Last year, Brandon Lewis, the minister with responsibility for fire and rescue services asked for technological solutions to a time-consuming problem that affects offices and retail premises as much as manufacturing or industrial sites.
Indeed, operators of office accommodation and retail sites face their own set of problems when they seek the balance between safety and the avoidance of false alarms. Such buildings may have many visitors undertaking a wide range of activities that increase the likelihood of triggering fire systems.
Where there are many visitors, including business clients, suppliers or shoppers, evacuation becomes difficult. When so many people unfamiliar with a building are present, false alarms are not only highly disruptive but can present a degree of risk.
The first step must therefore be to ensure the right equipment is installed and properly maintained in these diverse operating environments where a fire can start in a number of different ways.
The right response
Fire and rescue services report that more than 90% of false alarms are ‘due to apparatus’, indicating that the right detection technology is critical to minimising unnecessary disruption.
In responding to this challenge, manufacturers have adapted their solutions to locations as varied as high-rise office blocks and large shopping centres. One response is that of multi-criteria detection in which each detector can have up to four different sensing technologies according to the environment to be protected.
In addition to standard optical smoke detection, other technologies which can be incorporated within a single sensor can include a heat sensor, infra-red flame sensor and a carbon monoxide gas sensor. The detectors contain a sophisticated ‘brain’ which combines and analyses the data from each sensing element, to distinguish a real fire from a false alarm incident.
Other features of this intelligent technology include self-optimising sensitivity adjustments. So when cleaning or human traffic disturbs dust that can be ‘seen’ by the detector, the intelligent algorithm will adjust the sensitivity to compensate to avoid an unwanted alarm. Once the area is empty and the dust has settled, the detector will ‘see’ the clean air and return to a higher sensitivity level so that a real alarm will still be detected immediately.
For larger areas beam detection has been a cost-effective and reliable method of choice. Latest developments in loop-controlled beam detection technologies also provide intelligent adjustment and drift compensation to ensure optimum sensitivity in environments susceptible to false alarms.
An alternative is offered by aspirating detection systems. The most modern solutions are now using a three-tiered check on every air sample: particle separation processes; dual optic technology and an acclimate-drift-compensation mode. This ultra-sensitive technology can detect smoke up to 300 times faster than traditional smoke detection systems such as beam detectors.
The early warning these devices deliver is invaluable, as it gives site managers additional time to investigate and extinguish the danger sooner and if necessary reconfigure the system to prevent costly downtime.
These aspiration systems can also be integrated with other fire protection systems to trigger the implementation of a co-ordinated response. Furthermore, the rigour of these three levels of smoke verification guarantees that the alarm will never be triggered incorrectly.
Controlled evacuation
Historically, another cause of disruption has been that of a universal ‘one out, all out’ response when an alarm has been triggered. The best modern fire detection and alarm systems now contain sophisticated software which ensures that a general alarm will only be activated and the whole building cleared of people if heat or smoke persists for a pre-agreed time or extends, for example, to a second device. This also allows premises management to investigate whether or not there is a real fire which requires emergency service assistance.
Other technologies have also been adapted to minimise the impact of unwanted alarms. Paging systems, for instance, can be set so that security guards or managers of office premises and shopping centres are automatically notified of a potential problem and its precise location, in order to confirm the situation before summoning the fire and rescue service and initiating evacuation procedures.
Effective programming and maintenance support
Individually, all these developments provide enhanced early warning of any incident together with greater protection against false alarms. However, effective programming is key to ensuring that new technologies operate to best advantage.
Fully-trained installers will be required to set up the system correctly, in order to make the most of the advanced programming features that today’s latest control panels offer.
Proper risk assessment and good system design and installation by properly qualified providers, effective on-going maintenance and staff training can all play a part in minimising unwanted call-outs. One of the best ways of guaranteeing that the fire alarm system is suitable is to make sure the products, the installer and the maintenance provider hold relevant third-party accreditations.
When budgets are under strain, building operators are understandably keen to tighten up expenditure on fire safety equipment, while meeting their legal responsibilities. In the UK, for example, this means fulfilling obligations as the ‘responsible person’ under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order (RRFSO) 2005.
In addition to quality product design and installation, the responsible person also needs to check that regular servicing takes place in accordance with the regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order.
National regulatory regimes address this issue in different ways. In the UK, the British Standard code of practice (BS5839) requires that fire safety systems undergo routine service and maintenance checks at least once every six months. However, in all cases this should be treated as a minimum. And in heavily-populated, high-activity environments such as shopping malls and office blocks, checks should be made more frequently.
Employing skilled designers, installers and maintenance professionals will also ensure a safer environment for building occupants and visitors alike. It only requires a comparatively small investment to make sure the right fire detection devices are used to reduce unwanted alarms that cause so much disruption and place unnecessary burdens on fire and rescue services.
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We have within the local authority approx 35 premises for temporary accommodation. Many of the occupants have drug, alcohol and mental problems and false alarms are a major concern, particularly in those properties without 24 hour management or security. The security of the fire alarm panel from damage following activation is also a problem. The products you referred to appear to be an option for resolving some of the issues and your assistance in obtaining further information would be much appreciated.
Regards,
Harry Hughes
[email protected]