Fire alarm in bedsits question

[d1scv]

Hi, Bit outside my normal remit.
The builder is converting a house into 8 bedsits. Hall, stairs and landings will be common parts.
What would be the likely requirements for a fire/smoke system.

Would a simple battery backed/interlink detection system suffice or should I being thinking a full blown stand alone system. Regards Tony

 

[ian.settle1]

Hi, Bit outside my normal remit.
The builder is converting a house into 8 bedsits. Hall, stairs and landings will be common parts.
What would be the likely requirements for a fire/smoke system.

Would a simple battery backed/interlink detection system suffice or should I being thinking a full blown stand alone system. Regards Tony

Check with the local council to what they require with it being a house of multiple occupancy, last thing you want is to put in a system to be told it's a no no after installing it.

 

[d1scv]

Check with the local council to what they require with it being a house of multiple occupancy, last thing you want is to put in a system to be told it's a no no after installing it.

Thanks. This is straight to the heart of the matter- a situation I normally avoid like the plague.
'Billy the builders' client does not want to inform or involve any authority.
So my job is to side step all this- and carry out the builders instruction, taking all due care.

 

[gaffer]

Hi ,I had to do a similar job and the local fire brigade prevention officer insisted on stand alone mains operated domestic smoke alarms in each bedroom.Then a commercial system with heat detectors with intergrated sounders again in each bedroom and smokes in all the hallways.Best contact your LFB even just for advice.

 

[Des 56]

Bs 5439-1 Code of practise
Definition of responsibility and exchange of information

Some of the wording of the above paragraph
The system requirements and the use to which the building is put need to be ascertained as accurately as possible by consultation between the user/purchaser and other interested parties,such as the enforcing authority and or fire insurer

If there was a future problem,the builder would claim all the responsibility mmm mmm I cant see that happening
It may be a big risk to take just to cover someone else's tracks

 

[UNG]

Having had a bit of search round on the web there dosen't seem to be a single standard to work to. It would appear that each council sets it's own requirements to comply with the Housing Act 2004 and they do vary quite a bit

I think your only option is to try and find out what the local council requirements are

As requirements vary from an L2 BS5839 Part 1 system to a BS5839 Part 6 system or a mixture of both it would be difficult to guess what any council wants

Emergency lighting may also be required

I would be concerned by the builder / client not wanting to notify the LA. If a system is installed and not properly designed and / or maintained it could come back to bite you if something goes wrong especially if the rest of the building work is done on the cheap and does not meet the necessary fire standards. Your "job" may be to walk away to protect yourself

Bs 5439-1 Code of practise

Do you mean BS 5839-1. I can't find BS5439-1

 

[f1ngerz]

did a job very similar to this not long back for an insurance company, the powers that be classed it as high risk because of the multiple occupants(students). I had to put mains/battery back up/ interlink detectors in every room ( except loos) and heats in kitchens . also has to put test / hush switch to controll everything . Aico gear got me through this! intotal fitted 12 smoke detctors 3 heats and a hush /test sw in a house