How do you determine the correct Fire Alarm System required?
Selecting a fire alarm system for your premises transcends mere compliance with legal obligations; it's equally about optimising time and cost efficiency, minimising false alarms, and simplifying operational efforts.
Typically, the necessity for a fire detection system within a particular structure is established by the authority entrusted with enforcing fire safety regulations or ascertained through a comprehensive fire risk assessment.
Did you know there are 8 categories of Fire Alarm System?
Our fire risk assessment will ascertain the appropriate level of fire alarm system essential for your commercial establishment. Subsequently, our designers will evaluate the available fire alarm options, carefully tailoring the design to match the specific requirements of the building in question. It's important to note that not all fire alarm types are suitable for every building design.
Among the four common types of fire alarm systems are:
- Conventional
- Addressable
It is also important to note that there are monitored and unmonitored fire alarm systems and an M-rated system which is for manual-only systems.
Each system has its own merits and suitability, and our experts will guide you in selecting the one that best aligns with your building's characteristics and safety needs.
Domestic Systems Categories
LD1, LD2, and LD3 – A system of one or more mains-powered detection, each device with an integral standby supply with a replaceable battery or batteries.
LD1 - Alarms in all rooms/areas apart from bathrooms, shower rooms and toilets
LD2 - Alarms in hallways and landings (Circulation spaces and escape routes) also alarms in the kitchen and living rooms (any high-risk areas) – Normally chosen for buildings of 3 storeys and over in size
LD3 - Alarms in hallways and landings, circulation spaces and escape routes
Our Equipment Suppliers
Maintenance
Once your new system is fully operational and thoroughly tested, we extend a variety of maintenance packages tailored to your specific needs. To explore these options in more detail, please don't hesitate to contact us. We'll be happy to provide you with further information and assist you in choosing the maintenance package that best suits your requirements.
Fire Alarm Maintenance
Our comprehensive fire alarm maintenance solutions are designed to ensure your compliance with regulatory and legislative requirements. For our contracted customers, we offer a 24/7, 365-day call-out service, providing you with round-the-clock support. All our services strictly adhere to the relevant British Standard codes of practice and are conducted by highly trained and competent technicians.
Regular servicing and maintenance of your fire alarm system are not only a legal obligation but also provide you with the confidence that your fire alarm equipment will function effectively when it matters most.
Fire Alarm Maintenance Accreditation
Consistent servicing and maintenance of your fire alarm system are not only mandated by law but also provide you with the peace of mind that your fire alarm equipment will function reliably when it's most crucial.
How often should I have my fire alarm system serviced?
The frequency of fire alarm service visits should be determined based on the outcomes of your fire risk assessment. This assessment considers various factors such as the type of fire alarm system in place, the operating environment, and other elements that could impact the system's long-term functionality.
It is advisable that the time gap between consecutive inspection and servicing visits should not exceed six months. Furthermore, to ensure compliance with the standards outlined in BS5839, regular weekly testing of your fire alarm system is essential.
What Are The Benefits of Fire System Maintenance
Regular fire alarm inspection and maintenance offer numerous advantages in safeguarding not only yourself but also your employees, customers, visitors, and premises. A fully functional fire detection and alarm system serves as an early warning mechanism in the event of a fire, facilitating safe and timely evacuations.
Furthermore, consistent maintenance of your fire alarm system has the added benefit of extending component lifespans and reducing the occurrence of false alarms.
False alarms in fire alarm and detection systems are typically caused by improper management rather than faults in the systems themselves. Such false alarms can result in significant financial costs, including:
- Lost production
- Disruption due to staff evacuations
- Unnecessary mobilisation of retained firefighters
- Potential future charges for the attendance of fire and rescue services
- Increased insurance premiums
It's worth noting that modern and well-maintained systems rarely experience equipment malfunctions. However, false alarms are estimated to cost the UK over £1 billion annually.
In recent years, The Fire Industry Association (FIA) initiated a campaign aimed at reducing false alarms, emphasising the substantial costs associated with them. For more details, you can visit the FIA website.
To receive guidance on minimising false alarms and potentially saving your business money, please refer to the attached infographic produced by the Fire Industry Association.
More information about our fire alarm maintenance contracts
We offer comprehensive maintenance and testing services for a wide range of fire alarm equipment from various manufacturers. These services can be conveniently scheduled for on-site inspection and maintenance through prior appointments.
During the inspection, we also provide demonstrations and instructions on the operation of the fire panel to ensure your team is well-informed. Rest assured, our service is cost-controlled, and no work is initiated without your approval, ensuring transparency and control over expenses.
Our support is available year-round, providing you with helpful advice and assistance whenever needed. Upon the completion of our work, you will receive a certificate of inspection as evidence of the service provided.
We take pride in being an approved supplier for 'Notifier' and holding the prestigious status of being a Gold Partner.
Gas Suppression Systems & Integrity Testing
If you have facilities like a computer room, comms room, data centre, or specialised manufacturing setups, there's a likelihood that you'll require an automatic gas suppression system. We offer end-to-end services, including supply, installation, commissioning, and ongoing maintenance, all in accordance with current standards.
These systems are fully automated and utilise gases such as FM200, CO2, and Inergen, among others. Additionally, we provide supply, installation, commissioning, and maintenance services for gas suppression systems designed for cooking facilities, like Ansul systems.
Our Gas Suppression System services adhere strictly to British Standards, specifically BS6266 and BSEN 15004. Moreover, we offer an integrity testing service to safeguard against potential leakages.
24-7 Monitoring
Our 24/7 Fire Alarm Monitoring service is carried out in partnership with EMCS, one of the largest independent monitoring stations in the UK. This monitoring service is made possible through a range of communicators, including Red Care and Dual Comm systems.
These systems are designed to transmit signals swiftly, with responses within seconds, directly to the monitoring station. In the event of an alarm, this immediate communication ensures that the emergency services are promptly notified.
Furthermore, we offer supply, installation, and commissioning services for these monitoring systems, ensuring that your fire alarm monitoring setup is fully operational and efficient.
