Fire alarm systems and signing them off ??

[Boberto]

In a nutshell what are the laws/regulations on fire systems. I am getting asked more and more to price a fire alarm system along side power/lighthing work when given brawings by architects and builders. Problem is my fire experience is limited to a couple of small systems when an apprentice helping the guy i worked for fitting them on local pubs.

I know a good lad who can fit them and did work on them full time for large company. But i am concerned about the signing off side. Can it be passed off on a electrical installation certificate or does it require a more official document. Would my company need yet another "approved" badge on the van? I know there are different types of systems... addressable, conventional... What is an L3 system?

Anyone got any links to useful info sites or know of local training centres ( SOuth Wales ) that I can get onto a course with to clue myself up with the regs on this kind of stuff.

Dont want to lose the work over something like the fire system and would rather keep it "in house" if possible rather than sub it out if poss.

Thanks in advance...

 

[tazz]

This subject is coming up time and time again, and the truth is electricians are quite capable of fitting fire alarm systems, the problems arise on the design and commisioning of the said system.
On training we were BSi trained and approved at BSI hq, now everyone is trying to get into the approval status, which is making the job more difficult.

The be all and end all is are you willing to put your signature on the the design, installation, commisioning and handover of a system that protects lives and property. Secondly and more importantly are you fully covered by your insurance to install such a system?

plus the systems offered in most electrical wholesalers, I would not personally recommend installing.

Good caurses such as BS5839 run at BSI house are a good start for design etc, and BAFE approvals are a good warranty of your work, Many other caurses are now available from BAFE and support companies which will give insite into how a fire alarm needs to be designed.

Personally our situation is great, we CAD design for our electriacal contractors, they install cabling etc we supply and commission and everyones happy.

Hope this gives some insite to our industry rarther than an them and us situation,

 

[Boberto]

Where are you based Tazz?

 

[tazz]

Roberto, Based in Surrey, covering South to Northwest

 

[Fenton123]

Hi i want to get a Fire Alarm System for My Home, any one tell me
which is the best Company to get a Fire Alarm System. thanks in Advance.

 

[Engineer54]

Personally our situation is great, we CAD design for our electriacal contractors, they install cabling etc we supply ...(and commission) and everyones happy.

This basically what our contractors do, with the exception of the testing and commissioning, that is done in house, in the presence of the clients Engineer or his representative. But once the system and company has been awarded the contract, they design and supply the equipment according to the design and the contract specifications....

 

[Guest123]

I work on a supply & commision basis, mostly because my local authority specify a certain alarm company to design everything for them and I've always carried out their works.

Works well because they reccommend me and reccommend them.