What Fire Alarm Services Does My Business Need?What Fire Alarm Services Does My Business Need?
Fire alarms save lives and protect property. By alerting people to a fire, they let people exit a property and alert the business owner to the developing fire issue. Fire alarms are mandatory under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 and its equivalents in Scotland and Northern Ireland. ‘Non-domestic’ properties require the necessary fire detection system to ensure the occupants are adequately warned if a fire breaks out. There are many kinds of fire alarm services, and depending on your business and property, what system you need can change. We’ll look at some of the responsibilities which are important to a business when it comes to fire alarms
What Premises Require a Fire Alarm?
Not all premises need a fire alarm (though it’s strongly advised to have one). If you don’t store high-risk substances (for example, chemicals or paint), or are located somewhere a developing fire could be easily seen and any occupants were immediately alerted (without the need of an alarm), it wouldn’t be necessary to have one installed.
In cases where a premises where there’s ‘high risk’ activities being carried out (restaurants, for example), or there’s vulnerable occupants, a complex structure, or a fire wouldn’t be detected, then fire alarms would come in handy. A fire risk assessment should be taken to evaluate the premises to see if a fire alarm would be suitable.
What kind of Alarm do I need?
There are three general types of Fire Alarm.
Conventional Fire Alarms
Conventional Fire Alarms are best suited for premises which are small and are at low risk of suffering from a fire.
When a fire is detected, the alarm panel will display locations where its heat or smoke detector has been triggered. This will give the designated fire safety manager an idea of where the given zone is and allow them to locate the fire or the activated device. This adds a level of risk in larger environments, where the appointed fire safety manager will need to search the given zone to try and locate the location of the fire or device.
This means these devices aren’t suitable for larger properties.
Addressable Fire Alarms
Addressable fire alarms work by telling you the precise location of the heat or smoke. They have the name ‘addressable’ based on the fact each of the sensor devices is connected to an alarm panel with its own specific electronic address.
Addressable Fire alarms are a more intelligent system. They are excellent for larger, higher risk environments. They are found in hospitals, schools, and care homes.
Addressable Fire Alarms allow for the quick detection of the location of the fire, and don’t’ suffer the same kind of risks of false alarms. They’re highly reliable systems – more so than conventional fire alarms.
Wireless Fire Alarms
Wireless Fire Alarms are like addressable fire alarms. They use a secure wireless connection between the fire alarm panel and all the individual sensors.
Wireless Fire Alarms biggest benefit is that they are wireless. In places where an Addressable Fire Alarm system is suitable, but cabling is not, a Wireless Fire Alarm is often your best option.
Wireless Fire Alarms are quick and easy to install, and furthermore, they are portable and flexible. They can be installed anywhere you need them and moved when need be. Because there’s no cable requirement, the installation time is often incredibly quick. If you’re in the process of making modifications to a property, Wireless Fire Alarms can be invaluable.
Wireless Fire Alarms Glasgow don’t run on electrical power from the grid. They use batteries. This makes them even more safe and useful, since in the case of a power outage your alarm system will continue to work.
What should I look for with Alarm Installers?
Because of the complexity of an Alarm System, getting a qualified installer is vistal. There are several things you should look for when it comes to fire alarm installers,
- That they meet BAFE (British Approvals for Fire Excellent) approved, and meet British Standards BS 5839
- They provide an all-parts warranty
- They provide round-the-clock support
- They offer contracts for servicing and maintenance
What about Maintenance and Servicing?
Fire alarm maintenance is of vital importance to ensure the alarm is always functioning and does its job. The Fire Safety regulations require an alarm system is maintained and functional and is regularly tested by a competent person. This is mandated by law; it is a legal requirement for an employer (under the Health and Safety Work Act, 1974). This is also vital for stopping false alarms.