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FIRE SERVICE AND GENERAL FIRE SAFETY TOPICS => Fire Safety => Topic started by: Gary Howe on September 19, 2005, 04:22:56 PM
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In the design of a fire alarm installation for a HMO in London, what is common practice, is it for the individual flats to be designed to BS5839 Pt6, and for the communal area to be connected to a seperate fire alarm system (not linked to the flats) linked to the automatic air venting (if fitted) thus maintenance to communal areas can be controlled more effectively.
What is common and more importantly best practice?
Regards
Gary
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Gary,
D of E circular 12/92 still seems to be the starting point for HMO fire safety in my area, although it is a bit out of date, and it's days are numbered with the advent of the new Housing Act.
In HMO's of more than two floors it seems to recommend an old L2 system, with smoke sensors in the housing units!
Accepted wisdom around our way generally goes for at least one heat sensor in each housing unit (generally in the Hallway or close to the door to the stairs)in the hope that a reasonable fire in the unit will activate the common areas system before the stairs or floors are threatened!!
Smoke sensors are fitted to the common areas system in the staircase.
Smoke sensors on the common areas system are not fitted inside the units due to any false alarm affecting the whole building, contrary the circular.
Protection for occupiers inside each individual unit is provided by a stand alone part 6 system a appropriate.
I am always wary of constructional, and maintenance standards in HMO's.
I personally would be uneasy to have a system where a common alarm was only raised by smoke sensors in the staircase, even if this triggered AOV's.
Maybe all the heat detector in the units is achieveing is helping me to sleep at night!
Hey Ho!