YMCA is the largest and the oldest youth charity in the world. YMCA England & Wales focuses on five key areas: family and youth work, health and well-being, housing, training and education, and support and advice.
Their aim is to create positive outcomes with children and young people in their communities which includes;
Their training and education opportunities help people to gain qualifications, skills and employment, and professional advisers give people a safe place to talk and get help through guided groups, mentoring, counselling, and mental health services.
Tecserv UK was approached to install a new fire alarm system in an assisted living complex in Goole, Humberside. The property was formerly a domestic house that now comprised self-contained apartments, laundry rooms, shower rooms, under stairs cupboards, COSHH storage, and separate accommodation for the warden.
The YMCA wanted to upgrade and ensure an appropriate fire alarm system was installed that would sound an alert and be heard by the warden, all residents and the emergency services in the event of a real fire. There was also a desire to minimise the risk of false fire activations and evacuation’s that may be accidently triggered by normal day to day activities such as cooking or showering.
On completion of a fire risk assessment and following consultation with the YMCA and their insurers, Tecserv UK designed, supplied, installed and commissioned a new Gent fire detection and alarm system designed to British Standard BS5839-1:2017 category L2.
A category L2 system is designed for the protection of life, which has automatic detectors installed in escape routes, rooms adjoining escape routes and high hazard rooms.
The system was commissioned with a time delay of 5 minutes to all apartment devices so that any activation from a tenant’s area would allow staff to investigate before a site wide evacuation. Should a further device or call point be triggered within the time delay the system was programme to automatically evacuate throughout.
Appropriate fire detection devices were installed throughout to detect signals of fire and an interface installed to connect with the wardens house and main entrance gate.
Once the system was installed and operating in its normal environmental conditions, audibility tests were carried out to test the sound levels were audible and appropriate for each area.
In order to comply with British Standards BS5839-1: 2017 Section 6 it is essential that all fire alarms are subject to periodic inspection and servicing. Tecserv UK was therefore subsequently appointed to carry out future maintenance inspection services.
Most insurance companies and the Fire Brigade are now insisting that only approved fire specialists install and maintain fire alarm systems.
By having a fire alarm system designed, installed and maintained by Tecserv UK, who are a BAFE approved company, the YMCA now has a quality assured system in place that is regularly maintained by specialist engineers. This means they met their compliance obligations and in the event of a fire, residents will be warned and can be safely evacuated, and damage to property will also be minimised.
Please note Tecserv UK only operate within the United Kingdom – any work outside of this region cannot be considered.
