Fire Alarm Repair Services
Professional commercial fire alarm repair restores your system to proper operation when component failures or malfunctions occur. Our licensed technicians provide rapid diagnostics and service to fix issues quickly, minimizing downtime and maintaining life safety protection. Common service needs include:
- Ground Fault Troubleshooting: Locate and fix wiring issues causing ground fault conditions on initiating or notification circuits in your system
- Communication Failures: Diagnose and fix problems with cellular, IP, or phone line communicators that prevent monitoring signals
- Power Supply Issues: Fix or replace failing power supplies, charging circuits, and battery connections
- Circuit Board Service: Service or replace damaged main boards, loop controllers, or NAC expander modules
- Display and Annunciator Service: Fix LCD displays, LED indicators, and remote annunciator connections
FACP Diagnostics Process
Effective fire alarm repair starts with thorough diagnostics. Our technicians use manufacturer software and systematic testing to identify the root cause of problems in your system:
- Event History Analysis: Review panel event logs to identify patterns and recurring faults
- Circuit Testing: Test individual SLC loops, NAC circuits, and relay outputs for proper operation
- Voltage Measurements: Verify power supply output, battery charging, and circuit voltages
- Communication Testing: Confirm signals reach the central monitoring station
- Device Verification: Test individual smoke detectors, heat detectors, pull stations, and notification appliances
Control Panel Service
Control panel service addresses issues within the main FACP cabinet and its internal components. Prompt FACP service resolves problems that can affect your entire system:
- Main CPU Board Replacement: Replace failed central processing units that control all alarm system functions
- Power Supply Service: Service or replace power supply modules, transformers, and voltage regulators
- Battery Circuit Service: Fix battery charging circuits and connections to ensure backup power availability
- Loop Card Replacement: Replace SLC loop cards in addressable panels when device communication fails
- NAC Board Service: Service or replace notification appliance circuit output boards
- Relay Module Replacement: Service control relay modules for door holders, HVAC shutdown, and elevator recall
Our technicians maintain inventories of common parts and can source components for older equipment to avoid premature system upgrades. For emergency service needs, we offer rapid response throughout DFW.
Fire Alarm Systems Maintenance
Regular fire alarm panel maintenance prevents failures before they occur and extends the operational life of your fire protection system. Scheduled fire alarm systems maintenance ensures your equipment operates reliably for life safety when needed most:
- Battery Testing and Replacement: Load test batteries semi-annually and replace every 3-5 years per NFPA 72 and manufacturer requirements
- Smoke Detector Maintenance: Clean and test smoke detectors to prevent false alarms and ensure reliable fire detection
- Firmware and Software Updates: Apply manufacturer updates that improve reliability, add features, or address known issues
- Connection Inspection: Check and tighten terminal connections that can loosen over time from thermal cycling
- Power Supply Verification: Measure output voltages and charging currents to identify degrading components
- Communication Path Testing: Verify primary and secondary paths to monitoring station transmit signals properly
- Visual Inspection: Check for signs of overheating, corrosion, pest intrusion, or water damage
- Event Log Review: Analyze trouble history to identify developing problems before they cause failures
Commercial fire alarm maintenance is often performed as part of annual testing and inspections. We recommend combining these visits with service appointments to maximize system uptime and maintain safety compliance.
Fire Alarm Panel Replacement
Panel replacement becomes necessary when service is no longer practical or cost-effective. An upgrade modernizes your fire protection with current technology and ensures continued code compliance:
When to Consider System Upgrade
- Parts Unavailable: Manufacturer has discontinued parts for your current panel model
- Repeated Failures: Recurring problems indicate systemic issues beyond individual component service
- Code Requirements: Current fire safety codes require features that a system upgrade can provide
- Building Changes: Renovations or additions exceed your current panel's device capacity
- Technology Upgrade: Converting from conventional to addressable technology for better device identification
- Communication Updates: Replacing panels that only support POTS lines with IP/cellular capable models
System Options
We install systems from major manufacturers including Siemens, Notifier, and Silent Knight, and can recommend the best fit for your needs. For Siemens fire alarm service phone number and technical support, contact us directly as your authorized local provider:
- Conventional Panels: Zone-based fire detection suitable for smaller buildings with straightforward layouts
- Addressable Panels: Point identification technology for larger buildings or where precise smoke detector location is critical
- Network Systems: Multi-panel networks for campus environments or buildings requiring distributed control
- Voice Evacuation Capable: Panels supporting voice notification and phased evacuation for high-rise or assembly occupancies
Fire Alarm Retrofit Services
Retrofit upgrades your existing system with modern technology while preserving compatible infrastructure. This approach offers significant cost savings compared to complete fire alarm replacement:
- Panel Upgrades: FACP upgrade using current addressable technology while reusing existing field wiring
- Detector Upgrades: Replace aging smoke detectors and heat detectors with newer, more reliable devices
- Communication Upgrades: Add IP or cellular communicators to replace unreliable phone lines
- Notification Upgrades: Upgrade horn/strobes to meet current ADA and fire safety requirements
- Integration Additions: Add building automation, access control, or mass notification interfaces
System retrofit helps extend the life safety of your investment while bringing your system up to current standards.
Cost Factors
Panel upgrade cost depends on multiple factors specific to your building and system requirements. We provide transparent, detailed estimates after evaluating your installation:
What Affects Your Quote
- System Size: Number of smoke detectors, heat detectors, detection zones, and notification circuits affects panel selection and programming time
- Panel Technology: Addressable systems cost more than conventional but provide individual device identification
- Manufacturer: Different manufacturers have varying equipment costs and feature sets
- Programming Complexity: Systems with voice evacuation, smoke control integration, or building automation connectivity require more programming time
- Existing Wiring: Reusing existing field wiring reduces costs compared to complete rewiring
- Communication Requirements: IP or cellular communicators add cost but eliminate monthly phone line charges
- Permit and Inspection Fees: Local jurisdiction requirements vary throughout DFW
- Installation Timing: After-hours installation to minimize business disruption may affect labor costs
Contact us for a free assessment and detailed quote. We explain all cost factors so you can make informed decisions about your system upgrade.
Fire Alarm Programming Services
Fire alarm panel programming configures how your system responds to conditions and communicates with building occupants and emergency responders. Expert fire alarm programming ensures reliable operation and code compliance:
- Zone Programming: Define detection zones that correspond to building areas and fire department operational needs
- NAC Circuit Configuration: Program notification appliance circuits for proper temporal patterns and synchronization
- Device Configuration: Set sensitivity levels, detector types, and custom labels for addressable smoke detectors and other devices
- Relay Programming: Configure auxiliary relays for door holders, elevator recall, HVAC shutdown, and access control integration
- Communication Setup: Program central station account numbers, communication paths, and signal verification
- Cause and Effect: Define which initiating devices activate which notification zones and auxiliary functions
Our configuration services support new fire alarm installation projects and modifications to existing systems. Expert configuration is essential for code compliance.
Advanced System Configuration
Advanced configuration encompasses programming beyond basic zone and device setup. Complex buildings require sophisticated system configuration to meet code requirements and life safety operational needs:
Advanced Services
- Voice Evacuation Sequences: Program custom messages, speaker zone activation, and phased evacuation logic for high-rise buildings
- HVAC Shutdown Integration: Configure duct detector responses, smoke damper operation, and air handler shutdown sequences
- Smoke Control Programming: Program stairwell pressurization, exhaust fan activation, and smoke management system coordination
- Building Automation Integration: Configure BACnet or other protocol interfaces with building management systems
- Mass Notification System Installation: Program emergency communication systems that integrate with other emergency messaging
- Multi-Panel Networks: Configure networked systems with distributed processing and centralized monitoring
- Sensitivity Scheduling: Program day/night smoke detector sensitivity levels to reduce false alarms while maintaining protection
Commercial Service Process
- Requirements Review: Document operational needs, code requirements, and integration points for your system
- Point Schedule Development: Create device schedules with addresses, labels, and zone assignments
- Offline Programming: Configure panels using manufacturer software before on-site installation
- On-Site Upload: Transfer programming to panels and verify device communication
- Functional Testing: Test all programmed functions including relays, zones, and communication
- Documentation: Provide programming records, as-built drawings, and operation sequences