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FIRE SERVICE AND GENERAL FIRE SAFETY TOPICS => Fire Safety => Topic started by: alfi on July 17, 2009, 11:05:06 AM

Title: staff alarms
Post by: alfi on July 17, 2009, 11:05:06 AM

Folks,

How would you see staff alarms being used in an mulit storey office complex, i.e whats the benefits/drawbacks; when it would be considered and any fail safe policies you would need in place, thanks,

ta

Title: Re: staff alarms
Post by: AnthonyB on July 17, 2009, 01:46:58 PM

What do you mean by staff alarm - sounders only to say security office and no other alarm, or more of a 2 stage system than a true staff alarm, i.e. standby tone & evacuate?

I don't see the need in an office - why is it being suggested?

If it's because of constant false alarms I'd be more concerned about the causes (equipment, environment, malice, carelessness, etc) and deal with those first rather than messing around with the fire system and strategy.

My interpretation was staff alarms were primarily for public places of assembly to avoid necessary worry or confusion until the situation was more established.

Title: Re: staff alarms
Post by: Steven N on July 17, 2009, 02:32:13 PM

Spot on I think Anthony, I stand to be corrected but cant see any reason for staff alarm in this situation.

Title: Re: staff alarms
Post by: alfi on July 17, 2009, 04:04:09 PM

Thanks you have echoed my comments guys

Title: Re: staff alarms
Post by: Phoenix on July 17, 2009, 09:43:40 PM

Many large office buildings have either phased evacuation or staged evacuation (sometimes staged and phased, sometimes staged and partially phased (common in London) and sometimes something else!).  In any of these situations there will be some requirement for notifying selected staff prior to the general alert.  You have to establish the evacuation protocol before you can assess the requirements for internal communications to the staff.

Stu