Fire alarm systems protect people, property and business operations. The correct system depends on how your premises are used, who occupies the building and the fire risks present.
A small office does not require the same design as a hotel, care setting, school, warehouse or manufacturing site. System selection must follow a competent assessment of the building and its evacuation needs.
This guide explains the main points to consider when choosing, testing and maintaining a commercial fire alarm system in North Wales.
This article provides general information only. It is not legal advice. Ask a competent fire risk assessor and qualified fire alarm contractor to review your premises and recommend suitable protection.
Start with a fire risk assessment
The responsible person for a non-domestic premises must arrange a suitable fire risk assessment and review it when circumstances change. This may be the employer, owner, landlord, occupier, facilities manager or another person with control of the building.
The assessment should consider:
- The building layout and construction.
- The number of occupants.
- Sleeping accommodation.
- People who may need assistance to evacuate.
- Sources of ignition.
- Flammable materials and processes.
- Escape routes and final exits.
- The impact of a fire on business operations.
- Any requirements from insurers, regulators or other stakeholders.
Use the assessment to define the required level of fire detection and warning. Do not choose equipment based only on the size of the premises or the lowest installation price.
For general information about workplace responsibilities, read the GOV.UK fire safety guidance.
Understand BS 5839 system categories
BS 5839-1 provides recommendations for fire detection and alarm systems in non-domestic premises. It covers system design, installation, commissioning, handover and maintenance.
The correct category depends on the life safety and property protection objectives identified by the fire risk assessment.
Common categories include:
- Category M: Manual alarm initiation using devices such as manual call points. It does not provide automatic detection.
- Category L: Automatic fire detection for life protection. The level of coverage varies between subcategories.
- Category P: Automatic fire detection for property protection. Coverage is selected to protect the building or its contents.
For example, a building with sleeping occupants or vulnerable people may need more extensive automatic detection than a low-risk office occupied only during normal working hours.
Categories such as L1, L2 and P1 have specific meanings. They should not be selected without considering the building, evacuation plan and fire risks. A competent designer should explain the recommendation and record the design basis.
Dragon provides fire alarm design, installation, commissioning and maintenance services for commercial, residential and industrial premises. Our team works with conventional, addressable, open protocol and closed protocol systems.
Select the right type of fire alarm system
Conventional systems
Conventional fire alarm systems divide the building into zones. When a detector or call point operates, the control panel identifies the zone containing the device.
This can be a practical option for smaller or straightforward premises. Zone plans must be accurate and displayed where they can assist occupants and attending firefighters.
A conventional system may be suitable for:
- Small offices.
- Shops.
- Workshops.
- Small communal buildings.
- Simple commercial layouts.
The final choice still depends on the fire risk assessment and required coverage.
Addressable systems
Addressable fire alarm systems assign each device a unique address. The control panel can identify the individual detector, call point or other device that has operated.
This can provide clearer information in larger or more complex premises. It can also help engineers locate faults and manage maintenance.
Addressable systems may be considered for:
- Schools and colleges.
- Care homes.
- Hotels and hospitality venues.
- Large offices.
- Warehouses.
- Multi-floor commercial buildings.
- Industrial premises.
The design should account for future extensions, changes of use and the need to manage different alarm zones.
Wireless systems
Wireless fire alarm systems can reduce the need for extensive cabling. They may be useful in listed buildings, occupied premises or locations where installing new cable routes is difficult.
Wireless equipment still requires professional design, installation, testing and maintenance. Battery condition, signal strength and system performance must be checked as part of the maintenance plan.
Plan detection and warning devices
A fire alarm system includes more than ceiling-mounted detectors. The design may include:
- Smoke detectors.
- Heat detectors.
- Multi-sensor detectors.
- Manual call points.
- Sounders.
- Visual alarm devices.
- Control and indicating equipment.
- Remote signalling or monitoring.
- Fire alarm interfaces.
Detector selection must reflect the environment. Smoke detectors may not be appropriate in areas where steam, dust, fumes or cooking vapour could cause unwanted alarms. Heat detection may be more suitable in some locations.
Manual call points should be positioned so occupants can raise the alarm quickly. Sounders must provide an effective warning throughout the building. Visual alarm devices may be needed where people may not hear an audible alarm, including noisy work areas and some public or care settings.
Do not obstruct detectors with storage, temporary partitions or suspended items. Tell your fire alarm contractor about layout changes before completing alterations.
Use alarm zones and records correctly
Alarm zones help occupants and responders identify the affected part of a building. Zone boundaries should be logical and shown on an accurate zone plan.
Update the plan when you:
- Extend the building.
- Remove or add partitions.
- Change room use.
- Move the control panel.
- Add detectors or call points.
- Alter escape routes.
- Change access arrangements.
Keep the following information available in the fire safety logbook:
- System design and commissioning information.
- Device locations.
- Zone plans.
- User instructions.
- Weekly test results.
- Faults and corrective actions.
- Engineer service reports.
- Alarm activations and false alarm investigations.
- Records of system alterations.
- Details of any periods when protection was impaired.
Clear records help the responsible person monitor the system. They also provide useful evidence for fire risk reviews, insurance checks and contractor handovers.
Test the system and act on faults
Testing must form part of the building’s normal fire safety arrangements. Follow the system instructions, the recommendations for the installation and the findings of the fire risk assessment.
Typical user checks may include:
- Checking the control panel for fault indications.
- Testing a manual call point at planned intervals.
- Confirming that sounders and connected devices operate.
- Checking that faults are reported and resolved.
- Recording each test in the logbook.
- Making sure staff know what a fire alarm signal means.
Use a different manual call point during successive tests where practical. Warn occupants before testing. Inform any monitoring centre before starting work so an unwanted response is avoided.
Do not silence or isolate devices without a clear reason, suitable controls and a plan to restore protection. If part of the system is unavailable, consider temporary measures and record the impairment.
Professional servicing should be arranged at intervals suited to the system, premises and risk. Six-monthly visits are commonly used for commercial fire alarm maintenance, but a competent contractor may recommend a different frequency for higher-risk or complex sites.
Integrate fire alarms with emergency lighting
The alarm system and emergency lighting perform different functions. They must work together as part of the evacuation plan.
Emergency lighting should illuminate escape routes, stairs, corridors, changes of direction and final exits when normal lighting fails. Exit signs and lighting around fire safety equipment may also be required.
Dragon provides emergency lighting installation, testing and maintenance. Our electrical testing services can support wider compliance checks for commercial and industrial premises.
Emergency lighting maintenance should follow the relevant recommendations of BS 5266 and the requirements identified by the fire risk assessment. Keep test results and certificates with your fire safety records.
Check access control and other interfaces
Access control must never prevent safe escape during a fire. Where appropriate, the fire alarm system may interface with:
- Electrically held fire doors.
- Access-controlled escape doors.
- Automatic doors.
- Lift controls.
- Smoke control equipment.
- Air handling systems.
- Remote alarm monitoring.
The exact interface depends on the building design and evacuation strategy. Doors may need to release automatically on alarm activation, but the arrangement must be designed and tested correctly.
Automatic doors and access-controlled doors require regular inspection. Confirm that alarm interfaces operate as intended after installation, maintenance or changes to the building management system.
Choose a competent fire alarm contractor
Use a contractor with relevant experience in your type of premises. Ask how they will:
- Review the fire risk assessment.
- Survey the building and existing equipment.
- Select the system category.
- Design detection, warning and alarm zones.
- Coordinate with emergency lighting and access control.
- Commission and document the installation.
- Provide user training.
- Schedule planned maintenance.
- Investigate faults and unwanted alarms.
- Support future extensions or site changes.
The right contractor should provide clear documentation. They should also explain what your staff must test and what the maintenance contract includes.
Dragon Security & Electrical Ltd supports businesses, landlords, schools, care settings, hospitality venues, retailers and industrial clients throughout North Wales and beyond. We provide fire alarm installation, commissioning, monitoring, maintenance and related electrical services.
Review your protection
Arrange a review if your fire alarm system is old, unreliable or difficult to maintain. You should also review it after:
- A change of building use.
- A refurbishment or extension.
- A change in occupancy.
- New sleeping accommodation.
- Changes to escape routes.
- New access control or automatic doors.
- Repeated unwanted alarms.
- A failed test or unresolved fault.
Contact Dragon Security & Electrical Ltd on 01492 330330 to discuss fire alarm systems, maintenance contracts or electrical testing services for your premises.
Contact Dragon Security & Electrical Ltd to arrange an assessment of your requirements.
