RES Record Spring / Summer 2022
RES RECORD SPRING / SUMMER 2022
Our latest newsletter brings you some highlights from the past few months at RES and the Fire Safety Industry.
Our latest newsletter brings you some highlights from the past few months at RES and the Fire Safety Industry.
EMS FireCell is a “comprehensive analogue addressable fire detection solution with a set of features that make it one of the most advanced fire detection systems available – all without the need for cable.”
EMS has a number wireless / hybrid solutions available that can be used for almost any application.
All solutions are full EN54-25 third party approved products.
EMS FireCell is fully scalable from standalone smaller single loop systems through to multi building networks.
It’s “Hub” and “Cluster” infrastructure enables Firecell to be used as a 100% wireless system or as part of a hybrid system.
At the heart of the EMS FireCell Solution is the Taktis Control Panel which features a 7” colour touch screen which provides a powerful yet easy to understand interface.
The Taktis Control Panel enables complex configurations to be setup as well as diagnostic functions to be performed.
Taktis Fire Control panels can be upgraded from 2 to 8 loops, accommodating 126 FireCell wireless devices.
Additional surface mounted repeater panels are also available which can be added around your premises.
Other EMS Fire Control panels are also available in the FireCell range, such as the Syncro AS Control Panel.
A complete range EMS Wireless devices are available to complement the solution such as wireless Smoke Detectors, Heat Detectors, Sounders, Beacons, Call Points, Door Controllers, Radio Hubs and Repeater Panels.
The EMS FireCell Solution is ideal for all customer applications, offering flexibility, reliability – all at a competitive price point.
RES have now successfully installed a number of EMS FireCell solutions using the Syncro AS Panel at various customer sites such as at a Health Clinic and a Residential Apartment block.
We are due to install another system using the Taktis control panel in the Summer 2022.
RES provide comprehensive Fire Detection and Alarm System installation and maintenance services to our customers, and as part of this service we continually strive to offer the latest technology and products to our customers.
Our engineers undertake regular training, either in house or via our suppliers/manufacturers on the technological advancements such as the latest wireless fire detection and alarm equipment available.
In a series of three articles, we will look at three powerful Wireless Fire Detection solutions on offer that we can employ for customer installations.
EMS – FireCell
A comprehensive analogue addressable fire detection solution providing one of the most advanced fire detection systems available – all without the need for cable.
http://emsgroup.co.uk/
Hochiki – Ekho
A new generation of Hybrid Wireless Fire Detection.
https://www.hochikieurope.com/product/ekho-hybrid-wireless
HYFIRE – Taurus
The newest, incredibly powerful and easy to configure EN54-25 wireless system on the market today.
https://hyfirewireless.com/
RES are focused on keeping our engineers informed and trained on the latest solutions available today. As a result, we recognise that certain solutions may benefit customers if different ways, the main reasons being:
Designed and built around the latest standards, Taurus benefits from Hyfire’s consolidated experience in wireless fire protection.
This highly flexible solution is suited to Commercial Properties, Residential Buildings, Highrise Buildings, Healthcare and Education, Hospitality and Catering Facilities, Public and Government Buildings, Schools and Universities, Historic and Landmark Buildings and Temporary Event Sites.
“Taurus ensures unprecedented fire detection performance, application scale and superior reliability. The Taurus wireless platform can easily answer the needs of both small-medium or large sites”
Hyfire’s control panel connects to Taurus translator devices which in turn communicate with up to 128 Taurus wireless devices per each translator. The system is energy efficient and environmentally friendly due to it’s innovative electrical design, ensuring battery management is optimised, giving 10 year battery life on inputs (detectors and call points) and 5 years on outputs (sounders, VADs).
The design of your system is undertaken in Hyfire’s innovative TauREX software, which allows the drag and drop of devices onto your imported floor plan. This process reduces on site install times and provides a complete system overview for easy maintenance.
The Taurus solution uses Hyfire’s Pathfinder technology, which delivers the perfect balance of range and confidence.
RES can see multiple customer applications for this solution for Hybrid installations, where it is more cost effective and practical to install wireless devices across a site.
RES recently completed an installation using the Hyfire Taurus solution – click here to read more.
RES can provide a wide range of Emergency Lights for your business premises. Emergency escape lighting is defined as “that part of emergency lighting that is provided to enable safe exit in the event of failure of the normal supply”.
As well as highlighting fire exits, emergency lighting provides essential illumination throughout escape routes including steps, stairways, changes in direction and fire and first aid points.
The design and placement of Emergency Lighting is subject to BS EN 1838:2013 which specifies escape and standby lighting requirements for businesses in the event of a power failure.
A maintained emergency light is always on and will stay illuminated in the event of a power failure. These lights are usually installed in communal areas such as corridors and stair wells.
A non-maintained emergency light only comes on in the event of a power failure. These lights will usually be installed in areas that don’t need a permanent light source.
LED Bulkhead Emergency Light
Designed to provide emergency lighting and illuminate escape routes during a power cut
Wall/Ceiling Mounted LED Emergency Exit Sign
Designed for ceiling/wall mounting along corridors that form part of the escape route
Round Bulkhead Light
Designed to provide emergency lighting and illuminate escape routes during a power cut
LED Twin Spot Emergency Light
Designed for large or high areas such as escape routes, sports stadiums, high bay warehouse, car workshops, racked areas and railway stations
Emergency Downlights
Emergency downlights are designed to be small and unobtrusive yet highly effective in the event of a loss of mains power.
It is vitally important to regularly inspect and maintain your buildings fire safety equipment. As a business owner, you are responsible for the safety of your building, employees and visitors. This includes the provision of adequate fire safety equipment and systems throughout the building. With more and more businesses returning to the office, it is essential to check that your fire safety equipment is regularly inspected.
Fire Extinguishers need to be inspected and maintained by a competent person once a year in accordance with BS 5306. During these thorough checks your extinguisher is serviced and any necessary repairs are carried out or a replacement is recommended. A basic service would include checking it is in date, hasn’t been tampered with, is in good working order, is the correct weight and pressure and has the correct signage and positioning.
BS5306 recommends that fire extinguishers are tested by discharge every five years (water foam and powder) and refilled or replaced, and every ten years (CO2). CO2 bottles are hydraulically tested at the ten year point, or the extinguisher is replaced.
It is also a requirement to keep a record of all servicing, maintenance and inspections of fire extinguishers.
Outside of the annual inspections, the responsible person for the premises should ensure that a visual inspection is carried out on all fire extinguishers monthly as follows;
RES extinguisher engineers are BAFE accredited (BAFE BS 5306 Part 3- Portable Extinguisher Maintenance).
British Standard: BS 5839 recommends any installed fire alarm system in your premises be maintained by a competent person at least twice a year. This includes detectors, call points and panels. A competent person is someone who has sufficient technical knowledge, understands the different types of fire alarms and how they work, is familiar with the makes and models, and has a good understanding of the legal requirements including the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 (RRO/FSO) and the BS 5839.
Routine fire alarm maintenance checks should be carried out by a competent person and include the following:
RES provide fire alarm regular checks, servicing and maintenance. RES fire alarm engineers are BAFE accredited to BAFE SP203 – Fire Detection and Alarm System Modular Scheme SP203 – Part 1.
Emergency Lighting is covered by BS EN 50172 / BS 5266-8 which provides guidance on the minimum level of testing dependant on the type of site you operate. Your responsible person should oversee the appropriate schedule.
Testing is as follows:
Monthly – Test all emergency lighting systems and ensure all luminaries and signs illuminate and are clean and present. A quick flick test is adequate.
Annually – To check that the lights remain illuminated for their full rated duration.
For safety reasons, the standards advise that the emergency lighting testing should be carried out at times of least risk to the buildings occupants or if possible, when the premises are unoccupied or in unoccupied portions of those premises.
RES provide Emergency Lighting Inspection and Testing, Fault Finding, Repairs and Regular Checks
RES fire alarm engineers are BAFE accredited to BAFE SP203 – Fire Detection and Alarm System Modular Scheme SP203 – Part 1.
It is good practice to regularly inspect that your fire doors function correctly and that it will perform to its designed standard. Fire doors where traffic is high are more likely to be damaged and should be checked once a week/month (dependent on usage) by the responsible person for the property.
Periodic checks should be carried out every six months. Article 17 of the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 (RRO/FSO) makes it a legal requirement to ensure that fire resisting doors and escape doors are correctly installed and adequately maintained in order for them to be fit for purpose.
RES passive engineers are FIRAS Certified for Fire Door Maintenance.
According to FIRAS, fire protection measures can be degraded over time and it is the legal responsibility of the Responsible Person that the fire protection be adequately maintained. It is the responsibility of the responsible person to ensure that regular inspection takes place. Fire stopping is the compartmentation of a building bounded by fire resisting elements such as walls, floors and ceilings. Fire resisting elements are used around cables, pipes and ventilation systems.
We recommend your fire stopping is inspected every six months.
RES passive engineers are FIRAS Certified for Penetration Sealing (Fire Stopping).
Smoke vents have moving parts such as struts, hinges, pistons and actuators which remain stationary for long periods of time. As a result these systems can be prone to failure or fault. These systems should be regularly checked and subject to two maintenance visits per year to ensure they operate correctly.
RES undertake the servicing and maintenance of Smoke Control / Automatic Opening Vents (AOVs).
BS 9990 requires that Dry Riser systems to undergo an annual static pressure test and inspection and a six monthly visual inspection, by a competent person. This ensures that the Dry riser system is maintained and functioning correctly for the fire brigade at all times.
RES can undertake dry riser servicing, testing and maintenance.
BS 9990 requires that private fire hydrants to undergo an annual test and inspection and a six monthly inspection by a competent person to ensure the hydrant remains ready and in a working condition for brigade use. The Responsible Person should make periodical inspections of all Hydrants on a weekly and or a monthly basis.
This article is for general guidance only, please get in touch if you need assistance
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