The ideal Fire Alarm must give the earliest possible warning of a fire, be easy to use, discrete in appearance and provide the user with peace of mind over many years.  A Fire Alarm is a life and building preserving system and therefore, the correct installation of it and adherence to industry regulations is vital.  Frequently it is the fire officer who requires the installation or upgrade of a Fire Alarm.  Regardless of who requests the system, you can be assured of Monitors expertise in the consultation, installation, and commissioning of Fire Alarms to the industry standards I.S. 3218.

Occupants of a building are alerted to a fire by means of sounders and visual indicators, enabling them to leave the premises in safety. Information from manual call points (breakglass), and detectors (smoke, heat etc.) is fed to a Control Panel. The output from the control panel may then activate alarm bells, flashing lights and also operate ancillary equipment such as door release units. For rapid identification of the fire source, detectors and manual call points are arranged in zones, and indicated by lights or text descriptions on the control panel.

The Fire Alarm can be linked to our monitoring station, thereby alerting keyholders and the Fire Service in the event of a fire.

So how many detectors do I need, and where do I need them?

The amount of detectors you will require obviously depends on the size of the building, but it also depends on the type of business, and the level of detection required.



To obtain a Fire Certificate for any new Commercial Building it is a necessity to have a Fire Alarm System fitted to the relevant standards (IS 3218). This very comprehensive standard covers Life Protection to varying levels (L1, L2, L3, L4). "L" or life protection type systems are classified from L1 for the highest risk requiring every part of the premises to be protected by automatic means to L2 where the only areas of recognised and specific hazards are protected, to L3 protecting all escape routes and any adjoining rooms and finally, L4, in which the escape routes only need to be protected.



For example, a hotel requires full coverage or a L1 system. A detector is required in every room, every exit route, and even in the attic. However an office unit might only require a L3 system, with detectors in all the exit routes and adjoining rooms. To clarify what type of system your premises requires, please contact us for a consultation.