detection in a swimming pool

[slubberdegullion]

I have a similar situation regarding a leisure centre with a swimming pool (with spectator area) for which I'm doing the design for an electrical contractor.

The response I've got from him with regard to the category of system is as is often the case "better make it an L1". On this occasion it's making it difficult as detection in the pool area will be a nightmare, point detectors difficult due to future access which leaves beam detection as the only real option.

Would it be reasonable to detail the omission of automatic detection within the pool as a variation due to the minimal fire risk, high possiblity of false alarms due to condensing moisture and future access for maintenance issues. The beam detectors my company tends to use also only have an IP rating of 42 so this is also an issue.

If it were an L2 I'd be confident in omitting it but not sure on an L1, anyone had any similar experiences?

Yes.

Without knowledge of the building but a general knowledge of such buildings, why would you want an L1 system?

Think about the risks here.  What might catch fire?   The seating........maybe.  

How is the fire going to affect people's means of escape?  Particularly those people elsewhere in the building who would not be able to see the fire for themselves.  Very slowly I would think.  Has the pool got a high ceiling?

If there is a low ceiling and such a fire could affect the means of escape of people elsewhere in the building then maybe detection is requitred.  Otherwise, there is little need for it and it would be reasonable to omit.

Stu

[Galeon]

We used to maintain a building under sub contract  and had to access the detector at the top of the rapid rides waterfall , get paid and go swimming at the same time
how bad was that !
On a serious note however if detection is required why not go air sampling (no real maintenance issues) and set off the action with obscuration and possible delay in transmission of fire , you could use a reference pipe across all sectors as a measure of actual site indications.
Polite note , we all know there is no BS in relation to air sampling .

[kurnal]

The problem in G4VJC's query is that the electrical contractor is speccing the fire alarm system rather than the building design team. It may or it may not warrant a full alarm and detection system to L1 but that decision should be made based upon the fire safety design strategy for the building.  

Based on leisure centres and swimming pools I have encountered on the past, including those with tiered seating for viewing competitions I cannot think of any in which I would have specified detection in the immediate pool area itself. It may be appropriate to specify an L1 system with a variation omitting the pool area- or it may be better to take a look at the fire risk, life risk, building construction, fire safety strategy, how the building is used and any needs for property protection and base the spec of the system on the outcome.

73s.
(--./....-/-..-/-/-.-)

[kurnal]

We used to maintain a building under sub contract  and had to access the detector at the top of the rapid rides waterfall , get paid and go swimming at the same time

Take it this wasn't one of the old mains powered systems

[Galeon]

We used to maintain a building under sub contract  and had to access the detector at the top of the rapid rides waterfall , get paid and go swimming at the same time

Take it this wasn't one of the old mains powered systems

No me old son , just simple menvier with conventional Hochiki detectors , you know the ones when you wanted to remove one temoparily , you could use a two pence piece across the contacts in the base , hey presto no tools , panel clear no messing about , costly though !