MAINS POWERED SMOKE ALARMS - GRADE E

The Code states that mains powered smoke alarms are potentially more reliable and are recommended to be installed in existing dwellings occupied by people who are unlikely to be able to change a smoke alarm’s battery.

However, mains powered systems have their drawbacks; power cuts or the termination of supply for whatever reason disables them totally. They can also be rendered useless by the tripping of a protective device, or even - in some cases - by the fire itself. Householders may also disable them at the mains all too easily if false alarms are a problem.

MAINS POWERED SMOKE ALARMS WITH STAND-BY SUPPLY - GRADE D

The problems outlined above can be overcome by using alarms that incorporate, within each alarm, a stand-by supply such as a primary or rechargeable battery.

This sort of system should be considered, says the Code, if the reliability of the mains supply is not high, or if the fire risk is likely to be high during periods of failure or disconnection of the mains supply to the dwelling. In new build and tenanted two storey properties this type of alarm is now considered essential.

This begs a simple question of landlords - can they be sure that their tenants are paying their

electricity bills? Given that many tenants may have low incomes (in many local authorities, 70% or more of all tenants are on subsidised incomes), they may well experience periods of disconnection - and yet the landlord could well be liable if the alarm fails to sound because the tenant has not paid his or her bills! Unfair or not, as the law stands, it obviously makes good commercial sense to ensure that

areliable, high quality back-up battery facility is in place.

The minimum back-up duration recommended is 72 hours, and the Code acknowledges that there could well be circumstances where

alonger stand-by period is justified e.g. tenants’ inability to pay their electricity bill.

FIRE DETECTORS SUPPLIED WITH POWER FROM A COMMON POWER SUPPLY UNIT

Beyond this, more expensive high specification systems can offer connection of all fire detection devices to a common power supply via low voltage transformers, or interlinked fire and security systems.

Again, a minimum 72 hour back-up is recommended by the Code.

OTHER SYSTEMS

For larger applications, such as mansions and HMOs, or for areas with a high risk of fire, higher grade systems are recommended.

SYSTEM PLANNING

BS 5839: Pt.6 quite reasonably points out that, no matter how good the system is, people will only have an adequate chance of escape if there are enough detectors installed and if the alarms can successfully rouse them from sleep.

SILENCING & DISABLEMENT

The Code is very aware of the grave danger posed by tampering with alarms and their wilful disablement. It acknowledges that false alarms are a major reason why householders disable alarms, and looks at practical steps to help prevent this. Foremost among these recommendations is a built-in method by which alarms can be silenced without the use of a tool of any kind, for example a “Hush” or False Alarm Control button.

The Code stresses the role of specifying “good quality equipment” in reducing false alarms, and makes helpful distinctions between alarm sensor types in reducing sensitivity to environmental factors liable to cause false alarms, such as cooking vapours.

However, the need to avoid false alarms should never take priority over the need for early fire detection.

The 2004 Code says that the high rate of false alarms in dwellings makes it ‘generally inappropriate’ to connect domestic smoke alarms direct to a fire and rescue service. However, it acknowledges that vulnerable people such as the disabled might benefit from such a connection.

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Aico RFD manual Other Systems, System Planning, Silencing & Disablement

RFD specifications

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