Wireless Fire Alarm System

[GB]

I have a client who is being hassled by a big burly inspecting officer in relation to the installation of a wireless fire alarm system in a church building? The IO is stating it must be hard wired?

Does it need to be hard wired? If so / not can you point me to a reference within a giudance document?

Many thanks

[kurnal]

BS5839 part 1 2008 is the current British Standard for fire alarm systems in commercial buildings.

Radio linked systems are widely in use and recognised by the BS, provided it is designed installed and maintained in accordance with BS5839-1: 2008 nobody could object.
In speccing a system, be careful to take account of the temperature in the church and the performance of the batteries used in the radio linked system, cold temperatures used to be a problem for many batteries used in the earlier systems but current battery technology is much better.

[AnthonyB]

I/O meaning Ignorant Officer in this case.......

A decent radio survey is essential prior to going for a wireless system as dependant on the type of construction there may be problems with signal penetration.

But there is no reason why a radio system cannot be used as long as it is effective - choose your brand carefully though!

[David Rooney]

Presumably the IO has just crawled out of his cave.

The latest radio kit is very good and as Kurnal alluded to there is a whole section of the BS dedicated to them.

Some systems meet EN54-25 and some don't, some are completely wireless and some can be hybrid - mixed hard wired and wireless.

Some are expensive and some are not so expensive.

PM me if you want to know anything in particular.

Dave