Walking around campus Wednesday, it was impossible to notice the signs posted everywhere: Fire Alarm Testing Today. How considerate of them. You wouldn't want a bunch of panicked people every time an alarm went off.
There's only one problem with this: The alarms never went off!!! Not once!
Am I the only one who thinks: Hmm. No alarms. Does that mean they don't work?
Since this has happened before, I surmise that they have a way of testing the alarms without bells and sirens sounding. And the reason for the warning signs is in case they make a mistake and set off the audible alarms.
However, what if every part of the system worked correctly on their scopes and meters but the bells were broken. How would they know? If we ever have a fire, might everything work perfectly except that one part that actually informs people there is a problem?
Years ago I worked for a company that did the annual fire alarm test by opening the relief valve on the sprinkler system. When water started flowing the alarm bells went off and the maintenance guys walked through every part of the plant to make sure each bell worked. I knew that system worked.
If they are going to go to all the trouble of posting signs warning about testing, perhaps there should be some kind of notification (like in the Daily Announcements) that the system tested out fine.
Otherwise, I will always wonder.
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