Fire alarm question

[uksparks]

Hi,

Ive got a job in a law firm to put a load of down lighters in their reception area instead of the existing pendant, it's kind of split across three ceilings and a corridor.

My issue is, there's a fire alarm system installed that they know nothing about and emergency lights, they have been there under a year and don't know anything about it etc.

Anyway, I need to pull the ceiling apart, long story but it's all a flat roof and the jist of it, they have decided to have the ceiling reboarded and skimmed by a plasterer I know, reason is, the ceiling at present is wall papered and I need to butcher it all over to get the lights in as the joists are all in the way of cable routes etc.

So, I need to disconnect two smoke sensors and a sounder, but don't feel happy about doing so as does it then make me liable for certifying that they work once I put them back.

Ill post the photos in a min. What I'm looking for is a bit of advice as I have no experience in alarms. I think they are wired in FP200 or similar looking at it. I don't really want to be removing them and think I should get someone else to do that bit.

 

[uksparks]

See photos

 

[uksparks]

Just to add, there's quite a lot of trunking over the ceiling which feeds the sensors etc, and this needs hiding behind the new ceiling when the new boards go on.

 

[tazz]

Its like anything you touch last, can make you liable....but dont let this put you off, as long as you test and re commission the system when works are completed. Then you have proved the system is operational again.
1. Twist the smoke sensor off the base, this will show what zone it is on by the fault led.
2. if there are only 2 detectors on the zone, disconnect zone wiring an place eol unit back in zone terminals on panel. Or If there are more detectors covering other areas, pull back cables and link out.
3. get all new cables in place, once ceiling is finished, replace detection and eol unit.
4. buy a can of test smoke from wholseller, and test the smokes you have refitted, and issue commissioning cert.

this is the circuits you will be looking at

 

[uksparks]

Thanks, I know it sounds pathetic, but I think I'd rather have someone to hand who knows what they are doing with them more than me, I know it's probably a lot more basic than I think, but having never touched alarms, it would be nice to work with someone on this to move all the cables etc and make sure it works properly when complete, knowing my luck the place will burn down the weekend I do the work and I'll have disabled the system or something!

If anyone is in the Leicester area who fancies sharing a job or something along those lines, PM me.

 

[Nolnoc]

Just do as Tazz says.It's a conventional fire alarm. Once you put back as is,you can't go wrong..

 

[trev]

Just do as Tazz says.It's a conventional fire alarm. Once you put back as is,you can't go wrong..

I think that his idea is the best, get someone in who knows more than him. That way he'll see how it's done and realise that it's a simple thing, next time he'll have the confidence and more importantly the knowledge to do it himself.

 

[Schneker]

Thanks, I know it sounds pathetic, but I think I'd rather have someone to hand who knows what they are doing with them more than me, I know it's probably a lot more basic than I think, but having never touched alarms, it would be nice to work with someone on this to move all the cables etc and make sure it works properly when complete, knowing my luck the place will burn down the weekend I do the work and I'll have disabled the system or something!

Hardly pathetic mate, if your not 100% confident no harm in this. Shadow the engineer, see whats involved and gain confidence for the next time.
Last thing you want is a call in three weeks time saying there's a fault showing on a zone you didn't touch and as you were the last one there..........................................

 

[uksparks]

Yes that's more my concern, I am sure I can do it fine, but its more just incase a cable needs to have more length in it etc as they are being moved slightly.

its not something I have ever touched so ideally a helping hand the first time would be handy.

 

[High Tower]

I'm not a million miles away if you need a hand mate

 

[camerabloke]

yeah same as high tower