Maintenance Fire Detection & Alarms BS5839 Part 1 – 2013 By Shaun Lawrance
THE UK’s NATIONAL FIRE SAFETY ORGANISATION Protecting people, property, business and the environment
Fire Alarm Maintenance and the Law • The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order require a system of maintenance • Failing to keep a fire alarm system in good working order can be a criminal offence • Arranging a suitable maintenance agreement is simple and it demonstrates Due Diligence • BS5839-1 is the recognised standard for fire detection and alarm servicing in the UK THE UK’s NATIONAL FIRE SAFETY ORGANISATION Protecting people, property, business and the environment
Who is Responsible for Fire Safety? • The government guidance makes it clear that the person in control of the building is Responsible Normally the Employer, Manager and sometimes the Owner.
• BS5839-1 defines the Premises Management as: 3.49 Premises Management persons having day-to-day control of the premises, the fire detection and fire alarm system(s) and implementation of the fire procedures THE UK’s NATIONAL FIRE SAFETY ORGANISATION Protecting people, property, business and the environment
Zero Maintenance If no maintenance is carried out the fire system can: • Stop working Resulting in no alarm and possibly delayed Fire & Rescue response • False alarm Occupants become complacent Insurance may be null and void • Lives are lost! THE UK’s NATIONAL FIRE SAFETY ORGANISATION Protecting people, property, business and the environment
Zero maintenance - Risks • • • • • • • •
Component failure Battery life Detector contamination Accidental damage Wiring faults Change of use Building works Extension to premises
THE UK’s NATIONAL FIRE SAFETY ORGANISATION Protecting people, property, business and the environment
Prosecution of Fire Alarm Engineer • Under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005. • Service Engineer, was fined £5,000 and ordered to pay £6,000 court costs.
• Failing to maintain a fire detection and alarm system and failing to inform the owners of the deficiencies in the system. THE UK’s NATIONAL FIRE SAFETY ORGANISATION Protecting people, property, business and the environment
Among the deficiencies found were : •
Blown fuse overridden with a piece of wire
•
Component suspended between two terminal bocks instead of being attached to the circuit board
•
Alarm fault warning buzzer missing from the circuit board
•
Fault warning light on the front face of the panel had been almost covered by paint
THE UK’s NATIONAL FIRE SAFETY ORGANISATION Protecting people, property, business and the environment
How do we verify Competence?
THE UK’s NATIONAL FIRE SAFETY ORGANISATION Protecting people, property, business and the environment
Third Party Approval • LPCB LPS 1014 • BAFE SP203
THE UK’s NATIONAL FIRE SAFETY ORGANISATION Protecting people, property, business and the environment
Training the Premises Management • • • • • • •
Recognising Fault Indications Fire Alarm False Alarm Pre-Alarm Change of Use Building Works Ionisation Detectors
THE UK’s NATIONAL FIRE SAFETY ORGANISATION Protecting people, property, business and the environment
Premises Management Responsibilities
Check CIE
/ & Log book every 24hrs
Ensure that a service and maintenance system is in place
Log book is up to date and available for inspection
THE UK’s NATIONAL FIRE SAFETY ORGANISATION Protecting people, property, business and the environment
Premises Management Responsibilities Tests and inspections
• Daily inspection of • Fire panel
If fault is indicated, record and take action
• Log book Confirm previously recorded faults are attended to
• Weekly test • Different call point each week • ARC off watch • Isolate auxiliaries if appropriate • Record test THE UK’s NATIONAL FIRE SAFETY ORGANISATION Protecting people, property, business and the environment
Date
Call point
3/6/9
1- reception
10/6/9
2- Back stairs
17/6/9
3- Rear Entrance
24/6/9
4- Landing
....
5- ....
Premises Management Responsibilities Ensure the building zone plan is up to date
THE UK’s NATIONAL FIRE SAFETY ORGANISATION Protecting people, property, business and the environment
Premises Management Responsibilities Ensure false alarms are being attended to Recorded & Investigated
THE UK’s NATIONAL FIRE SAFETY ORGANISATION Protecting people, property, business and the environment
Premises Management Responsibilities •
Ensure spare parts are available and correct?
•
Quantity - agreement with service provider?
THE UK’s NATIONAL FIRE SAFETY ORGANISATION Protecting people, property, business and the environment
Premises Management Responsibilities Panel Fault Indications • PM should be trained to carry out a suitable risk assessment if a fault is indicated • • • • • •
How does the fault reduce fire alarm cover? Are lives at risk? Can we reduce the risk? Instigate patrols? Turn off equipment? Vacate the building?
THE UK’s NATIONAL FIRE SAFETY ORGANISATION Protecting people, property, business and the environment
Premises Management Responsibilities • PM should have a (written) Fire Plan in place • Be able to locate the zone / address / room • Take appropriate action • When building is safe: • • • •
Silence the alarms Investigate Record the event Reset the system / contact the service provider
THE UK’s NATIONAL FIRE SAFETY ORGANISATION Protecting people, property, business and the environment
Premises Management Responsibilities Fire Alarm Events
• Premises Manager should always assume it is a real fire • Do not presume false alarm • Follow the agreed plan THE UK’s NATIONAL FIRE SAFETY ORGANISATION Protecting people, property, business and the environment
Premises Management Responsibilities Change of use • Change / extension to building = Review Fire Zones • Replaced equipment (e.g. Gas valve) • New Tenant = Review Fire Plan
• New item of equipment (background noise) • Change of use (kitchen replaced with paper store) • Record in log book / contact service provider THE UK’s NATIONAL FIRE SAFETY ORGANISATION Protecting people, property, business and the environment
Premises Management Responsibilities Building works • Building works frequently cause false alarms and can cause fires • Windsor Castle? • Plumbing • Masonry dust • Paint stripping • Decorating • Carpet cleaning • Drilling • Hot works
THE UK’s NATIONAL FIRE SAFETY ORGANISATION Protecting people, property, business and the environment
Premises Management Responsibilities Building works - Precautions • Establish where and how long for • Isolate & cover smoke detectors / include void detectors Count and Record Quantity • • • •
Initiate patrols Work permits Inform Insurers Record in log book
THE UK’s NATIONAL FIRE SAFETY ORGANISATION Protecting people, property, business and the environment
Premises Management Responsibilities On Work Completion Re-instate • Check no devices are painted over / damaged / removed / relocated or isolated • Remove detector covers • Check escape routes are clear • Arrange test of affected devices & circuits THE UK’s NATIONAL FIRE SAFETY ORGANISATION Protecting people, property, business and the environment
Premises Management Responsibilities Visual Inspection Ensure Manual Call Points are unobstructed
THE UK’s NATIONAL FIRE SAFETY ORGANISATION Protecting people, property, business and the environment
Premises Management Responsibilities <300mm? Visual Inspection Ensure Detectors are unobstructed
• New partitions <500mm to a fire detector • Storage <300mm to ceiling • Clear space round detectors THE UK’s NATIONAL FIRE SAFETY ORGANISATION Protecting people, property, business and the environment
<0.5m? <0.5m?
Monthly Tests – Standby Generators Premises Management Responsibilities • Run up generator for 1 hour or as specified by the manufacturer • • • • •
Check fuel Oil Water Vented Batteries Alert and Evacuate signals
THE UK’s NATIONAL FIRE SAFETY ORGANISATION Protecting people, property, business and the environment
The Service Engineer’s Role (SE) • Train the Premises Management (PM) • Site attendance within 8 hours of call • Provide technical know how
• Identify things that the PM will not know • Carry out detailed tests, repairs, modifications • Help with identifying causes of false alarms
THE UK’s NATIONAL FIRE SAFETY ORGANISATION Protecting people, property, business and the environment
Service Engineer (SE) • All fire alarm service, commissioning & installation engineers & designers should be competent
• BS5839-1 defines this as: 3.12 competent person person with the relevant current training and experience, and with access to the requisite tools, equipment and information, and capable of carrying out a defined task THE UK’s NATIONAL FIRE SAFETY ORGANISATION Protecting people, property, business and the environment
Third Party Approval • LPCB LPS 1014 • BAFE SP203
THE UK’s NATIONAL FIRE SAFETY ORGANISATION Protecting people, property, business and the environment
Service Engineer – tests and inspections (SE) Planned maintenance • Periodic Inspection
• Annual Inspection
• Maximum period between visits - 6 months
THE UK’s NATIONAL FIRE SAFETY ORGANISATION Protecting people, property, business and the environment
Planned maintenance (SE) – frequency? • More frequent visits if: • Unacceptable false alarm rate • Dirty / damp / corrosive conditions • Frequent remedial work required • Vented cells • Old, unreliable or unmonitored equipment in use • Frequent changes to building / use • Follow risk assessment and agreement by all parties
THE UK’s NATIONAL FIRE SAFETY ORGANISATION Protecting people, property, business and the environment
Planned maintenance (SE) – frequency? • If 6months is exceeded, the system is not in compliance of BS5839-1 section 6 RRFSO Regulatory Reform Fire Safety Order
THE UK’s NATIONAL FIRE SAFETY ORGANISATION Protecting people, property, business and the environment
Documentation (SE) • Study system documentation • Log book • False alarm record • Outstanding faults • Changes since last visit
• Certificates, Category L1, L4, P1? System Specification • • • • •
As fitted drawings Zone plan Wiring diagrams Cause and effect specification Previous test results
THE UK’s NATIONAL FIRE SAFETY ORGANISATION Protecting people, property, business and the environment
Periodic Inspection (SE) - Schedule • • • • • • • • • •
Review of log book Visual inspection of site / system Inspect / test power supply Inspect / test all detection circuits Inspect / test all panel functions / controls and indicators Confirm operation of fire alarm devices Confirm operation of link to ARC Confirm operation of outputs to fire protection equipment False alarm review Any other work recommended by the manufacturer
THE UK’s NATIONAL FIRE SAFETY ORGANISATION Protecting people, property, business and the environment
Non Addressable (Conventional Fire Alarm) Periodic Inspection by Service Engineer
aa ARC
Circuit Zone 1 Zone 1
Fire alarm panel
Zone 2
Circuit Zone 2 Power
Standby
supply
Batteries
Radial wiring (fire resistant) Sounders
240 v/ac Supply
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Detectors
MCP
Annual Inspection (SE) - Schedule • As Periodic Inspection plus: • • • • • • • • • • •
Operate all manual call points Visually Inspect and Test All re-setable detectors Confirm operation of remote indicators Visual inspection of cable fixings Confirm standby power capacity Analogue values should be compared with ‘acceptable’ limits All fire alarm devices should be checked for operation All unmonitored control panel filament lamps replaced Radio signal strength checked against ‘acceptable limits Cause and effect programming confirmed Any additional annual tests / checks as specified by the manufacturer(s)
THE UK’s NATIONAL FIRE SAFETY ORGANISATION Protecting people, property, business and the environment
Non Addressable (Conventional Fire Alarm) Annual Inspection by Service Engineer
aa ARC
Circuit Zone 1 Zone 1
Fire alarm panel
Zone 2
Circuit Zone 2 Power
Standby
supply
Batteries
Radial wiring (fire resistant) Sounders
240 v/ac Supply
THE UKâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s NATIONAL FIRE SAFETY ORGANISATION Protecting people, property, business and the environment
Detectors
MCP
Visual Inspection (SE) <300mm? • New Exits • New partitions <500mm to a fire detector • Storage <300mm to ceiling • Call points unobstructed, damaged • Clear space round detectors • Building alterations THE UK’s NATIONAL FIRE SAFETY ORGANISATION Protecting people, property, business and the environment
<0.5m? <0.5m?
Batteries (SE) • Sealed Lead Acid (SLA) • Replace every 4 years • Change both cells
• Memory backup batteries • Located on processor board - change every 10 years
THE UK’s NATIONAL FIRE SAFETY ORGANISATION Protecting people, property, business and the environment
Vented Batteries (SE) • BS 5839-1 recommends a 3 month visit for vented cells • Check on charge voltage • (27 – 27.6v for VRLA batteries) • Check condition of cells and connections • Check / top up electrolyte level • Check cell SG according to manufacturer’s instructions • Use correct tools THE UK’s NATIONAL FIRE SAFETY ORGANISATION Protecting people, property, business and the environment
Inspect / test Fire Alarm Function (SE) • Operate detector & manual call point on each circuit, confirm operation • Each zone for non-addressable • Each loop for addressable • Confirm correct indication on the panel(s) • Record the device operated in the log book
THE UK’s NATIONAL FIRE SAFETY ORGANISATION Protecting people, property, business and the environment
Inspect / test Fire Alarm Function (SE) Record any tests not allowed within the Log Book & Service engineers worksheet or PDA
THE UKâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s NATIONAL FIRE SAFETY ORGANISATION Protecting people, property, business and the environment
Inspect / test all panel functions (SE) • Check all circuit monitoring • Simulate open circuit faults on all detection, alarm and other monitored circuits • Confirm audible and visual indications • Confirm operation of all indicators / displays / printers • Record results THE UK’s NATIONAL FIRE SAFETY ORGANISATION Protecting people, property, business and the environment
Confirm outputs to auxiliaries (SE) • O/C and S/C faults on monitored auxiliary outputs should be indicated at the panel
• Operation of door closers, door release, lifts, AHUs should be confirmed THE UK’s NATIONAL FIRE SAFETY ORGANISATION Protecting people, property, business and the environment
Confirm one shot device testing (SE) Fusible Links Kitchen Suppression systems require test link test Equipment manufactures advise requirement
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Confirm outputs to auxiliaries (SE) • 6 monthly – Fixed Extinguishing systems should be mechanically inhibited.
• Signal confirmed at the Solenoid / Actuator • Signal from Flow & or Pressure Switch THE UK’s NATIONAL FIRE SAFETY ORGANISATION Protecting people, property, business and the environment
Manufacturer’s recommendations Carry out any additional tests / checks as recommended by the manufacturer (of all equipment)
• Test / inspect radio components as recommended by the manufacturer THE UK’s NATIONAL FIRE SAFETY ORGANISATION Protecting people, property, business and the environment
Flame detectors • Ceiling and Wall mounted • UV & IR • Follow manufacturer’s guidance: • Testing & Alignment • Cleaning
THE UK’s NATIONAL FIRE SAFETY ORGANISATION Protecting people, property, business and the environment
Video smoke detectors • Currently no published standards • A maintenance program should be agreed with the manufacturer
• Maintenance should include: • Cleaning of lens if necessary • Confirming that sighting is correct • Check for damage
THE UK’s NATIONAL FIRE SAFETY ORGANISATION Protecting people, property, business and the environment
Duct Detection • • • •
Test according to manufacturer’s instructions Test detector using standard smoke tester Confirm remote indicator operation Confirm cause and effect
1.5m/Sec or more
THE UK’s NATIONAL FIRE SAFETY ORGANISATION Protecting people, property, business and the environment
ARC – Alarm Receiving Centre • Fire and Fault signals to ARC No protection required outside building
Protectfrom Protect from Fire Fire ARC tx Monitored
Same standby as fire system
Call ARC – confirm ‘off watch’ Test Fire & Fault Call ARC: Confirm signals received Confirm Address Put back ‘on watch’ THE UK’s NATIONAL FIRE SAFETY ORGANISATION Protecting people, property, business and the environment
THE UKâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s NATIONAL FIRE SAFETY ORGANISATION Protecting people, property, business and the environment
False Alarm review • Establish and record the current rate of false alarms • Taken over the previous 12 months • Expressed as false alarms per 100 installed detectors
• Review with PM • Seek to identify any trends • Recommend further action if appropriate THE UK’s NATIONAL FIRE SAFETY ORGANISATION Protecting people, property, business and the environment
Categories of False Alarm • BS5839-1 identifies 4 categories • Equipment false alarms • Unwanted alarms caused by environment • Malicious false alarms • False alarms with good intent • The FRS statistics combine the first two
THE UK’s NATIONAL FIRE SAFETY ORGANISATION Protecting people, property, business and the environment
False alarm filtering strategies • 1 detector, all out evacuation C&E • Option – change C&E • • • •
Phased Evacuation Confirmation Signal Delay / staff investigation Night / Day response
• Any change requires thorough risk analysis and agreement with : owner, employer, FRS, insurer etc. THE UK’s NATIONAL FIRE SAFETY ORGANISATION Protecting people, property, business and the environment
Leaving Site • Issue service certificate • Clause 45 – Inspection and Servicing
THE UK’s NATIONAL FIRE SAFETY ORGANISATION Protecting people, property, business and the environment
THE UKâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s NATIONAL FIRE SAFETY ORGANISATION Protecting people, property, business and the environment
Optional Slides
THE UKâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s NATIONAL FIRE SAFETY ORGANISATION Protecting people, property, business and the environment
Inspection / test following a fire • Test / inspect all MCPs / Detectors possibly affected by the fire or corrosive smoke • Test / inspect control panel and power supply • Test battery and replace if necessary • Test / inspect all other parts of the system that might have been affected • Test all external circuits affected • Discuss with PM • Effectiveness of the system • Evacuation • Propose possible modifications THE UK’s NATIONAL FIRE SAFETY ORGANISATION Protecting people, property, business and the environment
Inspection / test following long periods of disconnection • • • • • • • •
Test / replace battery(s) If o/c battery <12.5v, replace Carry out full annual inspection Look for changes of use / building changes Test alarm devices / carry out audibility test if in doubt Remove any ‘not in use’ labels Identify any areas of non-compliance Complete worksheets and report to PM
THE UK’s NATIONAL FIRE SAFETY ORGANISATION Protecting people, property, business and the environment
Hazardous areas • Confirm rating of hazardous area • Use appropriately certified equipment • Obtain permission to work in the area • Are you COMPEX certificated
THE UK’s NATIONAL FIRE SAFETY ORGANISATION Protecting people, property, business and the environment
BS5839-1:2013 • Old systems do not have to be upgraded to the latest recommendations – Note - Review Fire Risk Assessment
• New systems, extensions and major refurbishments should be to the current standards • Service and maintenance schemes should be to the latest standard since 2003 THE UK’s NATIONAL FIRE SAFETY ORGANISATION Protecting people, property, business and the environment
Signs and Signals Regulations
• Safety Signs & Signals Regulations (1996) requires a guaranteed power source. • Normally interpreted as requiring a back up battery • Came into force in 1998 • Mains only fire alarm systems are no longer legal THE UK’s NATIONAL FIRE SAFETY ORGANISATION Protecting people, property, business and the environment
THE UKâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s NATIONAL FIRE SAFETY ORGANISATION Protecting people, property, business and the environment