Design Principles of Fire Detection And Alarm Systems for Buildings

COURSE TARGET
Dates of changes Life and Property Categories Design process Manual call points Detectors area of coverage Sounders and noise levels Zone size Technology of system components Cable requirements Standby supply False alarm management The role of the Responsible Person.

Some standards updates

BS5839 pt1 1988 WAS WITHDRAWN ON 15 JULY 2003 FROM 15/7/2003. ALL SERVICING, DESIGNS AND INSTALLATIONS WILL BE TO THE NEW BS 5839-pt1,-8,:2002

Why has the standard been updated?

The current edition of BS 5839 part 1 was written in 1988. Since then there have been: Changes in technology Changes in custom and practise The new standard takes the above into account as well as recommendations found in the European standard BS EN 54, 1-14.

Categories of Life and Property Systems

M - Manual call points L5 - (could follow a risk assessment). L4 - Principle escape routes L3 - Escape routes and areas leading onto escape routes L2 - Defined areas (Hazards / areas of high risk) L1 All areas P1 - System installed in all areas of the building few sounders P1M - As P1 but with sounders throughout P2 - System installed in defined parts of the building few sounders. P2M - As P2 but with sounders throughout.

Consultation
Consult the fire authorities Special risks, uncertainties E.g. connection to remote manned centre, delays etc Input from interested parties: Building control officers Insurers / owners Consultant / architect Occupiers Service contractor

Property
and or life protection

BS5839 PT 1 2002 Fire Alarm Design

The process of designing a system is to define the following Detection zones Communication with the fire brigade Audible / Visual alarm signals DDA Staged alarms Manual call point locations Types of detectors Location of detection and area of coverage Considerations to design out False Alarms Control and indicating equipment Network systems Power supplies Interfacing to plant lift shutdown, Air Con, etc Electrical safety User responsibility and customer training.

MANUAL CALL POINTS

Breaking frangible element operates switch Located so clearly visible, on the way out All the call points must be similar do not mix hammer and thumb push types Use plastic element (not glass) in food prep areas If necessary, use drip proof, waterproof or hazardous area types Some shops do not have public call points

Call points

(sec 20.2c)

MCPs should be sited at all exits to the open air regardless of it being a designated Fire Exit or not. 1 - 4 story high, accommodation blocks, MCPs sited on landing or stairs adjacent to landing. In buildings with multi-stories / and or phased evacuations, MCPs should not be sited on stairways, therefore site MCP's on landing to stairs only.

SITING manual call points

Escape route 1st floor
Landing

Ground floor
Stairwell Final exit to open air

Choosing the point Detector

Heat: Few false alarms. Less sensitive than smoke detectors and not for use on escape routes. Ideal for kitchens and boiler houses. The rate of rise is the most sensitive. Smoke, Ionisation: sensitive to initial stages of fire. (ionisation devices being phased out) Smoke, Optical: sensitive to larger particles from smouldering fires. Immune to wind speed. Combined optical and heat: can be as sensitive to initial fires as the ionisation detector.

Choosing the point detector

Kitchens fixed temperature is best RoR may be too sensitive Loading bays lorry fumes may cause alarms overhead heaters may cause alarms in cold weather, RoR should be used Smoking rooms RoR should be used Kitchens keep smoke detectors approx 7.5 mtr away from door. Keep ionisation detectors away from high air flow fans = faults occur Optical smoke is best for most locations escape routes, open office areas etc, Flame detectors are good for generator / gas installations etc But beware of welding and friendly flames will cause false alarms.

COVERAGE for point detectors

Spacings specified in BS 5839 part 1 For detectors mounted on flat horizontal ceilings limits are based on: 100sq m for smoke detectors 50sq m for heat detectors Any point in a room to a detector should be less than: 7.5m for smoke detectors 5.3m for heat detectors

SMOKE DETECTOR: spacing

OPEN AREA 7.5m

5.3m

10.6m

area 10.6 x 10.6 = 112sq m (approx. 100sq m)

HEAT DETECTOR: spacing

OPEN AREA 5.3m

3.8m

7.5m

area 7.5 x 7.5 = 56.3sq m (approx. 50sq m)

Heat detection is not allowed in corridors If they are used as escape routes, this is due to smoke logging and travel / visual restrictions.

SMOKE DETECTOR: spacing in narrow escape routes

CORRIDOR 2m WIDE 9m 2m
in room smoke detection on ceiling or above door L3 ONLY

17.9m Note: detectors should be on the centre in this calculation

Sec.13.5.3.

DETECTORS: distance from ceiling

spreading Smoke detectors: 25mm min, 600mm max Heat detectors: 25mm min, 150mm max 14 deg

Ceiling / slab min

Lintel / girder detector

max

DETECTORS: near isolated obstructions

Detectors not less than 2 x depth of isolated obstruction Example: luminaire CCTV, Projector, Emergency light.

ceiling P 2XP

luminaire

Sound Levels

Sec 16.1-2

Generally sound pressure levels should be no less then 65 dB. However at specific points of limited extent within any area, sound pressure levels of 60 dB are acceptable. Examples of such areas include: Staircases, small enclosed spaces, cellular offices. Enclosure that are no more than approximately 60m in area.

Sound loss over distance

100dB 1mtr

94dB 2mtr

88dB 4mtr

82dB 8mtr

Note 1. As you double the distance you loose 6 dB. 2. Sound levels differ in HTM 82 STANDARDS = Hospitals, Nursing homes etc.

ALARMS: sound levels. Sleeping risk

125dB(A) 85dB(A)

95dB(A)

8 MT
75dB(A)

30dB(A) = LOSS THROUGH FIRE DOOR 20dB(A) = LOSS THROUGH NORMAL DOOR

ZONE AREAS
Z2

Z3

2000sq m per zone - maximum area Generally, one zone limited to one storey

Z1

For small buildings less than 300sq m can be all one zone irrespective of storeys
Total floor area 300sq m all one zone

TECHNOLOGY : standard - non addressable

z1 Z1
Conventional panel (P)

z2
Z2

Z3 z3

TECHNOLOGY: Analogue addressable panel

6 I/F

Addressable panel 18

7 17

8 16

9 15

10 14

11

12 I/F 13

I/F 19

Exact location of fire, with options to alter the parameters of the detection sensitivity, time delays. This system is more often specified for complicated cause and effects for lifts, plant shut down etc.

SITING the fire alarm panel

Availability to staff Away from unauthorised access/tampering Availability to the fire brigade Near to adequate lighting In area of low fire risk In a relatively quiet area.

Cabling
STANDARD fire resistant cable should be used in buildings that require single phased evacuation (soft skin i.e.: FP200, Fire tuff.) ENHANCED fire resistant cable should be used in buildings requiring phased evacuation e.g. high rise buildings i.e.: (MICC).

Fix using metal clips or metal trays and trunking Mechanical protection MICC or armoured self-protected Protect other cables if vulnerable, below 2m height.

All cables linking manual call points detectors and mains power to the control panel should be fire resistant cable.

STANDBY BATTERIES

Category M and L Standby period 24 hour +30 mins alarm load.

Category P Standby period 24 hour longer than the time the building is unoccupied or a max of 72 hours which ever is the less.

False Alarm Management and

USER RESPONSIBILITIES BS5839 pt1, 2002 sec3&7.

CATEGORIES OF FALSE ALARM

Four False alarm categories:

1. Equipment false alarms Faults in equipment 2. Unwanted alarms (equipment works perfectly) Fire-like phenomena, e.g. smoking, burning toast, hot work, building work 3. Malicious false alarms 4. False alarms with good intent.

ACCEPTABLE RATE OF FALSE ALARMS

Any false alarm is undesirable BS5839 Pt1 1988 rate now unacceptable Complete elimination impossible RP to monitor periodically & action to reduce Many factors may give rise to false alarm Proportional to qty devices fitted, higher if mainly smoke detectors. Filtering may reduce Manual & Heat detectors few false alarms Possible future action by fire authority

CAUSES OF FALSE ALARMS fumes steam tobacco smoke; dust insects aerosol spray high air velocities hot work bonfires incense candles electromagnetic interference high humidity water ingress temperature changes accidental damage

MAINTENANCE and the LAW

Fire Precautions (Workplace) Regulations require a system of maintenance Systems with no battery backup are not legal The service provider should advise users to replace urgently Failure to keep the fire detection and alarms in good working order is a criminal offence Arranging a suitable system of maintenance is so easy to do, that neglecting to do it is blatant flouting of the law.

The Health and Safety (signs & signals regulations) (1996)

This regulation requires that fire warning systems shall be provided with a guaranteed emergency supply in the event of a power cut. This means that systems not having standby power supply (battery back up) are no longer legal. This is also a law, failure to comply being an offence. Ref clause 46.2.b.4 THE H&S.S.S REGS 1996.

MAINTENANCE - Routine Testing Responsible Person

Routine testing and inspection user or RP Weekly operate MCP Occupants report any poor audibility Different MCP each week, recorded in log book If 150 MCP, then 150 weeks for RP to test all Monthly attention by user or RP Generator if part of standby power supply Visual inspection of vented battery If RP is not trained for this Competent person monthly visit.

MAINTENANCE - CP Inspection and servicing Periodic servicing - Competent Person 3 monthly inspect and top up vented cells Periodic inspection based on risk assessment, may be up to 6 months Annual test now generally test all over a 12 month period Maintenance Engineer to issue servicing certificate if tests acceptable.

USER RESPONSIBILITIES
Log book updated correctly Check cie at least every 24 hours Arrange for maintenance by CP Train other occupants, fire alarm and procedures Limit false alarms MCP and detectors not obstructed Action on any relevant changes in the building Hold small quantity of spare parts Action following Pre Alarms

Zero Maintenance the RISK

Risk of no maintenance Eventually fire alarm will stop working Alarm may be delayed - loss of life Brigade may not be called - Loss of property The fire alarm will give false alarms Continual false alarms will make people complacent In a genuine emergency People may not evacuate.

IF THE FIRE ALARM DOES NOT WORK, THE PREMISES MAY NOT BE SAFE, AS A PLACE OF WORK

Hazards of a zero maintenance fire alarm

Regular Recalibration of specialist gas type detectors, 5-15 years External circuit fault may happen any time Standby batteries life 4 years is normal Contamination of devices from dirty / harsh environments Damaged detectors undetected Alterations to building may happen any time.

Responsible persons duties

Supervise the system Training of all users Liaison with building engineers Authorisation of work on the system Ensuring detectors are unobstructed Clear access to control panel Control of keys or access codes disks etc Identify persistent false alarms details entered in log book Identify any changes in working processes false alarm issues Identify areas of risk for shutting down in a fire condition.

Reducing automatic false alarms

Responsible person requires a permit to work for contractors Contractors sign a book make a method statement including how they can reduce false alarms IE:- hot works, carpet cleaning, drilling, cutting bricks, plastering, paint stripping, washing down etc All the above helps avoid false alarms and real fires Training for staff.

Routine testing by the responsible person

Daily attention clause 47.2 user responsibilities Check panel shows normal if not enter in log book action taken Check lob book to ensure previous faults have been actioned

Weekly attention Activate one different MCP and confirm the sounder audibility and operation results entered in the log book. No time limit if you have 50 MCPs then it will take 50 weeks.

FILTERING OUT FALSE ALARMS

Investigate delay allows inspection before automatically transmitting the signal to the ARC.
Activation of single smoke det Seek and find e.g. 5 mins False alarm found And cancelled

5 mins times out

Coincedence detection may be required to Override the investigation delay.

Real fire Operate MCP Coincedence Detector = override

EVACUATE

ALWAYS CONSULT THE FIRE AUTHORITIES BEFORE INSTIGATING AN INVESTIGATION DELAY.

Schematic for design against false alarms

SELECT the AREA
Consider proposed protection For this area Identify circumstances, processes and actions with Potential to cause false alarms Identify means by which proposed system will minimise false alarms Identify likely frequency of false alarms Is this frequency acceptable ?

yes

no
Formal proposals for further special Measures to minimize false alarms or their effects

no yes no

Is this frequency now acceptable ?

yes
Are the special measures detrimental to The system objectives ?

no

Are the special measures acceptable to the interested parties?

yes
Proceed to Next area.

CERTIFICATION
In triplicate, all certs must signed by the person directly responsible

Design Certificate Installation Certificate Commissioning certificate Acceptance Certificate Verification certificate (optional) Maintenance Certificate.

SUMMARY
Designers Now have clearer recommendations from BS5839 on being flexible to design out false alarms. Installers more pragmatic - call points H = 1.4m+/-0.2m Commissioning more knowledge / training Service organisations details how to limit agreed quantities of false alarms. LPC1014 / BAFE 203 third party accreditation or registered installers Users legal obligation on user and guidance / employer for service.

SUMMARY OF FALSE ALARM MANAGEMENT

Consultation with all parties Appoint a responsible person - RP Supervise painting, decorating, hot work Record and compensate for any change of use Keep fire alarm logbook up to date Agree an acceptable rate of false alarms (e.g. less than 1 false alarm per 100 detectors per annum) in a clean environment *** Ensure service and maintenance carried out If no effort to limit system is not compliant

*** NOTE:- In a factory 1FA / 75 detectors is more realistic.

40 or less detectors max 2 FAs PA is average.
LS

THANK YOU ANY QUESTIONS?