Fire Alarm Systems, Panels & Detectors

Most commercial and industrial premises are nowadays required to have a fire alarm system installed to BS 5839. The system is better described as a fire detection and alarm system, as its primary function is firstly to detect a fire and secondly to sound audible fire alarms in all or part of the building.

At its simplest, the sytem may be operated purely by ‘Break Glass Units’ (a manual system). At its most complex, the system may have very many different types of fire alarm panels, smoke, heat and other types of fire detectors spread throughout the building and possibly linked to other buildings.

It is essential that the fire alarm panel, smoke and heat detectors and associated cabling etc are correctly designed, specified and installed and Circum’s in-house team includes qualified professionals in all these areas . The system may be primarily designed to protect life hence reliable, long term operation is essential.

The design and installation details of the fire alarm should always be agreed withal relevant parties including the Local Fire Office, the loal District Surveyor, Insurers, site Fire Officers as well as architects and structural engineers. All may impose specific requirements relevant to their field. The over-riding standard for the design of the system is BS 5839. This is a comprehensive document and is nearly always cited as the required standard. It includes requirements such as for the the detection cabling to be fire proof (hence the common use of MICC in fire alarm systems), battery backup to tbe provided and a wealth of other design features.