Warehouse (or similar), M or P2/M or P1/M system category
A Category M system normally satisfies the requirements of the legislation. It is, however, often combined with a Category P system to satisfy the requirements of insurers, as company policy for the protection of assets, or to protect against business interruption.
Cinema (or similar) M & L1 to L4 category systems.
Another factor to be taken into account is the reaction of any occupants:
“During fire emergencies, occupants engage in a range of behaviors, all of which require time to complete. In order to assess the time required for escape, it is necessary to identify, quantify and take account of a range of factors including time to detection, time to warnings, pre-movement time, and travel time. The time required for escape depends upon the interactions of these variables and the developing fire scenario”.
A point of interest, and relevant to social behavior, is also detailed in the category and premises table:
“System Category is normally based on a fire risk assessment. In many schools, a Category P system is installed to combat the hazard of arson. In schools that are partly occupied at certain times (e.g. during evening classes or community use), a Category L4 or L5 system is sometimes considered appropriate.”
This exemplifies the use of fire detection and alarm in protecting life and property from ‘other persons’.
In statistics taken from the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister (Fire Statistics United Kingdom 2001), it is shown that in that period, there were 481,100 false alarms.
British Standard BS 5839 requires end users of an automatic fire alarm system to not only log that there has been a false alarm on the system, but also categorize the type of false alarm.
These (5) categories are:-
• Unwanted alarms – alarms caused by fumes from cooking, steam, tobacco smoke, dust insects etc.
• Equipment False Alarms – alarms due to faults with the equipment.
• Malicious False Alarms – alarms arising from a malicious use of a call point.
• False alarms with good intent – these occur when an individual suspects there is a real fire and raises the alarm.
• False alarms that do not fall into any of the categories listed should be entered into your Fire log book as Unknown.
Listing the category of false alarms in the Fire system log book will aid investigation as to the cause.
Fire risk assessments should take into account the potential for false alarms and allow for the preventative measure to be used.
As part of fire risk management, the companies who maintain the automatic detection system need to be informed of any changes or change of use within the premises, as the risk may have altered.
Single detectors or zones can be isolated during any work which could result in a false alarm.
3.1 Requirements for disabled persons The requirements for deaf and blind persons must be taken into account when selecting the alarm method. Strobe lighting (or a beacon) is typical of a method of alarm for people who are deaf. However, for something like a care home or even the home of a deaf person where they may be asleep, such a visual system would not be appropriate. Research has shown that vibration is the most reliable way to wake a deaf person from deep sleep, so the use of a vibrating pad under a pillow, while the person is sleeping, would alert the person to the fact that the alarm was activating.
This vibration method can also be used to good effect by deaf-blind people. As well as a design that fits under a pillow, there are self-contained (radio) units that can be worn by the person and vibrate when the system activates.
Disabled persons can also be supplied with push button or pull cord alternatives to break glass call points.
A source of further reference is Part M of the Building Regulations (Access and facilities for disabled people).
3.2 Requirements for maintenance and testing of fire alarms Summary of the Maintenance Requirements of BS5839-1: 2002 provided by the BFPSA:
This summary has been made available to assist readers of the booklet entitled "A Guide to the reduction of false alarms from fire detection and fire alarm systems" published by the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister.
Note 1: BS5839-1, Code of Practice for fire detection and fire alarm system design, installation, commissioning and maintenance, was revised and updated by the British Standards Institution in 2002 and came fully into force in July 2003. The previous version was published in 1988 and was formally withdrawn by BSI in July 2003.
This summary relates to the 2002 version.
Note 2: This information is provided for the general guidance of fire detection and fire alarm system users. As it is a summary, it omits much of the information included in the clauses listed below. It Is therefore not intended to be a replacement for the detailed recommendations included within BS5839 1.
Clause 44 routine testing.
Clause 44.1 Commentary.
It is vital for a regular test to be undertaken to ensure that there has not been a major failure of the entire fire detection and fire alarm system that may otherwise go unnoticed.
Clause 44.2 Weekly testing by the user.
Test a manual call point during working hours to check that the control panel and alarm sounders operate satisfactorily. Each week, a different manual call point should be tested. Voice alarm systems should be tested weekly in accordance with BS5839-8 Note: If the system is connected to an Alarm Receiving Centre (ARC) for calling the fire brigade, it is very important that the ARC is notified before testing commences and when it is completed.
Clause 44.3 Monthly attention by the user
Testing of any automatically-started generator used for the fire detection and fire alarm system. Inspection of any vented batteries used as a standby power supply for the fire detection and fire alarm system.
Clause 45 Inspection and Servicing
Clause 45.1 Commentary
The inspection and servicing should be undertaken by organizations with the appropriate competence. This can be assured by the use of organizations that are the third party certificated, by a UKAS accredited certification body, specifically to carry out inspection and servicing of fire detection and fire alarm systems.
Clause 45.2 Quarterly inspection of vented batteries.
Vented batteries should be examined by a person with relevant competence and should be topped up if necessary.
Clause 45.3 Periodic inspection and testing.
The period between visits to undertake inspection and service should be based on a risk assessment, but the maximum period between visits should not exceed six months. The logbook should be inspected. A visual inspection should be made to check whether structural or occupancy changes have been made that require changes to the fire detection and fire alarm system. False alarm records should be checked and relevant action is taken if necessary. Batteries should be checked and tested. Control panel functions should be checked and tested. Fire alarm devices should be tested. Facilities for automatic transmission of alarm signals to an alarm receiving center (ARC) should be checked after advising the ARC of the proposed actions.
All fault indicators and circuits should be tested and checked. Printers should be tested. Other checks and tests recommended by the manufacturer should be carried out. Outstanding defects should be reported and the logbook completed and servicing certificate issued.
Clause 45.4 Inspection and test of a system over a 12 month period.
The switch mechanism of every manual call point should be tested. Every automatic fire detector should be examined and functionally tested. Note: this includes, but is not limited to smoke detectors, re-settable heat detectors, optical beam smoke detectors, aspirating fire detection systems, carbon monoxide fire detectors and flame detectors. All fire alarm devices (both visual and audible) should be tested. Certain filament lamps should be replaced. Radio fire detection and fire alarm system signal strengths should be checked. Visual inspection of readily accessible cable fixings should be undertaken. The cause and effect programme should be checked. The standby power supply capacity should be checked. Other annual checks and tests recommended by the system component manufacturers should be undertaken. Outstanding defects should be reported and the servicing certificate issued.
Clause 46.4.4 Recommendations for action to address an unacceptable rate of false alarms.
This Clause recommends that any false alarm investigation and subsequent modifications to the system takes into account the guidance provided in Section 3 of BS5839-12002. Note: Any organizations undertaking false alarm investigations and related remedial work should be able to demonstrate their competence to undertake such work. Section 3 of BS5839-1:2002.
This section contains comprehensive information on all aspects of limitation of false alarms. The measures to limit false alarms are divided into eight groups:
• Siting and selection of manual call points.
• Selection and siting of automatic fire detectors.
• Selection of system type.
• Protection against electromagnetic interference.
• Performance monitoring of newly-commissioned systems.
• Filtering measures.
• System management.
• Regular servicing and maintenance.
4.0 Fire-fighting In most smaller workplaces, portable fire extinguishers will probably be sufficient to tackle small fires. However, in more complex buildings, or where it is necessary to protect the means of escape and/or the property or contents of the building, it may be necessary to
consider a sprinkler system.
A Category M system normally satisfies the requirements of the legislation. It is, however, often combined with a Category P system to satisfy the requirements of insurers, as company policy for the protection of assets, or to protect against business interruption.
Cinema (or similar) M & L1 to L4 category systems.
Another factor to be taken into account is the reaction of any occupants:
“During fire emergencies, occupants engage in a range of behaviors, all of which require time to complete. In order to assess the time required for escape, it is necessary to identify, quantify and take account of a range of factors including time to detection, time to warnings, pre-movement time, and travel time. The time required for escape depends upon the interactions of these variables and the developing fire scenario”.
A point of interest, and relevant to social behavior, is also detailed in the category and premises table:
“System Category is normally based on a fire risk assessment. In many schools, a Category P system is installed to combat the hazard of arson. In schools that are partly occupied at certain times (e.g. during evening classes or community use), a Category L4 or L5 system is sometimes considered appropriate.”
This exemplifies the use of fire detection and alarm in protecting life and property from ‘other persons’.
In statistics taken from the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister (Fire Statistics United Kingdom 2001), it is shown that in that period, there were 481,100 false alarms.
British Standard BS 5839 requires end users of an automatic fire alarm system to not only log that there has been a false alarm on the system, but also categorize the type of false alarm.
These (5) categories are:-
• Unwanted alarms – alarms caused by fumes from cooking, steam, tobacco smoke, dust insects etc.
• Equipment False Alarms – alarms due to faults with the equipment.
• Malicious False Alarms – alarms arising from a malicious use of a call point.
• False alarms with good intent – these occur when an individual suspects there is a real fire and raises the alarm.
• False alarms that do not fall into any of the categories listed should be entered into your Fire log book as Unknown.
Listing the category of false alarms in the Fire system log book will aid investigation as to the cause.
Fire risk assessments should take into account the potential for false alarms and allow for the preventative measure to be used.
As part of fire risk management, the companies who maintain the automatic detection system need to be informed of any changes or change of use within the premises, as the risk may have altered.
Single detectors or zones can be isolated during any work which could result in a false alarm.
3.1 Requirements for disabled persons The requirements for deaf and blind persons must be taken into account when selecting the alarm method. Strobe lighting (or a beacon) is typical of a method of alarm for people who are deaf. However, for something like a care home or even the home of a deaf person where they may be asleep, such a visual system would not be appropriate. Research has shown that vibration is the most reliable way to wake a deaf person from deep sleep, so the use of a vibrating pad under a pillow, while the person is sleeping, would alert the person to the fact that the alarm was activating.
This vibration method can also be used to good effect by deaf-blind people. As well as a design that fits under a pillow, there are self-contained (radio) units that can be worn by the person and vibrate when the system activates.
Disabled persons can also be supplied with push button or pull cord alternatives to break glass call points.
A source of further reference is Part M of the Building Regulations (Access and facilities for disabled people).
3.2 Requirements for maintenance and testing of fire alarms Summary of the Maintenance Requirements of BS5839-1: 2002 provided by the BFPSA:
This summary has been made available to assist readers of the booklet entitled "A Guide to the reduction of false alarms from fire detection and fire alarm systems" published by the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister.
Note 1: BS5839-1, Code of Practice for fire detection and fire alarm system design, installation, commissioning and maintenance, was revised and updated by the British Standards Institution in 2002 and came fully into force in July 2003. The previous version was published in 1988 and was formally withdrawn by BSI in July 2003.
This summary relates to the 2002 version.
Note 2: This information is provided for the general guidance of fire detection and fire alarm system users. As it is a summary, it omits much of the information included in the clauses listed below. It Is therefore not intended to be a replacement for the detailed recommendations included within BS5839 1.
Clause 44 routine testing.
Clause 44.1 Commentary.
It is vital for a regular test to be undertaken to ensure that there has not been a major failure of the entire fire detection and fire alarm system that may otherwise go unnoticed.
Clause 44.2 Weekly testing by the user.
Test a manual call point during working hours to check that the control panel and alarm sounders operate satisfactorily. Each week, a different manual call point should be tested. Voice alarm systems should be tested weekly in accordance with BS5839-8 Note: If the system is connected to an Alarm Receiving Centre (ARC) for calling the fire brigade, it is very important that the ARC is notified before testing commences and when it is completed.
Clause 44.3 Monthly attention by the user
Testing of any automatically-started generator used for the fire detection and fire alarm system. Inspection of any vented batteries used as a standby power supply for the fire detection and fire alarm system.
Clause 45 Inspection and Servicing
Clause 45.1 Commentary
The inspection and servicing should be undertaken by organizations with the appropriate competence. This can be assured by the use of organizations that are the third party certificated, by a UKAS accredited certification body, specifically to carry out inspection and servicing of fire detection and fire alarm systems.
Clause 45.2 Quarterly inspection of vented batteries.
Vented batteries should be examined by a person with relevant competence and should be topped up if necessary.
Clause 45.3 Periodic inspection and testing.
The period between visits to undertake inspection and service should be based on a risk assessment, but the maximum period between visits should not exceed six months. The logbook should be inspected. A visual inspection should be made to check whether structural or occupancy changes have been made that require changes to the fire detection and fire alarm system. False alarm records should be checked and relevant action is taken if necessary. Batteries should be checked and tested. Control panel functions should be checked and tested. Fire alarm devices should be tested. Facilities for automatic transmission of alarm signals to an alarm receiving center (ARC) should be checked after advising the ARC of the proposed actions.
All fault indicators and circuits should be tested and checked. Printers should be tested. Other checks and tests recommended by the manufacturer should be carried out. Outstanding defects should be reported and the logbook completed and servicing certificate issued.
Clause 45.4 Inspection and test of a system over a 12 month period.
The switch mechanism of every manual call point should be tested. Every automatic fire detector should be examined and functionally tested. Note: this includes, but is not limited to smoke detectors, re-settable heat detectors, optical beam smoke detectors, aspirating fire detection systems, carbon monoxide fire detectors and flame detectors. All fire alarm devices (both visual and audible) should be tested. Certain filament lamps should be replaced. Radio fire detection and fire alarm system signal strengths should be checked. Visual inspection of readily accessible cable fixings should be undertaken. The cause and effect programme should be checked. The standby power supply capacity should be checked. Other annual checks and tests recommended by the system component manufacturers should be undertaken. Outstanding defects should be reported and the servicing certificate issued.
Clause 46.4.4 Recommendations for action to address an unacceptable rate of false alarms.
This Clause recommends that any false alarm investigation and subsequent modifications to the system takes into account the guidance provided in Section 3 of BS5839-12002. Note: Any organizations undertaking false alarm investigations and related remedial work should be able to demonstrate their competence to undertake such work. Section 3 of BS5839-1:2002.
This section contains comprehensive information on all aspects of limitation of false alarms. The measures to limit false alarms are divided into eight groups:
• Siting and selection of manual call points.
• Selection and siting of automatic fire detectors.
• Selection of system type.
• Protection against electromagnetic interference.
• Performance monitoring of newly-commissioned systems.
• Filtering measures.
• System management.
• Regular servicing and maintenance.
4.0 Fire-fighting In most smaller workplaces, portable fire extinguishers will probably be sufficient to tackle small fires. However, in more complex buildings, or where it is necessary to protect the means of escape and/or the property or contents of the building, it may be necessary to
consider a sprinkler system.
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