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Commercial Fire Detection Systems

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Fire, Security & Life Safety Systems

Commercial Fire Detection Systems

There are more options than ever when it comes to commercial fire detection systems, and many methods to try and find fire at the earliest opportunity, and give people the best chance to suppress the fire and prevent damage, injury, and even death.

No matter what commercial fire security system you have installed, Robinsons Facilities Services can provide maintenance services across Yorkshire, to ensure that your system is functioning at its full potential, and that you are not unknowingly putting people at risk.

What is a Fire Detection System?

A Commercial Fire Detection System is designed to find and give an early warning of fire. They use multiple methods to detect fires, which can be caused by everything from lightning to electrical issues, and sound a fire alarm if needed.

Types of Fire Detection Systems

Let’s look at some of the different types of fire detection systems currently being used in businesses across Yorkshire and everywhere else in the UK.

Optical Smoke Detectors

Optical smoke detectors, also known as photoelectric smoke detectors, use a chamber and a light source.

When smoke enters the chamber, it scatters the light. This triggers an alarm.

One advantage of optical smoke detectors is that they are less prone to false alarms than other types of fire detection systems.

Combined Optical and Heat Detector

A combined optical and heat detector is made up of two parts – an optical smoke detector and a heat detector.

The heat detector element is usually a rate-of-rise heat detector or a fixed temperature heat detector.

When the temperature rises above a certain level, or if there is a rapid rise in temperature, the alarm will sound.

CO and Heat Detector

CO and heat detectors are often used together in a commercial setting.

A CO detector will sound an alarm when it detects high levels of carbon monoxide.

A heat detector, on the other hand, will sound an alarm when it detects rapid changes in temperature or sustained high temperatures. The combined CO and heat system can give an early indication of a fire.

Ionisation detectors

These are rarer than they used to be as they are more prone to false alarms.

An ionisation detector has a small amount of radioactive material that passes through an ionisation chamber.

When smoke enters the chamber, it disrupts the flow of ions and triggers an alarm.

Wired or Wireless Detection Systems

Your commercial fire detection system can be either wired or wireless.

A wired system is usually the best option as it is more reliable, and great for smaller premises.

Wireless systems are becoming more popular, however, as they are easier to install and maintain and can cover a larger area. Wireless technology is improving and the alarms should reliably sound when needed.

Why You Need a Fire Detection System

A commercial fire detection system in your building is not optional. You need to ensure that visitors and employees are kept safe. Reasons for a fire detection system include:

  1. Meeting your legal requirements: The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 sets out legal requirements for fire safety in non-domestic buildings in the UK. This includes the requirement for fire detection and warning systems to be installed in buildings where necessary.
  2. Early detection of fire: Fire detection systems are designed to detect the presence of smoke or fire in a building quickly. Early detection can help alert building occupants and emergency services, which can reduce the risk of injury or fatalities and minimise property damage.
  3. Automatic activation of suppression systems: Many fire detection systems are linked to fire suppression systems, such as sprinklers or foam systems. If a fire is detected, these systems can be automatically activated, helping to extinguish the fire quickly.
  4. Monitoring and control: Modern fire detection systems can be monitored and controlled remotely, allowing for quick response times in the event of a fire. They can also be integrated with other building management systems.
  5. Compliance with insurance requirements. Some insurance policies require businesses to have a fire detection system installed to ensure that they are adequately protected against fire risks. Failure to comply with these requirements can result in insurance claims being denied or reduced.

Commercial Fire Detection System Maintenance

Whichever type of commercial fire detection system you have installed, it is important to get it regularly checked by a professional.

Robinsons Facilities Services can provide a comprehensive maintenance service for your commercial fire detection system, ensuring that the system falls in line with BS 5839 regulations.

In line with The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 (RRO), your fire alarm systems should be tested weekly, and checked by a professional every six months to ensure that there are no errors and that the system is reliable if the worst should happen.

We will test all the components of your system, including the alarms, and make sure that they are working correctly. Robinsons Facilities Services can help with all aspects of your fire safety, from risk assessments to sprinkler systems.

Working across Yorkshire, we cover North Yorkshire, West Yorkshire, East Yorkshire and South Yorkshire and offer a fast, efficient response time to all breakdowns and repairs. Contact us today for all planned, reactive maintenance or emergency call out. Call 01423 226578 or get in touch to see how Robinsons Facilities Services can help.

Commercial Fire Detection Systems FAQs

Fire alarm systems can be divided into Heat detection units, Smoke detectors, Carbon Monoxide detectors and those which use multiple sensors to detect the presence of heat and smoke and trigger the alarms.

The UK laws currently state that there must be an adequate fire detection system, which doesn’t necessarily mean a traditional alarm, but there must be a way to detect and aler everybody of the fire.

Usually, a commercial fire alarm will sound when the detector senses that there is smoke, carbon monoxide, or heat, or when somebody hits a manual call point which can also trigger the alarms. This tells everyone that it is time to evacuate.

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