Brunel Fire & Security’s Guide to Fire Alarms in Bristol

If you own business premises, you are very likely aware of the range of regulations you have to follow regarding fire alarms. Yet, if you aren’t a fire safety professional, UK fire alarm regulations can seem confusing.

Here at Brunel Fire & Security, we are leading providers of fire alarms in Bristol. With over 25 years’ experience in fire and security, we understand the sheer level of damage that a fire can cause to a building, so we see it vital to ensure that your business is kept safe. You can trust us to provide dependable fire alarm solutions in Bristol that keep your business safe and secure.

For more information on the fire alarms we provide in Bristol and our range of fire safety solutions, give our team a ring on 0117 259 1000. We’ll be able to give you any advice you need to keep your business safe. We can also provide you with a full fire and security risk assessment, so you have the peace of mind that your business premises is as safe as can be.

What Do The UK Fire Alarm Regulations State?

The UK Fire Alarm Regulations form part of ‘The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005‘ or what is also known as ‘RRO’. These regulations state that all business premises must have ‘an appropriate fire detection system’. This essentially means that any outbreak of fire should be easily detected and any occupants of the building should be easily warned.

Alongside this, the UK government recommends that all fire alarms and detection systems are installed and maintained in accordance with British standards BS5839. This standard details all of the key major components that should be included in a fire alarm system. However, when you choose to work with a company such as ourselves at Brunel Fire and Security, all legislation will be met.

What Fire Alarms Are Available?

There are three main types of fire alarms available on the market; conventional, addressable and wireless.

Conventional Fire Alarms

• Conventional fire alarms will divide your business premises into broad zones.
• In the event of an emergency, the fire alarm panel will identify the exact zone where the fire is.
• These fire alarms are ideal for smaller, lower-risk environments.

Addressable Fire Alarms

• Each addressable fire alarm will have its own unique electronic address.
• If the alarm is activated, the fire alarm panel will tell you exactly where the emergency is.
• These alarms are ideal for larger, higher-risk environments such as schools, care homes and hospitals.

Wireless Fire Alarms

• Wireless fire alarms use a secure wireless link between sensors and fire alarm panel.
• These systems work like an addressable system, but without wires.
• These alarms are ideal for premises which don’t want lots of cables running between the alarms, such as churches and historical buildings.

Whilst UK legislations do not specify which type of fire alarm will be most suitable for your Bristol business, it all drills down to what is ‘appropriate’ for your particular business. To make sure you install the right fire alarm system to meet UK legislation and suit your business, get in touch with a reputable fire safety company.

Who Can Install a Fire Alarm?

UK fire alarm regulations simply state that the person installing a fire alarm must be ‘competent’. This, therefore, means that the person/company who installs the fire alarm should;

• Understand the types of fire alarm systems and how each works,
• Be familiar with the main makes and models of fire alarms,
• Be able to identify which grade and category of fire alarm system your business needs,
• Be able to design a fire alarm system to meet the grade and category requirements,
• Understand British Standard BS5839 well,
• Understand how to design a system to meet BS5839,
• Have electrical knowledge.

How Often Should a Fire Alarm be Serviced?

UK fire alarm regulations state that your fire alarm should be ‘adequately maintained’, however, BS5839 recommends that a fire alarm system should be inspected by a ‘competent’ person at least every 6 months. The government recommends following this standard.

Though, if you do work from a large premises, it is recommended that you instead service your fire alarm quarterly. This is because they’ll likely be more components to your fire alarm system and therefore more opportunities for something to go wrong.

Ensuring your fire alarm is serviced is vital to both keep occupants alerted to prevent loss of life and to prevent false alarms.

False alarms make up for a huge number of fire brigade call-outs. These incur a huge expense to the service. Due to this the fire brigade had now imposed large charges to premises which have multiple false alarms, as an incentive to keep their fire alarms maintained.

Does My Weekly Fire Alarm Test Count as Servicing?

Whilst weekly testing is important, it is very different to fire alarm servicing.

A fire alarm service is a thorough investigation of the whole fire alarm system in your building, whereas weekly testing is more of a ‘spot check’. Weekly testing is simply carried out to test whether your fire alarm is working.

The guidance to ensure that your fire alarms are tested weekly comes from British Standard BS5839.

Fire Alarms in Bristol from Brunel Fire & Security

Ensuring that you have the correct fire alarms in your Bristol business is vital. Here at Brunel Fire and Security, we can provide you with a fire alarm system that incorporates a range of cutting edge technology to ensure your business premises is safe. All of our systems will be tailored to suit your business needs exactly and we always make sure that the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 is continuously implemented in each system we provide.

Whenever we supply a fire alarm system, we ensure to carry out a 7-step process that always results in a cost-effective solution for your Bristol business. This process includes:

• Fire risk assessment
• Current systems review
• Fire alarms and fire detection systems design
• Installation
• Commissioning
• Fire system management

So, If you are interested in a fire alarm system for your Bristol business, then make sure to get in touch with our specialist team here at Brunel Fire & Security on 0117 259 1000.