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Fire and rescue services attend thousands of incidents in the UK alone, many of which are typically fire-related.
Fire safety is of utmost importance because of the level of devastation that it can cause. Even if you follow all protocols, not having a good fire alarm system can spell disaster. This is why, if you have been putting off alarm maintenance, this guide will be a great wake-up call.
If you live in an old property that has degraded or obsolete alarm systems, then it’s time that you upgrade them rather than just focus on repairing them. Dragging on an outdated system doesn’t offer any benefit; in fact, it increases risk over time.
By upgrading the system, you can increase safety tenfold and ensure that your property will be protected using the latest fire prevention technologies.
Read below to learn more about fire alarm maintenance, and when you should upgrade or repair your fire alarm system:
A fire alarm system is made up of various components, such as:
The first component is the control panel that connects and coordinates all the components, including the sensors, so that the alarm can trigger during a fire threat.
There are three main types of fire alarm sensors:
All these sensors have the same job and can pick up irregularities such as smoke, heat, and carbon monoxide levels in an area.
When the alarm is armed and triggered, it alerts nearby people using either bells, lights, or horns. If the alarm is professionally monitored, the system will also send out a signal to the Alarm Receiving Centre (ARC) that will forward the request to emergency services immediately.
If you are using an old alarm, then chances are that you have a bells-only alarm installed. This is a classic design that has been in service for decades and is known for its reliability and simplicity.
However, these alarms can wear out and have been replaced in favour of more accurate or sensitive alarms like ionisation or photoelectric sensors. These alarms can pick up on even minute smoke particles, which makes them great for detecting fires in the early, rather than late stages.
While bells-only alarms do not need a lot of repairing since they have simple mechanisms, the mechanical components inside the alarm may wear down due to depreciation. In this case, it would be more logical to just upgrade the alarm rather than repair it.
Think about it this way: repairing a very damaged 10-year-old alarm system that is bound to break down in the future will eventually result in higher costs over time. This is why it’s much better to go with an upgrade.
The upgrade will bring you even more coverage, better sensitivity to fires, and may help you save precious seconds during emergencies.
The decision to upgrade or repair comes down to compliance, reliability, cost, and suitability.
Here is how you can decide on which route to take for your fire alarm system:
Legacy hardware is any old hardware that isn’t widely used or recommended in the current market. These are depreciated products that have been replaced by newer models due to improvements in technology.
Fire alarms have come a long way from the bells-only solution. Today, fire alarm sensors can detect smoke much more accurately and can help you get the most out of your property’s safety.
Generally, you should aim to completely replace 10 to 15-year-old systems. Most alarm systems have an average lifespan of around 15 years, after which they either stop working or are deemed outdated in favour of newer technologies.
After a decade or more, the components degrade, and reliability drops even if the housing and mechanics of the alarm appear okay.
Alarms that become a headache for property owners due to constant breakage or false alarms need to be replaced entirely rather than repaired.
When alarms do not fulfil their purpose or do not work as intended, then you must inspect all similar alarms for faults and replace all of them immediately.
Repeated issues usually indicate that the system is deteriorating, and false alarms are especially dangerous because they can cause your property to lose its response privileges. This is when emergency responders blacklist your property and stop responding to the alarm.
In the UK, if you get three or more false alarms in a year, you will have to fix the issue to reinstate your privileges.
Faulty alarms in general need to be replaced regardless, because their inaction can lead to a lot of damage to your property.
In the world of tech, 10 years is a lifetime. Do a simple search online, and you will find several newer fire alarm models on the market.
Older panels and devices typically become unsupported within a decade by the manufacturer. In some cases, the parts may even become unavailable. Since a single failure could force a full system replacement anyway, it’s better to just go for an upgrade.
Fire systems must meet standards like the BS5839 and the Regulatory Reform Order 2005. Older systems may simply not meet current requirements or coverage standards, especially if they show signs of damage or faults.
Non-compliance can lead to legal risk, which means that going with an upgrade would make much better sense.
If you have had recent changes in the layout of your property, then you might want to see if your current alarm system supports the new coverage. For example, if you have increased the size of the lobby or hallway, then you will have to make sure that your old system covers the new area.
You can also do a quick cost-benefit analysis for the system as well. Start by calculating the overall cost of the system over the years. Your calculation must include all the maintenance visits and repair costs for the system.
If the cost surpasses the initial cost of the system or is about to exceed it, then it’s high time that you upgrade the alarms.
Upgrading can not only help you get better quality alarms with higher coverage zones, but you can also save costs over time.
While upgrading very old systems is the way to go, there are some instances where you can get away with repairs.
Usually, we recommend going with repairs if the system is under 10 years old and shows no faults or has only had isolated incidents.
For example, if a single detector in the entire system shows a fault, then it makes more logical sense to repair the affected sensor. Problems in wiring, batteries, or the sensors warrant a repair so long as the unit doesn’t continuously break down over a period of 3 months.
You should also consider going for repairs if the system is fully compliant and supported. You should easily be able to source spare parts for your system if it is relatively new. If not, then you would have to go with an upgrade.
Whether it’s repairs or upgrades, if there is one thing that is common to both, it’s that they should always be conducted by a professional.
Professional installation will always trump DIY projects, especially with something as important as fire alarm installation.
These alarms can help you save lives and protect your property, which is why you should only have professionals with the right accreditations and certifications install them. Companies like Calder Electrical are capable of not just installing but also extensively testing and optimising the system to make it last a very long time.
Professional installation has several benefits. Let’s go over a few of them:
Providing safety is one of the most important functions of a fire alarm system. Fire alarm systems that are installed using the DIY approach may not be guaranteed to work, and therefore, may not be able to provide you with a good level of safety.
The other benefit of professional installation is that you can also opt for additional services like professional fire alarm monitoring. These services are a great add-on because it ensures that the authorities are informed on time and emergency responders quickly take action.
As mentioned above, if you want a guaranteed and quick response, then going with professionals is the way to go.
Professional installers, like Calder Electrical, use industry-standard practices and tools that help them test systems accurately.
They can perform various tests on either the whole system or just one unit. This ensures a high level of efficiency for the alarms and enables them to work optimally.
Since the alarms will be able to act quickly, you can bet that your property will always get a quick response from authorities.
During a fire emergency, every second counts, which is why you should always opt for accurately and optimally installed sensors!
You might think that professional installation may cost more than a DIY project, but the truth is that if you do the math, you will realise that while professional installation does have slightly higher initial costs, it is much cheaper to have the system installed and maintained professionally.
This is because DIY systems can break down or run into faults. Most people who choose to go the DIY route do not know the industry standards. They may source incorrect or expensive equipment and install it incorrectly.
Over time, you will have to have the system checked and perhaps repaired or changed, resulting in higher costs.
Additionally, a well-maintained and professionally installed fire alarm system can also help lower your insurance costs, and for commercial properties, it can save you from heavy fines during inspections.
Integration is becoming hugely popular due to its immense benefits. Many people choose to upgrade alarms since newer models also support cross-integration.
Integration is when you connect your alarm system to other security hardware in your property, and it works together with other systems to provide even better coverage.
For example, your property may already have a security system including CCTV cameras and access control. If supported, these systems can be connected to maximise the safety and security of the occupants and assets. Advanced fire alarms can similarly be integrated with these systems to work seamlessly in the event of a fire.
By connecting the alarm system with CCTV or access control systems, you can significantly decrease the chances of false alarms. For example, a CCTV integrated with a fire alarm system would provide a clearer picture to the people monitoring the area, giving them valuable information on how to deal with the situation.
In the same way, by connecting the access control system, you can provide access to only authorised people or emergency responders in the event of a fire. The best part is that you can do all of this over the internet, so you don’t even have to be at the location.
Integrating access control systems can also enable you to aid in the evacuation process since the system can automatically open all exits and entrances in the event of a fire.
However, these systems should always be integrated by a professional since setting their parameters is very complex and requires a professional to meticulously optimise and arm each system in a way that they work together harmoniously.
If you attempt the DIY approach, then you might just end up creating logic errors in the software that may cause the entire system of your property to go haywire.
If you own a commercial building, you are required by law to conduct a risk assessment and have in place a suitable fire alarm that is fit for the purpose.
Our experts have been working in the industry for over 40 years and can provide you with a comprehensive solution for your fire safety needs, which includes:
The proper installation of a fire alarm system is just as important as the quality of the system itself and is a complex task requiring expertise in the field.
We can survey your property and determine the best kind of system suitable for your needs, and one that complies with the current standards and regulations. We can then plan and install your system to high standards using only the best quality equipment from our trusted suppliers.
We also offer after-sales care and an ongoing maintenance package after the installation to ensure your fire alarm works in optimal condition, providing you with a system you can depend on and rely on.
Commercial fire alarms must follow strict regulations and guidelines to keep them in good working order, and the best way to stay compliant is to have them serviced regularly.
We have a vast understanding of the regulations in force and can provide you with a high level of service to keep your system healthy and working all the time. According to the law, a fire alarm system must be maintained properly and depending on certain factors, it can be anything up to three times per year.
Contact us here or call us on 0800 612 9799 for more information on fire alarms and when they should be upgraded rather than repaired.
Photo by joey senft on Unsplash
