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(68.52) X
A Guide to
Residential Fire Detection
With Reference to BS 5839: Pt.6: 2004
Ahead on Quality
Ahead on Performance
Ahead on Features
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Ei ELECTRONICS - Ei Electronics continues to launch new Contents THE MANUFACTURER products utilising the latest technology and bringing other significant innovations into the Company Profiles 2 Ei Electronics is Europe’s largest and most market place and currently offers the largest Introduction 3 experienced manufacturer of residential range of residential mains powered fire Fire Safety - Statistics 4 smoke and heat alarms. The company detection products in the UK. The Essential Changes to has
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recommendations of BS 5839: Pt.6 INTRODUCTION In September 2004, the Code of more clearly understood, and to offer Practice was extensively revised and advice on how to design, install and When first introduced in 1995, the BS updated by the publication of maintain a system that meets the 5839: Pt.6 Code of Practice became the BS 5839: Pt.6: 2004 and immediately requirements, with reference to the most important set of recommendations superseded BS 5839: Pt.6: 1995, which 2004 amendments. ever
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FIRE SAFETY - THE STATISTICS BATTERY POWERED ALARMS Further evidence of the vital importance of smoke alarms comes from American According to the latest UK figures the The high failure rate of alarms with studies. In American States where majority - over three quarters - of all fire replaceable batteries is truly frightening. residential fire protection is mandatory, casualties occur in the home. Landlords relying on battery powered alarms some 92% of homes have the required fire to protect ten
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THE ESSENTIAL CHANGES TO • Heat alarms should be fitted in panel is required and security systems are BS 5839: Pt.6: 2004 – AT A the kitchen and possibly the put forward as a possible means of GLANCE principal habitable room. The meeting this requirement. definition of a principal habitable THE DOCUMENT ITSELF room is ‘habitable room that is Grades D, E and F now include heat normally the most frequently used alarms. Each clause of the document is now split room for daytime living purposes’. int
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OTHER ALARM TYPES SYSTEM VARIATIONS alarms, it called for a single final circuit. This potential confusion has been resolved. For the first time, BS 5839: Pt.6 now covers Where a modification to a system is CO fire alarms and multi-sensor alarms. made, the standard now refers to it as a Now, because of the introduction of new ‘Variation’ rather than a ‘Deviation’, as ‘wireless’ or ‘radio’ interconnect systems, Heat alarms are given far more the latter term implied that the system Clause 15.5 par
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BS 5839: Pt.6 - AN The new 2004 Code further takes into domestic fires have increased by 24% in INTRODUCTION consideration “changes in technology, just one year. This has clear financial custom and practice, and changes in implications for the landlord. Good fire BS 5839: Pt.6 is not intended for guidance that supports national building safety practice and adherence to the householders themselves, but to regulations” since 1995. Code can give the best possible early provide guidance and warning
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SYSTEM DESIGN - FIRE RISK On the other hand, a low fire risk may The Code recommends that fire risk be ASSESSMENT not justify the cost, complexity and assessed by taking into account a extent of such a system. number of different factors. These are How can a system be designed to now to be found in Annex A of the meet the latest standards? For example, the single occupant of a 2004 Code. small bungalow might be adequately The Code recommends that a system is protected by the installation of one
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FIRE RISK - 33% in1995 when the Code was first Fires caused by electrical appliances WHERE DO FIRES START? published). In most cases, the item account for some 10% of all household ignited is bedding or furniture. If fires, but result in only 6% of deaths. Electric Just over half of all fatalities occur in the occupants are known to smoke, there is room where the fire breaks out; in HMOs, a greater need to install smoke alarms in this rises to 60%. The Code notes that, in the living room or dini
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Interestingly, the Code acknowledges People with impaired mobility require TYPES OF ALARM that people on a low income are more time to escape. They need the TECHNOLOGY more at risk than other groups, which earliest possible warning of a fire and is borne out by statistics from the greater alarm coverage. The hearing The next issue raised by the Code is British Crime Survey. They may not be impaired also have very particular the types of alarm available. able to afford to replace batteries in nee
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MAINS POWERED SMOKE electricity bills? Given that many SYSTEM PLANNING ALARMS - GRADE E tenants may have low incomes (in many local authorities, 70% or BS 5839: Pt.6 quite reasonably points The Code states that mains powered more of all tenants are on out that, no matter how good the smoke alarms are potentially more subsidised incomes), they may system is, people will only have an reliable and are recommended to well experience periods of adequate chance of escape if there be installed in exis
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QUALITY & COMPATIBILITY equipment to BS EN 54-2, and power the Code. For example, rather than a supply to BS EN 54-4, installed to BS Grade E system landlords might think it The quality of equipment installed is a 5839: Pt.1 with some minor prudent to install a Grade D system factor that needs to be carefully exceptions instead. This is especially true considered. The Code states that, in • Grade B - Fire detection and alarm considering the many restrictions that general, all components should c
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and principal living room (smoke SELECTING THE RIGHT All dwellings should be covered to at least detectors are an acceptable alternative SYSTEM an LD3 standard, with the decision being in the living room). based primarily on fire risk. How do you choose which grade of Existing Properties system to install? The Code states that If there is a high risk to occupants from Single storey - owner occupied the grade of system that should be fire in any part of the building, Category Grade F, Category L
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CHOOSING WHICH ALARMS TO USE BS 5839: Pt.6 also looks in depth at the different kind of fire alarm sensors on offer. Sensibly, it points out that there is no single type of alarm that is most suitable in all cases and the final choice of which type of alarm to use will depend on individual circumstances. In general, these circumstances are the desire to afford the earliest possible SINGLE STOREY DWELLING warning of a fire and the need to minimise false alarms. Optical or Ionisation smoke alarm a
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Positioning of Smoke Alarms: There are a number of factors one has to take into consideration Loft Conversion when positioning and maintaining a smoke alarm. The design and occupation of the premises will Bedroom Landing Bedroom obviously be one of the influencing factors in deciding where to position the units as well as the likely types of fire and also the GarageH Living Room allway Kitchen maintenance required. There are, however, some general guidelines that apply to all smoke alarms. AVERA
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the edges, with the dust cover that should AUDIBILITY In the event of a fire being detected, a be supplied with each alarm. Only when small vibrating pad located beneath the all cleaning is finished should these dust sleeper’s pillow gently alerts them. At the covers be removed. same time a powerful strobe light flashes to provide a further visual warning. POWER SOURCE Devices such as these are now increasingly cited as important considerations and should be considered as a matter of course in a
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• Connect to an independent circuit operation, testing, maintenance, false provisions might have previously at the distribution board if the alarm alarms, escape plans and siting. technically precluded the use of wireless does not have a standby supply - systems and overcomes this by pointing Grade E TESTING AND MAINTENANCE out that issues relating to power supplies, • RCD Protection is generally not fault monitoring and integrity and required, but if used it should be Regular routine testing an
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not circulation areas 2 Where the smoke alarm is defective in It is clear that installing a battery • Must be interconnected with smoke manufacture powered smoke alarm unit and thinking alarms to provide adequate early fire 3 Where the smoke alarm is located that it is sufficient to protect the tenant is warning where it cannot operate an outdated notion. Moreover, even 4 When there are not enough smoke mains powered systems without a LOCATION alarms reliable long term stand-by cannot be 5 Where
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insects or cobwebs from the sides • Do not locate unit within 1m of and cover slots where the smoke dimmer controlled lights and wiring enters. Turn off the mains and wipe - some dimmers can cause the cover with a damp cloth. Dry interference cover thoroughly with a lint free • Do not wire into the same circuit as cloth. Other than the cleaning a dimmer described, no other customer • Do not locate unit within 1.5m, or servicing of the product is required. route wiring within 1m of fluorescent Re
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Easi-fit DESIGN • Hush button for false alarm control MAINS POWERED ALARMS TECHNOLOGY • Interconnects with other Ei Professional WITH BUILT -IN mains powered smoke and heat alarms RECHARGEABLE LITHIUM One of the most significant developments • Separate mains and warning LEDs CELLS - DESIGNED TO LAST in the design of smoke alarms since the • Time and money saving Easi-fit design THE LIFE OF THE ALARM introduction of BS 5839: Pt.6 has been the • 5 year guarantee introduction of new ‘Easi-fit’ desi
