Fire Alarm Systems
Fire Alarm Systems
There are a number of fire alarm types and categories to be aware of. Depending on the nature of your business you will need a different type of alarm.
Conventional Fire Alarms
Traditionally, the most popular fire alarm system is the wired conventional fire alarm system, which divides the premises into several detection zones.
When smoke or heat is detected in a particular zone, or if a call point is manually triggered, the fire alarm control panel will name the zone, but will not pinpoint the specific location. A zone chart should be displayed by the panel to allow responders to narrow down the search for the issue.
Conventional fire alarms are appropriate in smaller buildings with simple layouts and are a relatively cost effective solution in these situations.
Firetronik are a BAFE registered designer, installer, commissioner and maintainer of conventional fire alarm systems. All fire alarm systems we deal with are fully compliant with the relevant British Standard BS5839.
Addressable Fire Alarms
A more modern solution comes in the form of a wired addressable fire alarm system. Every smoke detector, heat detector and call point has a unique address, allowing the fire alarm control panel to pinpoint the exact device that has triggered. This allows responders to know exactly where the issue originates.
If the building in question is large and/or complex, an addressable fire alarm is often a suitable option.
Firetronik are a BAFE registered designer, installer, commissioner and maintainer of addressable fire alarm systems. All addressable fire alarm systems we deal with are fully compliant with the relevant British Standard BS5839.
Wireless Fire Alarms
Wireless fire alarm systems are flexible, reliable and easier to install than wired systems. As a result, wireless systems are an increasingly popular option.
Wireless fire alarms systems make use of radio signalling to communicate amongst the devices in the network, but the concept is the same as with wired systems:
Detection - Smoke or heat is sensed by the detector(s) in the building
Signal - An alert is transmitted by radio frequency to the fire alarm control panel.
Alarm - The fire alarm control panel sends a radio message to the sounder devices in the building to sound the alarm.
Firetronik are a BAFE registered designer, installer, commissioner and maintainer of wireless fire alarm systems. All wireless fire alarm systems we deal with are fully compliant with the relevant British Standard BS5839.
When the retrofit installation of a fire alarm system is required, wireless fire alarm systems are ideal as they are very low disruption, with no cables being run to devices through the walls and ceilings of the building. Wireless systems are relatively quick to install and also easy to modify in the future if the requirements of the building change.
Fire Alarm Categories
Fire alarm systems are not one-size-fits all, they come in many shapes and sizes, depending on the specifics of the property and people you are seeking to protect.
Category M – Manual fire alarm system
Manual fire alarm systems rely on human intervention to raise the alarm. Typically these systems have call points and are used on small scale sites where automatic detection is adjudged to be unnecessary.
Category L1 – Maximum life protection automated fire alarm system
Category L1 fire alarm systems offer the greatest level of protection, with automatic fire detection installed throughout all areas of a building.
These systems are often used in large commercial buildings, hospitality settings and public buildings where there is a high risk to life.
Category L2 – Additional life protection automated fire alarm system
Category L2 fire alarm systems offer protection on the escape route as well as in high risk areas such as in kitchens or plant rooms.
These systems are typically used in settings in which these areas are present and enhanced safety measures are required to mitigate the increased risk of fire.
Category L3 – Standard life protection automated fire alarm system
Category L3 fire alarm systems are designed to protect the building escape route(s) and are used in offices, residential blocks and schools.
Category L4 – Modest life protection automated fire alarm system
Category L4 fire alarm systems provide targeted protection to specified areas within a building, but do not cover escape routes. These systems are often applied in storage rooms or electrical cupboards.
Category L5 – Localised life protection automated fire alarm system
Category L5 fire alarm systems are custom designed systems, tailored to meet specific requirements, often in unusual settings.
These systems are often deployed in industrial settings where standard fire safety approaches do not adequately address all risks.
Category P1 – Maximum property protection automated fire alarm system
Category P systems are concerned with protecting property. P1 systems are concerned with comprehensive automatic fire protection in all rooms and areas of the building in question. Commercial premises.
Category P2 – Minimum property protection automated fire alarm system
P2 systems provide fire protection in areas deemed to be high risk or to protect high value areas. Often P2 systems protect server rooms, archives and the like.
Category LD1 – Maximum life protection for a domestic property
LD systems are focused on life protection. Similar to L1 systems, LD1 systems offer the highest level of protection in domestic settings. Often used in domestic settings with vulnerable occupants or in high risk environments, LD1 systems have all rooms and circulation areas covered by automatic fire detection.
Category LD2 – Additional life protection for a domestic property
LD2 systems cover high-risk rooms and escape routes in domestic settings. Typically, you will find this category of system in single family homes, where total coverage of automatic fire detection is deemed unnecessary.
Category LD3 – Standard life protection for a domestic property
LD3 systems offer a basic level of protection, purely covering escape routes.