Fire Alarms and Emergency Lighting
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Fire detection and alarm systems are divided into six grades; A – F. These grades relate to the functionality of the system with a grade ‘A’ system providing an increased ability to monitor a building’s fire status.
Fire detection and alarm systems are also divided into two main categories; LD and PD.
LD systems are intended for the protection of life and are split into three subcategories of LD1, LD2 and LD3. An LD3 system which would be suitable for standard dwellings, places detectors in circulation spaces that form escape routes from the building. An LD1 system places dectectors throughout a property including all spaces where a fire might start.
PD systems are intended for the protection of property and are split into two subcategories PD1 and PD2 with a PD1 system being more comprehensive than a PD2 system.
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Firesafe fire panel |
Installing a replacement fire panel |
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Fire panel connector blocks |
Fire panel circuit boards |
Regulations relating to fire systems
Fire detection systems and emergency lighting systems should be installed and tested inline with BS 7671 but should be separately certified as being up to the required standard by the completion of the relevant fire system certificate as described in BS 5839-1 and BS 5839-6
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Close-up Fire panel circuit boards |
Testing a fire alarm sounder unit |
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Replacing an end of line module |
Replacing an end of line module on break glass fire alarm 2 |
Installation of fire alarm and detection systems
Fire detection and alarm systems should be installed to comply with BS 5839-1 and BS 5839-6. Key points are the types of cables used in the system, the fire resistance properties of the cables and segregation of cables from other wiring systems. Segregation is required to avoid electromagnetic interference and mechanical damage. A grade ‘A’ systems also requires cables to be of a common colour not used by other electrical services e.g. red.
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Replacing an end of line module |
Replacing an end of line module on break glass fire alarm 4 |
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Replacing an end of line module |
Replacing an end of line module on break glass fire alarm 6 |
Testing and maintaining fire alarms
Both fire detection and emergency lighting systems require regular tests to ensure that they are fault free and ready for use. Testing and maintenance regimes require certain activities to be conducted on a daily, monthly and annual basis. Many organisations keep the daily tasks in-house and pass the monthly and annual tasks on to specialist organisations.
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