Sensors

[mike58]

Can anyone offer up a site please explaining regs on placing of sensors "fire or smoke" in schools. Would like to know as to wether sensors are needed in each room.
Ta mike58

[Wiz]

The answer should be contained in the last Fire Risk Assessment carried out at the premises.

[kurnal]

There are a number of factors to consider- I attach a section from page 66 of the DCLG guidance document  which may be downloaded free here:

http://www.communities.gov.uk/documents/fire/pdf/150865


2.2 Automatic fire detection
Automatic fire detection may be needed for a
number of reasons. These can include:
• if you have areas where people are isolated
or remote and could become trapped by
a fire because they are unaware of its
development, such as students working
in unsupervised areas or where the premises
are only partially occupied, outside of
core hours;
• if you have areas where a fire can develop
unobserved (e.g. storerooms);
• as a compensating feature, e.g. for
inadequate structural fire protection, in
dead ends or where there are extended
travel distances;
• where smoke control and ventilation
systems are controlled by the automatic
fire-detection system; and
• to reduce the effects of arson.

[wee brian]

Or if its a new school you could use BB100

[Chris Houston]

Mike,

There are two main reasons for fire detection in schools.  Life safety and property protection.  

With regards to life safety, someone at the school should have done a fire safety risk assessment.  If this is done properly (often it is not) this will conclude if fire detection is needed for life safety.

Further to this, you might find it necessary to install fire detection to protect the property from fire.  This is not a legal requirement.

To us fire safety folks, this is all quite straight forward, but don't expect a list of rules saying "schools must have fire detectors in the following locations......" that is not how UK legislation works.

[nearlythere]

Mike,

There are two main reasons for fire detection in schools.  Life safety and property protection.  

With regards to life safety, someone at the school should have done a fire safety risk assessment.  If this is done properly (often it is not) this will conclude if fire detection is needed for life safety.

Further to this, you might find it necessary to install fire detection to protect the property from fire.  This is not a legal requirement.

To us fire safety folks, this is all quite straight forward, but don't expect a list of rules saying "schools must have fire detectors in the following locations......" that is not how UK legislation works.

And the only way you will know for sure is if the judge or coroner says it should have been installed.

[jokar]

Whatever road you go dowm, please make sure that the system is installed by a competent engineer.  Unwanted fire signals are high on the agenda of most FRS nowaday.

[mike58]

Like to say a big THANKS for the answers I recieved , they were very helpful .
Ta Mike