Thorn 1700 system- end of the road?

[kurnal]

Visited a new client last week - local solicitors office. They have an old Thorn 1700 system with ionisation and  heat detectors. No particular problems with the system- its stable and no history of any faults or unwanted signals, has always been maintained by the same company quarterly in accordance with 5839- 1988.

Maintainer is recommending replacement of system as "spares for panel are no longer available and detectors outside their normal 5 year life" . I dont know how old the detectors are and I know most manufacturers recommend a 10 year life but 5 years is a new one on me. The system was installed in 1989. My usual advice to clients is if it aint broke dont fix it.  

Any comments would be welcome.

[John Dragon]

I think that 10 yrs is only an Apollo recommendation (open to being corrected here tho) we use Hochiki who do not have a life span recommendation.

[Benzerari]

Visited a new client last week - local solicitors office. They have an old Thorn 1700 system with ionisation and  heat detectors. No particular problems with the system- its stable and no history of any faults or unwanted signals, has always been maintained by the same company quarterly in accordance with 5839- 1988.

Maintainer is recommending replacement of system as "spares for panel are no longer available and detectors outside their normal 5 year life" . I dont know how old the detectors are and I know most manufacturers recommend a 10 year life but 5 years is a new one on me. The system was installed in 1989. My usual advice to clients is if it aint broke dont fix it.  

Any comments would be welcome.

It depends really of the kind of repair required, if i.e. loop card replacement and the stock has run out then that would be a good reason to advice customer for system replacement, that's what happened to us with ZETFAS analogue addressable system of ZETLER Company, we are now in a situation where the loop computers have totally failed and ZETLER Company don't make them any more, ZETLER has been bought by ADT a long time ago...

I like old stuff only when the customer agree for replacement to allow us to make money by doing the right job, I personally hate to get involved in repairing old stuff with old wiring...because what ever you do, you still guilty of any outcomes, moreover I hate to be called out the next day... due to system failure again…

If the customer does not afford the cost for system replacement try to convince them to do so stage by stage and getting the payment by instalment, we used to do the fitting floor by floor, it is the first step that count, your customer will be caught up once you start the fitting, and from then he would take it in consideration and reserve a budget to complete it sooner or later…

[JonnyG]

kurnal, I think the maintainer is going beyond what should be recommended. Personally I would recommend an upgrade to all detectors, but if it isn't broke, don't fix it.

[Graeme]

10 years for afd

[AnthonyB]

Where panels are so old they have no parts & other devices/cabling similarly worn, but still working at the time of FRA this is noted with a recommendation to have an action plan and budget set aside to accumulate over time the funds to replace, and when amassed, to do the refit.

This is because if no parts are available the system will at some point break down irreparably & if you have not acted you will not be ready for it and be left with a building without adequate fire warning meaning costly shutdown or costly temporary facilities.

By planning ahead you may avoid total breakdown by having built up the cash to replace it beforehand & it also shows the authorities you are being proactive.

So in other words you don't have to blow the budget instantly when the kit is obsolete, but don't do nothing either!