Fire Alarm Monitoring

[Phil B]

Fire alarm monitoring
Is it law that I have to have my fire alarm monitored in public buildings
If so, do I have to have a seperate line for my intruder panel and a seperate line for my Fire Panel
Can I link my intruder panel with my fire panel so that they can both be monitored
Can I install a audio sensor above one of my frie panel sounders so that I can then monitor for fire
through my intruder monitoring system
Thanks Phil

[AnthonyB]

No it isn't and half the time the fire brigade won't respond to an automatic signal anyway these days.

Whilst there are some high risk occupancies (e.g. care homes) where for life safety a monitored alarm is usually warranted the original and main reason for monitoring an alarm is property protection to ensure a rapid response out of hours.

A competent person can install a remote monitoring link (fire alarm panels are provided with suitable outputs to link to monitoring lines) and is sometimes done via an existing intruder alarm monitoring line, however there are different resilience requirements for fire and intruder monitoring installations (fire being more onerous).

You need to consult:
- Your insurers
- Your fire risk assessor
- A competent fire alarm engineer (if either of the above state you should monitor your alarm and you are thinking of doing it)

[Phil B]

Thanks for that Anthony, you have confirmed what I thought, I have linked buildings up in the past this way and it has been fine. It is an effective way (and a lot cheaper) to monitor for fire out of hours but you also have to make sure the monitoring station have a procedure for events should they occur.

Thanks again

ATB Phil

[colin todd]

On a point of accuracy, it is, in effect,  a  necessity for compliance with the building regulations in Scotland, which for the moment at least remains part of the UK, that there is an ARC connection from care homes, hospitals and shopping centres. Further, the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service never fail to respond to any such calls, nor is it likely that they ever will do so.

[AnthonyB]

Good point Colin, the side of the border you are on is important sometimes!

Here is a scenario though. Lets say you have a shopping centre development in Scotland with a monitored link installed during build to get it's approval under the Technical Standards.

A few years down the line the owner stops the monitoring contract to save a few quid and gets their assessor to OK it on the basis of 24/7 control room staffing and 24/7 patrolling staff (1 at night, more during the day) with a robust procedure and training. The FRA is suitably amended.

Who, if anyone, could take action for them doing this?

I know of insurers that have dropped their ARC requirements in offices where 24/7 security staffing has been introduced (different I know)

[colin todd]

The tech handbook refers to manned agency, so probably not an issue., but, for care homes with more than the magic 10, and for hospitals, the reference is to remote centre.

[Phil B]

Thank you chaps, a good scenario from Anthony, and a useful insight from the auld enemy  .

[Fishy]

Recommend that you specify that the ARC complies with either BS 5979 (now superseded) or BS 8591 & BS EN 50518, and is of the correct category (according to the risk).

[Graeme]

and don't link through your intruder alarm. I see problems from this arrangement all the time.

[kurnal]

Graeme this twinning up arrangement through the intruder alarm always appears attractive from a cost saving point of view. Please could you give us a short summary of the types of problems encountered?

[colin todd]

They are all on the NSI website, Big Al.  You know NSI, Big Al,  the people who you don't want to obtain TPC from.  Not bad for people who you think just know about QMS.  Don't say they know something about fire that you don't??

[lyledunn]

If you do decide to monitor be sure to make it clear at the panel. It wouldn't be the first time when carrying out a periodic inspection on a system that after putting it in to alert I have had a team of disgruntled firefighters suddenly appear at my shoulder. That despite asking the responsible person if the system was monitored and no tell-tale signs at the panel.

[kurnal]

Anyone got a link to the section of the NSI site to which Colin refers- I have searched without finding anything. Just wanted to share the info with firenetters, didnt expect the spanish inquisition!

[Mike Buckley]

It isn't the Spanish Inquisition its the Scottish Inquisition, far worse, not only do they do everything the Spanish Inquisition did, but they also force you to eat Haggis and drink Whiskey in front of you without giving you any.

[colin todd]

Oh dear, not sure, maybe they have made it accessible only to certificated firms.  Possibly another reason to get your SP 205, Big Al, so you know as much about fire as they do.

Buenos noches senor Grande Al.