Automatic Fire Alarm (AFA)–Automatic Fire Detection
(AFD)
Introduction
AFD can be described as being the means or equipment used to raise an alarm, whilst AFA is actually the action of the alarm itself. Both these systems are inter-linked and their descriptions have become
interchangeable when reference is made to the different systems.
Guidance and Codes of Practice
British Standards (BS) publish a number of products, including Specifications, Guides and Codes of Practice (CoP), one, BS 5839 Part 1:2002 which is a CoP covers Fire Detection and Alarm Systems for Buildings, and provides guidance on the design, installation, commissioning and maintenance of these systems.This latest CoP which replaced BS 5839 Part 1 1988, has a number of significant changes, not only to the technical
requirements but also to responsibilities of ownership. It must be realised that
compliance with a BS does not of itself confer immunity from legal obligations.
When should alarms be installed?
The need for a fire alarm system in any specific building will normally be determined by the authority responsible for enforcing construction and building standards including fire safety in that building and/or by a Fire Risk Assessment carried out by the owner, landlord, occupier(s) or employer(s), as appropriate. (See also RMG 52 Regulatory Reform Order).In general, it is appropriate to install some form of automatic fire alarm system in virtually all buildings, other than very small premises that are relatively open-plan, so that the occupants will quickly detect or be warned of any fire.
In these very simple structures, fire
warnings will be able to be given by word of mouth or simple mechanical devices such as hand-operated bells.
Manual (i.e. break glass call points) fire alarm systems are often sufficient to satisfy legislation in low risk or open workplaces. However automatic fire detection, to raise an alarm is usually required by legislation to supplement any manual system in more complex premises especially where people sleep.
Automatic fire detection might also be necessary under the following
circumstances:
where the automatic fire detection forms part of a fire engineering solution; where fire protection systems, such as
door closing facilities or smoke control systems, are to be operated
automatically in the event of fire; where the low level of occupancy of a
building, or part of a building, is such as to create the potential for fire to
prejudice means of escape by the occupants before they are aware of its presence.
RMG114 v3-12/10 2 2010 Royal & Sun Alliance Insurance plc used to protect property by raising an alarm
ensuring the early attendance of the Fire and Rescue Service. Automatic fire detection/alarm systems might, therefore, be required or recommended by the property insurers.
The early detection of fire by automatic means, and rapid summoning of the Fire and Rescue Service, is also important in premises where people cannot readily be evacuated immediately in the event of fire (e.g. hospitals, care homes).
What classification should be used?
Systems are designated into classifications normally by detailing the coverage of systems from Manual only to full coveragewith automatic external transmission of alarms to the Fire & Rescue Service (F&RS).
Guidance should be sought from the authority requiring or recommending the installation of the system.
Property Protection Systems
Normally Insurers would require a system to P1 standard to be used where property protection is the issue.
P1 - All Areas with exceptions (showers, bathrooms, and small cupboards) - must have an external alarm connection.
P2 - Specified High Risk Areas - where risk and impact of fire is high, when considering business interruption and/or property damage.
Life Protection Systems
These systems are more likely to be requested by the Local Authority or other public bodies.
L1 - All Areas with exceptions (showers, bathrooms, small cupboards)
L2 - As L3 plus Specified rooms / areas (possibly high risk)
L3 - Automatic Detection on escape routes plus rooms opening onto escape routes, Manual Call points
L4 - Automatic Detection on escape routes, Manual Call points
L5 - Risk Engineered - Selected areas - special risks
M - Manual Call Points only
Other areas for consideration.
Installation of a detection system brings with it ongoing maintenance and additional responsibilities.The Owner or End User, detailed as the Responsible Person (under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order must:
Nominate a competent person, who will be responsible for:
Completion of weekly checks. Maintenance of system log book. The competent person does not have to be an employee of the company but could be an external maintenance company
contracted to complete the works. They will also have to ensure that the detection and alarm systems are correctly serviced maintained and continues to meet the minimum legislative requirements.
Maintenance or Servicing
These specialist systems must be serviced and maintained by Companies who have specialist knowledge to ensure the system will continue to meet the requirements of the Risk Assessment in providing an alarm to warn your staff and any visitors of a fire incident.
Whilst this can be completed by many, we believe Companies that have joined a third party certification scheme do provide a full maintenance and service scheme which is independently monitored and therefore standards of work are of the highest level. The requirements of these schemes also ensure that a full report is provided detailing:
The current performance of the installation
Any additional work required A review of any changes made to
hazards and risks, which may affect the performance of the initial system
installation.
That unwanted/false alarms are minimised.
This report can then be used as part of your Risk Assessment process in ensuring that your legislative duties are met.
Unwanted or False Alarms
These can be attributed to a number of causes. They do create a strain on resource of the Fire and Rescue Service and can ultimately lead to a withdrawal of response to alarms, which can be
disastrous in the event of a “real” incident. Unwanted: these can be the failure of
systems due to lack of maintenance, the incorrect use of detectors, i.e. smoke detectors in kitchen areas or bathrooms etc.
Equipment faults: Even in the best maintained systems faults do/can develop over time
Malicious; Alarms created to cause interference to day to day operations Good intent: Alarms raised summoning
the Fire and Rescue Service when local control can be achieved without external influence.
Chief Fire Officers Association
(CFOA)
CFOA Policy for the Reduction of False Alarms & Unwanted Fire Signals
This recently revised and reissued policy promotes the use of competent persons in the design, installation, commissioning and maintenance of systems. CFOA
recommend that the Fire & Rescue Service (F&RS) require the use of third party certification schemes.
Failure to address false alarm issues can lead to the withdrawal of the automatic response from the Fire and Rescue Service, to a fire signal. This can lead to extended delays in tackling real fires leading to increased fire damage and potentially putting lives at risk.
RMG114 v3-12/10 4 2010 Royal & Sun Alliance Insurance plc
Third Party Schemes
Certification through United Kingdom Accreditation Service (UKAS) (or equivalent) provides valuable reassurances and assists in the making of informed decisions as to the competency of the service provider.
Design, installation and maintenance of these systems whether they are provided for Life Safety or Property can be complicated and require specialist input.
There are many companies able to provide this specialist assistance but determining their level of competence can be difficult.
Third party certification schemes can give the best route to decide which companies to choose as they ensure that Companies and individuals working within them meet minimum standards of competence and training.
Examples of these schemes are:
BAFE (British Approvals for Fire
Equipment)
BAFE31 Thames Street, Kingston upon Thames, Surrey KT1 1PH
www.bafe.org.uk
BAFE is a non-profit making organisation dedicated to improving standards in fire protection.
Modular Scheme for Fire Detection & Alarm Systems SP203-1
BAFE's scheme objective is to provide a means by which, fire protection system users and regulatory authorities can be confident that the companies providing the design, installation, commissioning, hand-over and maintenance of such system have processes in place to effectively undertake such activities within their defined scope of work.
BRE Global
BRE Global, Bucknalls Lane, Watford WD25 9XX
www.bre.co.uk
BRE Global Limited (part of the BRE Group) is an independent third party approvals body offering certification of fire, security and sustainability products and services to an international market
The Loss Prevention Certification Board (LPCB) scheme,
Loss Prevention Scheme (LPS) 1014 -Requirements for Certificated Fire Detection and Alarm System Firms.
This standard specifies the requirements of the LPCB for firms engaged in system design, installation, commissioning and servicing of fire detection and alarm systems.
The requirements for the issuing of LPS 1014 Certificates of Conformity against the Installation Rules are also confirmed.
These and other Risk Management Guidelines addressing a wide variety of risk control issues are freely available from: www.rsabroker.com/risk-management
The information set out in this document constitutes a set of general guidelines and should not be construed or relied upon as specialist advice. RSA does not guarantee that all hazards and exposures relating to the subject matter of this document are covered. Therefore RSA accepts no responsibility towards any person relying upon these Risk Management Guidelines nor accepts any liability whatsoever for the accuracy of data supplied by another party or the consequences of reliance upon it.
