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FIRE DETECTION AND ALARM SYSTEM

Introduction

Fire represents probably the single most catastrophic event which a building is likely to experience. It poses risks to property and lives of the occupant. In other words, fires are very destructive, disruptive and pose costly consequences to lives and properties. Its protection requires both risk awareness and the adoption of a good protection system. The one excellent way of achieving this is the use of a fire detection and alarm system.

The two principal reasons for installing a fire detection and alarm system are for the protection of life and for the protection of property. Most buildings however, require both life and property protection to differing degrees.

A satisfactory system for the protection of property will automatically detect fire at an early stage, indicate its location and raise an effective alarm in time to summon the fire fighting forces or activate any fire suppressant system installed within the building.

Also, for the protection of life, a satisfactory system can be relied upon to automatically detect fire early enough and raise both audio and visual alarms while sufficient time remains for the occupants to escape.
 
The full automation for this system assures a quick response to fire although manual activation points are still provided in the system. 

IVORY SYSTEMS is offering both Digital and conventional fire detection and alarm system manufactured by ZETA U.K. Zeta is a leading specialist in protecting life and property against fire. The Zeta conventional system is one of the best solutions for buildings requiring a simple detection system such as office buildings, banks, warehouses, shopping malls, supermarkets etc. The system is fully automated to detect fire early and to raise both audio and visual alarms and at the same time reveal the zone of fire within the building and it is easy to set up and maintain. This thus, covers for both the protection of life and property.

Scope of Proposal

• Design a conventional Fire Detection and Alarm system with high reliability and no possibility of false alarm, at minimal cost.
• Design a Fire Detection and Alarm system which is flexible, easy to operate and absolutely protect the facility against fire risk.
• Ensure that the fire detection and alarm system has facility for user control and easy maintenance.
  

Key Benefits of Solution

• Flexible- Additional Modules and controllers can be added easily to expand the system’s size and capability. Cost effectively manages a range of configurations.
• Cost-effectiveness – Distinctly higher performance and reduced installation and maintenance costs deliver real value for money.
• Simplicity and Ease of Use: The system is user friendly and do not need a high level of expertise to operate.
• All-Round Support from IVORY SYSTEMS SOLUTIONS – The high quality systems from IVORY SYSTEMS SOLUTIONS are backed up with comprehensive maintenance, service and training support. With a wealth of experience in industrial, commercial, leisure and retail applications, communication channels are guaranteed to stay open, and personnel and property remain safe.

Design Considerations

The contexts in which the design process will take place have been defined in two categories:

• The Client’s requirements
• The Characteristics of the site

The need for a satisfactory system for protection of property, people and the intangible asset of the organisation against fire, inspired the design for the Fire Detection and Alarm system for our client.

Accordingly, our recommendations are based on the following:

• Size/Complexity of the project
• Flexibility required
• Degree of  fire protection required

The underlying considerations that run throughout the design of these systems include

• Cost effectiveness,
• Adherence to stipulated standards,
• Aesthetics
• Building management and systems integration.

Design Overview

The system in its simplicity makes use of detectors which are intelligent sensors capable of detecting the occurrence of real fire in its early stage. When there is fire, the detectors send a status report to a control panel which interprets the report and send signals to all sounders, bells and flashers to create an emergency awareness. The system components and their description are as below.

System Control Panel
This is the decision maker of the system. It receives signals from the detectors, interprets the signals and sends the result to its own visual display unit and also to the sounder circuit components. The panel complies fully with the European standard EN 54 Parts 2 & 4 and can be used on installations meeting BS 5839: Part 1.Each panel contains its own integral power supply and battery support up to eight alarm sounder circuits, two auxiliary relay contacts, a zone disablement facility and a one man test and commission facility, all simplifying system design, installation and commissioning.
                                                 
Repeat Panel
The repeat panel is identical to the system control panel but not involved in system control. It only reports the same thing which the main control panel is reporting in another location.

Detectors
Detectors are the first to sense the presence of fire. The control panel depends on their reports to make decisions.  In other words their failure is the failure of the control panel and thus the failure of the whole system. This forms the basis for our proposal for the Gent system which offers the high reliability required.

Two types of detectors are proposed for this system. They are Smoke Detectors and Heat Detectors.

The smoke detectors make use of the smoke produced by fire for their sensitivity as their can be no fire without smoke. The smoke detectors are proposed for every single enclosure in the buildings except for places where the presence of smoke is considered normal e.g. boiler rooms, kitchens and canteen.

In such places like kitchens and canteens where the presence of smoke is normal, heat detectors are suitable and they are being proposed accordingly.

Sounders
This unit incorporates a high-output sounder, audibly alerting the occupants of the building of the outbreak of fire. These sounders are located in strategic places where every individual in any part of the premises will be notified.

Xenon Flashers
The flasher produces a high intensity visual alert in case of fire outbreak. They are also used in interior offices where there is the possibility of not hearing the bell sound. Most importantly one is located in the banking hall to give visual alert to any deaf person which may be present at the instance of fire.

Manual Call Points
The Manual Call Point (MCP) or ‘Break glass” unit enables occupants to raise the alarm if a fire is noticed. It has an in-built microprocessor, which ensures a response time of less than one second. They are located on landings of staircases and every exit in both buildings such a way that nobody has to travel more than 30m to access any one. These are standard considerations for the location of Manual call points.

TYPICAL ADDRESSABLE FIRE DETECTION & ALARM SCHEMATIC