all aspects of our work entails reviewing such guidelines and aligning our practices to ensure our people, customers, and equipment is safe and up-to-code. 

The new, recommended (not yet mandatory) NFPA 70B guidelines outline practices for preventative maintenance of electrical, electronic, and communication systems and equipment in various settings. By following these guidelines, Egan can continue to create safe work environments and keep our employees, our customers, and the general public safe. 

WHAT ARE THE NFPA 70B REGULATIONS?

The updated NFPA guidelines include updated language, marking a shift from a manufacturer’s recommendation of maintenance to noting an Electrical Maintenance Plan (EMP) is a formal plan facilities shall have in place moving forward. This new verbiage focuses on preventing risks or injuries through regular equipment maintenance, personnel training, and accurate documentation. Egan will begin following these recommendations in our work with customers who are receiving system upgrades and services. Many local and national electrical codes require adherence to 70B guidelines, and Egan is happy to provide further education and assistance in bringing your facility up-to-date. 

  • Program development and implementation: establishing a systematic maintenance program tailored to the specific needs of the facility.
  • Maintenance procedures: detailed instructions for inspecting, testing, cleaning, lubricating, and repairing various electrical equipment.
  • Testing and diagnostics: identifying potential problems through electrical testing and diagnostic techniques.
  • Documentation and recordkeeping: recording maintenance activities and test results for future reference and analysis.
  • Team training: ensuring the team responsible for electrical equipment maintenance are adequately trained and qualified.

SAFETY FIRST. SAFETY ALWAYS.

Safety is at the heart of everything we do at Egan Company. Our electricians, service technicians, and account managers are keeping up-to-date with the latest safety guidelines from the NFPA and other organizations to ensure that wherever we go, safety follows. Bringing the NFPA 70B guidelines to our customers will help maintain the lifespan of your equipment, the safety of your buildings, and the quality of your facilities and operations. Bring your facility up to NFPA 70B standards and keep your buildings safe and sound. Questions on NFPA 70B or other electrical code requirements? Egan can help!

End of the Road for Analog Communications

Monday, August 15th, 2016

It’s often said that change is the only constant – this is never truer than with technology.  By January 2017, it’ll be the end of the road for 2G service for communications systems, and the phase-out of analog in favor of digital platforms is currently underway. Continuing to use “Plain Old Telephone Service” (POTS) for systems could result in connectivity losses and intermittent communication fails.

Change however, is not without reward.  Some of the advantages to upgrading to IP, cellular or radio are:

  • Immediate return on investment – no monthly line costs for systems
  • Accurate monitoring and diagnostics – connection checks frequently throughout
    the day, rather than once every 24 hours
  • Little time commitment – The upgrade can be completed in one day

As the digital phase-in grows, it may be beneficial to plan your analog exit sooner rather than later to avoid interruptions.