Heat detectors on a communal MOE

[Big T]

I have a new block that passed building controls pre the 2007 change.

Having done the risk assessment it appears the communal fire alarm system utilises Heat detectors in the corridoors.

The building is timber framed and affords normal fire resistance throughout. The block has a stay put policy as per guidance in 5588 pt 1.

Why would Heat detectors be used in these areas? Or is this an error that Building control has missed

[kurnal]

Do the heat detectors operate alarms in the common areas or is the system simply for property protection, eg linked to a call monitoring centre?

It would be odd to have audible alarms in the common areas if a stay put policy is in place. So I think it is probably a management or property protection issue.

[Big T]

In my opinion it doesn't need a fire alalrm at all apart from hardwired in the dwellings.

The heat detectors would set off sounders in the communal areas

[kurnal]

I think you are right Big T. Question is was it by design or accident that heat detectors were installed. Are there any manual call points?

if so then its likely that the heat detectors were installed as a mistake and perhaps smokes were intended. But if it was designed from the outset to have a stay put policy, it would only confuse matters to have a common areas alarm system. At least with heat detectors there are not likely to be any false alarms, but if the sysstem does operate chances are the corridor will be untenable and less safe than the flats.

[Midland Retty]

Yes indeed Prof.

I can only assume HD was installed incorrectly too. And why would (as youve already pointed out) a common alarm system have been installed if the blocks were constructed to current building regs

Big T if you get chance and are able to do so it would be worth digging into this a bit deeper - would you be able to get hold of the architect or designers for clarification for instance?

[Big T]

I think I am going to have to go back the original architect plans to have a butchers. It appears that a lot of our new build project (which I hadn't been consulted on) Have some form of alarm sytem and its quite irritating.

I just wanted to see what the consensus was or whether I was having an off day.

Seems we are in agreement that an idiot has speced the wrong alarm system. Again

BigT ties a rope around his desk and neck an throws himself out of the window.