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Before a fire protection system can be designed, it is necessary to define the main objectives of the system.   This is normally determined by a Fire Risk Assessment and should be provided as part of the fire system specification. BS 5839 Fire Alarm Classifications BS 5839 splits fire alarm systems into 3 system design categories: Category P Systems Category L Systems Category M Systems Category P Fire Alarm Systems – Property Protection These types of systems are purely for the protection of property and fall into two classifications, P1 and P2. The objective of a category P is to provide the earliest warning of a fire to minimise the time taken from ignition of a fire to detection and the subsequent attendance by the fire services, minimising loss to the property. Manual call point units are not essential There are no escape routes – only corridors Heat detectors may be acceptable (in certain circumstances) P1 protects the whole building, P2 is installed in defined parts of the building only. Category L Fire Alarm Systems – Life Protection Life protection systems can be divided into various categories, L1, L2, L3, L4, L5. L1 provides for Automatic Fire Detection (AFD) to be installed into all areas of a building. L2 provides Automatic Fire Detection (AFD) as defined in L3 as well as high risk or hazardous areas. Examples of this could be Kitchens, boiler rooms, sleeping risk, storerooms if not fire resistant or if smoke could affect escape routes. L3 Automatic Fire Detection (AFD) with smoke detection should be installed on escape routes with detection in rooms opening onto escape routes. L4 provides Automatic Fire Detection (AFD) within escape routes only. L5 is installed in building with a specific risk that has been identified. An example of this would be if there was an area of high risk that requires detection the category would be L5/M. Category M Fire Alarm Systems A BS 5839 Category M Fire Alarm System is a manual operation only system which has call points on all exits as well as corridors where persons are not expected to walk any more than 45m to operate one. All categories of life protection will have a type M system installed. The Honeywell Gent Design and Installation Guide provides a simple guide for the provision of a fire detection and alarm system in accordance with the recommendations detailed within the British Standard Code of Practice BS 5839-1:2017. It is designed to act as an aide-memoire and there is no substitute for reading the full standard, copies of which can be obtained from www.bsi-global.com  

If you discover a fire, then you need to raise the alarm immediately so that everyone can get to safety before the fire escalates in seriousness.   FIRE ALARM ACTIVATION The Fire Alarm System can be activated in the following ways: 1. ‘Breaking’ the glass in a Manual Alarm Call Point – this usually causes the alarm to sound the evacuation signal for the relevant building or zone. 2. A rise in temperature activates an Automatic Heat Detector – Heat Detectors react to the change in temperature caused by fire. Once the temperature rises above 135 degrees F (57 C) or 194 degrees F (90 C), the heat detector will send a signal to an alarm panel and trigger an alarm. 3. Smoke activates an Automatic Smoke Detector – once particles of smoke and early signs of smoulder are detected, it will send a signal to a control panel. 4. Automatic Smoke Detectors can be Air Sampling type, which have pipes connected to the Boxed Detector 5. An ‘EVACUATE’ signal is received from the Landlord or other Tenants Fire Alarm

Emergency lighting is an important aspect to your businesses fire safety that is often overlooked.   What is Emergency Lighting? In the event of a fire or a power cut, the normal source of illumination fails and can lead to sudden darkness and cause potential danger to occupants with panic or physical accidents. Emergency lighting is required to operate automatically and provide enough light to enable all the occupants to leave the premises safely. Why do I need Emergency Lighting? It is the responsible person who is in control of the premises emergency lighting, and should ensure they are aware of The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005. They have a duty of care to the members of staff and public who will be using the building. As the responsible person of your business premises, you have the responsibility of the safety of the people in your building. If a power outage was to occur it is important to illuminate the escape routes, such as corridors and stairways, for an quick and efficient evacuation of the. Emergency lighting is also used to show where fire fighting and fire protection can be found. Current Legislation – British Standard BS 5266 updated BS 5266 provides clear guidelines about the design and installation of emergency lighting. In 2016 BS 5266 changed. It is now more in line with the European standard, EN1838 however, the British version has been adapted to be more ‘local’. Although standards may not be law, they are best practice and should be followed in order to be compliant. Duration of Battery Back-up This is dependent on the use of the building but 3 hours is the typical duration for a number of types of business. 1 hour duration may be acceptable in some premises if evacuation is immediate and re-occupation is delayed until the system has recharged. If your premises fall under both 3 hour and 1 hour categories, the 3 hour should be applied throughout. Emergency Lighting Maintenance Maintenance is essential on your emergency lighting systems and should be carried out at regular intervals by a professional fire engineer. It is advised to have a maintenance contract in place with a competent fire company so you can arrange routine inspections and also emergency repairs and alterations.

A fire breaking out in a warehouse can be one of the real nightmare scenarios for a business, so it is no surprise that organisations are keen to minimise the risk of warehouse fires.   It’s not just the threat of losing expensive business equipment and stock, warehouse fires also endanger the lives of staff and put people at risk of injuries. It is vital for companies to take their fire safety seriously especially in a warehouse environment. And one of the best ways to do this is to prevent them entirely. To do so, you need to have a good idea of what actually causes warehouse fires to occur, so that you can put measures in place to minimise the risk. Here we take a look some of the major causes of warehouse fires, as well as how to prevent them from breaking out. Common causes of warehouse fires Understanding the common causes of warehouse fires puts you in a good position to do the best possible work you can do for fire safety – preventing them before they have the opportunity to start. Some of the common causes are fairly predictable, but others might surprise you. Fires that are set intentionally – it is unfortunately the case that by far one of the most common causes of warehouse fires are those that are deliberately started, known officially as arson. There are suggestions that arson cases make up nearly one third of all fire-related property damage and 18% of specific warehouse fires. These arson cases could be a result of a deliberate petty criminal act or even as a part of insurance fraud. Problems with electricity and lighting – coming in at a very close second place of causes of warehouse fires is issues with electrical and lighting equipment. These types are fires are typically less damaging to properties than intentionally started fires, but they are still a major problem for those in charge of warehouse fire safety. This is something that those in charge of warehouse safety need to take very seriously. Heating equipment – be careful when you are heating up a warehouse during the colder months because while this can be an essential part of the smooth running of your operation, it can be a serious fire risk. Around eight per cent of warehouse fires are caused by heating equipment, making it the third most common cause of fire in this setting. Exposure – the next most common cause of warehouse fires is something called ‘exposure’. This is a specific firefighting term that refers to materials that are combustible but that are not currently on fire. So, this applies to warehouses that contain large amounts of materials that could catch fire if they were exposed to a flame or heat source. Exposures account for around seven per cent of warehouse fires. Smoking materials – it is probably no surprise, but it is still important to note here that the materials involved in smoking are the cause of a large number of warehouse fires. Cigarettes, cigars, and lighters are responsible for around five per cent of the total number of warehouse fires. What can you do to prevent them? There are many things that businesses can be to minimise their risk of fires occurring. Here are three key things that you need pay attention to in your warehouse. Fire Risk Assessments – it is a legal requirement to have a fire risk assessment carried out under The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, however not all assessments are created equal. It is advisable to have professionals manage this process for you to ensure that it is carried out correctly. Smoke detectors – you should ensure that you have smoke detectors installed across your warehouse paying special attention to any areas that may be vulnerable to fire breaking out. Some owners worry about the prospect of putting detectors in place with a sprinkler system because they are concerned an overzealous system could be set off incorrectly and items could be ruined. However, it is always more important to think about safety. Fire Extinguishers – you should have appropriate fire extinguishers in place across your warehouse, however it is important to note that fire extinguishers should only be used appropriately. This article was originally published on IFSEC Global.

Stay safe this bonfire night with our tips and advice including bonfire guidance and the firework code. FIREWORK CODE Only adults should deal with setting up firework displays, the lighting of fireworks and the safe disposal of fireworks once they have been used (and remember, alcohol and fireworks don’t mix!). Children and young people should be supervised, and watch and enjoy fireworks at a safe distance. Follow these top 10 tips for a safer fireworks party: 1. Plan your firework display to make it safe and enjoyable, and ensure it finishes before 11pm 2. Only buy fireworks which carry the CE mark, keep them in a closed box and use them one at a time 3. Read and follow the instructions on each firework using a torch if necessary 4. Light the firework at arm’s length with a taper and stand well back 5. Keep naked flames, including cigarettes, away from fireworks 6. Never return to a firework once it has been lit 7. Don’t put fireworks in pockets and never throw them 8. Direct any rocket fireworks well away from spectators 9. Never use paraffin or petrol on a bonfire 10. Make sure that the fire is out and surroundings are made safe before leaving. SPARKLER SAFETY Sparklers are often viewed as being harmless but they burn at fierce temperatures, equivalent to a welding torch. Follow these top tips for sparkler safety: 1. It is recommended that sparklers are not given to under 5s 2. Make sure everyone handling sparklers wears gloves 3. Hold sparklers at arm’s length while being lit and light them one at a time 4. Don’t wave sparklers about close to other people 5. Never hold a baby in your arms while you are holding a sparkler 6. When the sparkler has finished put it in a bucket of cold water. BONFIRE SAFETY Follow these safety tips for ensuring bonfires do not get out of control: 1. One person should be responsible for the bonfire and children should be supervised 2. Choose a site away from wooden fences, sheds and where children will be playing 3. Never pour petrol, paraffin or meths on to a fire – it’s safer to use fire lighters to prevent flare-ups 4. Keep a bucket of water handy in case of an accident 5. Avoid loose clothing and tie back long hair 6. After the party, pour water on the fire, rather than leaving it to burn out.

Christmas is a time for celebration but is also a potentially dangerous period.   Many of the things we enjoy over the Christmas period, such as fairy lights, candles, trees and decorations, can all be fire hazards when proper care is not taken. Follow our Christmas Fire Safety Tips to make sure your business stays safe this Christmas. 1. Christmas Lights Don’t overload plug sockets with Christmas lights and check that they conform to the British Standard (BS EN 60598). Always switch them off when you leave the premises unattended. 2. Decorations Consider the risk of fire hazards when putting up Christmas decorations; most decorations such as tinsel, paper banners and candles are fairly combustible. Therefore, to keep the risk of fire at a minimum, make sure they’re positioned appropriately and never leave candles burning unattended. 3. Christmas Trees Choose the location for your Christmas tree carefully, away from any heat source and ensuring the tree does not compromise any escape routes from the building. It may be useful to review your Fire Risk Assessment to ensure risks are not posed. 4. Fire Alarm Testing Although it’s a busy time of year and some people may already be on holiday, it is no excuse to take a break from testing your fire alarms. Your fire alarms should be tested regularly and the holiday period is no exception. 5. In Case of Emergency Nobody wants to deal with a fire around Christmas time but if your business does encounter a fire, you need to make sure you’re fully equipped to fight it if needed. Read our Fire Extinguisher Guide which explains each type of Portable Fire Extinguisher and how to use it in case of an emergency. In addition to our Christmas Fire Safety Tips, we have put together some Christmas Security Tips to keep your business safe over the festive period. Click here to view our Christmas Security Tips

Why should you use a BAFE registered company? However well intentioned we are, there is always a risk that a fire will break out. Because of this ever present risk it is important to protect life and property with an effective and reliable fire detection and alarm system. As technology has developed, fire detection products and systems have become more sophisticated and complex. Thus the choice of a competent installer to ensure satisfactory installation and maintenance has become all the more important. But how can you be sure that the company you employ to install you fire detection and alarm system will be competent, and how can you be sure that your installation will be likely to satisfy the fire brigade as meeting statutory requirements or to satisfy your insurance company? The most effective way is to use a company which is BAFE SP203-1 registered. By specifying a firm which is certificated to BAFE SP203-1, you can be confident that your fire detection and alarm system will be installed competently to the codes of practice that you specify, and that they can provide the necessary maintenance service required to maintain a valid certificate. What is BAFE SP203-1? The BAFE Fire Detection and Alarm Systems SP203-1 scheme recognises the importance of providing compliant fire detection and alarm systems and therefore assist in minimising false alarms. This BAFE Scheme has been developed to permit organisations involved with one or more of the following: 1. Design 2. Installation 3a. Commissioning 3b. Handover 4. Maintenance of fire detection and fire alarm systems to become third party certificated and BAFE Listed as recognition of their competence to undertake their scope of work. Certificate of Compliance By so doing, the certificates issued by these organisations on completion of their work will provide proof of competence as required by the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 for England & Wales, the Fire (Scotland) Act and the Fire Safety Regulations (Northern Ireland) and give the Client and relevant enforcing authorities e.g. the Fire Authority and Building Control, confidence that the work has been correctly undertaken. The evidence of the delivery of the fire detection and fire alarm system to the required specification will be: a) modular certificates for the relevant work modules b) a comprehensive system commissioning certificate, and c) providing all work has resulted in the issue of Module Certificates and the project has been successfully verified, a BAFE Certificate of Compliance for the overall installed system. How are BAFE registered companies certificated? All BAFE registered companies are third party certified by UKAS accredited Certification Bodies licensed to operate the BAFE schemes. This ensures that they have been assessed and awarded certification in their specific areas of fire protection offered as competent. As all the BAFE schemes are delivered by a range of UKAS accredited Certification Bodies working to the same standards, there is no requirement to specify individual Certification Bodies (unless desired for additional reasons). Third party certification to one or more of the BAFE schemes is the pre-requisite to becoming BAFE registered. You can be confident in us BAFE’s scheme objective is to provide a means by which fire protection system users and regulatory authorities can be confident that the companies providing fire alarm systems, have processes in place to effectively undertake such activities within their defined scope of work. By selecting FAFS Fire & Security with our BAFE accreditation you can be assured of receiving the most professional advice and the highest standard of installation and service.