FIRE DETECTION FOR DWELLINGS

1
FIRE DETECTION FOR DWELLINGS

• A Short History of Developments in the Use of
  Smoke Alarms in the UK, Related to Ongoing
  European Developments
• Jason Perrins Managing Director, Dicon Safety
  Products (Europe) Ltd

2
BACKGROUND

• Started in North America
• Role of Brigades
• Insurance Companies
• Kings Cross Fire

3
MARKET DEVELOPMENT

• TV Advertising
• National Fire Safety Week
• Early Experience of Social Landlords

4
FIRE BRIGADE INVOLVEMENT

• Installation Programmes
• Home Fire Risk Checks
• Latest Government Funding
• Chose Tamper-resistant Long-Life Alarms

5
MAINS POWERED SMOKE ALARMS

• Solving the Battery Problem

6
SMOKE ALARMS IN BUILDING REGULATIONS

• Arrived in ADB in June 1992
• Smoke Alarms at Least Mains Powered
• One Per Storey
• Interlinked
• Supplied From Separate Circuit

7
LESSONS LEARNED

• Social Landlords Adopted Mains Units in Existing
  Properties
• Problem of Power Outages
• Cost and Disruption of Separate Circuit
• Many Fitted Alarms with Integral Backup on
  Lighting Circuit

8
BS5839 PART 6

• Drafted by BSI and Industry in 1995 and Updated
  2004
• Provides Code of Practice for Design and
  Installation of Fire Detection and Alarm Systems
  in Dwellings

9
UPDATING OF ADB

• Aligned with BS5839 Part 6
• Smokes with Backup Power Wired on Lighting
  Circuit
• Heat Alarms in Kitchens
• Loft Conversions

10
TYPES OF ALARM

• Ionization Detection, Pros and Cons
• Photoelectric/Optical Detection, Pros and Cons
• Heat Alarms Additional Protection

11
PERFORMANCE BS5446 PART 1 AND prEN14604

• Sensitivity
• Fire Tests
• Sound Output
• Construction

• Environmental Tests
• Electrical Safety
• Marking and Information

12
HEAT ALARMS

• BS 5446-2 2003
• Manufacturers Mix BS5446 Part1 and EN54-5
• Sensible Approach

13
THE FUTURE

• New Technology e.g. Smart alarms and Wireless
  Interlinking
• Extending Coverage Has Important Role
• Getting The Message Across Smoke Alarms Save
  Lives!