Fire Alarm Systems
Modern offices today have a wide variety of fire alarm systems which, as can be seen from this discussion are more often than not, individually tailored and suited to each construct, as such it’s extremely naïve to try to generalize such a wide ranging topic by selecting simply one mixture of system for offices in common although, the following is accurate:
i) Offices can be complex buildings and there can be many people contained therein, therefore it’s reasonable to assume that early detection of a fire is paramount to occupant safety in order to allow ample time to vacate the premises, there ought to also be inclusion for Manual Call points – System Category L1/M (possibility of declassification to L2/M pending risk assessment of workplace layout and usage)
ii) Due to the scale of some office developments, it could be sufficient to say that an open protocol system would be horrendous to co-ordinate 10-15 years following commission. Consequently a closed loop system may nicely be the answer; the price of performing this might nicely be offset by the smooth operation and upkeep of the system.
iii) Due to feasible changes of tenant inside office spaces, it is reasonable to assume that the system is topic to modifications over the years, to be able to make this as easy a job as possible an Analogue Addressable system should be put forward.
iv) The system should be kitted out with Optical Smoke and Heat detectors with integrated sounder bases, VESDA system aren’t cost effective for office developments and Smoke/Heat detectors are much more than adequate for a project of this nature.