Fire Alarms

As part of your fire risk assessment, you may have concluded that a Fire Alarm is necessary to adequately warn people of outbreaks of fire.

Fire Alarms and warning systems can be broken down into 3 major types:

1. Manual System:
If the workplace is small and open plan, and it is unlikely that a fire could occur without being noticed and detected at a very early stage, then there may be no need to have a sophisticated fire alarm as a shouted warning, fire bell or gong may be sufficient.

2. Electrical System:
In slightly larger premises, where the layout or size of the workplace mean that some people may not hear a shouted warning or simple bell, or, if large numbers of people need to be warned, then an electrical system is likely to be required. Such systems usually contain a system of warning devices (electric sirens, bells or klaxons) which are activated by the ‘break-glass’ type call-point method. This need not include any automatic fire detectors if there are plenty of people about in all areas of the premises, and it is unlikely that a fire could occur without being noticed and detected at a very early stage

3. Automatic System:
In premises where fire could start and grow undetected to the extent where escape from any area of the building may be compromised, then an automatic system is likely to be required. The range and coverage of these systems vary considerably dependant on the premises. These systems are usually designed and installed to recognised standards and codes and consequently expert advice should be sought. Premises where there is a sleeping risk (e.g. Hospitals, Residential Care Homes, Hotels and Boarding Houses, etc) or where parts of the premises are rarely visited or occupied are examples of premises that are particularly likely to need an automatic system.

So is a fire alarm required?

The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 only requires fire alarms and/or automatic detection if these are necessary to give warning in case of fire. If your risk assessment concludes that no automatic detection system or electrical fire alarm system is necessary, this should be recorded (if there are more than 5 employees) as a significant finding in your risk assessment.

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