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FIRE SERVICE AND GENERAL FIRE SAFETY TOPICS => Fire Safety => Topic started by: Paul on December 01, 2005, 05:24:35 PM

Title: Sounder circuits
Post by: Paul on December 01, 2005, 05:24:35 PM
I'm sure someone will be able to help.

A client of mine has an early 1980 AFD system that appears to have only one sounder circuit.  I am aware the current requirement etc, but is there any requirements for this system to be brought into current 5839 spec.

Just for info this is an office complex that adjoins a large (25,000 m2 +) Pharma process and warehouse facility.

Any guidance one this would be gratefully recieved.

Paul.
Title: Sounder circuits
Post by: wee brian on December 01, 2005, 05:50:51 PM
The requirement is to do a risk assessment and then act on it.

If the alarm system still does what is required of it then that's OK. I suppose you should take a view on what risks there are of the system failing because it doesnt meet current standards.

Thsi is unlikely to justify replacing it but if parts of the building are refurbished it would be advisable to take the oppurtunity to upgrade as you go (assuming this is feasable).
Title: Sounder circuits
Post by: Graeme on December 01, 2005, 05:58:21 PM
it would be highlighted if he took out a maintenance contract.
Title: Sounder circuits
Post by: Paul on December 01, 2005, 06:15:13 PM
Gents,

Thanks for your replies.  Yes I understand what your saying as I am doing the RA for the Premises.  The reason I ask is because it is on a contract with one of the big boys and I was after some meat on the bone to address the company
Title: Sounder circuits
Post by: colin todd on December 01, 2005, 07:29:01 PM
If there is only one cct, it cannot be a large building, so the risk may not be great.
Title: Sounder circuits
Post by: Graeme on December 01, 2005, 09:56:37 PM
If it's a small install then an upgrade will not be costly.
If they are doing work on the building then like you say would be a good time to do it.
Title: Sounder circuits
Post by: Allen Higginson on December 01, 2005, 11:23:30 PM
Installing a sounder in the location of the control panel on the second sounder circuit would (and I'll get shot again if wrong!~) meet the requirements.
Title: Sounder circuits
Post by: Paul on December 01, 2005, 11:43:03 PM
The system itself is an old analogue chubb system with around 10 zones.  The office accomodations sits next to a large pharma process facility.

I'm more interested in finding out why the system has not been upgraded as work has, over the years, been carried out on this system.  I just wondered if there is any guidance / legislation to bring this system into current spec??
Title: Sounder circuits
Post by: Graeme on December 02, 2005, 05:07:18 PM
If it's serviced it would have to be to the current standard BS5839-1 2002 and all non compliances should be brought attention via the service company.
Maybe it's the usual story and it has been highlighted but never acted upon by the end user.
Title: Sounder circuits
Post by: Graeme on December 02, 2005, 05:10:56 PM
Quote from: Buzzard905
Installing a sounder in the location of the control panel on the second sounder circuit would (and I'll get shot again if wrong!~) meet the requirements.
that's the way i get round it.

Paul are you sure it's analogue being that age?

I have seen early 80's conventional panels with only one sounder circuit on them.
Title: Sounder circuits
Post by: colin todd on December 03, 2005, 02:56:39 AM
Buzzy, As always you are right. Graeme, it may have the second output, but it is simply that it has not been used.
Title: Sounder circuits
Post by: Allen Higginson on December 03, 2005, 09:56:29 AM
Quote from: Graeme Millar
Quote from: Buzzard905
Installing a sounder in the location of the control panel on the second sounder circuit would (and I'll get shot again if wrong!~) meet the requirements.
that's the way i get round it.

Paul are you sure it's analogue being that age?

I have seen early 80's conventional panels with only one sounder circuit on them.
I used to maintain an old Photain panel with two zones and one sounder circuit - never wored that one out!!
Title: Sounder circuits
Post by: colin todd on December 03, 2005, 12:58:35 PM
Buzzy , you are sooooooooooooooo OLD!
Title: Sounder circuits
Post by: Graeme on December 03, 2005, 01:15:04 PM
He is getting on a bit.

I removed two panels in the last month with one sounder circuit. The charger had fried the batteries.
Title: Sounder circuits
Post by: Allen Higginson on December 04, 2005, 07:49:43 PM
Quote from: colin todd
Buzzy , you are sooooooooooooooo OLD!
OI!!This was only two years ago.
Title: Sounder circuits
Post by: AnthonyB on December 04, 2005, 10:02:19 PM
Indeed, ther are still a lot of really old & oddball systems about to various (or no) standards/specs.

e.g. last week visited a couple of 3/4 storey office buildings. One had a Gent 240V system of BGUs and 6" bells - & nothing else (the nearest thing to ctrl/indicator equipment was the 'ON/OFF' breaker switch for the circuit in the switchroom. The other a more "advanced" Gent system in as much as it worked on 24V with a battery bank and had a reset button in the lobby.

Although both were advised (again) for replacement, the 240V being the higher priority, like a lot of buildings, unless it becomes irrepairable or major refurbishment/alteration of the building occurs, it will still be in place for years to come.

So engineers & surveyors will be coming across oddities for a while yet