Fire detection & Alarms

Smoke Alarms and Heat Detectors

1. Smoke Detectors
2. Heat Detectors
3. Multi-criteria Detectors
4. Smoke Alarms for the deaf and hard of hearing 

Smoke Detectors

Smoke Detectors or sensors, are sensitive to smoke in the surrounding atmosphere. Photoelectric/optical smoke sensors use a Light Emitting Diode (LED) and a photodiode sensing element. Smoke particles entering the chamber cause the LED light to scatter, thus triggering an alarm status.  Ionization smoke detectors use an ionization chamber. Smoke particles entering the chamber attach themselves to the ions, impeding the generated current flow and causing the alarm to trigger.

Heat Detectors

Heat detectors, detect changes in ambient temperature, and send an alarm state to the CIE. Rate of rise detectors which measure the speed with which the air temperature rises and fixed temperature detectors which react when a set temperature is reached.

Multi-Criteria Detectors

These detectors are a combination of smoke and heat sensors and can be addressable or conventional, the difference being their level of communication to the main fire control panel.

Smoke alarms for the deaf and hard of hearing

Smoke indicators for the deaf and hearing impaired take one of two forms; visual, with the use of a beacon; or tactile, in the form of a vibrating pad placed under a pillow. Installation of a visual smoke alarm in sleeping accommodation satisfies Part M of the Building Regulations. The certification is available for the Smoke/Heat or CO detectors, and/or the individual component
parts which make up the kit.

As the only quality mark in this field, gaining the Kitemark will give manufacturers product differentiation and enhanced market reputation. The Kitemark is highly regarded and specified by many local authorities, and will help give manufacturers the competitive advantage with those designing and refurbishing local authority care homes.

With its impressive Smoke & Heat Tunnel capabilities, BSI can offer full compliance testing for CE and Kitemark schemes against the required standards for smoke and heat detectors.  For multi-criteria detectors combined testing can be undertaken. This can be complemented with full compliance testing under LVD and ATEX Directives. Kitemark certification schemes for these products will automatically qualify against CE marking compliance.

Smoke Detectors - BS EN 54-7: 2001
Fire detection and fire alarm systems. Smoke detectors. Point detectors using scattered light, transmitted light or ionization

Heat Detectors - BS EN 54-5: 2001
Fire detection and fire alarm systems.  Heat detectors. Point detectors

• Heat generation up to a classC heat detector
• Software controlled filter paper and aerosol smoke generation
• Automated alarm registering
• Three-phase for heat generation and single phase for smoke generation
• Tests two detectors at any one time
• Data logging throughout the test cycle for repeatability
• Optical and Ionization alarms
• Temperature tests from 0ºC to 55ºC for elevated and depressed temperature cycles

Kitemark schemes and CE marking for smoke alarms and heat detectors .  For further information contact a BSI advisor now.

Sounders or fire alarm devices

Sounders or fire alarm devices are the fire detection and alarm system’s means for alerting the occupants of a building to potential or imminent danger from fire.  Sounders vary in size and shape and the sounder output varies in level, frequency range and temporal pattern, but all must comply with the requirements of the same product standard.

There are two types of sounder – outdoor or indoor use. The main difference between the two being the level of protection against the ingress of water or foreign bodies by the use of rubber seals, exterior housing design and the severity level of environmental tests applied. The majority of sounders are designed for connection to fire alarm system control panels and are usually rated to operate from a 24V supply.

There is however variation across different fire alarm systems and fire alarm equipment manufacturers.

BSI’s reverberation chamber enables testing of sounders to BS EN 54-3 and satisfies product requirements in domestic/commercial markets for size, frequency and sound level.

BS EN 54-3: 2001
The requirements, test methods and performance criteria for fire alarm sounders in a fixed installation – interior and exterior 


 

Kitemark schemes and CE marking for sounders.   For further information contact a BSI advisor now.

Voice Alarms

People often tend to react quicker and more appropriately to clear instruction than the sound of bells or sirens. Voice Alarms incorporated into a fire detection system can relay clear and
precise speech messages, helping to minimise uncertainty and confusion in an emergency situation.

With the introduction of the new European standard for voice alarm control and indicating equipment in 2008, manufacturers of products needing to conform to this standard now have the opportunity to enhance their product reputation and gain market advantage with Kitemark certification.

BSI's testing capabilities

BS EN 54-16: 2008
Voice alarm control and indicating equipment

Kitemark schemes and CE marking for voice alarms.   For further information contact a BSI advisor now.

Manual Call Points

Despite advanced technology, still the most reliable form of fire detection is human observation. For this reason fire detection and alarm systems always include the Manual Call Point (MCP), which allows a building occupant to raise the alarm to evacuate the building.

Whether addressable or conventional the basic principle of operating the MCP, is the breaking of a glass element and pressing a button. The Control and Indicating Equipment (CIE) interprets the signal from the button as a fire alarm signal and enters fire alarm mode. Due to the reliability of MCP use, the signal from it includes an interrupt signal, which means the CIE treats it as a priority signal and temporarily suspends all other activities.

BSI's testing capabilities

BSI can offer full compliance testing for CE and Kitemark schemes against the required standards for Manual Call Points. This can be further complemented with full compliance testing under EMC, LVD and ATEX Directives.

Kitemark certification schemes for these products will automatically qualify against CE marking compliance.

BS EN 54-11: 2001
Fire detection and fire alarm systems manual call points.

Kitemark schemes and CE marking for manual call points.   For further information contact a BSI advisor now.