Fire Systems
What you need to know when designing a fire alarm system for your building.
If you have a growing business and need to move premises, you will need to make sure that the building you are moving in to is covered by fire protection that adheres to all current legal requirements. Sometimes this will mean a complete overhaul and refit of what is already there.
You may inherit a working alarm system but your business may need a different system to what the previous occupants required. In these cases you will want to design a system that meets fire safety regulations as well as suits your business needs. You will also want to save time and money by having a safe system that reduces the risk of false fire alarms using the latest cutting edge fire safety technology.
Designing your fire alarm system
What you need in any particular building or working area will normally be worked out by the authority responsible for fire safety legalisation or by conducting a fire risk assessment. DRAM Fire & Security are specialist fire detection system installers, and we can come out to your property to assess your protection needs. We can also supply and professionally install your wired or wireless system to suit your requirements and the layout of your building. We offer our comprehensive service to both commercial and residential properties across London.
It is quite normal to have some form of fire detection equipment and a fire alarm system installed in all types of buildings, unless the premises is so small that it wouldn’t apply. The reason for having a detection and alarm system is to quickly detect a fire and alert all occupants within the building to the danger present, especially those that may be tucked away in a back office, working in a basement or loft area that may otherwise be completely unaware that a fire has broken out on another floor or in a different part of the building.
It is very important that your fire alarm system design takes into consideration the type of workplace you operate and uses the most appropriate fire alarm options available. Not all alarm types may suit your particular building or working environment. For example, in a relatively noisy working environment where employees may be wearing ear defenders on the shop floor, one simple bell alarm will not be sufficient to raise awareness of a fire or alert all the workers in the area who need to evacuate the building.
Types of fire alarm systems
Conventional fire alarm system: With a conventional fire alarm system, a number of call points and detectors are wired to the fire alarm control panel in zones. A zone is a circuit and would involve wiring a circuit per floor or within a specific area. Having zoned areas enables you to get an idea of where the fire has broken out. This will help you to safely evacuate the building by avoiding that area and will also help the fire brigade to quickly locate and tackle the blaze.
Addressable system: This works in a similar way to the conventional system except that the control panel can pinpoint the exact detector or call point that triggered the alarm. This is especially helpful in larger buildings and warehouses where a fire can be quickly isolated and dealt with.
Wireless fire alarm system: These are basically an addressable fire alarm system but where the need for hard wiring and cabling is not required. This is ideal for listed buildings such as National Trust properties or places where unsightly wiring would spoil the aesthetics of a premises.
Installation
Once you have your plan in place you will need to have your alarm system supplied, installed and commissioned by a qualified alarm specialist, such as a DRAM technician. We can assure you that our work complies with British Standards – BS5839 and that you will receive a commissioning certificate for the work provided.