n order to mitigate the effects of certain actions or undesirable phenomena in buildings, alarm systems are increasingly being used. According to SITP WP-02:2021, an alarm system is a set of devices that can cooperate with each other and are designed to transmit information about a threat (e.g., to property or life). Depending on the threatening factor, the following types of alarm systems can be distinguished: burglar alarm system (SSWiN) and fire alarm system (FAS). An alarm installation, in turn, consists of elements of the alarm system that are additionally connected by transmission paths used for transmitting information and/or power supply.

Why is a fire alarm system used??

The most important task of the solution in question is to automatically inform people about the occurrence of a fire hazard in a specific zone or protected area. It is worth emphasizing that fire alarm requirements may vary depending on the characteristics of a given facility. For example, in places with low noise levels (e.g. a library), the use of acoustic alarms may be sufficient. In turn, in places with high noise levels (e.g. factories), acoustic signaling alone may be insufficient and in such cases it is recommended to use additional optical signals. The mere actuation of the signaling allows both staff and people in the danger zone to take appropriate action, who should immediately evacuate. At the same time, according to the project, a signal about the existing threat is sent to appropriate people (e.g. owner, manager or fire brigade).

What can a fire alarm system consist of??

The components of FAS are listed in the PN-EN 54-1:2021-11 standard Fire alarm systems - Part 1: Introduction. These include: fire alarm control panels , acoustic alarms, detectors (heat, smoke, flame, linear, aspirating), manual fire call points, voice warning system control panels, short-circuit isolators, input/output devices, transmission devices fire alarms and damage signals, visual alarm devices, and sound warning systems. The number and type of devices used depend primarily on the size of the facility and its characteristics (e.g. purpose). As for the principle of operation, the detection element (sensor) detects temperature changes, smoke or flame. Then the signal is transmitted to the control panel, where it is processed according to the programmed algorithm. In the case of addressable devices, information is also provided about where the threat was detected. Subsequent actions depend on the algorithm (program) of the control panel, which usually controls actuating devices, e.g. signaling devices, in accordance with the established chronology (control matrix).

Where is a fire alarm system used?

In some buildings, the use of a fire alarm system is a legal requirement. Most often, these are places where there may be large groups of people or where valuable material goods are collected. This should also include situations in which building insurers require the use of such a solution. The use of the fire alarm system is regulated by the Regulation of the Minister of Internal Affairs and Administration of June 7, 2010 on fire protection of buildings, other buildings and areas (Journal of Laws of 2010, No. 109, item 719). Pursuant to the above by regulation, a fire alarm system is mandatory in:

1) commercial or exhibition buildings:
a) single-story buildings with a fire zone area exceeding 5,000 m2,
b) multi-storey buildings with a fire zone area exceeding 2,500 m2;
2) theaters with more than 300 seats;
3) cinemas with more than 600 seats;
4) buildings with more than 300 places for catering purposes;
5) entertainment and sports halls with a capacity of more than 1,500;
6) hospitals, except psychiatric ones, and sanatoriums - with the number of beds exceeding 200 in the building;
7) psychiatric hospitals with more than 100 beds in the building;
8) social welfare homes and rehabilitation centers for disabled people with more than 100 beds in the building;
9) in workplaces employing more than 100 disabled persons in the building;
10) high-rise and high-rise public buildings;
11) collective housing buildings in which the expected period of stay of the same people exceeds three days, with a number of beds exceeding 200;
12) collective housing buildings not listed in point 11, with a number of beds exceeding 50;
13) archives designated by the Chief Director of the State Archives;
14) museums and building monuments designated by the General Conservator of Monuments in consultation with the Commander-in-Chief of the State Fire Service;
15) national and provincial electronic data processing centers and offices serving government administration bodies;
16) telephone exchanges with a capacity of over 10,000 numbers and transit telephone exchanges with a capacity of 5,000-10,000 numbers, of local or regional importance;
17) in underground garages where the fire zone exceeds 1,500 m² or includes more than one underground level;
18) metro and underground railway stations;
19) stations and ports intended for more than 500 people at the same time;
20) in banks where the fire zone containing the operations hall exceeds 500 m²;
21) in libraries whose collections, in whole or in part, constitute the national library resource.

As you can see, the fire alarm system is very important in fire protection of individual facilities. Proper selection, arrangement and installation of fire protection devices significantly contributes to the increase in the safety of users of building structures. It should be emphasized that the condition for approval for use is to carry out appropriate tests and examinations for a given device, confirming the reliability of its operation. As a rule, confirmation of such activities is provided by the accredited body granting the relevant documents for the product (e.g. Certificate of Constancy of Performance, Certificate of Approval). That is why the fire alarm system should be constructed in accordance with the design agreed by a fire protection expert who has the appropriate competences to verify the effectiveness of the application of given solutions.

Summary

The use of fire detection and alarm systems significantly increases the safety level of buildings. The uncontrolled spread of fire in time and space may lead to damage or even permanent destruction of objects and high-value property stored in them. In addition, fire and harmful combustion products, e.g. smoke, pose a significant threat to the health and life of people in the endangered zone. The use of FAS allows you to respond quickly enough to the emerging threat and to take appropriate action immediately. Thanks to this, material losses are limited and, in particular, the efficient and safe evacuation of people present in the facility can be carried out. In order to ensure the greatest possible reliability and effectiveness of the entire installation, individual devices used in fire protection should have valid approval documents.