Fire alarms are important tools for keeping occupants of a building safe. The choice of fire alarm system type depends on the structure of the building, its use, and the current legislation. It can be difficult knowing what type of fire alarm system is appropriate for your building, which is why NW Fire Solutions is here to provide some guidance. Continue reading our helpful guide to find out more.
The importance of fire alarm systems
Fire is extremely dangerous and is a huge risk to homeowners, tenants and businesses alike. A breakout of fire is not only costly financially but can also lead to injuries and, in the worst case scenario, loss of life. Having a proper fire alarm system in place in your building can be the difference between life and death. Not only does a fire alarm system keep occupants safe, but it can also be a vital tool for keeping your property safe too.
A fire alarm system gives an early warning of the threat of fire, and allows enough time to evacuate the premises and call the authorities before a fire gets out of control. Fire alarms are an essential part of any building – business or home – with laws stating that every business must have a fire alarm system in place.
The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 states that all existing buildings, to differing degrees, are subject to fire safety laws. As part of these regulations, a responsible person should conduct a fire risk assessment. The fire risk assessment decides the appropriate British standard necessary to provide a suitable safety solution for a property.
A fire risk assessment, carried out by a landlord or property owner, is used to determine the level of risk and fire safety currently in place within a building.
Types of fire alarm categories
There are eight fire alarm categories that a system can fall under. They vary depending on the nature of the business and the other factors. The fire alarm categories are:
- Category M – Manual fire alarm system: The least sophisticated of fire alarm systems, which rely on the building’s occupants to detect a fire and trigger a warning.
- Category L1 – Maximum life protection automated fire alarm system: The most comprehensive fire alarm system, featuring detectors in all areas of a building where a fire could start.
- Category L2 – Additional life protection automated fire alarm system: These fire alarm systems feature smoke detectors in all rooms that form part of an escape route, such as corridors and stairwells.
- Category L3 – Standard life protection automated fire alarm system: These fire alarm systems feature detectors in all escape routes and rooms that open onto an escape route.
- Category L4 – Modest life protection automated fire alarm system: Consisting of detectors within escape route areas only, such as in corridors and stairways.
- Category L5 – Localised life protection automated fire alarm system: L5 systems are installed to tackle specific fire risks in a specific area of a building. For example, if there’s a room that poses a hazard because of items stored, or business activities carried out there.
- Category P1 – Maximum property protection automated fire alarm system: P1 fire alarm systems involve installing detectors in all areas of a building. The objective is to protect buildings that are critical to a business’ operations.
- Category P2 – Minimum property protection automated fire alarm system: For P2 fire alarm systems, fire detectors are only installed in high risk areas of a building. A system like this doesn’t provide the same cover as P1, but it does provide early detection for the most likely sources of a fire.
Types of commercial fire alarm systems
Choosing the right commercial fire alarm system for your premises is incredibly important for keeping your occupants safe. If you’re a business owner, it is your responsibility to keep your staff safe from fire, as well as other dangers. In which case, you may have to choose an appropriate type of fire alarm system.
Here is a list of the various commercial fire alarm systems:
- Conventional fire alarms
- Monitored fire alarms
- Wireless fire alarms
- Notifier fire alarms
- Aspirating fire alarms
- Addressable fire alarms
- Gas suppression fire alarms
Conventional fire alarms
A conventional fire alarm is one of the more basic types of fire alarm systems. They are relatively inexpensive, easy to install and work well within small premises. One downfall of a system of this type is that, while each alarm point and detector is wired to the control box, you won’t get notified of exactly where a fire is.
Monitored fire alarms
A monitored fire alarm system is a great choice for many businesses. It uses both landline and a wireless 4G network to alert a dedicated receiving centre. The emergency services are then alerted, which saves you from relying on a person having to raise the alarm. This can be especially difficult if the premises are unoccupied.
This type of fire alarm system means that a fire in an empty building can even be tackled due to its network connection alerting the emergency services.
Wireless fire alarms
Wireless fire alarm systems use radio frequency to control the detectors within a building, meaning there are no cables to install. This is great for buildings where it is impractical to run cables throughout the premises.
Notifier fire alarms
A notifier fire alarm system is an advanced, addressable system that is flexible and adaptable to its environment. It will alert those within a building to a fire and give them time to confirm the fire before evacuation.
Aspirating fire alarms
An aspirating fire alarm system draws air through a network of pipes and carries it to a detector which tests the air sample for smoke particles. The continuous sampling of air allows for early detection, especially in challenging environments like warehouses with high ceilings and in unmanned data rooms.
Addressable fire alarms
An addressable fire alarm is the perfect commercial fire alarm system for larger buildings because it can alert you to the exact call point or detector that has been set off.
Gas suppression fire alarms
Buildings that are often unoccupied or are at a great risk of fire can make use of a gas suppression fire alarm system. Monitoring the area, suppressants are released when a fire is detected.
Fire strategy report at NW Fire Solutions
Don’t be caught out when it comes to fire safety. At NW Fire Solutions, we pride ourselves on delivering the very best in fire engineering consultancy services. For a comprehensive fire strategy report – which includes checking escape routes, smoke detector heads, alarm call points, fire alarm panels, emergency communication systems and more – contact our team of engineers.
We can even provide expert fire risk assessments, ensuring your fire alarm system and other fire safety procedures are up to scratch. Call us on 0151 665 0124 to set one up today.