Fire Alarm System

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Sidecutter

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Hi Guys and Gals

I have ben asked by my local social club who i do work for if I can fit them a fire alarm system as they have been picked up on a fire inspection. The letter from the fie brigade says they need a break glass by every exit door. This is not a problem to do but I am now getting conused as people have said to me that the system will need to be designed by a specialist and then comisioned and verified by somebody else. This will only be a local system with no conection to any monitoring station is it true what i am being told or are they getting confused. Any helpful information on this will be appreciated

Thanks

 
I know there are other guys here that will know - But I know that KME has been doing his research on Fire Alarms.

:)

 
And, as if by magic - KME appeared! :)

Quickie answer, as I`m going out the door.

It will depend of your level of competence to BS5839:1 (NOT part 6)

If you have a spec. from the fire brigade, and you would be confident AND competent to install, test, and handoff the system - AND SIGN FOR IT!!!, then that is your decision. I don`t know your level of competence, or qualification, so if you can post those, or pm me, I`ll look further this evening. :)

gotta dash - grid dimmers just been delivered to wholesaler for me - got to be fitted today, as I`se off tomoz.

KME

 
To quote Mr. Chris Houston; admin of Fire.org:

There are two UKAS accredited schemes for approving those who install fire detection and fire alarm systems.

One is the Loss Prevention Council (BRE Certification) LPS 1014 scheme.

The other it the BAFE SP 203 scheme.

The post that this quote came from was:

o/p querying the fact that NIC (approved contractor - NOT DI!!) is classed as "competent" to install fire alarm systems.

However, unless you have a full copy of BS5839, parts 1 & 6, it isn`t something I`d get into mate (and THERE`S an expensive reference book!!!!!)

KME

 
Hi Guys and GalsI have ben asked by my local social club who i do work for if I can fit them a fire alarm system as they have been picked up on a fire inspection. The letter from the fie brigade says they need a break glass by every exit door. This is not a problem to do but I am now getting conused as people have said to me that the system will need to be designed by a specialist and then comisioned and verified by somebody else. This will only be a local system with no conection to any monitoring station is it true what i am being told or are they getting confused. Any helpful information on this will be appreciated

Thanks
I use a company that design, I install, they commission.

you will need to do a risk assessment of the property and who will likely to be using it to determine what level of alarm system you will need to fit

 
You could always get a rep from one of the fire alarm companies to quote for the job. They will come in tell you what is needed put a quote together. I use channel safety systems as their man knows his stuff. He helped me sort out a two wire system at a place where i do work. From the day it was installed it had been problems, Not one of their systems but he knows his stuff. Anyway as i was saying they design the system and put a quote together you then order the stuff from them. You install it and when it is ready they come and commision it. Job done. If you have any queries they help you out. Just an idea rather than buying the British standards unless you are going to do a lot of fire alarm systems.

batty

 
To quote Mr. Chris Houston; admin of Fire.org:There are two UKAS accredited schemes for approving those who install fire detection and fire alarm systems.

One is the Loss Prevention Council (BRE Certification) LPS 1014 scheme.

The other it the BAFE SP 203 scheme.

The post that this quote came from was:

o/p querying the fact that NIC (approved contractor - NOT DI!!) is classed as "competent" to install fire alarm systems.

However, unless you have a full copy of BS5839, parts 1 & 6, it isn`t something I`d get into mate (and THERE`S an expensive reference book!!!!!)

KME
Never heard of either scheme, but havn't looked for a while. I shied away from this area sometime ago because it isn't clear what is required, legal status/responsiblity, insurance etc. But have considered that, as others have said, if you can get someone else to spec (especially BC), installation is not an issue, and commisioning is not a big issue to me (experience from previous occupations). I'm just kind of curious that no one on this forum would think twice about installing a smoke alarm(s) in a property, but as soon as it goes to a fire-panel everyone gets shy!!!

Will check out fire forum, ta KME

 
Thanks for all the replys, and sorry not been back on but broadband playing up a bit at the moment and could not get on line.

In answer to your first question KME i am a full scope electrical contractor with 20 years experience but have never got much into fire alarms, I have run cables in and wired up smokes and call points but that was while helping out another contractor, but i did not get involved in the final conections or comisioning of the system.

This is an area I would not normaly get involved in but they asked me about this as part of a lot of other work that wanted doing. As far as i was aware it was just a simple wiring job quite within my capabilitys as a general all round contractor, but now i am starting to wish i had kept my mouth shut.

 
With 20 years experience it should be well within your capability i would have thought. Go for it. As i said get a company to design system. (I use Channel safety systems) You install it and then get them to commision it.

batty

 
Just a thought!!

and I admit up front I have no direct up-to-date knowledge or experience of this topic..

(I last did any fire alarm work about 25 - 28 years ago:( :_| : O)

BUT....

How statutory are these FA regs BS whatever it is?

are they like wiring regs that rely on H&S@W, E@W, etc.. to enforce compliance???

cuz if it is a social club.. are there any be exceptions??

I know churches are exempt from some council licencing rules...

do social clubs fall into any similar bracket..

due to possible charitable nature of funding to operate???

Just a thought?

Get your boulders ready to chuck now gents! :eek: :( :^O :^O:^O

As batty said..

with your experience... technically you could wire it blindfold! ;) :)

 
The FIA do courses for Design, Installation and Commissioning of fire alarm systems. Their courses are pretty thorough.

 

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