So to give you an insight into Fire Alarm Installation, we’ve created a check list of things to look for before you sign that all important quote.
Choosing the Right Detector Types
Smoke detectors are typically used in corridors and general office spaces. Heat detectors are generally better suited for kitchens and areas where there is a high risk of dust. Carbon monoxide detectors are best used in locations where there are combustion appliances installed, i.e. boilers, fires, generators etc. A reputable contractor will survey the premises and recommend the appropriate detectors for each room.
Planning Your Zone Layout
As the system will be zoned (i.e. divided up into sections of the building) it’s very important to know roughly where the problem is when the alarm does go off. This is why you must check that the proposed system has been designed with your specific building in mind, and that a floor plan has been drawn up showing all of the zones as they apply to your premises. Typically each floor would be a separate zone, but this will depend entirely on the design of your building and the requirements of fire legislation.
Siting the Control Panel
The control panel needs to be placed in a position that is quickly accessible by building occupants as well as fire services, and also for regular testing by hand by building occupants during working hours. A typical location is a lobby or security desk at the main entrance to a building.
Legal Duties and Certification
Under workplace fire safety responsibilities under UK law the responsible person must ensure that there is an adequate fire detection and warning system. This is why you should always use a third-party certified fire alarm installer, ideally a BAFE accredited company to prove your fire alarm system has been designed and installed to meet the necessary legal requirements of the workplace fire safety regulations.
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Getting Proper Handover Documents
Once the fire alarm system has been installed and commissioned you need to ensure that you are provided with the as-fitted drawings, the cause-and-effect chart (showing how each device is interconnected), the commissioning certificate and the logbook. All of these documents are required for insurance purposes as well as for future servicing and any compliance inspections.
A properly specified system is only good if you can go on and test and manage the system after the installation has been completed by the engineers.
