Fire Detection Systems in Sheltered Accommodation

[Geoff]

Hi folks,

I'm hoping that you guys can help me with another little quandary!

Here is the situation;

I've got a new sheltered accommodation scheme which has just come out of its defect period (it went live as in first occupants moved in in November 05) and a fire risk assessment was carried out a couple of weeks before the defect period ended.  So this scheme has gone through planning, building control, the lot.

The building is a three storey property with 9 sheltered accommodation flats, entrances on two levels (due to difference in ground levels), the lift is one without an electric motor, the building is timber clad and is only about 12 metres from an older sheltered scheme on the same site.

Now I come to the bit I have a little problem with, the fire detection system!  The fire detection system comprises of mains powered domestic smoke detectors in each of the flats and smoke detectors in the communal corridors tied into the smoke evacuation system.  That is it! No overall control panel, no sounders, no call points, no detectors in any of the service risers or store rooms and the domestic sensors in the flats do not even go through to the monitoring service for the emergency call system that they have.  To make it even worse the office of the scheme manager is in the other sheltered scheme mentioned above, so he doesn't even know if there ever is a problem

Am I being unfair to the architect, builders and project team in saying that they have made a mistake!  The risk assessment has recommeded that the fire alarm system be upgraded to an L1/L2 (preferably L1) with a repeater panel plced next to the main panel in the sister scheme.

Problem is the architect and everyone else is saying that as it passed building control that everything is OK which I know it is not. I can find reference in Approved Document B to there needing to be AFD in this type of scheme, and I know the guidance notes for sleeping accommodation recommend at least L2 systems in communal areas (I can't lay my hands on a copy of BS 5839 to check there).  

I need something concrete to take this forward, so can any of you point me in the right direction and possibley state a regulation/standard that I can use to beat someone over the head with.

Many thanks for any help given.

[Graeme]

basically you do not have a part 1 system which L1 and L2 come under which was a requirement of your risk assessment.
Mains operated smoke alarms are part 6.

[jayjay]

What you decide in the FRA is up to you If the responsible person does not like what you say, well then that is his problem.
Providing you are making reasonable recommendations then you are doing your part right.
If you go to the Department for Communities and Local Government Publications web site you can download the free Fire Safety risk assessment Sleeping Accomodation Guide which also covers the common areas of sheltered housing.

[CivvyFSO]

ADB: Section 1:

Sheltered housing: 1.10 The detection equipment in a sheltered housing scheme with a warden or supervisor, should have a connection to a central monitoring point (or central alarm relay station) so that the person in charge is aware that a fire has been detected in one of the dwellings, and can identify the dwelling concerned.

1.30 Automatic fire detection and alarms in accordance with BS 5839: Part 1 should be provided in institutional and other residential occupancies.

1.7 A large house of no more than 3 storeys (including basement storeys) may be fitted with an automatic fire detection and alarm system of grade B type LD3 as described in BS5839 Part 6 instead of an L2 system.

(Large house = any storey exceeds 200m2)

Grade B: A fire detection and fire alarm system comprising fire detectors (other than smoke alarms
and heat alarms), fire alarm sounders, and control and indicating equipment that either
conforms to BS EN 54-2 (and power supply complying with BS EN 54-4) or to Annex C of
this part of BS 5839.

Category LD3: a system incorporating detectors in all circulation spaces that form part of the
escape routes from the dwelling.

Maybe the have tried to get away with a Grade B LD3 meant for a standard house?

[Geoff]

Many thanks for the info.