42 | FIRE DETECTION SYSTEMS UK Fire alarm system categories There are many types of fire alarm systems each suited to different building types and applications. A fire detection system can vary dramatically in both price and complexity, from a single panel with a detector and sounder in a small commercial property to an addressable fire alarm system in a multi-occupancy building. Systems have to protect both buildings and occupants. The categories of fire alarm systems are L if they are designed to protect life, P to protect buildings and M if they are manual systems. A guide to Zoning... • A single zone should not exceed 2,000m² in floor space. • Where addressable systems are in place, two faults should not remove protection from an area greater than 10,000m². • A building may be viewed as a single zone if the floor space is less than 300m². • Where the floor space exceeds 300m² then all zones should be restricted to a single floor level. • Stairwells, lift shafts or other vertical shafts (non stop risers) within a single fire compartment should be considered as one or more separate zones. • The maximum distance traveled within a zone to locate the fire should not exceed 60m. What constitutes a fire detection & alarm system? Fire detection and alarm systems are used to detect and alert occupants in the event of a fire-related emergency. These systems typically use a combination of heat, ionisation smoke, optical smoke and carbon monoxide detection methods. The most secure, efficient fire detection and alarm system will use several of these types of detectors in conjunction with each other. Each detector is either mains linked or is a wireless / radio device that connects with all other detectors, call points, break glasses and sounders/visual indicator devices in the system. This means that should one detector detect a fire, the message is then relayed to all of the other connected devices. These types of fire detection system are mains-powered but incorporate a battery backup for when the main power supply fails. When all alarms and sounders are activated in a fire detection system, it gives the occupants of the premises more time to escape before the exits are blocked or damaged by the fire. Singular alarms will only alert the immediate area rather than the surrounding premises that may also be/become compromised. Fire deaths have been significantly reduced in recent years through the development of better fire detection systems. As a result, response times have also increased and nuisance activations have been lowered. Advances in fire detection technology mean that modern detectors are safer than ever before. t: 0845 884 7000 | f: 0845 884 6000 | w: www.channelsafety.co.uk | @channelsafety | EDITION 7 FIRE ALARMS, PANELS & DETECTORS