Angus has been involved in developing and writing British and International Fire & Safety standards since the mid-1980s. The list of standards that he has participated in is impressive and includes BS5839-1, BS8629, EN54-18 and ISO7240-2. Angus utilises his extensive experience to provide an authoritative perspective on the key issues that affect the Fire & Security Industry today.
In large warehouse buildings, fire alarm systems can be very expensive either to install or maintain, largely due to four factors:
- Large area covered
- Challenging access to devices typically requiring hired-in Powered Access Equipment – either for installation or maintenance/testing
- Depending on nature of site, pausing operations to allow operatives to access high-level hardware for yearly testing
- Sensitive detection needed due to below risks:
- Smoke dilution – smoke detection is installed at roof level and the taller the building the further the smoke travels
- Obstructions eg racking, stock and machinery effects smoke dispersion.
In these conditions, a ‘typical’ point detector* (such as you’d see in an office) does not perform well, and other alternatives have to be considered. Read on for an overview of these alternatives as well as a product specially developed to streamline testing and reduce ongoing costs.
Point Detection
Point detectors are the most recognisable type of smoke detector, monitoring air quality at a single point close to the ceiling. In large factories and warehouses, these aren’t economical due to the number of detectors needed to cover the area, and due to their relative inefficiency when so far above possible sources of ignition.
To comply with British Standard requirements, ‘point type detection’ should not be installed above 10.5m mounting height.
Aspirating Detection
Aspirating or High Sensitivity Smoke Detection (HSSD) uses a network of perforated pipes to sample air from across the protected area and take it back to a low-level testing point for analysis, in a constant flow. It’s the most sensitive form of detection, and although expensive to install it seems cheapest to test because of the low-level testing point negating the need for complex access equipment or paused production. However, this benefit can mask the danger of blocked perforation holes or obstructions in the pipework, and the maintenance for this is most difficult of all, requiring high level access, paused production and specialist engineers to resolve – the alternative is to continue operating with a faulty or at worst quietly incompetent system, potentially jeopardising the safety of the building and the people working there.
Furthermore if there is an issue with the pipework which can happen e.g. mechanical damage, changes in temperature causing pipework joints to disconnect etc then this can be very expensive and sometimes impractical to repair, for example where it is inaccessible above high bay racking.
Beam Detection
Beam detection uses a laser beam across a long distance over the protected area, which triggers when smoke obscures the beam. It’s by far the easiest method to install and very cost effective, because of the much smaller number of detector units required covering the same area (compared to point detectors).
The method for testing beam detection is a simple one-action process that proves correct operation along the entire protected space, every time. This is the equivalent to accessing and testing every sample hole on an HSSD system, which is very time consuming and impractical.
Beam detectors can be associated with nuisance faults and false alarms due to:
- Building movement causing alignment issues.
- Beam path being blocked by e.g. High Level storage or maintenance activities.
Notwithstanding the above, Fixfire® provides high-performance beam detection which combines proven reliability with technology that completely overcomes these issues.
As with alternative detection types, testing and maintenance can be costly if done from the ground, requiring halted use of the space and often using scissor lifts or other access equipment to fulfil the requirements of a proper test.
A cheaper way to test beam detectors
Fixfire® have developed RemoTest™ specifically to address the challenges of testing beam detection; a unit mounted alongside each beam detector to obscures the beam in response to a signal over wifi, or wired from the fire alarm panel. Not only does Remotest eliminate the life-cycle costs of hired-in Powered Access Equipment, this also allows yearly tests to be conducted remotely and safely without pausing site operations For peace of mind, it also allows tests to be carried out by trained site operatives more frequently if desired, without any specialist training or equipment.
Conclusion
Although it is not yet the most common due to only being recently developed, the combination of improved reliability and easier maintenance and testing (with the use of RemoTest™) make Beam detection the most cost-effective solution overall for any large warehouse or factory building across the building’s service life.
Got a question about Fire Alarms? Need Fire Safety Compliance advice? Get in touch today.
For over 45 years, Fixfire® has been providing quality products, systems, and services for Life & Property Protection. Whatever your requirement, please call our Compliance Team for expert advice and a refreshingly different approach.
Following the recommendations of BS5839 Part 1 2017 (Fire Alarm British Standard), it is a mandatory requirement to have an up to date, clear and accurate Fire Alarm Zone Chart adjacent to your Fire Alarm Control Panel and any repeater panels you have in your premises.
The purpose of the Zone Chart is to assist persons responding to an alarm to quickly identify the specific location in the building and to help the Fire Brigade understand the building layout before they enter.
When the Fire Alarm System is installed, the building is divided into Fire Zones. Any Manual Call Point (Red Box) or Fire Detector that is fitted will trigger a particular zone when activated.
The Zone Chart shows the division of each zone area with a ‘You are Here’ arrow to identify the position of the Fire Alarm Panel. The view of the building should be orientated in relation to the Fire Alarm Panel position to minimise confusion.
What is involved in producing a Zone Chart?
- Hard copy
- Or preferably AutoCAD (dwg) format
You have a legal duty of care to dispose of waste legitimately and safely via a licensed waste carrier. Failure to do so can result in prosecution, even if you have outsourced the disposal to a third party.
The Fixfire® Extinguisher Recycling Process is your reassurance that any Fire Extinguishers we remove from your premises have been disposed of in a safe and legal manner. 97% of each processed Fire Extinguisher is recycled.
Our contracted Extinguisher Recycling Unit (ERU) is a dedicated facility offering a service for the safe processing and recycling/disposal of fire extinguishers. The facility operates closely with the local Water Authority and the Environment Agency to develop safe, efficient and environmentally friendly processes, ensuring that ISO14001 certification is upheld.
Got a question about Fire Extinguisher Disposal? Need Fire Safety Compliance advice? Get in touch today!
For over 45 years, Fixfire® has been providing quality products, systems and services for Life & Property Protection. Whatever your requirement, please call our Compliance Team for expert advice and a refreshingly different approach.
Freephone 08000 891999
False Fire Alarms remain a huge concern within the education sector- interrupting already carefully scheduled, planned and well-prepared lessons or even causing major disruption and distress to exams.
Clearly, these false alarms cause significant inconvenience and disruption to students, staff, and visitors. They compromise everyone’s safety in the school and present a significant risk to the local community since the Fire Brigade will prioritise the school over other emergency callouts.
Solutions you should consider:
The first and most straightforward way is to use anti-tamper products.
Fixfire® supplies a wide range of solutions designed to protect Fire Alarm Devices from inadvertent damage or deliberate misuse/vandalism.
Products include:
- Local plastic cover flaps which attach directly to manual call points.
- The stopper consists of a clear, tamperproof, tough polycarbonate cover, frame and spacer that retrofits over a break glass call point. When lifted to operate the break glass unit, its optional battery powered integral sounder emits a piercing 96dB (at 1m). Immediate attention is drawn to the area and a prankster will either run or be caught!
- A range of steel web stoppers designed to protect fire detectors and warning devices. They are constructed from heavy-duty galvanised steel rod which is plastic-coated for durability and external use.
- A range of polycarbonate enclosures are available for the protection of devices such as fire alarm control panels and associated control equipment. The enclosures combine tough rugged construction with stylish design and offer excellent protection with a key lock for authorised access.
We also provide anti-tamper devices for fire extinguishers and associated products.
KeyCall® is a patented anti-ligature Fire Alarm and Access Control call point. It is designed to use the same key as the doors, providing simple operation for staff whilst eliminating nuisance activations by service-users.
KeyCall® has been developed by Fixfire® specifically for approved applications where standard versions would be vulnerable to abuse.
It is one of the best solutions for SEN schools and it is also compatible with a wide range of Conventional and Addressable Fire Alarm Systems.
Got a question about False Fire Alarms? Need Fire Safety Compliance advice? Get in touch today!
For over 45 years, Fixfire® has been providing quality products, systems and services for Life & Property Protection. Whatever your requirement, please call our Compliance Team for expert advice and a refreshingly different approach.
Freephone 08000 891999
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