BAFE is the independent registration body for third-party certified fire protection companies. They develop schemes based on national standards for specific areas of fire protection to which companies can become third-party certified. Certification to a BAFE scheme is achieved through UKAS accredited certification bodies, providing a quality audit process that you can trust.

Becoming third-party certified to a BAFE scheme independently acknowledges a company’s competency to provide a specific fire protection service. BAFE registration is earned, not bought, and assessed annually. If end users, property owners or the Responsible person of a building require fire protection services for your premises, make sure you use a BAFE accredited company to provide these services. All BAFE companies will meet all relevant standards and have been independently audited to validate and verify their competence. BAFE is completely independent and therefore is an unbiased body helping competent companies and people in need of quality fire protection services find each other.

Endorsing Excellence in Fire Safety

Founded in 1984, BAFE is a self-governing association committed to enhancing standards in fire protection. BAFE is a not for profit, organisation all over the UK that aspires to achieve third party certification with regards to their fire protection services. Fire Alarm Companies which are signed up to BAFE schemes illustrate a dedication to service of quality.

If you need fire protection products and services for your building, then you require a BAFE accredited Fire Alarm Company. Choosing such a company will give the buyer a degree of confidence that the providers of the fire safety goods and services have been audited independently and meet all the relevant standards.

BAFE is now the recognised Certification Body

BAFE is backed up by Governmental and Industry bodies, the Fire and Rescue Services, Insurance providers and prominent Qualification and Trade Organizations.

The Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG) states: “We endorse 3rd party accreditation programs as a good way of ensuring the quality, dependability and safety of goods and services, and understand the important function BAFE performs in delivering to the market accepted registration schemes for those goods and services”.

Fire Alarm Companies are now seeing the benefits of BAFE

BAFE produces 3rd Party certification programs along with interested groups and works jointly with UKAS accredited Certification Organisations to evaluate as well as approve organisations to those standards. Currently, there are more than 1,000 companies situated all over the UK, signed up for BAFE programs

Every one of the certification programs developed by BAFE are (UKAS) accredited (United Kingdom Accreditation Service), and therefore are evaluated in accordance with either ISO 9001 or comparative quality system management scheme. BAFE being an independent organisation are in a position to provide 3rd party certification to an industry accepted standard, which means that the individual accountable for fire protection within a building (under the Regulatory Reform Fire Safety Order, 2006) you can be assured that choosing a BAFE certified company is definitely the safest choice in every case.

Fire Alarms – what are your responsibilities as the responsible person to maintain and test your system.
If you want more information on the technical specification or the legal side of testing your fire alarm you should refer to the British Standards BS5839 or the Regulatory Reform Oder 2005.

The responsible individual for the premises must carry out a weekly test of the buildings fire alarm system under the Regulatory Reform Order 2005 article 17. Please be advised; the weekly test is not a replacement for the service and maintenance that is to be carried out by a professional fire alarm company or a competent person but are in place to supplement them.

Your fire alarm company should be servicing your alarm no less than every six months. However, according to the size of the system and quantity of devices to be tested, the frequency of the maintenance visit can be increased to quarterly every three months or on large sites every month.

The responsible person does not have to carry out the test themselves; they can delegate the responsibility to a suitable individual such as a member of the maintenance staff to carry out the weekly test on their behalf. However, both the responsible person and the nominated individual must have the authority to sanction any work deemed necessary to keep the fire alarm operational.

It is also up to the responsible person to ensure that the fire alarm log book is kept up to date and the following events are recorded;
Dates and times of alarms
Genuine faults and tests and whatever cause were listed.
Dates, times of defects or faults. What action has been taken, who it was reported to and when? Dates of the test of the system, dates of servicing, dates and times of any disconnections and disablements and any changes that have been made to the system.

At Fire Systems Ltd, we provide all our clients with a fire alarm log book free of charge when they have their fire alarm maintained by us. This enables our clients to keep on top of their weekly checks and keep appropriate back data for their historical records. This is useful to help spot recurring faults with the alarm.

Weekly Fire Alarm Testing

To carry out the weekly fire alarm test, it is advised that you do the following:

Test at least one of the manual call points connected to the fire alarm to check the ability of the equipment to send a signal to the panel.

Sound the alarm, and operate any other devices fitted to the system.

Things that you’re going to need to perform your test:
A call point key to reset the unit after it has been activated, any access codes to enter into the fire panel, the fire alarm log book, and access to turn the fire alarm offline with the monitoring company if it is monitored. You will need to do this before testing if you are monitored to avoid any calls to you. During the test, isolate the system if required prior to the test. If one fire alarm panel is networked to another, ensure that on alarm, all panels are activated. Ensure any access control doors that are released on fire open with the alarm when it is sounded. Ensure that any access control doors that are closed on fire are fully shut when the alarm is sounded. If a deaf message system is in place, check that a message was received. If you are the responsible person, please make sure you carry out these weekly tests without fail.

So many businesses and commercial sites neglect these tests as non-essential. But remember that the lives of everyone in your premises, and potentially around it, are dependent on your fire alarm for the appropriate warning in the event of a fire. As per government statistics, it can only take 30 seconds for a small flame to become completely out of control and turn into a major fire and smoke under fire conditions and can travel from between 120 to 420 feet per minute. These statistics mean that we can conclude that in the event of a fire, every second counts. A whole building can be engulfed in flames and smoke in minutes. So making sure your alarm gives you as early a warning as possible, and all doors open and shut as required on alarm, is vital. This will aid escape and minimize the likelihood of casualties.

Addressable Fire Alarms are now the preferred option for the following types of properties: Residential, Nursing and Care homes

The latest amendments to the fire code have seen a need to focus on the fire alarm systems within Residential Care homes, Nursing homes, or buildings where the occupants would need assistance to evacuate the building in the event of a fire. In the latest version of the fire alarm design code BS5839-1:2013, it is very clear and states that for such properties with a sleeping capacity beyond ten people, the fire alarm system should be addressable.

Conventional fire Alarms will need to be upgraded

With the huge increase in Residential Care homes, nursing homes assisted living and buildings of this nature, plus the fire tragedy of the fourteen fatalities at the Rosepark Care Home in 2004, the revised fire code appears to have focused its attention on these types of properties. People living within such properties are vulnerable due to ill health or age, and would usually require assistance if they had to evacuate the property. In many cases due to the limited amount of staff on a night shift and such is the health condition of the occupants, that an evacuation policy is not the preferred option. What is commonly used is a “stayed Put” policy. On hearing the fire alarm the residents are told to stay in their rooms until the fire and rescue service arrives. If the fire has started in an occupied zone compartment, the staff will relocate only the residents affected in that zone. Therefore, providing the management of these establishments and the fire and rescue service the maximum amount of time to deal with a fire alarm activation is crucial.

Why an Addressable fire alarm system?

In simple terms, an addressable system enables the user or rescue service, to quickly and easily identify the exact location of an activated detector or manual call point.

What is the difference between an Addressable and Conventional Fire Alarm System?

In the fire alarm market, there are two types of system, you have the basic and cheaper type of system, known within the fire industry as a “Conventional” and the more advanced and some would call intelligent and is known as an “Addressable” fire alarm system.

Conventional Fire Alarm System.

A conventional system is usually used in small applications, say, about no more than fifty detectors. The only remaining advantage of a conventional fire alarm system is that it is cheaper than the addressable. However, even this advantage is being rapidly diminished as the cost of electronic equipment with microprocessing capability is reducing all the time.

Back in the eighties until early two thousand, the cost between a conventional and an addressable system was considerable. Therefore, when designing a system where the budget was an important factor, a conventional system would be specified.

However, the big disadvantage of a conventional system is the limited amount of information displayed at the fire alarm control panel in the event of a fire. The user would only receive an indication from the panel as to what part of the building the activation had occurred. For example, this could be Fire “first floor or “North Stairwell”, on the limited information provided; the user would have to search the fire zone to locate the fire or the cause of the activation within that area. Having to search the fire zone to establish the cause of the fire activation adds to the time to discover whether it is a real fire emergency.

Addressable Fire Alarm System

An Addressable fire alarm is called an “Addressable” due to its ability to give each device on the system a unique identification address, usually in the form of a number and this number is then tagged with a text identification label. A typical example would be “Managers Office Grd floor” or “Boiler Room 2nd floor”. The majority of Addressable systems provide you with a limit of up to 40 characters. This information would be clearly displayed at the front of the panel. The benefits of having a readable text identification message, rather than just an area of the building allows the user to identify the location straight away and save a great deal of time in the event of a fire emergency.

Is Staff trained Adequately to use the Fire Alarm system? Especially Addressable?

Whether the fire alarm is conventional or addressable, one thing I have observed when visiting these types of establishments over the years, is the staff working or managing residential homes, do not always understand the operation of the fire alarm system. This could be due to lack of training, limited staff on duty, new staff that has not been in the job long or maybe agency staffs which are only working at the home on a temporary basis. Therefore, not only is there a need to improve the fire alarm to an addressable, but staff and management need to be trained regularly on how to use the fire alarm system and what is the fire strategy in the event of a fire activation.

Weekly Fire Alarm Testing

One way to stay familiar with the fire alarm and provide new or existing staff with on-going training, is to go through the fire strategy during the weekly fire alarm test. Addressable fire alarm systems are in some ways a little more complex, as there are usually more options to choose. The purpose of the weekly test, is to ensure the fire alarm is operational; however, this is a convenient time to familiarise yourself or new staff as to what to expect and what to do, if the fire alarm should activate during the course of their shift. A good idea is to have a procedure list next to the fire alarm panel and this can be followed when carrying out the weekly fire alarm test.

Automatic signalling of the Fire Alarm to the Fire and Rescue Service.

Another area of concern that was addressed in the fire code amendment for 2013, is that the Fire Alarm should automatically summon the Fire and Rescue Services in Residential Care Homes.

Out of the tragic story of the Rosepark care home fire, it was stated that there were inadequate arrangements for calling the fire brigade. Had the fire brigade been called sooner, at least four lives could have been saved. Therefore, the amendments to the latest fire code recommend Residential Care homes, nursing homes, or buildings where the occupants would need assistance to evacuate, the fire alarm should automatically call the fire brigade. Furthermore, it states the fire strategy for the property should not incorporate any time delay in calling the fire brigade; however, the Sounders to the alarm system may incorporate a delay, as long as the staff area are aware that the fire alarm has activated.

Most care homes have some sort of monitoring that goes back to a call monitoring centre. The systems I have come across is either Tunstall or Initial. Within each apartment, there is a base station with a pull cord facility. Within this base station is usually a facility to wire in a smoke alarm. In the event of a fire alarm activation within the flat, the monitored smoke alarm will provide detection and alert for the resident and inform the monitoring station of the incident.

Upgrading a Conventional to an Addressable Fire Alarm System.

You may be in a position that your current fire alarm is in a state of disrepair or due to the latest fire code amendments for Residential Care Homes, an addressable fire alarm system is now going to be required. The question you may ask, is can I upgrade or utilise some parts of my existing system? Well, if the wiring is in good condition, then yes is the answer. A competent fire alarm company should be able to keep all the existing wiring and sounders (if they are on their own circuits) and only replace the detection and manual call points. This should help to keep down the cost of the upgrade.

Wireless Fire alarms easy to install in Residential Care homes

All compliant wireless fire alarms in the UK market are addressable, and in many cases would be an ideal solution for residential care homes, nursing homes, assisted living or similar applications. Upgrading an old fire alarm in these types of properties can be difficult, due to the noise created and inconvenience of drilling and running cables in a building where the residents could be elderly or not in good health. In some instances, access to the resident’s room can be an issue. However, we have over many an issue of this sort by installing a wireless fire alarm system. The speed at which a wireless system can be installed is quite remarkable. Furthermore, access to any area is only required for a very short space of time, and due to no installation of wires and containment, the disruption to the every running of the care home is minimal.

Fire Alarm Maintenance in Residential Care Homes

Ensuring that your fire alarm is fully operational at all times is very important, especially if you have the legal responsibility to provide a safe environment for the people within your care. As you would have of observed within this post, due to the vulnerable nature of the occupants in Residential Care Homes, Nursing homes, assisted living and sheltered accommodation, time is critical. Therefore, not only is it important you have the correct type of fire alarm installed, but it is in good working order, and you have all the required maintenance inspection visits on file, in case you have a fire incident or an inspection by the fire authorities.

If you require any further information regarding fire alarms in Residential Care Homes, Nursing Homes, Assisted living or sheltered housing, why not call our office on 020 8541 5646 or visit our website at www.firesystems.co.uk and complete our contact page.

Many countries across Europe, you cannot supply or install fire protection equipment without registering with the local authorities for that region.

However, within the UK fire alarm industry, there is no compulsory regulation, qualification or formal test of competency that allows an individual or group to set up a company and offer their services in the field of fire protection.

For this reason, the UK market has an array of fire alarm companies ranging from a “man in the van to large corporations employing many workers.

So how does the end user find themselves a good and reliable company?

Here are three things to look for:

Recommendation
A trusted way to find a company is by recommendation from someone you know or trust.
Especially in today’s world of social media.

Third Party Accreditation
Third party accreditation means that an auditing company that does not have anything to do with the alarm company will send out an inspector to check such things, as the operational capabilities, management systems, paperwork and inspection of sites that the alarm company has worked.

From the site visit, any issues identified by the inspector will be documented and must be resolved within 30 days. Every six months an inspection of this type is carried out, and the alarm company must continue to pass these audits to keep their certificate. The most significant accreditation body within the fire alarm industry is BAFE.

Now, I am not stating that all companies that have BAFE will do a perfect job, however, If a company is not prepared to obtain the industry standard accreditation, then it may be wise to avoid them.

Experience
When using any service, one of the factors that will be of consideration will be how long has the company been operating and what experience to they have in the work that they are proposing to undertake?

Making these basic checks can help you find a good and reliable company.

Remember getting the work done by the contractor or company that offers the lowest price is not always best.
Ultimately you are responsible for your fire protection equipment, if it fails to operate when needed blaming the company or contractor who carried out the works, is not a defence in a court of law. You have to show that you choose the company with due diligence.

So take the time and choose a fire alarm company that you can trust.

Neasden depot is one of the largest on London Underground and has undergone an upgrade, which involved the building of two new maintenance sheds and an accommodation block.

Fire Systems Ltd, a specialist in Fire Alarm Systems since 1992, was involved in all aspects of the fire alarm project, from the; design, supply, installation, and commissioning.

The Depot situated in North West London is the largest facility on the network and is where the Metropolitan fleet of trains are maintained and stored.

However, to support the latest generation of ‘S’ car stock of trains, the depot required a new maintenance facility. The new section of the depot will contain two new sheds, each approximately 25m wide and 180m long.

Approved London Underground Fire Alarm Installer

To be in a position to work on projects such as this you require an in-depth knowledge of fire alarm systems and London Underground Standards.

The new maintenance facility will be divided into three areas.

• The Lifting Shed
• The Maintenance Shed
• Accommodation Block.

Due to the height of the sheds being over 10.5m, point detection was not an option. With both sheds having a height of 12m, we decided to opt for Aspirating Smoke detection.

The Maintenance and Lifting sheds were protected by eight Kidde AirSense HSSD2 detectors, interfaced onto the main house addressable fire alarm system using Airsense Hochiki protocol cards.

We installed four Air Sampling Detectors within each shed. Each detector will be protecting approximately 1000m2.

The accommodation block, which is an office environment had your standard point detection, which was Multi-sensors. All detection was Hochiki, as this is the approved protocol on London Underground.

The same applied to the fire alarm panel and this was a 4 loop Metronet London Underground approved panel.

All exits had a manual call point fitted, plus additional points within the maintenance pits.

Due to the expected ambient noise levels within the maintenance facility, personnel working within these areas may have ear defenders and therefore, visual fire alarm notification in the form of blue Xenon Beacons was installed in all areas in conjunction with the voice alarm system.

Fire Systems Ltd, also was involved in the design and installation of the smoke dampers within the accommodation block. The design consisted of fourteen dampers within the void and was controlled by four Kentec Smoke vent panels. All panels were interfaced to the fire alarm panel and closed upon a fire alarm activation.

Why would you consider Disabling a Device or Zone?

What should you do, if the fire alarm keeps on activating? The first thing is to ensure that the activation is not due to a real fire. On confirmation that it is not a fire that activated the alarm, you can silence the Sounders or bells and locate the device responsible for triggering the alarm. This could be a manual call point or a detector. If it is a manual call point you can reset the unit with the reset key or if it is the old type, you may have to replace the glass.

If the activation was caused by smoke or heat alarm, you need to establish the cause, maybe smoke or heat was generated during the use of the building unintentionally and if this was to be the case when the environment around that device is back to normal you should be able to reset the system.

However, there may be a time, when the smoke detector is contaminated or faulty and continues to trigger the fire alarm. Then the next course of action would be to disable the faulty device until it can be replaced. Another reason to disable a device or zone, is you are aware that some work or activity within the building may trigger the fire alarm, so to prevent this happening you will disable the devices that may be affected.

The example in this video is disabling a Zone on a Conventional C-TEC fire alarm Panel.

How to use the authorized user controls on one of C-TEC’s CFP Fire Panels to enable and disable zones and all other functions. To gain access to these controls, you must first put the panel into access level two. You can do this using one of two methods: Entering the secure code using the panel’s keypad or turning the key switch. The access light will turn on to indicate the authorized user control’s operative. You can enable and disable functions you require using a simple selection process. To start the process, press and hold the next option’s button for three seconds until the general disablement and zone one false lights are flashing yellow.

For the purpose of this video, we’ll use zone three as an example of a zone that needs disabling. Press the next option button until zone three is flashing. If it flashes slower than the general disablement light, its current status is enabled. If it flashes at the same rate, its status is disabled. Press the enable/disable button to toggle between enabled and disabled. As we want to disable zone three, we need to make sure the two lights are flashing at the same rate. To confirm the selection, press the next option button. This moves the selection process on to the next available option. In our case, zone four. The fault light for zone four is flashing. Meanwhile, the fault light for zone three is lit steady to confirm it’s disabled while zones one and two lights are off to confirm they are enabled.

The selection process can also be used to enable and disable the panel’s fault output, remote output, all of its alarm devices, its auxiliary output, or any delays programmed into the panel. For example, we will now disable the remote output. Press the next option button until you come to the remote output status indicator. Again, its fault light is flashing at a slower rate. Its current status is enabled. If it is flashing at the same rate, its status is disabled. Use the enable/disable button to toggle between the enabled and disabled. We want to disable the remote output, so the lights are flashing at the same rate. We confirm our selection by pressing the next option button. To enable and disable further options, simply select them one by one. The enable/disable process is complete when all of the available options have been selected in turn and the next option button is pressed for the last time.

At this point, all disabled options will be lit steady and all enabled options will be switched off. In our example, zone three and the remote output are disabled while all other options are enabled. To exit the selection process, turn the key to the off position and remove it. The only changes that will be saved will be those made prior to the last press of the next option button.

I came across this video, from Dorset Fire & Rescue Service. It shows a fire test on two different types of doors. One is a UPVC door and the other is a fire door.

The fire is started behind the fire door and then some 30 seconds later a fire is initiated behind the UPVC door. Both doors are now closed and we wait for the effects of the fire to take place.

Initially, it does appear that the fire door is leaking more smoke at 4:30 seconds.

However, at 6:30 seconds, you can see the lower section of the UPVC door start to disfigure from the intense heat. The fire door remains the same with smoke getting through the top section of the door.

At 9mins the lower panel section of the UPVC door has developed an opening, allowing smoke to disperse rapidly. The fire door has stayed relatively the same.

At 11mins, the lower panel of the UPVC door has completely disintegrated, and the flames are bellowing out. The fire door has smoke escaping from the top and on one side of the door, but the door is intact and not warped in any way.

At 12mins the UPVC door has completely disintegrated top and bottom. However, the fire door is still holding back the fire and showing little signs of any structural defects.

After the fire was extinguished you can see there is no longer a UPVC door. The fire door is still in place, charred, but fully intact.

What this kind of test highlights, is it is important to make sure you have the correct type of door protecting your escape routes and fire compartments. Furthermore, it is important that your fire doors are not wedged open and have the appropriate self-closing device.

Wireless Fire Alarms is the predominant technology that is continually driving the fire alarm market forward, with the industry finally waking up to the advancement of wireless systems over wired.

With the changing way that buildings are designed and constructed with flexible and light materials, there are now many applications where it is not economical or plainly impossible to use a wired system. For instance, temporary installations like at exhibitions, entertainment and leisure complex may only require a fire alarm for a limited period and can be impractical to attempt a wired system.economical or plainly impossible to use a wired system. For instance, temporary installations like at exhibitions, entertainment and leisure complex may only require a fire alarm for a limited period and can be impractical to attempt a wired system.

In hotels that have full capacity for most of the year, installing a wireless fire alarm system while the building is operational or enlarging the system with more detectors is achievable without interrupting normal operations. Nowadays, office buildings have varying and multiple uses. Therefore wireless technology is beneficial to move detectors if the building has a change in structure. Classic uses for wireless technology on historical buildings like churches, museums, and castles, if there are historical structures at the ceiling, you cannot install cables.Therefore wireless technology is beneficial to move detectors if the building has a change in structure. Classic uses for wireless technology on historical buildings like churches, museums, and castles, if there are historical structures at the ceiling, you cannot install cables.

Wireless detectors are easy to move and retrofit, and this is the beauty of wireless technology.

Some of the systems on the market are using mesh network for the first time in wireless fire detecting technology. The detectors are connected to each other and are using different frequencies on different bandwidths. Therefore, it is always possible in the case of an alarm that it can be transmitted via several independent pathways to the gateway called a wireless loop.

Can wireless fire alarms transmit over a long distance?
Wireless LAN has the problem of using star topology, meaning a point-to-point connection. If this is interrupted, you have no connection; however, this can be resolved using a mesh network providing at a minimum two independent pathways. If one pathway is interrupted, the device can use an alternative pathway.

By using mesh or dynamic routing wireless systems, you can build large installations. A single gateway can cover a diameter of up to 180 meters and depend on local installation rules, it may cover up to five stories in a building.

Today’s wireless fire alarms take advantage of the of the most up-to-date radio technology on the market to deliver immediate, yet affordable wireless systems, along with minimal disruption towards the building and surroundings.

Hybrid Option – Mixture of Wired and Wireless

Today’s systems can be completely wire-free or have a combination of both wired and non-wired to provide a hybrid functionality along with an excellent choice of field devices. The Wireless systems are a secure choice protecting a valuable heritage property, extending the size of a pre-existing wired fire alarm in an occupied hotel or supplying temporary fire cover for a constructing site.

In today’s commercial market, there exists a tremendous variety of projects, from ultra-modern, Historical old buildings, Temporary Building structures, all can pose a challenge when considering wiring.

Wire-free systems have provided designers with an exceptionally adaptable and non-intrusion strategy for fire alarm design challenges

Wireless Fire Alarm Products Code EN54-25

Many years ago wireless field devices were a lot larger than their wired counterpart. The reason was due to the size of the electronic components available at that time; however, the advancement of the mobile phone technology has assisted the fire alarm manufacturers ability to produce detectors, sounders and manual call points the same size and appearance as wired units.

To achieve the optimum levels of reliability and performance of wireless field devices which have the same capability of the very best wired products, Wireless relies upon some complex technology.

To comply with the most current European Standard (EN54: Part 25 2008) Radio communication the equipment is Bi-directional and take advantage of the approved 868MHz frequency. Due to the introduction of the CPR (Construction Products Regulations) with allows products to carry the CE mark meaning European Conformity, all Wireless Fire Alarm manufacturers in Europe must comply with EN54-25

Wireless Technology Influenced Solutions

The wireless network preserves the security and reliability of transmission using a selection of automated system adjustments, including channel hopping, amplitude realignment and drift harmonising.

The improved transmitting and receiving protocol enables the alarm system to deliver totally intelligent site device implementation and allows analogue information, fire and fault data, device addresses and sort codes to be transmitted to the fire alarm control panel.

Challenging sites

All installations will contain a challenging aspect of one sort or another, these might vary from a fragile and ornamental ballroom ceiling, contaminated asbestos structure or an out of the way security station with virtually no cable accessibility.

The wire-free option provides a simple solution to most of these installation challenges. The hybrid approach allows the fire alarm system designer to decide the amount and in which locations the fire alarm has to be wired and which areas wireless, allowing the most cost-effective choice and practical solution. In locations where the site’s architecture or building occupation prevents cabling, this scenario can be managed using a completely wireless installation.

User-friendly installation

When undertaken the right way, any cabled fire alarm installation demands a contractor who is competent and neat, to prevent the installation from being intrusive. In many cases, there will be a requirement for cable containment, the usage of power tools and in most cases an amount of decoration once the works have been completed. In comparison, all that’s required whenever installing a radio wireless device is the capability to fit a few screws per device.

Minimal disruption

Time is money throughout all avenues of life, whether you’re managing a luxurious hotel, busy office or a bank, disruption to your day to day operation is costly. Typically, a building having to close or having the installation carried out, outside normal hours can be expensive.

In these situations, wireless systems now give you a simple option, since their low-noise and quick installation generally allows work to keep going throughout the normal routine site activities.

The installation of the units are non-intrusive, consequently, damage to room decoration or the building structure is avoided as well as the mess and redecoration required following the majority of wired installations.

Affordable solutions

The wireless fire alarm system is not merely an advanced solution to challenging installation issues but also delivers actual business advantages to the installer and consumer. In addition, a swift installation time cuts down on project time and as a result many other associated project costs. Project managing time, site overheads and access equipment hire all could be reduced.

By applying the most up-to-date equipment at a cost-effective cost and all this together with the reduction in installation costs, allows wireless to be a consideration for any project.

Since our emergence as the leader in supplying and installing wireless fire alarms, we have had requests to lease or hire a system rather than pay outright for the equipment.

For some businesses, especially startup’s, cash flow is critical and having to invest into a new fire alarm system at the start of their tenancy may not be the best way to use the limited funds they have available.

Another point to consider is the tenancy agreement, if you are responsible for the installation of any fire protection equipment and you are on a short term lease do you want to install a wired fire alarm system in a building that you cannot take with you when you leave? Especially if you have paid the full cost for the system?

The Installation and Maintenance is Inclusive in the Leasing Package

Seeing the need for a flexible option when supplying fire alarms, wireless provides us with the opportunity to install a system in a client’s premises usually installed within the day, on a lease or hire agreement. Because wireless systems do not damage the building fabric or decoration, the system can be fitted and removed very quickly allowing us to charge only for the time the system is used on the premises and not the purchase of the equipment.

At the end of the lease period you have the choice to extend the hire of the equipment, or if you are relocating to another building, we can transfer the system to your new location. The cost of the lease includes the Service and Maintenance of the system during the contract period. Any faults due to the equipment are covered under the agreement; however, any other faults are chargeable.

An example of the practicality of such an arrangement can be seen in our case study when we hired out a wireless fire alarm to a large site housing the cleaners for the Olympics in 2012.

The list of Benefits are as follows:

• No large cash outlay to buy the system.
• The Installation and Maintenace of the System are covered under the agreement.
• The system can be removed with limited or no damage to the building fabric, reducing the decoration cost when you leave.
• The System can be re-installed in your new premises if required using the same agreement.
• The company’s tax liability is reduced as the rental payments are 100% tax deductable.

We have a large range of wireless fire alarm systems to suit a vast variety of applications. For rates and prices contact our office for further details.

You read stories of high levels of fire alarm false alarms and there are debates about having an open market where anyone who is deemed competent is entitled to design, install and commission a fire alarm system. However, is it acceptable for anyone purchasing fire alarm equipment from outlets such as an online shop?

Who is legally responsible for designing a fire alarm?

Is designing and purchasing equipment in this way is it contributing factor to the problems we currently face with so many false alarms?

Who will be legally responsible should a fire alarm system fail to operate or function as laid out in the fire code BS5839-1?

The video above provides a typical example of what is currently available online. However, is not designing and purchasing a fire alarm in this manner goes against the principle of The Fire-Safety  Order 2005, that states the designer, installer and commissioning personnel must be competent to perform the task involved.

The correct approach would be for a fire risk assessment to have taken place and within the assessment, a category would be specified based on the risk involved. The assessment would be passed on to the fire alarm designer who would have a good understanding of the fire code BS5839-1:2013 and relevant product codes; he would survey the building and produced a fire alarm design.

This design would then be passed on to the installer and commissioning engineer and the system would be installed to the specification.

However, with the online example in the video, what we have is a procedure that is advocating that no knowledge or the standards or legislation is required. Who will be held responsible should the person purchasing such equipment make an error in the design?

The person who would be legally responsible for installing a system that did not function due to the incompetence of the designer and installer would be the person identified in the Fire Safety Order. This would usually be the employer, building owner, or the person responsible for managing the property.

In certain parts of Europe and America, this type of purchasing and designing fire alarms is not allowed. Their view of fire safety equipment is one that appreciates that this equipment is there to save lives and therefore, should only be designed and installed by true professionals. When are we in England and Wales going to wake up and treat fire protection with the respect it deserves?