What type of fire alarm should be installed in a commercial property

The category of fire alarm that should be installed in a commercial property will be determined by the recommendations outlined in the fire risk assessment which will consider the type of commercial building. The fire risk assessment and the standards set out in Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order, otherwise known as the FSO will determine the category of fire alarm system. Choosing the right type of fire alarm system forms a key part of fire alarm regulations for commercial buildings.

Types of commercial building

In its widest possible context, a commercial building is any registered property used to conduct business and create a profit for the owners or managers of the building. An alternative way to frame the definition is to state that a commercial building is any non-residential premises. More precisely commercial buildings include, but are not limited to:

• Any retail, or entertainment establishment, including public houses.
• Any eatery, dining or restaurant premises.
• Any factory or industrial facilities including warehouses and storage sites, distribution centres or site of manufacturing.
• Any garage or filling station, body shop or vehicle repair site.

Irrespective of the size or type of business, there are strict fire alarm installation requirements for commercial buildings as specified in the fire risk assessment. Each system is designed to fulfil the category as specified in the fire risk assessment which will consider business operations and the design of the building.

In addition, such regulations will require adequate evacuation procedures, which are obviously going to become more complex as the number of employees increases. Fire alarms systems are an integral part of any company’s health and safety policy.

Fire Alarm Categories

Fire alarm categories are determined according to the requirement for life protection and property protection.

Property Protection

The objective of this category is to sound an alert that summons the fire brigade in the early stages of a fire.

• Type P1: Property protection, automatic detection installed throughout the protected building
• Type P2: Property protection, automatic detection in designated areas.

Life Protection

The objective of this category is to protect people from loss of life or injury.

• Type M: Manual system. Break glass call points are installed which are broken manually when a fire is detected to alert people to leave a building
• Type L5: Life safety generally when specific fire engineering solutions are used to resolve a problem. This is a bespoke solution and would normally be used for high risk or to protect business critical equipment such as IT server rooms.
• Type L4: Life safety system, same as a manual system plus; smoke detection on escape route
• Type L3: Life safety system, same as a manual system plus smoke detection on escape route and smoke detection in adjacent rooms.
• Type L2: Life safety system, same as L3 but detection in fire hazard/risk of ignition i.e. kitchens, sleeping areas and other specified areas.
• Type L1: Life safety system, same as Type M manual call points, plus detection installed throughout the premises.

Types of Commercial Fire Alarm

All commercial businesses that employ over five people, must by law have a fire alarm system installed.

Having established the category of fire alarm to be installed, the following are the most common options of commercial fire alarm.

• Wireless Fire Alarm Systems
• Analogue Addressable Fire Alarm Systems
• Aspirating Smoke Detection Systems
• Fire Suppression Systems
• OSID (Open Space Image Detector Systems)
• Public Address and Voice Alarm Systems

Whichever category of fire alarm is specified, its basic purpose is to detect the signals that a fire may be present and set off audible and visual warnings to prompt a response from the emergency services.

This will also prompt the implementation of evacuation procedures that ensure people can exit the building and reach safety as quickly as possible.

If you would like further advice regarding the right fire alarm system to install in your commercial building please get in touch.