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.
There are three main Fire Alarm System types that could be differentiated by their set-up and wiring:
- A Conventional Fire Alarm divides your premises into broad zones, and in the event of an alert, the fire alarm panel identifies the zone, but not the precise location.
- An Addressable Fire Alarm is a more intelligent type of fire alarm system and it can be programmed to take additional actions in order to protect the premises.
Each individual fire detection device has its own unique electronic address. The fire alarm panel tells you precisely where the problem is.
Additional features include:
- Pre-alarm function to minimise false alarms and the associated costs/inconvenience of an evacuation
- Dual-state fire detectors which can be programmed to give different modes of detection at different times of the day
- Cause and effect programming – enabling phased evacuation of a building
- Real time log–control panel stores every event on the system. This information can be accessed at any time via the user menu or by inspecting the system print-out, where a printer is fitted
- Self-check fire alarm sounders. Sounders which check their own operation and report a fault and their location if they do not hear their own sound
- A Wireless (Radio) Fire Alarm system is an effective alternative to traditional wired fire alarm systems for all applications. This type of system uses radio signals instead of wires to send instructions to different endpoints around the premises.
Open or Closed Protocol – What does it mean for you?
In the Fire Detection industry, addressable systems use Control Panels, Detectors and other devices which communicate with each other by means of a protocol. The protocol is a language used by a fire alarm system for communicating between devices.
An ‘Open Protocol’ allows fire detection equipment and control panels to be compatible with a greater selection of manufacturers, offering you more freedom of choice when sourcing products and installation companies.
A ‘Closed Protocol’ is a stand-alone system where the device manufacturer produces all the devices and control panels for the complete network and there is no compatibility with any other manufacturer’s components. Once you choose a closed protocol, you are more likely to be locked into one company for the supply and maintenance of the complete system.
Fixfire® has always offered “open” protocol systems – we engender loyalty and strong lasting relationships for all the good reasons – not because our clients are tied!
The type of FireAlarm System required in your premises should be identified within the current Fire Safety Risk Assessment.
Got a questionabout Fire Risk Assessments? Need Fire Safety Compliance advice? Get in touch today!
For over 45years, 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 08000891999
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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