Automatic Fire Alarms
Last updated: 03/04/2013
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The purpose of this page is not to tell you
whether you need an automatic fire alarm but to give a few points
to consider before going straight to a fire alarm installer.
An automatic fire alarm is a system of manual
call points, detectors and alarms, wired together and controlled by
a central panel. They are used to provide early warning of fire
when the occupants cannot manually activate the alarm or when early
detection of fire is essential due to the risks posed in the
building.
An automatic fire alarm is not always
required, in fact in some situations it may be
undesirable. A fire alarm should not be seen in
isolation; it should be part of a broader look at the fire safety
solution for the building. This should be guided by the
HM Government Fire Risk Assessment guides. If you unsure about
the fire safety management of your building you should always use a
fire safety consultant. Please see our risk
assessors page for more details
Examples of building that require
automatic fire detection systems: Any building with
sleeping accommodation such as hotels, guest houses, care homes,
boarding schools; buildings with high process risk; buildings with
areas where a fire may go undetected and could endanger
the occupants; buildings with engineered solutions that require
detection to activate them. Automatic detection can be used for
property protection
The Fire Safety Order is concerned
with life safety; unless an automatic fire alarm is required to
protect the occupants of the building it is not required to comply
with the fire safety law. You may wish to install a fire
detection system, above and beyond your legal obligation, to
protect you business.
False alarms
An unfortunate by-product of an automatic
detection system is false alarms. These are alarm actuations caused
by anything which is not a fire. Examples of this are cooking
fumes, steam, exhaust fumes, dust and poor maintenance.
False alarms have a number of negative affects
which are costly to your business and to Cornwall Fire and Rescue
Service. Please see our False Alarms page for information on the
impacts of false alarms and how we respond to them.
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