Fire Detection and Alarm Systems

Fire detection and alarm systems serve to enhance safety and reduce loss by the detection of fire, and enable an alarm signal to be generated so that emergency actions may be taken.

A fire detection and alarm system can be divided into the following key elements:

• system categories - the main types of fire detection and alarm systems
• zones/system layouts
• detectors - fire, smoke and heat detectors
• sounders and call points.

Legal Requirements

The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 applies in England and Wales and requires Responsible Persons, in relation to non-domestic premises, to conduct a risk assessment and to implement fire precautions.  Responsible Persons are normally employers but in the absence of a relevant employer, the duties fall to others who have control of non-domestic premises.  Similar legislation applies within Scotland and Northern Ireland.

Article 13 of the Order requires that fire detectors and alarms are installed where it is necessary for life protection.  The systems must be maintained in an efficient state, efficient working order and in good repair (Article 17) and in the case of a shared building, arrangements can be made with another occupier to undertake the maintenance required.  

Employees and other persons using the premises must be informed of the emergency procedures and given details of the preventive and protective measures which have been implemented.

Key Actions

Those with responsibility for non-domestic premises should undertake key actions, these include:

• arrange for a competent fire safety risk assessor to undertake an assessment, part of which will be to evaluate the current detection and alarm system within the premises
• determine the detection system category required
• ensure that staff have been trained and that all persons present in the buildings are provided with relevant information about the alarm system, the response required by key individuals and the evacuation procedure.

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