Weekly/Monthly Testing Of AFD In Sheltered Accommodation

[Tadees]

Hi,

Residents in sheltered accommodation, I assume have to test their detectors regularly.  This will result in numerous alarms being sent to the ARC.  Is there anyway round this?

[David Rooney]

Are you talking about standalone smoke alarms as in a 5839 pt 6 systems or are we talking about something with an indicator panel and central point of control connected to all the dwellings??

... and would you really expect people in sheltered accommodation to test their own detectors???

[Tadees]

Are you taking about standalone smoke alarms as in a 5839 pt 6 systems or are we talking about something with an indicator panel and central point of control connected to all the dwellings??

... and would you really expect people in sheltered accommodation to test their own detectors???

Standalone smoke detectors linked to ARC

[David Rooney]

Annexe D of BS 5839 pt 6: 2013 has all sorts of suggestions but all depending on your situation ... presumably a block of sheltered flats?

Does the alarm go to an agency of sorts that opens up voice communications to the resident or is this direct to an ARC?

In practical terms I can only think of telling the agent / ARC you are going to test and take the system off line - but if you've got dozens of flats and asking elderly residents to do this then I foresee several problems !!

Or you have an isolation facility but again, this needs to come back on automatically after a short period.

Or you employ someone specifically to carry out the weekly test as you might employ a firm to do the weekly call point test on fire system where there is no on site responsible person?

 

[Tadees]

The fire alarm and the social alarm go to the same place.  A 2 way communication system is then opened up with Aunty Dorothy.  She has an accessible test switch as does all the other residents

[David Rooney]

Well if the residents are capable of testing their own alarms can they not call the social alarm group via a pull cord and tell them they are going to test the alarms and to confirm receipt of the signal but not call the fire brigade ??

[colin todd]

Exactly, Mickey.