Fire Alarms

Fire alarm detection systems generally fall into two categories.

1. Conventional Fire Alarms

2. Analogue Addressable Fire Alarms

The size of the area to be protected usually determines which type of fire alarm is appropriate. Domestic properties and small to medium sized business would have conventional systems specified. Medium to large business and very large flat/apartment buildings would have Analogue Addressable systems recommended

Conventional Fire Alarm Detection System:

Conventional Fire Alarm Systems, in their various forms, have been around for many years and have changed little in that time in terms of technology although design and reliability have improved significantly. However, Conventional Systems are a well-proven technology protecting many hundreds of thousands of properties worldwide. A Conventional Fire Alarm System is often the natural choice for smaller systems or where budget constraints exist.

In a typical Conventional Fire Alarm System the 'intelligence' of the system resides solely within the Fire Alarm Control Panel which receives a trigger signal from a Conventional Detector or Call Point and in turn, signals the condition to other devices such as alarm sounders and remote signaling equipment

Analogue Addressable Fire Alarm Detection Systems:

Analogue Addressable Fire Alarm Systems differ from conventional systems in a number of ways and certainly add more flexibility, intelligence, speed of identification and scope of control. For this reason Analogue Addressable Fire Alarm Systems are the natural choice for larger premises and more complex system requirements.

In an analogue addressable system detectors are wired in a loop around the building with each detector having its own unique 'address'. The system may contain one or more loops depending upon the size of the system and design requirements. The Fire Control Panel 'communicates' with each detector individually and receives a status report e.g. Healthy, In Alarm or In Fault etc. As each detector has an individual 'address' the fire alarm control panel is able to display/indicate the precise location of the device in question, which obviously helps speed the location of an incident and for this reason 'zoning' of the system is not necessary, although it may be done for convenience. Addressable detectors are, in themselves, 'intelligent' devices which are capable of reporting far more than just fire or fault conditions, for example most detectors are able to signal if contamination within the device (dust etc) reaches a pre-set level enabling maintenance to take place prior to problems being experienced. Addressable detectors are also able to provide pre-alarm warnings when smoke/heat levels, reach a pre-set level enabling investigation of the fire to take place prior to a full evacuation alarm and Fire Brigade signaling taking place.

Risk Assessments:

New Fire Safety regulations came into force on 1st October 2006, stating that the following must all be carried out:

- A fire-risk assessment identifying any possible dangers and risks;

- Consider who may be especially at risk

- Get rid of or reduce the risk from fire as far as is reasonably possible and provide general fire precautions to deal with any possible risk left

- Take other measures to make sure there is protection if flammable or explosive materials are used or stored

- Create a plan to deal with any emergency and, in most cases, keep a record of your findings

- Review your findings when necessary

- The Fire Safety Order will apply across England and Wales to virtually all premises and covers nearly every type of building, structure and open space. For example:

• Offices and shops
• Premises that provide care
• Community halls
• Common areas of houses in multiple occupation
• Pubs, clubs and restaurants
• Schools
• Tents and marquees
• Hotels and hostels
• Factories and warehouses

For more information on any of the above points mentioned please visit www.opsi.gov.uk

As an approved contractor, all systems are installed within the stringent regulations of BS5839-1: 2002

All the systems that we design, install and commission include preventative maintenance giving you peace of mind that a 24 hour service is always available if required.