Author Topic: fire alarm testing  (Read 12643 times)

Offline Wiz

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Re: fire alarm testing
« Reply #15 on: March 10, 2011, 03:23:13 PM »
Hi Kurnal,
I supplied you with some drawings all three of which show the principle of a fire alarm system (it must work DURING a fire), the rest is just common sense.
Have a good think about your advice concerning cupboards opening out onto a staircase and which zone they should be on... I think that in reality although you have obviously spent a long time reading regulations it is you who is struggling 'principles'.

 

David, don't 'dis' Professor Kurnal. He probably knows more about fire safety than you can imagine.

When you first came on to this forum with your queries you were extended every courtesy. We tried to understand the points you were making.

Since we made very little headway in understanding, we asked you various question, none of which, to my recollection, did you answer in a way that illuminated our understanding of the actual point you were trying to make.


Offline CivvyFSO

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Re: fire alarm testing
« Reply #16 on: March 11, 2011, 10:52:12 AM »
I think that in reality although you have obviously spent a long time reading regulations it is you who is struggling 'principles'.

David, what Kurnal is referring to is fire alarm 'engineers' and designers fitting/specifying fire alarms to the common areas of flats despite them not being needed. If the building is built to ensure that people are safe in their flat in the event of a fire in a different flat, then why do we feel the need to raise an alarm whereby people may then end up leaving their flat and walking through smoke, thus putting themselves at more risk than really necessary?

I have been biting my tongue to some degree with regards your constant drivel. You have shown your lack of knowledge with regards fire safety relatively recently. Whereas I don't expect every member of this forum to know about fire safety, so to question whether Kurnal understands 'principles' seems a little wrong. If you don't know the principles behind stay put policy then in my opinion you are incapable of designing a suitable fire alarm system for someone, which means that someone else does the design work, leaving you simply as a glorified electrician with a bee in your bonnet about the pronunciation of something. Alternatively, if you are designing such systems with no knowledge of fire safety then you are quite possibly a liability.

What you should consider prior to questioning other person's knowledge of 'principles' is that fire safety is much more than fire alarms. Any inspector or consultant is expected to have an idea of fire growth, means of escape, compartmentation, fire stopping, sprinkler/suppression systems, evacuation procedures, training requirements, signage, dangerous substances, legislative requirements, benchmark standards & best practice, human behaviour, fire alarms, emergency lighting, maintenance requirements, fire service access requirements, arson prevention, smoke control systems, fire fighting equipment, structural precautions and many other things I have probably forgotten to list.

Offline AnthonyB

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Re: fire alarm testing
« Reply #17 on: March 11, 2011, 12:46:06 PM »
Well said that man!
Anthony Buck
Owner & Fire Safety Consultant at Fire Wizard


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Offline Tom W

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Re: fire alarm testing
« Reply #18 on: March 11, 2011, 02:19:05 PM »
Well said

David, you cannot force an opionion, especially when you clearly have less knowledge of fire safety then the people you are asking.

The same as if we were to say your thoughts on Earthed Equipotential Bonding were wrong, in our inexperienced opinion.

http://illustrationexplains.com/author_22.html

Offline kurnal

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Re: fire alarm testing
« Reply #19 on: March 11, 2011, 02:40:46 PM »
Thankyou Piglet, you are right, we should leave that to the electrical people.

And they already have done. ;)
Heres an example.

http://www.diynot.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=228045&start=0&sid=7a8dabc1822130bf612d0abfbb1df683
« Last Edit: March 11, 2011, 04:42:10 PM by kurnal »

Offline Oliver Austin

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Re: fire alarm testing
« Reply #20 on: July 03, 2011, 10:18:43 AM »
Obviously, the main function of a fire alarm system is to save lives. An efficient system will give plenty of warning for staff and customers to vacate the building whilst, in conjunction with other fire protection methods such as fire doors, give the emergency services enough time to respond and limit the damage caused by the fire.

However, for an alarm system to function properly it must be regularly maintained and tested. Like all things, fire alarm systems will decay and suffer from natural damage such as becoming dirty. Added to this natural wear and tear is the fact that batteries will become worn over time and they must be replaced regularly.