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FIRE SERVICE AND GENERAL FIRE SAFETY TOPICS => Fire Safety => Topic started by: jakespop on March 13, 2011, 06:28:08 PM
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I am assessing an old Nursing Home which has recently been upgraded and refurbished to provide a mental health facility. Final exits are linked to fire alarm and release upon actuation and on power failure. No override facilities fitted. As long as it is regularly tested to ensure correct operation, would override facilities be required?
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Yes.
But I have another query...
I've just bought a new pair of trousers and, frankly, I was a little pessimistic in my judgement of my equitorial circumference. I wear these trousers with a belt and also, to be on the safe side, a pair of braces. As long as I check my belt and braces regularly do I also need to tie a bit of string around my waist?
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Yes. Because the actual potential impact of your pants falling down, thus displaying your unmentionables, is an unacceptable risk. However unlikely, the actual severity is the controlling factor.
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The answer is "it depends"
It depends on where the care home is located within the country. You will find brigades do have differing policy on over ride devices.
It might appear obvious why over-rides weren't provided in this scenario, however some would argue that there are ways and means to provide over-ride devices which are either inaccessible or not obvious to the patients / service users.
Others (including myself) argue that so long as regular testing is carried out you can dispense with over ride devices in certain environments.
My advice is don't second guess - ask the local fire service about their policy on over rides. Im not saying that their policy will be reasonable, but you will atleast know where you stand, and from that you will better positioned to counter, prevent or justify the lack of over rides.
It will save your client a lot of ball ache in future especially the next time an inspector calls.
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I have a similar new build with these devices fitted, Fire Service ok with it and I am happy from a Fire point of view, but raises big security issues if you lose power to building in an none alarm situation. This might cause you problems in the future :(
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Duh! You can provide back up on the power supply to the security devices.
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Yes, in fact it is not uncommon for each mag-lock to have a PSU and battery cabinet provided so that a power fail will keep it working.
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Colin, I was only pointing out something you need to check on, the doors fitted on the site I mentioned above don't have battery back up, whether it was an oversight or due to cost a dont know, but it is something which Jakespop might want to check and advise his customer on.
AntonyB, appreciate the technical details, I will admit when it comes to all things electrical I ask the right questions, but leave the specifics to the experts ;D
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Just to clarify. If a battery cabinet is provided the door will still work normally. So in event of fire alarm, the door should release. If there is a problem with relay could this not prevent door releasing automatically,hence the need for manual override?