Having the right fire alarm system installed could not only prevent serious damage to a property, but it could also save lives. In this guide, they discuss the various fire alarm systems suited to office environments.
As a business owner or office manager, the priority is the safety of the staff and visitors to the office. With the amount of electrical equipment in offices, it is essential that users have installed an adequate fire alarm system.
Good Fire Alarm System
Why it is Important to have a Good Fire Alarm System?
- Having an early detection system will give the users a better chance of limiting any damage caused and reduce the risk to anyone inside the office.
- Having good fire prevention equipment in place can lower insurance premiums.
- Failing to supply or keep up to date with the maintenance on the office fire prevention equipment can result in serious fines or even criminal prosecution.
Types of Fire Detection and Alarm system
- Break Glass Units - These are common units that can be triggered manually when somebody is made aware of a fire. These trigger systems appear in all fire systems.
- Optical Smoke Detectors - Optical Smoke Detectors are most commonly found in places that house combustible materials like textiles, wood, and paper.
- Heat Detectors – Fixed Temperate and Rate of Rise - Heat detectors are used in smoky environments or environments that could potentially be exposed to smoky conditions. There are 2 common types of heat detectors – fixed temperature and rate of rise. Fixed-rate will trigger when a fixed level of heat is sensed whereas the rate of rise is designed to pick up sharp rises in the temperature.
- Carbon Monoxide Detectors - Carbon Monoxide Detectors are designed to pick up Carbon Monoxide leaks. Carbon Monoxide is a poisonous gas that has no smell or taste, so a detector is essential.
- Flame Detectors - Flame detectors are used in areas where it is possible to have sudden flashes of flame or heat.
Before buying any type of alarm it is essential that you make sure it complies with the British standard. For self-contained alarms, the standard is BS 5446 Part 1 (2000) and for a full system, the standard is BS 5839 Part 1 (2013). This standard covers the planning, design, installation, and maintenance of the fire detection system.
Best fire alarm system
They can review the property and listen to the needs to help suggest the best fire alarm system for users
So, what is the Best Fire Alarm System for an Office? The type of environment that the system is being installed in will determine the type of system that is required. There is no best/worst system – only the right or wrong system based on the UK standards.
To find out which type of system is best for the office, please don’t hesitate to contact a member of a team here at A.P.E Fire & Security. They can review the property and listen to the needs to help suggest the best fire alarm system for users. Ultimately, corners should never be cut when it comes to the safety of the staff.
Adequate fire safety system
The cost in providing an adequate fire safety system is not only a legal obligation as an employer, but it will also protect the employees and business property should the worst-case scenario occurs.
If users are looking for a trusted and professional team of fire alarm specialists to help protect the property, please get in touch. They’re members of the Fire Industry Association (FIA) and are proudly accredited under the BAFE SP203-1 modular scheme for system design, installation, commission & handover, and maintenance, acknowledging their competency to provide specific fire protection systems to buildings of all sizes.