Is your commercial fire alarm system up to date with fire regulations?
The government regulations state that all fire alarm systems must be installed according to British Standard, BS 5839 fire regulations. However, despite these regulations having been around for a while, there is still confusion regarding fire alarm requirements for businesses. If you are at all concerned about the fire safety of your business in the South, don’t hesitate to contact us on 01202 985655.
Does my business require a fire alarm system?
On this matter, fire safety legislation can be a bit vague and simply states that premises require ‘an appropriate fire detection system’ in place. This means that if a fire were to break out in your business, it would be detected in enough time for everyone to safely leave the building.
If you can confidently say yes to all of the following questions and statements, then you potentially won’t require a fire alarm system and a smoke or fire detection system will suffice:
1. Is your business small and single storey?
2. Would someone shouting “fire!” be heard easily by all occupants?
3. Your premises does not have very young, elderly or disabled occupants.
4. Would you be able to spot a fire easily anywhere?
5. You don’t cook on your premises.
6. You don’t store high-risk chemicals.
If you had to say no to any of the above, then your business will probably require a fire alarm system. Are you still unsure? We can carry out a comprehensive site survey and provide further advice to make your business totally compliant with fire regulations.
Which type of fire alarm should I install in my business?
Again, legislation only states that you install what is considered ‘appropriate’ for your business, so a professional site survey may be required to determine what this includes. There are 2 main types of fire alarm system:
Conventional Fire Alarms
Conventional fire alarm systems are recommended for business environments that are considered low risk and section off your business into zones, for example, the first and second floor. This means that you can only get a general idea of where the fire is, not an exact location.
Addressable Fire Alarms
Addressable fire alarm systems are most commonly found in high-risk, larger buildings with lots of occupants, for example hospitals and schools. Each addressable alarm has its own unique location address, which means that you can pinpoint exactly where the fire is taking place on the control panel.
For information regarding the fire regulations governing fire extinguishers, click here.
Fire regulations do not specify which type of fire alarm system you should choose, so it’s wise to have professional fire risk assessors evaluate your business and suggest a suitable action before proceeding. We can carry out a site survey and suggest the most suitable fire alarm system for your business. Contact us today on 01202 985655.