Fire alarm system (FAS) is a key element of safety in many buildings and facilities. Its main task is to automatically detect and transmit information about fire, as well as to prevent, detect and fight fire. The effectiveness of this system depends on the appropriate selection of devices and their proper arrangement, and its regular maintenance and upkeep are necessary to ensure the safety of the facility's users. Find out why FAS is used and what factors influence its effectiveness and safety of use.

Why is a fire alarm system (FAS) used?

As already mentioned in the introduction, the basic task of the system is to automatically detect and transmit information about a fire. The system consists of fire protection devices that are used to prevent, help detect and fight a fire or limit its effects. These include elements such as: fire alarm control unit (FACU), manual fire call point, alarm devices, control and monitoring modules, smoke detectors, and power supplies. When it comes to detection effectiveness, the selection of appropriate devices (effectiveness of detecting test fires) and the proper placement of fire detectors (allowable surveillance area) are crucial. Correctly selected and placed detectors ensure that false fire alarms will generally not occur while maintaining a very high level of detection efficiency. Details regarding the placement and selection of smoke detectors can be found in the fire alarm installation design guidelines SITP WP-02:2021. The location of other elements such as alarm devices or manual fire call points is also important. For example, according to the CNBOP–PIB–0011 standard Fire protection – Manual fire call points, the installation height of the manual fire call point should be in the range of 1.2-1.6 m above the floor level. In order to ensure the highest level of reliability and effectiveness of operation, all components used must be compatible with each other. It is also necessary to carry out periodic activities aimed at their inspection and maintenance. Natural persons who design, install and perform maintenance activities on fire protection devices should have appropriate competences, experience and qualifications.

When is an audible warning system used?

Pursuant to the Regulation of the Minister of Internal Affairs and Administration of June 7, 2010 on fire protection of buildings, other construction facilities and areas, within specific buildings it is necessary to use fire alarm system. These include: commercial and exhibition buildings, theaters, cinemas, buildings for catering purposes, auditoriums and sports halls, hospitals, museums and many others. The factors that determine the need to use a fire alarm system in a facility are: the number of places or the area of ​​the fire zone. When the number of places or the area of ​​the fire zone specified in the regulation is exceeded, a sound warning system (VS) must be installed. Regardless of the solution chosen, the generated fire alarms should be effective and unambiguous, which may ultimately contribute to more efficient evacuation in emergency situations.

How to implement an efficient fire alarm system?

Basically, the process of implementing a fire alarm system (FAS) can be divided into 8 stages:

Concept

 

  
Needs assessment

 
  • should the entire building or only part of it be secured?
  • type of alarm to be installed
  • coordination of the installation with other fire protection measures
Planning and design
  • selection of installation elements and their location in space
  • division of the building into surveillance and/or alarm zones
  • methods and equipment for supervising the installation
  • power supply conditions
Installing

 
  • arrangement and construction of devices
  • cable laying
Commissioning and acceptance tests

 
  • do all smoke detectors and manual fire alarms operate correctly?
  • Is the information provided by fire control unit correct?
  • whether all connections to the fire alarm receiving station or damage warning receiving station are working properly
  • do all alarm devices function correctly?
  • can all auxiliary functions be activated?
  • have all required documents and instructions been provided?
  • checking whether the installation complies with the documentation
  • conducting functional tests
third party recognition (optional)

 
  • initial inspection and ongoing review by an authority or entity other than the installer, supplier or purchaser to verify that the installation is properly used, maintained and modified where necessary
Exploitation

 
  • appointing at least one natural person who will be responsible for all issues related to operation, described in detail in PKN-CEN TS 54-14
Maintenance

 
  • conducting periodic inspections, maintenance and repairs necessary to maintain the efficiency of the installation

 

In each of the above-mentioned stages, it is necessary to take into account the requirements that are strictly defined in the technical specification PKN-CEN TS 54-14 Guidelines for planning, design, installation, acceptance, operation and maintenance. As you can see, the process of implementing a fire alarm system is multi-stage and extensive. The above-mentioned technical specification contains information that will help it be implemented in accordance with accepted standards.

Maintenance of the fire alarm system

Correct operation in accordance with the adopted assumptions depends on regular maintenance of fire alarm systems. In order to carry out periodic inspections and technical service, a maintenance schedule should be developed. It should include daily, monthly, quarterly and annual maintenance activities. Regular maintenance of your fire alarm system helps prevent:

Regular maintenance of the fire alarm system helps to eliminate:

  • possible failures,
  • human interference with the system’s operation,
  • occurrence of hidden hardware defects,
  • improper installation of individual system components,
  • the influence of external/atmospheric factors or the influence of mechanical damage on the correct operation.

Maintenance of the signaling system should be carried out only by trained specialists in the field of inspection, maintenance and repair of the installation. Individual elements of fire alarm systems should be subject to technical inspections in accordance with the guidelines described below.

It is worth emphasizing that as part of daily maintenance, the user and/or owner should check the condition of the Fire Alarm Central and control boards - supervision. Any deviations from the supervision status should be recorded in the work book. Additionally, the maintenance company should be informed immediately about this fact. Appropriate action must be taken for each alarm. If the installation has been turned on, checked or silenced, it should be restored to a supervised state. Any irregularities and deviations should be noted and corrected immediately.

As part of the monthly service The user and/or owner should ensure that all emergency power generator sets are checked for operation at least once a month and that the fuel supply is verified, which should be replenished if necessary. Tests of indicators and verification of the supplies of paper, ink, and ribbons for printers must also be conducted.

Quarterly service is performed by a specialist who should verify the operation of at least one detector or manual fire alarm in each zone. This is to verify that the FACU correctly receives and displays certain signals, emits an acoustic signal and activates all other devices. The specialist should also check whether the FACU damage monitoring works properly and whether the FACU itself is capable of activating all door holders and releases. If possible, the specialist should also check the operation of connections to the fire brigade or remote constant observation center. It is also necessary to verify whether there have been any changes in the building affecting the location of detectors, manual fire alarms or alarms.

Annual service is also performed by a specialist. During the annual service, all tests recommended for daily, monthly and quarterly service are performed. Additionally, the correct operation of each detector should be checked in accordance with the manufacturer's recommendations. The specialist should also check the ability of the FACU to activate all auxiliary functions. It is also necessary to visually inspect cable connections and equipment - whether they are functional, undamaged and properly secured. The next activity that should be carried out is to verify whether there have been any changes in the building that affect the location of detectors, manual fire call points or alarm devices. Additionally, the free space within the detectors is verified and whether all manual fire call points are available and visible. The last point is to check and test all battery banks. Just like in daily, monthly or quarterly service, any irregularities should be noted and removed immediately.

NOTE: A detailed list of activities necessary to be performed during individual inspections of fire alarm systems can be found in the PKN-CEN TS 54-14 specification.

What affects the safety of using the installation?

Regular maintenance of the fire alarm system is certainly one of the key aspects that affect the safety of its use, as well as the effectiveness and reliability of operation. In order to keep all fire alarm devices in full working order, it is necessary to create a maintenance schedule specifying daily, monthly, quarterly and annual maintenance activities. All activities should be performed only by specialists with the necessary knowledge, competences and experience in this field. Any irregularities detected during inspections should be recorded and removed. By following specific guidelines and the developed schedule for inspections of fire alarm systems, it is possible to ensure and maintain full functionality of the system throughout its entire period of operation. This, in turn, translates directly into the safety of users of a given facility.

 

Based on:

  • Rozporządzeniem Ministra Spraw Wewnętrznych i Administracji z dnia 7 czerwca 2010 r. w sprawie ochrony przeciwpożarowej budynków, innych obiektów budowlanych i terenów
  • Wytyczne projektowania instalacji sygnalizacji pożarowej SITP WP-02:2021
  • Specyfikacja techniczna PKN-CEN TS 54-14 Wytyczne planowania, projektowania, instalowania, odbioru, eksploatacji i konserwacji
  • Standard CNBOP–PIB–0011 Ochrona przeciwpożarowa – Ręczne ostrzegacze pożarowe
  • https://fireproof24.pl/konserwacja-systemu-sygnalizacji-pozaru/  (dostęp 2023-09-06)