Pull Stations

 Pull Stations

Pull Stations are by far the most frequently used device by the general public to sound a fire alarm condition. Pictured below is one example of a pull station.

Some look different However all are red and required to have the text "Fire" and "Pull Instructions" I.E. "Push In and Pull Down.  Public schools, commercial office spaces, retail centers, hospitals, nursing homes, alll are ( with few exceptions) required to have pull stations. Pull stations are normally located about forty eight inches up off the finished floor and are located near exit doors,  stairways , elevator areas, etc.

Pull stations can come in several styles.  One could require two separate

acts in order to activate an alarm condition while others may simply require one.  For example,   the above pictured pull station requires a individual to "push in and pull down" to trip the fire alarm.Thus this would be considered a dual action activation device. Pictured below is a single action pull station which simply requires the handle to be pulled down.

If you are having false alarm activations on your fire alarm system then you need to inspect all the pull stations that are part of that fire alarm zone. Be sure to put your fire alarm system in test with your central station as to avoid the accidental dispatching of the fire department. See if the pull station is loose to the touch, check to see if the handle is loose, check to see if the handle is broken, check to see if its been secured properly with a key or in some cases a security screw. If you are unable to determine the cause after looking at all our pull stations you need to contact a your fire alarm professional contractor. Fire alarms are a critical in life and safety services and must be maintained. Any unexplained fire alarm activation needs to be resolved as soon as possible 

In the case of intentional activation of pull stations to set off a false fire alarm you have several options that can assist in reducing false fire alarms activations. One, if you have the single action pull station you may want to update to a dual action activation device In addition, you can have a cover installed over the pull station as to make it less likely that a accidental activation of a fire alarm system happens by mistake. See Picture below.

Here you see a see through plastic cover that provides access to the pull station however it requires lifting up the cover to get to the pull station. By lifting this pull cover up a little buzzer will go off before the person can pull down the pull station. This will act as a deterrent as its not easily done without getting noticed. On other pull stations it may simply require pulling the handle down.