Timescales = Consultation – summer 2002 (3 months), Review and amendment – Autumn 2002, Parliamentary process – summer 2003, New legislation effective – Mid to late 2004

The old standard has been updated in line with new technologies, together with what has now been accepted as standard custom and practice over the years. In so doing it has become aligned to LPS 1014, guidance from the FSAB and certification to BAFE¬SP 203.

There are a number of cross references to –

1. BS 5839-6 Fire Detection & Alarms in dwellings

1. BS 7273 Extinguishing systems

1. BS 5839-8 Voice systems for fire evacuation (considered to be a faster response)

1. BS 7807 Integrated systems tied into Building Management Systems

1. BS 6266 Electronic Data Processing Areas

1. HTM 82 Hospitals which may have several level of alarm prior to going to evacuation

The standard` now also includes –

1. Carbon Monoxide detectors

1. High Speed Smoke Detection – Aspirating smoke detection

1. Video which monitors and identifies smoke and flame

The smoke detection systems now include

L1 – Full protection which covers ALL areas = smoke detectors everywhere

L2 – Defined parts = detection only in selected areas

L3 – Escape routes = smoke detection on routes used for fire exits

L5 – Designed to suit specific fire safety objective

The standard places a requirement to exchange information:

1. The purchaser/user

1. The enforcing authority

1. The property insurer

1. The designer/ installer/ commissioner

Such that any variations

1. Must be agreed amongst interested parties

1. Must be listed in the system certificate

4 Certificates will be required for the system - possibly 5, covering -

1. Design

1. Installation

1. Commissioning

1. Acceptance

1. Verification

The level of unwanted alarms (Unacceptable rate of false alarms) has been defined as -

Systems with more than 40 detectors:

1. No more than one false alarm per 20 detectors pa

1. No more than two false alarms per device pa

Systems with less than 40 detectors:

1. No more than two false alarms pa

Alarm output changes =

1. The normal 65db sounder can be reduced to 60db for – stairways, small enclosures, specific points of limited extent and there is no minimum for small areas of less than 1 square metre

1. Visual alarms to be used where the noise level is above 90db, which must be readily visible, will flash between 30 and 130 times per minute, preferably red, intense enough to attract attention, but not cause glare

1. Outputs for person of impaired hearing (vibrating pillows or vibrating pagers)

1. Staged alarms – such as the lower floors of a multi-occupied building can be considered but early consultation with enforcing authorities is necessary and then only where sufficient number of trained staff and there is a requirement to time out

Travel distance to manual call points can be extended to 45m but this may be reduced to 25m where occupants are of limited mobility

Electrical circuits powering the system are to be considered a critical path – and ccurrently only MICC fits the new requirement = (simultaneous heat exposure (830°C), mechanical shock (15mins) and water). There are changes to the power supply, in that it must be -

1. Via isolating device from load side of main incomer

1. Dedicated solely to fire alarm

1. Double pole isolation

1. Batteries to be date marked (max 4 years)

The system maintenance requirements will be:

1. Weekly by user different Manual Call Point every week

1. Monthly by user – Generator test 1 hour

1. By competent person (normally fire alarm company)

1. Determined by risk assessment

1. Maximum 6 months

Whilst the user responsibilities include:

1. A single named person

1. Check fire alarm panel every 24 hours

1. Arrange for testing and maintenance

1. Ensure system log book up to date

1. Instruct relevant occupants/operators

1. Ensure false alarms are limited

1. Ensure MCP are unobstructed

1. Hold spare MCP glasses

1. Investigate, action and pre-alarms

Graham then went on to demonstrate some of the issues relating to HSSD and to show the potential benefits of such a system

138. Normal smoke detectors can be unreliable in high air flows as the air will pass by too quick to register any smoke present, especially where air-conditioning units may be pulling the actual air movement away from the detectors.

138. Some layouts not conducive to maintenance – particularly for high ceiling areas where it becomes exceptionally difficult to gain access to the point smoke detectors

138. Some protection needs very early warning and in particular expensive electronic equipment which if problems can be detected early enough they can be switched off and the problem adequately controlled without loss.

Graham indicated that despite objections by some of the managers associated with some very expensive electronic set-ups, physical fire lit amongst the tall cabinets containing the electronics equipment did not register as a fire and this was again demonstrated in the recent past where a flash fire in a room failed to raise the alarm from point detectors.

However when a system is installed to monitor the air being drawn into the air conditioning units by being drawn into a tube fitted across the front of the air intakes, the alarm can be seen to perform very well. Graham then further demonstrated this by use of a small test-bed unit which registered fire from its first stages purely from an overheated cable which did not even create smoke

Graham then apologised for the speed at which he had had to go through the detail as the content of his presentation should perhaps have occupied more than one session. There then followed a short question session following which graham was presented with a token of appreciation by the Chair.

10.1 Branch: 11 December: Asbestos Action Plan: Elizabeth M Sneddon MIBiol., Cert.Occ.Hyg., LFOH, FFB Asbestos Consultant OHSAS

10.2 District: 6^th November: Good Vibrations: Mr C Collins: C/Chec

Members were encouranged to mingle over a cup of tea and the meeting was closed.