including time to detection, time to warnings, pre-movement time, and travel time. The time required for escape depends upon the interactions of these variables and the developing fire scenario". Social behaviour can also be related to individual behavioural issues. Social behaviour may depend on peer pressure in the event of the alarm being activated. Depending on the venue a total evacuation may not be feasible. A public place such as a cinema or nightclub may require a controlled evacuation being organised by staff members. The staff may be communicated initially by a radio message, which could then help to move occupants to the exits in a progressive controlled method. The venue would still require a standard alarm system for situations where there are low staff numbers or if a controlled evacuation is not sustainable. The requirements for buildings undergoing refurbishment Fire alarm systems will often be fitted as part of the refurbishment work. Alternatively, buildings may have a wired-in fire alarm system already installed. The work should be planned so as to install the fire alarm system as early as possible and, where a system is already installed, keep it in working order for as long as possible. Where they are relied on during the refurbishment phase, it is vital that existing systems are not inadvertently disabled, for instance during work on electrical systems in refurbishment work. If they are disabled for any reason, alternative arrangements need to be provided. There is not normally any need for automatic fire detectors to be fitted during refurbishment work. However, on high-risk sites or in temporary accommodation units (TAUs) such as site offices, if there are locations where a fire might occur and develop unnoticed until it threatens people’s means of escape, detectors may be appropriate. The need for maintenance and testing of fire detection and alarm systems Detailed requirements for maintenance and testing will be determined by national requirements in standards, codes of practice or legislation. In the UK, the maintenance and testing requirements specified in BS 5389 – 1 are a legal requirement under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, which specifies that: "equipment and devices are subject to a suitable system of maintenance and are maintained in an efficient state, in efficient working order and in good repair".
A summary of the requirements for maintenance and testing is noted below: • Daily: The system needs to be checked on a daily basis for faults.
• Weekly: Test a manual call point during working hours to check that the control panel and alarm sounders operate satisfactorily. Each week a different manual call point should be tested. Voice alarm systems should be tested weekly in accordance with BS5839-8. Note: If the system is connected to an Alarm Receiving Centre (ARC) for calling the fire brigade, it is very important that the ARC be notified before testing commences and when it is completed, a different manual call point needs to be tested each week.
©SHEilds – All rights reserved FC V 5 JUN 2021
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