The Aico Guide to Residential Fire Detection, Fire Detect Guide

(1)

A Guide to

Residential Fire Detection

With Reference to BS 5839: Pt.6: 2004

Ahead on Quality

Ahead on Performance

Ahead on Features

( (6688..5522)) XX

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Ei ELECTRONICS

-THE MANUFACTURER

THE MANUFACTURER

Ei Electronics is Europe’s largest and most

experienced manufacturer of residential

smok

smoke and heat alae and heat alarms.rms. The comThe companypany

has built up a wealth of experience over

more than 30 years and is now by far the

UK’s leading supplier of smoke alarms for

residenti

residential use,al use,as well as the first choiceas well as the first choice

supplier for local authorities and housing

associatio

associations throughout the ns throughout the UK.UK.

Ongoing commitment to research and

development has enabled Ei Electronics to

achieve many significant industry firsts: it was

first to obtain the BSI Kitemark on the entire

range of harmonised 9 Volt and mains

powered smoke alarms; first to offer

rechargeable back-up power; and first to

develop a fully compatible mains powered

heat alarm,

heat alarm,as well as as well as a range a range of ancillaryof ancillary

prod

products.ucts. The compThe company also beany also became thecame the

first to offer

first to offer ‘hush’‘hush’button technology - asbutton technology - as

recommended by BS 5839: Pt.6 - across the

full spectrum of alarm types; the first to offer

uniquely simplified installation and

maintenance through its patented ‘Easi-fit’

designs; and the first to offer private

landlords and local authorities a low cost

alternative to panel systems in some HMO

applications

applications through its innovative ‘Modifire’through its innovative ‘Modifire’

modul

modular systar system.em. Most rMost recentlecentlyy,,Ei hasEi has

become the first company to introduce

mains powered wireless interconnect bases

for smoke alarms through its innovative

RadioLINK range,

RadioLINK range,offering moffering major savings onajor savings on

time and installation costs.

Furthermore,

Furthermore,Ei Electronics is Ei Electronics is the onlythe only

manufacturer to have responded positively

to the need to protect more vulnerable

members of the commu

members of the community - again,nity - again,asas

raised in BS 5839: Pt.6 - by manufacturing a

range of harmonised products for the deaf

and hearing impaired.

Ei Electronics continues to launch new

products utilising the latest technology and

bringing other significant innovations into the

market place and currently offers the largest

range of residential mains powered fire

detection products in the UK.

AICO

-THE SPECIALIST SUPPLIER

THE SPECIALIST SUPPLIER

Many years of experience in both its

professional management and technical

sales support team

sales support teams,s,couplecoupled with a highd with a high

standard of service and

standard of service and back-up,back-up,havehave

enabled Aico to firmly establish the Ei

Professional range of fire detection products

as the f

as the first choice first choice for specifiers,or specifiers,installers,installers,

housing associati

housing associations,ons,local authoritilocal authorities andes and

builders throughout the UK.

In-house technical support continues to play

a very vital role,

a very vital role,together with a dedicatedtogether with a dedicated

ongoing education process for wholesalers,

specif

specifiers and instaiers and installers.llers. Aico is alAico is also fullyso fully

committed to an ongoing programme of

total product

total product awareness,awareness,demonstrating thedemonstrating the

need for effective fire detection and

providing guidance on all aspects of system

design,

design,installation and installation and maintenance throughmaintenance through

seminars,

seminars,profprofessional videessional videos,os,CD-ROCD-ROMs andMs and

support literature.

High quality products demand a high

standar

standard of service d of service and suppand support.ort. MakinMaking it asg it as

easy as possible for customers to buy “what

they want -

they want - when they want”when they want”is anotheris another

priority,

priority,and high levels of stock (plus a rand high levels of stock (plus a rapidapid

delivery service to wholesale distributors) is a

further demonstration of Aico’s total

commitment to the fire safety industry.

Aico Ltd is a wholly owned subsidiary of Ei

Electronics,

Electronics,Europe's leading mEurope's leading manufacturer ofanufacturer of

residential smoke alarms and accessories.

INTRODUCTION

When first introduced

When first introduced in 1995,in 1995,the BSthe BS

5839: Pt.6 Code of Practice became the

most important set of recommendations

ever made on fire safety in the

ever made on fire safety in the home.home.

It had an immediate impact on

archite

architects,cts,system desystem designers,signers,installers installers andand

landlord

landlords in s in the private or public sectorthe private or public sector,,allall

of whom were required to familiarise

themselves with these important

recommenda

recommendations.tions. Landlords Landlords in in particularparticular

needed to abide by these

recommenda

recommendations,tions,as legal liability withas legal liability with

regard to

regard to ‘duty of care’‘duty of care’wouldwould

undoubtedly become a serious issue

should a fire occur in an inadequately

protected property.

In short,

In short,BS 5839: Pt.6 BS 5839: Pt.6 became thebecame the

essential guide to providing adequate

fire protection in all dwelling types.

In September

In September 2004,2004,the Code the Code ofof

Practice was extensively revised and

updated by the publication of

BS 5839: Pt.6: 2004 and immediately

superseded BS

superseded BS 5839: Pt.6: 1995,5839: Pt.6: 1995,whichwhich

is now

is now withdwithdrawrawn.n. The chThe changesanges

therein are important and need to be

fully understood and appreciated by

all those with

all those with responsibility for fireresponsibility for fire

safety in domestic dwellings.

This document is intended as a guide

to BS 5839:

to BS 5839: Pt.6: 2004,Pt.6: 2004,highlighting thehighlighting the

changes that have come into effect

with the introduction of the 2004

edition while still remaining a

comprehensive guide to BS 5839 as

a whole.

This guide is not intended as a

substitute for reading the Code of

prac

practice itstice itselfelf.. InstInstead,ead,it’s deit’s designesignedd

to help make the implications and

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Further evidence of the vital importance of

smoke alarms comes from American

studies.

studies. In AIn American merican States States wherewhere

residential fire protection is mandatory,

some 92% of homes have the required fire

alarm syste

alarm systems.ms. 50% of 50% of ALL the fALL the fire deaire deathsths

which occur happen within the 8% where

no alarms are fitted.

BS 5839: Pt.6: 2004 itself says:

“It has been

“It has been estimated that,estimated that,in dwellingsin dwellings

without smoke detec

without smoke detectors,tors,a substantiala substantial

proportion of the fatalities from fire could be

avoided if smoke detectors were installed”

SMOKE ALARM

PERFORMANCE

In 34,450 f

In 34,450 fires in 2003,ires in 2003,no smoke alarmno smoke alarm

was

was present ipresent in the n the fire fire area.area. 261 peop261 peoplele

died in these f

died in these fires,ires,and a further 6,100and a further 6,100

were injured.

In the cases where an alarm was present,

the alarm operated correctly in 18,821

cases (29% of dwelling

cases (29% of dwelling fires),fires),operated butoperated but

failed to raise the alarm in 3,100 cases

(5%) and failed to operate altogether in

7,445 cases (12%).

SMOKE ALARM RELIABILITY

It is worth quoting the Fire Statistics in detail

here.

here. The The report report notes notes that,that,in thin thoseose

dwellings subject to a f

dwellings subject to a fire in 2003,ire in 2003,alarmsalarms

failed to operate in 12% of cases:

“Howev

“However,er,this overall figure masks a widethis overall figure masks a wide

diff

difference in erence in performancperformance between battere between batteryy

powered alarms and mains powered alarms

– 40% of all battery powered smoke alarms

failed in 2003 compared to just 13% of mains

powered alarms.”

The Report goes on to clarify:

“The main reason for smoke alarm failures

each ye

each year is missiar is missing or fng or flat battelat batteries.ries. In 2003In 2003

they accounted for 63% of failures in battery

powe

powered alarms.red alarms. The main reaThe main reason for fson for failureailure

of mains powered alarms was that the fire

products did not reach the detectors (43% of

cases)”.

The message is still all too clear: it’s vital to

select,

select,properly install properly install and adequatelyand adequately

maintain the best,

maintain the best,most reliable smokemost reliable smoke

alarms possible - and to have both

adequate back-up and measures for

preventing tampering with alarms.

BATTERY POWERED ALARMS

The high failure rate of alarms with

replaceable

replaceable batteries batteries is truly is truly frightening.frightening.

Landlords relying on battery powered alarms

to protect tenants cannot be there all the

time to check that batteries are present and

working – but responsibility still lies with them.

Essentially

Essentially,,the time when a smoke the time when a smoke alarmalarm

with a replaceable battery was considered

adequa

adequate has lte has long passeong passed.d. BS 5839BS 5839: Pt.6: Pt.6

itself recognises that,

itself recognises that,while they save while they save lives,lives,

they are all too vulnerable to tampering to

offer landlords much of a defence under

‘duty of

‘duty of care’.care’. It is no surpriIt is no surprise to learn tse to learn that,hat,

when one Council made an inspection of its

properties fitted

properties fitted with battery units,with battery units,it foundit found

that in excess of 50% of them were

‘defective’

‘defective’in some win some wayay,,due mainly due mainly toto

neglect or from removal of the batteries.

COVERAGE

Inadequately or improperly installed fire

alarms can have a significant bearing on

their perf

their performance,ormance,as borne out by theas borne out by the

Fire Statistics.

A badly installed alarm may have its

reaction time cut in half - offering

occupants as little as 90 seconds or two

minu

minutes to getes to get out.t out. By thiBy this times time,,routroutes ofes of

escape may have become impassable,

forcing people to jump from high windows.

Or flames may have reached them.

An incorrectly installed fire alarm may

again leave landlords in both the private

and public sector vulnerable to

compensatio

compensation claims n claims from injuredfrom injured

tenants or from families of victims.

After one such fire tragedy in which a

tenant died,

tenant died,one local one local authority found thatauthority found that

the compensa

the compensation it had to pay out,tion it had to pay out,plusplus

the cost of litigation,

the cost of litigation,far exceeded far exceeded the costthe cost

of installing quality fire alarms in every

single c

single council prouncil property in theioperty in their area.r area. To aTo a

private landlord without the resources of a

local authority

local authority,,such a compensation paysuch a compensation pay

out could have been completely ruinous.

The message of BS 5839: Pt.6 is therefore

to not only install an adequate number of

smoke alarms,

smoke alarms,but to ensure that thebut to ensure that they arey are

installed and maintained correctly in

every respect.

FIRE SAFETY - THE STATISTICS

According to the latest UK figures the

majority - over three quarters - of all fire

casualties occur in the home.

Until the introduction of BS 5839: Pt.6,

business and commercial premises were

the subject of far more stringent fire

safety regulations than residential

dwel

dwellinglings.s. BS 5839: Pt.BS 5839: Pt.6 was int6 was introduceroducedd

to start redressing the balance.

Every year around 450 people die in fires

in this country

in this country,,and close to 13,000 areand close to 13,000 are

injur

injured.ed. The deaThe death toll is reth toll is reducinducing andg and

this is acknowledged to be directly

related to increasing and more

prof

professionessional use of smokal use of smoke alarms.e alarms. At theAt the

time of the introduction of BS 5839 in

1995,

1995,we were talking we were talking around 600 deathsaround 600 deaths

and 15,000 annual injuries.

A brief look at ‘Fire Statistics United

Kingdom,

Kingdom,2003’,2003’,published bpublished by the y the OffOfficeice

of the Deputy Prime Minister in March

2005,

2005,provides an invprovides an invaluable insight intoaluable insight into

incidents of dwelling fires and the

effec

effectiveness of smoke alartiveness of smoke alarms.ms.

•

• In In 2003,2003,dweldwelling ling firefires s fell fell to to 63,80063,800.. TheThe

number of accidental dwelling fires also

fell to 50,000 – the lowest figures for more

than a decade

•

• HowevHowever,er,around around 80% of 80% of all fall fire-relatedire-related

casualties occur in

casualties occur in dwellingsdwellings

•

• In In 2003,2003,447 people 447 people lost thelost their livir lives ines in

fire

fires in the hos in the home.me. (That c(That comparompares withes with

430 in 2002 and 483 in 2001)

•

• 12,600 12,600 people people were were injured,injured,aa

reduction of 7% compared with 2002

MORTALITY STATISTICS

•

• In 2003,In 2003,68 people 68 people lost their lost their lives in lives in fires infires in

homes where an alarm was present,

operated and raised the alarm

•

• In In comparicomparison,son,in in the the same same period,period,379379

people died in homes where either an

alarm was not installed or an alarm was

present but failed to raise the alarm

The report suggests that 76% of households

now have alarms,

now have alarms,so the huge difso the huge difference inference in

death rates is strongly indicative not only of

the need for

the need for smoke alarms,smoke alarms,but also smokebut also smoke

alarms which work when they are needed.

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THE ESSENTIAL

CHANGES TO

BS 5839: Pt.6: 2004

– AT A

GLANCE

THE DOCUMENT ITSELF

Each clause of the document is now split

into 2 parts.

into 2 parts.FirstlyFirstly,,there is thethere is the

commentary – in italics – this sets out the

reasoning behind what at first sight may

appear to be arbitrary recommendations.

The recommendations are in normal type,

so it is quite possible to simply refer to

these alone.

these alone.The intention is to makThe intention is to make thee the

document easier to use; whether it

succeeds in this aim is a matter of

personal perception.

NEW BUILD PROPERTIES

There are now extended

recommendations with regard to new

build pr

build propertieoperties.s. EssenEssentially thtially these are:ese are:

•

• All properties mAll properties must have ust have mainsmains

powered alarms with a back-up

supply – Grade D system

•

• Smoke Smoke alarms should alarms should be positbe positionedioned

in escape routes

•

• Heat alarms Heat alarms should be should be fitted fitted inin

the kitchen and possibly the

principal habitable

principal habitable room.room.TheThe

definition of a principal habitable

room is ‘habitable room that is

normally the most frequently used

room for daytime living purposes’.

This would normally be the living

or dining room

CHANGES TO GRADES

There is essentially no change to

Grade F

Grade F,,although a five yearalthough a five year

minimum battery life is

recommended in tenanted

properties,

properties,along along with awith a

recommendation that the battery

can only be removable by the use

of a special too

of a special tool.l.A slot headedA slot headed

screwdrive

screwdriver is r is not considered asnot considered as

meeting this requirement as

meeting this requirement as manymany

articles can be used as an

alternative.

Grade C systems now require a central

control,

control,rather than a level of contrrather than a level of control asol as

previously.Th

previously.This implies that some form ofis implies that some form of

panel is required and security systems are

put forward as a possible means of

meeting this requirement.

Grades D,

Grades D,E and F now include heatE and F now include heat

alarms.

FIRE RISK ASSESSMENT

Fire Risk Assessment receives brief

cove

coverage at the start,rage at the start,with much greaterwith much greater

emphasis given to the subject in Annex A

at the back of the document.

It is worth noting the Commentary of

Section 4.1: “It is considered that the level

of fire risk in dwellings covered by this part

of BS 5839 is unlikely ever to be sufficiently

low to obviate the need for some form of

fire detection and fire alarm system”.

LEVEL OF COVERAGE

LD1,

LD1,LD2 and LD3 remain uncLD2 and LD3 remain unchanged.hanged.

Howe

Howeverver,,the terminology has the terminology has changed.changed.

The Code now refers to ‘C

The Code now refers to ‘Category’ategory’ofof

system instead of ‘T

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SYSTEM

V

ARIATIONS

Where a modification to a system is

made,

made,the standard now refthe standard now refers to it as aers to it as a

‘V

‘Variation’ariation’rather than rather than a a ‘Deviation’,‘Deviation’,asas

the latter term implied that the system

was i

was in some wn some way infay inferiorerior.. Note thNote that,at,inin

cases where a variation from the

recommendations

recommendations is proposed,is proposed,thethe

system certificate has to be signed and

agreed by all parties.

RF INTERCONNECTION –

WIRELESS SYSTEMS

Although the previous version of the

document didn’t preclude the use of RF

as a form of interconnecting smoke

alarms,

alarms,it called fit called for a single for a single final circuit.Thisinal circuit.This

potential confusion has been resolved.

Now

Now,,because of the introduction of because of the introduction of newnew

‘wirel

‘wireless’ess’or ‘radior ‘radio’o’interinterconnect systems,connect systems,

Clause 15.5 paragraph b says: “If smoke

alarms and heat alarms are of a type

that can be

that can be interconnected by interconnected by wiring,wiring,allall

smoke and heat alarms should be

connected on a single f

connected on a single final circuit”.inal circuit”.ThisThis

is clearly intended for hard wired

systems,

systems,as a note added to thas a note added to thisis

recommendation states: ‘This

recommendation does not apply if the

form of interconnection is not capable

of conduc

of conducting curreting current,nt,e.g.e.g.if the meansif the means

of interconnection comprises radio

communication rather than wiring.’

OTHER ALARM TYPES

For the first time,

For the first time,BS 5839: Pt.6 now coBS 5839: Pt.6 now coversvers

CO fire alarms and multi-sensor alarms.

Heat alarms are given far more

importance,

importance,as you was you will have nill have notedoted

from the New Build changes abov

from the New Build changes above,e,forfor

example.

example.Heat Alarms shHeat Alarms should alwaysould always

comply with BS 5446: Pt.2.

FALSE ALARM CONTROL

A detailed commentary is given on false

alarm control,

alarm control,which shoulwhich should be d be studiedstudied

as this is probably the major reason that

smoke alarms are disabled

smoke alarms are disabledby the user.by the user.

Among its recommendations are:

•

• Not using Not using ionisation tyionisation type alarms inpe alarms in

escape routes

•

• The use The use of heat of heat alarms where alarms where nuisancenuisance

alarms could be a problem – only in

areas other than escape routes

•

• A high A high level of level of maintenance maintenance toto

reduce the incidence of false alarms

•

• No automNo automatic conneatic connection to ction to the Firethe Fire

Brigade,

Brigade,because of the high lebecause of the high level ofvel of

false alarms generated in the home

ALARMS FOR THE DEAF

AND HARD OF HEARING

BS 5839: Pt.6 now has specific

recommendations to make on the use of

specialist alarms for the deaf or hearing

impaire

impaired.d. Strobes Strobes and viband vibrating rating pads arepads are

discussed,

discussed,as are signalling requirementsas are signalling requirements

in daytim

in daytime rooms.e rooms. SpecifSpecific refic reference ierence iss

made to the BS 5446: Pt.3 standard.

(7)

BS 5839: Pt.6 - AN

INTRODUCTION

BS 5839: Pt.6 is not intended for

householders

householders themselves,themselves,but tobut to

provide guidance and

recommendations for architects and

other building profession

other building professionals,als,enforenforcingcing

authorities,

authorities,contractors contractors and othersand others

responsible for implementing fire

precautions in buildings.

The Code of Practice should not be

quoted as if it was a specification and

the standard itself warns that

particular care should be taken to

ensure that claims of compliance are

not misleading.

It is also pointed out that compliance

with a British Standard cannot

automatically confer legal immunity.

Howe

Howeverver,,for a landlord or for a landlord or installerinstaller,,

compliance with the latest Code is

obviously the best line of defence in

any claim made against them.

THE SCOPE OF BS 5839:

Pt.6

This Code of practice covers every type

of fire detection ‘

of fire detection ‘system’,system’,from a simplefrom a simple

self-cont

self-contained battery smoke alarm ained battery smoke alarm rightright

through to major hard wired 24V systems.

The new 2004 Code further takes into

consideration “changes in technology,

custom and practi

custom and practice,ce,and changes inand changes in

guidance that supports national building

regulations

regulations””since 1995since 1995..

BS 5839: Pt.6 also covers almost every

conceivable type of premises,

including: including: Bungalows Bungalows Multi-storey houses Multi-storey houses Individual flats Individual flats Individual maisonettes Individual maisonettes Mobile homes Mobile homes Individual sheltered Individual sheltered accommodation accommodation

Houses in multiple occupation (HMOs)

NHS housing in the

NHS housing in the communitycommunity

Both new and existing dwellings are

covered.

Communal parts of f

Communal parts of flats,lats,maisonettes,maisonettes,

sheltered accommodation and

hostels are not included; neither are

caravans.

BS 5839: Pt.6 is primarily concerned with

saving lives and reducing injuries.

Howev

Howeverer,,it does contain within itit does contain within it

recommendations for helping to reduce

prop

property damerty damage too.age too. The 2002The 2002/3 British/3 British

Crime Survey

Crime Survey,,issued by the Office of theissued by the Office of the

Deputy Prime Minister

Deputy Prime Minister,,notes that thenotes that the

mean cost of

mean cost of financial damage causedfinancial damage caused

by a domestic fire is now estimated to be

£980 – up a very significant £230 from the

£750 esti

£750 estimatmated in 2001/2ed in 2001/2.. GroGross losses toss losses to

domestic fires have increased by 24% in

just one y

just one yearear.. This has This has clear fclear financialinancial

implications

implications for for the landlorthe landlord.d. Good Good firefire

safety practice and adherence to the

Code can give the best possible early

warning of fire and so reduce the financial

impact as well as

impact as well as human suffering.human suffering.

SYSTEMS

BS 5839: Pt.6 defines a

BS 5839: Pt.6 defines a fire detection andfire detection and alarm system as "a system that

alarm system as "a system that comprises a means for automatically comprises a means for automatically detecting one of the

detecting one of the characteristiccharacteristic phenomena of fire and a

phenomena of fire and a means formeans for providing a warnin

providing a warning to occupants".g to occupants".ThisThis means that it could simply comprise one means that it could simply comprise one smoke alarm

smoke alarm or,or,at the at the other extrother extreme,eme,aa full commercial panel system.

full commercial panel system.

Firstly

Firstly,,it is worth quoting theit is worth quoting the

recommendations in Clause 4.2 of the

Code:

“A fire detection and fire alarm system

complying with this

complying with this part of BS part of BS 5839,5839,shouldshould

be installed in

be installed in all dwellings..all dwellings..whether newwhether new

or existing”.

“Fina

“Final design..l design..should,should,where reasonabwhere reasonablyly

practicable,

practicable,be based on a form of fbe based on a form of fireire

risk assessment..”

The effectiveness of a system is now

based upon the probability of system

operation (incorporating reliability,

monitoring and maintenance issues) and

the

the ‘success rate’‘success rate’of the system (theof the system (the

number of

number of alarms,alarms,their loctheir location,ation,audibiliaudibilityty

issues and the lifestyle of occupants).

(8)

On the other hand,

On the other hand,a low fire risk ma low fire risk mayay

not justify the cos

not justify the cost,t,complexity andcomplexity and

extent of such a system.

For example,

For example,the single occupthe single occupant of aant of a

small bungalow might be adequately

protected by the installation of one

mains pow

mains powered smoke alarm,ered smoke alarm,whereaswhereas

the risk to

the risk to which families in a six storeywhich families in a six storey

house in multiple occupation are

exposed would warrant much greater

expenditure on a more complex and

comprehensive system.

This sort of common sense approach

permeates the C

permeates the Code and thode and this,is,coupledcoupled

with its acknowledgement of economic

constraints,

constraints,makes makes the Code the Code particularlyparticularly

simple to adhere to.

The design of the system - which

includes considerations such as the

number of and

number of and siting of alarms,siting of alarms,and theand the

form of power supply required should

take the following factors into account:

1.

1. The prThe probabiliobability of fty of fire occire occurringurring

2.

2. The prThe probabiliobability of inty of injury or deatjury or death ofh of

occupants if fire occurs

3.

3. The prThe probability obability of the sof the system oystem operatperatinging

correctly at the time of a fire

4.

4. The prThe probabilobability of earlity of early detecty detectionion

and warning to occupants in the

event of fire

Points one and two combined define

the

the ‘fire risk’,‘fire risk’,while point three relates towhile point three relates to

system reliability

system reliability.. The fThe fourth point ourth point isis

defined by the standard as ‘a form of

success rate for the system’.

The Code recommends that fire risk be

assessed by taking into account a

number

number of difof different ferent factors.factors. These These areare

now to be found in Annex A of the

2004 Code.

Firstly

Firstly,,it recommends that each room in ait recommends that each room in a

dwelling be assessed for its own particular

fire risk,

fire risk,taking into account curretaking into account currentnt

statistica

statistical informl information.ation. How likHow likely is it thately is it that

a fire will start in a living room,

a fire will start in a living room,forfor

example?

example? Or Or a a bedroom? bedroom? What are What are thethe

possible sources of ignition in that room?

Statistica

Statisticallylly,,what are the what are the chances ofchances of

injury or death to an occupant if a fire

does break out in that type of room?

ASSESSING FIRE RISK

The Code discusses the generally

relevant factors in carrying out a fire risk

assessment to determine the most

appropriate design of fire detection and

fire

fire alarm sysalarm system.tem. HoweHoweverver,,it also it also notesnotes

that the lifestyle of the occupants may

require a change to the assessment.

The Code looks at where fatal fires

typically break out and where occupants

may be at the time.

First and forem

First and foremost,ost,it notes that theit notes that the

greatest impediment to escape in the

event of a fire is smoke obscuring the

escap

escape routee route.. Any fAny fire whicire which starts in ah starts in a

circulation area - or spreads to a

circulation area - needs to be detected

as soon as poss

as soon as possibleible.. The CodThe Code says thate says that

“smoke detectors need to be installed in

the circulation areas of all dwellings”.

SYSTEM DESIGN - FIRE RISK

ASSESSMENT

How can a system be designed to

meet the latest standards?

The Code recommends that a system is

designed – where reasonably

practicable - based on a fire risk

assessment of the property.

This needs to take into account:

•

• The The probability probability of fof fireire

•

• Ignition Ignition sourcessources

•

• Possible Possible fire prefire prevention vention methodsmethods

•

• The lifThe lifestyle of estyle of the occupanthe occupantsts

•

• The prThe probability and obability and extent of extent of harmharm

•

• Means Means of of escapeescape

•

• Number of Number of storeys istoreys in the n the dwellingdwelling

•

• Flammable Flammable materials materials (e.g.(e.g.smoking)smoking)

•

• The aThe age,ge,physicaphysical col condition ndition and socand socio-

io-economic nature of the occupant

economic nature of the occupant

Fire risk then is essentially a combination

of the probability of fire occurring and the

magnitude of the consequences of fire.

In this way

In this way,,the Code is recognising thatthe Code is recognising that

you don’t have to buy the most

expensive fire detection system available.

Y

You must,ou must,howevhoweverer,,ensure that the systemensure that the system

is adequate for the risks involved.

A high fire risk demands high reliability

to ensure early detection of

to ensure early detection of fire andfire and

warning to occ

warning to occupants,upants,regardlesregardless ofs of

where the f

where the fire starts,ire starts,and highand high

reliability on the part of the system to

operate correctly when required.

BALANCE BETWEEN FIRE RISK & SYSTEM RELIABILITY & SUCCESS RATE

(9)

Fires caused by electrical appliances

account for some 10% of all household

fire

fires,s,but resubut result in olt in only 6% nly 6% of deaof deaths.ths. ElectriElectricc

blankets and bed warmers cause 40% of

all the deaths in fires due to faulty electrical

applian

appliances.ces. The Code sayThe Code says that s that ‘use of‘use of

electric blankets,

electric blankets,particularly by particularly by high riskhigh risk

groups such as the elderly

groups such as the elderly,,increases theincreases the

justification for providing smoke alarms in

bedro

bedrooms’.oms’. As wiAs with smoth smoking king materimaterials,als,byby

the time an alarm in an adjacent area

detects smoke,

detects smoke,it may be it may be too late.too late.

Finally

Finally,,the new 2004 Code acknowledgesthe new 2004 Code acknowledges

that there is a very worrying increase in the

incidence of arson,

incidence of arson,just as it did back injust as it did back in

1995.

1995. Malicious igMalicious ignition is nition is the secthe second mond mostost

common sour

common source of ignition in ce of ignition in all fires inall fires in

dwel

dwellings.lings. Arson is particuArson is particularly worlarly worrying inrying in

multiple occupancy dwellings and the Code

stresses that the level of

stresses that the level of fire protection infire protection in

such places needs to be very high if there is

a significa

a significant risk ont risk of malicious f malicious fire-raising.fire-raising. ItIt

even goes so far as to suggest installing

alarms near the door i

alarms near the door in case inflammablen case inflammable

materials are pushed

materials are pushed througthrough the h the letterbox.letterbox.

WHO IS MOST AT RISK?

The occupants of a property are another

significant factor which needs to be

considered.

The Code acknowledges that elderly

people are at ‘significantly greater risk’

from f

from fire than otire than other age grher age groups.oups. For thoseFor those

over 80,

over 80,the probability of dying in a fthe probability of dying in a fire isire is

several times that for those aged from 30

to 59.

to 59. Those aThose aged betged between 6ween 60 and 800 and 80

are also a

are also at incret increased risk.ased risk. ChildreChildren undern under

five are at greater risk than adults.

For that reason,

For that reason,the Code recommethe Code recommendsnds

greater levels of fire protection in

dwellings occupied by the elderly or

those with young children.

FIRE RISK

-WHERE DO

WHERE DO

FIRES START?

J

Just over half of all fatalities occur in theust over half of all fatalities occur in the

room where the fire breaks out; in HMOs,

this

this rises to rises to 60%.60%. The CThe Code noode notes thtes that,at,inin

the United Kin

the United Kingdom,gdom,some 40% of allsome 40% of all

fatal fires start in living rooms or dining

rooms,

rooms,whereas 30% of fatawhereas 30% of fatal fires start inl fires start in

bedr

bedroomooms.s. For thiFor this reasos reason,n,the Cothe Codede

recommends that if alarms are to be

installed within

installed within rooms,rooms,the living the living roomroom

and the dining room should be the first

priority

priority.. HoweHoweverver,,this conthis considerasiderationtion

could be reversed if the bedroom

present

presents a particular fire risk,s a particular fire risk,such as thesuch as the

occupant smoking in bed or using an

electric blanket.

The Code also specifically warns that

occupants – especially those asleep

and/or with a closed door between

them and the alarm - may not hear the

alarm in t

alarm in time.ime. It streIt stresses thsses that it isat it is

‘therefore essential that fire detection

and fire alarm systems are capable of

operating correctly when occupants

are asleep and are capable of rousing

occup

occupants from normants from normal sleep.al sleep.’’ This isThis is

another reason why - if there is a

significant fire risk in a particular room

-consideration should be given to

consideration should be given to

installing alarms in that room - and

interlinking the entire system.

After kitchen fires and electrical

appliances an

appliances and wiring,d wiring,smokingsmoking

continues to be the next most common

cause of accidental fires in the home.

Howev

However,er,it is the number one cause ofit is the number one cause of

fire

fire deathdeaths.s. ArounAround 40% of ad 40% of all fill firere

deaths are caused through matches or

a discarded cigarette (the

a discarded cigarette (the figure wasfigure was

33% in1995 when the Code was first

publ

publishished).ed). In mosIn most caset cases,s,the itthe itemem

ignite

ignited is d is bedding bedding or furnitor furniture.ure. IfIf

occupants are known to

occupants are known to smoke,smoke,there isthere is

a greater need to install smoke alarms in

the liv

the living roing room or diniom or dining roong room areas.m areas. IfIf

the occupants smoke in

the occupants smoke in bed,bed,the Codethe Code

suggests considering installing smoke

alarms in the bedr

alarms in the bedroom itselfoom itself.. OminousOminouslyly,,

statistics reveal that - if such a fire begins

in a room where an occupant is asleep

-their chances of survival are greatly

their chances of survival are greatly

reduced.

reduced. By the tBy the time an aime an alarm soundlarm sounds ins in

an adjacent area,

an adjacent area,it may vit may very wellery well

already be too late.

Fires caused by space heating

appliances are also particularly life

threat

threateningening.. After fAfter fires causires caused byed by

smoking and

smoking and cooking appliances,cooking appliances,thesethese

types of fires account for more deaths

than any other cause - around 12% of

accide

accidental fintal fire deaths.re deaths. These fThese fires oftenires often

occur when something inflammable is

placed t

placed too close to thoo close to the heatee heater.r. TheThe

Code suggests

Code suggests that,that,if portable heatersif portable heaters

or solid fuel fires are used at nigh

or solid fuel fires are used at night,t,therethere

may be good

may be good justification for installingjustification for installing

smoke alarms in the relevant rooms

-particularly bedrooms.

particularly bedrooms.

The Aico Guide to Residential Fire Detection, Fire Detect Guide

A Guide to

A Guide to

Residential Fire Detection

Residential Fire Detection

With Reference to BS 5839: Pt.6: 2004

With Reference to BS 5839: Pt.6: 2004

Ahead on Quality

Ahead on Quality

Ahead on Performance

Ahead on Performance

Ahead on Features

Ahead on Features

Ei ELECTRONICS

Ei ELECTRONICS

-THE MANUFACTURER

THE MANUFACTURER

AICO

AICO

-THE SPECIALIST SUPPLIER

THE SPECIALIST SUPPLIER

Contents

Contents

INTRODUCTION

INTRODUCTION

SMOKE ALARM

SMOKE ALARM

PERFORMANCE

PERFORMANCE

SMOKE ALARM RELIABILITY

SMOKE ALARM RELIABILITY

BATTERY POWERED ALARMS

BATTERY POWERED ALARMS

COVERAGE

COVERAGE

FIRE SAFETY - THE STATISTICS

FIRE SAFETY - THE STATISTICS

MORTALITY STATISTICS

MORTALITY STATISTICS

THE ESSENTIAL

THE ESSENTIAL

CHANGES TO

CHANGES TO

BS 5839: Pt.6: 2004

BS 5839: Pt.6: 2004

– AT A

– AT A

GLANCE

GLANCE

THE DOCUMENT ITSELF

THE DOCUMENT ITSELF

NEW BUILD PROPERTIES

NEW BUILD PROPERTIES

CHANGES TO GRADES

CHANGES TO GRADES

FIRE RISK ASSESSMENT

FIRE RISK ASSESSMENT

LEVEL OF COVERAGE

LEVEL OF COVERAGE

SYSTEM

SYSTEM

V

V

ARIATIONS

ARIATIONS

RF INTERCONNECTION –

RF INTERCONNECTION –

WIRELESS SYSTEMS

WIRELESS SYSTEMS

OTHER ALARM TYPES

OTHER ALARM TYPES

FALSE ALARM CONTROL

FALSE ALARM CONTROL

ALARMS FOR THE DEAF

ALARMS FOR THE DEAF

AND HARD OF HEARING

AND HARD OF HEARING

BS 5839: Pt.6 - AN

BS 5839: Pt.6 - AN

INTRODUCTION