Fire Alarms

[Sparkie30]

Please re read my post, I have no experience with alarms....

I'm sorry mate I was meat to ask Tazz. Just realised.

 

[tazz]

Not a problem, Im sure we can help you out with a few diagrams

 

[ayjay]

i think a 3 day fire alarm course is the way to go! just do it then your set up for installing f/alarms for life

 

[Poult12]

AJ - defo worth doing mate so fully agree with Tazz.
Opens a your eyes to some things that you do need to know if you're touching fire alarms.

 

[Harni]

i think a 3 day fire alarm course is the way to go! just do it then your set up for installing f/alarms for life

Sorry but i don't agree with this. There are so many different systems out there which work in various different ways which you can't just learn about in 3 days. Unfortunately i see a lot of systems that have been worked on by people who don't know what they are doing and some of them are just ridiculous.

I would do the FIA units 1,4 and 5 to start with to give you an insight into whats what and then look at getting on various manufacturers courses (most are free but need to be attended to get the software for the panels). Also, don't forget checking your liability insurance covers you to work on fire alarms.

 

[tazz]

Sorry but i don't agree with this. There are so many different systems out there which work in various different ways which you can't just learn about in 3 days. Unfortunately i see a lot of systems that have been worked on by people who don't know what they are doing and some of them are just ridiculous.

I would do the FIA units 1,4 and 5 to start with to give you an insight into whats what and then look at getting on various manufacturers courses (most are free but need to be attended to get the software for the panels). Also, don't forget checking your liability insurance covers you to work on fire alarms.

Sorry but your going off an a tangent....We are talking about entering into the industry, this is basic install of conventional and addressable systems. The FIA in a 1 day insight into installing systems, not design or commissioning, where software maybe needed. Most of the guys moving into the fire industry, are already sparks, so the course gives them an insight into correct install practices.

 

[Harni]

I know its just that i saw Ayjay's comment and thought i would mention that its not a simple industry to take up which unfortunately so many people seem to think it is. I see a lot of sparks that do full systems from design through to commissioning on their own and some of the time, i could write a big list of issues with it. Slapping a panel up on the wall and a few heads here and there isn't hugely difficult especially for a experienced sparky. Getting it all in and working in the correct way however can be unless you know what your doing.

If you are just talking about basic install of a fire install to someone else's design and someone else commissions it, fair enough, unit 1 should suffice but most seem to go on to doing it all them selves.

Just in my opinion of course

 

[davesparks]

Don't go worrying about ayjays comment.
He appears on threads all over the place and makes little unhelpful and just plain daft comments.

 

[Harni]

Don't go worrying about ayjays comment.
He appears on threads all over the place and makes little unhelpful and just plain daft comments.

Lol fair enough!
Its one of my pet hates with people working with fire alarms and not knowing what they are doing. End of the day, its a life safety system and I've been to sites where alarms haven't worked properly and people have died and its not a nice feeling at all!

 

[uksparks]

Well I only wanted some basic sort of knowledge and enough to go away with so that I have a slight understanding when I come across it.

anyway I have just booked on to Unit 1 and unit 5 at the end of July, this is design for unit 1 and maintenance for unit 5, then in September I'm doing unit 4 which is installation and testing.

then in October I've booked unit 6 which is advanced commissioning. Then in November I'm doing unit 11 which is about BS5839 part 6 for alarm systems in dwellings.

cost a fortune, £240 + vat each, but how I see it, in the long run I'll be a lot better informed and should I ever have to apply for a job etc I should stand a fair chance.

 

[Harni]

The Fia courses are great mate. Very intense but really do give you some good knowledge and you get a nice big book for each course to take away to reference in the future. If i was you though just to get more experience with some of it, get on some of the manufacturers courses. Most of them are free and even if you don't learn anything, you normally get a free lunch lol

 

[tazz]

I know its just that i saw Ayjay's comment and thought i would mention that its not a simple industry to take up which unfortunately so many people seem to think it is. I see a lot of sparks that do full systems from design through to commissioning on their own and some of the time, i could write a big list of issues with it. Slapping a panel up on the wall and a few heads here and there isn't hugely difficult especially for a experienced sparky. Getting it all in and working in the correct way however can be unless you know what your doing.

If you are just talking about basic install of a fire install to someone else's design and someone else commissions it, fair enough, unit 1 should suffice but most seem to go on to doing it all them selves.

Just in my opinion of course

No I understand were you are coming from, and as a BSI trained designer of 20 odd years, have made this point so many times on this forum....so hence the advice always to not just try and install, but get some training in first to understand the principles, and work you way into the industry. Like any other industry, we all have to start somewhere. And as you know, our trade is very short of qualified people.

 

[uksparks]

The only thing with the manufacturer courses is that they are miles away from where I live in Leicester. They are all right down south like Brighton, Poole, Swansea etc, and having a mrs, a 21 month old and a one week old, wanting to go to the south coast for a day isn't too practical.

 

[Harni]

Fair point. The only manufacturers i can think of up your way are Gent or Protec both of which you have to have a funny hand shake to have full access to their kit and training.

 

[uksparks]

Do you have any links to their training course sections on their websites or info at all?