Fire Alarm sensitivity

[WG]

Hi
In a sheltered housing scheme fitted through out with a cat L2 fire alarm monitored, circa early ninety’s (now operating with staff random cover during the day only).

Within the individual flats all rooms are covered, combination of heat in the Kitchen and smoke in living /bedrooms/entrance lobby. We have been told by the engineers to reduce the un wanted false alarms they have re set the heads to a lesser sensitivity (there words) within the flats only.

My question is this possible and wihin the BS?

If so how would this have been achieved just via reprogramming the panel or physically changing heads etc.

I was not aware of such adjustments so folks your thoughts and comments only in relation to the adjustment not interested at this point about other considerations staff/fit for purpose/ evacuation/management etc.

Regards

[WG]

Hi

Forgot to mention this does not fit with L2 in common area +Grade LD 2or3 within flats as described in the CLG Doc. the system was installed as an L2 through out so when activated all in sundrie go walkabout.

Regards

[kurnal]

What type of alarm and detection system is it?

Without going into the analogue/ digital addressable discussions, to keep it simple, with addressable systems the detectors simply monitor the environment and report the temperature or density of smoke to the panel. The panel decides whether there is a fire. So these systems can generally have their sensitivity adjusted, eg the latest  Gent systems generally offer a choice of 5 densities of smoke any of which can trigger pre alarms or fire alarms. 

[David Rooney]

Short answer is yes you can "adjust" the sensitivity of detectors on analogue systems, normally at the control panel but some detectors have dip switches. 

Some manufacturers software will not let you set levels outside of EN54 others will warn you if you try and set levels outside of it and some won't give you a clue....

[WG]

Hi.

Thanks for your replies the system is a Protec Algo 6300 I have obtained the spec data and answers my question.

Thanks again you know what it's like working at home Sunday morning did not know what type of panel etc and read a report telling me they had adjusted the sensitivity.

So I thought "I know a group of people who may help" Brill keep up the great work.

Regards