Risk Assessment or not

[Chris Houston]

Lots of possible solutions:

Key operated call points
Swab operated call points
PIN code call points with stoppers
Call points in supervised areas
Delayed acitvation and invetigation
Stoppers
Exclusion of the children who activate call points

I would suggest that some means of raising an alarm are better than none.  Fires are schools are fairly regular occurances, especially in this type.  

http://www.sti-europe.com/uk/english/cov-stopper.html

[Ken Taylor]

We've had delayed action MCPs in schools for years. It gives time for staff to investigate and 'kill' the alarm if necessary but also defaults to alarm if this is not done within a pre-set time.

[BHCC]

Thanks for all you comments. I have spoken to the local FO and we are both happy to look into the possibility of delay. His said that he would not be happy with key or fob operated callpoints. He also said that if it could be proved that the installation of callpoints would create a higher risk then it could be possible to do without them.The Fire Risk Assessor still isnt happy with this but I am going to do my own assessment.

Chris, thanks for the list of possible solutions but exclusion is unfortunatley not an option due to these pupils having already been expelled from mainsteam schooling

[kurnal]

If you place a delay on the call points this will need to be declared as a variation on the alarm system commissioning certificate. Usually BS5839 allows for a delay on automatic detection but recommends that if someone operated the call point the alarm should sound within 4 seconds. If it doesnt they may go back into the building to look for another call point.
I think you should put in place a system that would allow investigation very quickly within 1- 2 minutes of an alarm being operated. Radios/ training for staff?-and the system should go into immediate alarm if another device operates- "double knock".
Also if you have a modern adressable system you could perhaps configure  a delay block  on just some call points prone to abuse?

Staff training is obviously paramount and consider if contractors, cleaners, visitors also need to be informed.

[FSO]

Hi All

We have had a similar issue in a new leisure centre.

An accepted solution for this issue was as follows;

 If a detector head is ativated, the alarm will go into 'pre alert' untill the problem is investigated or activation of a secondary device (double knock), or 3 minutes elapsed then the system will go to full evacuation.
The system will remain silent if a call point is activated but a strobe will flash on the unit to indicate to the member of the public that the system has been activated. Again this can be overridden by double knock or after the 3 minute delay has elapsed.

Obviously this system relies on good management and 'on the ball' staff.

In fairness, it does appear to work very well.

Jim