Fire Alarm Installations
Protecting Homes & Business Since 1986
SEAI Registered
After Sales Support
Design and audits of fire alarm systems
Installation of fire alarm systems
Commissioning of fire alarm system
At Lara we design and install our systems to the most current standard (I.S.3218-2013+A1-2019), and we also provide a complete professional maintenance service as is required by law.
Lara can provide an expert fire alarm Design Service which carries full design indemnity insurance. Lara can carry out all aspects of design for both new buildings and existing buildings. We can also carry out design reviews of existing fire alarm systems and determine if the installed system is fit for purpose and meets the compliance standard of the day.
Lara can also be called upon to provide written reports and recommendations in respect of your fire alarm system, should you feel the system is not in compliance. If you would like to know more about this simply contact our office and we will be glad to help
Design and Audits of Fire Alarm systems
Installation of Fire Alarm systems
Lara has been carrying out fire alarm installations, both simple and complex, since 1989 and we pride ourselves on our expertly designed and installed Fire Alarms. All Fire Alarms installed are fully compliant to the national standards authority of Ireland NSAI’s code of practice, currently I.S. 3218-2013+A1-2019. If you are considering a Fire Alarm installation by Lara, we have many reference sites available for viewing in order to appreciate the quality of the finished installations.
Lara has experience in design for all applications such as schools, office buildings, large commercial units and residential apartment blocks, all completed to the highest standard. I note that all Lara alarms Fire Engineers are also fully qualified electricians by trade.
Upon completion of any installed Fire Alarm system, there is the final commissioning stage, prior to the issue of the Certification. The commissioning stages of any fire alarm system is the most important aspect so as to ensure the full correct operation of the system. Lara prides itself in this final process of commissioning both fire alarms installed by Lara or a third party system, as can be sometimes the case. Lara uses the latest software and hardware, in respect to configuring these systems, for example:
- Fire Strategies
- Accurate detailing of the zones and associated devices
- Bell ringing patterns
Commissioning of Fire Alarm System
Regulatory requirements
The current statutory requirements for a fire alarm is set out by the National Standards Authority of Ireland (NSAI), whom define the regulations for the installation of your fire alarm. This statutory regulation is embedded in the 1981 and 2003/2010 “Fire Services Act” which makes this document a legal document and is enforced by a local fire officer.
From its initial inception in 1989, the standards (Code of Practice) have been revised in 2008, 2013 and currently is now on revision 2013+A1-2019. The reference to the current standard is I.S. 3218-2013+A1-2019 and this standard is available to purchase directly with the NSAI.
Often Fire Alarms depend on your buildings “fire certificate” and the system will then be required to be installed on a statutory basis. However for older buildings we can provide you with a complete advisory, design, installation and commission service with the necessary certifications upon completion. Lara have been installing commercial systems since 1989, with our largest networked system to date having 3,000 detectors.
Fire alarm devices
Manual Call Point
Manual call points are a means of raising a fire alarm manually. They are often referred to by similar terms such as fire break glasses or fire call points. The fire alarm standards require that in every circumstance when a manual call point is activated, it must create a full fire alarm event.
Modern manual call points are now designed to be resettable, whereby older buttons required the glass to be replaced when activated. Covers are available for the units and can be placed over the manual call point to prevent accidental activation. This then requires the lifting of the cover first followed by the pressing of the button. In practice this dramatically reduces false alarms.
Two manual call points exist, as illustrated. The red call point this is for fire alarms, whereby the green call point is in fact for the manual releasing of locked doors (access controlled for example) in an emergency. In most cases a key is required to reset any call point after its activation.
Detectors
Detectors form the most important part about any Fire Alarm system. Detectors are used to automatically raise an alarm and to give the necessary time to evacuate safely in the event of an emergency. It is vital that the correct choice of detector is made for a given location whilst also considering the nature of the fire expected.
Fires range from “fast and flaming” to “slow and smouldering”. The detectors required for detection of these type of fires differ greatly. It is essential in the design of the system that the correct detector be installed.
Types of detectors typically range between smoke or heat detectors (these being the most common). Each device has characteristics that must be considered. In certain instances combined detection will be required. Furthermore, addressable smoke detectors are only compatible with addressable fire systems and likewise conventional smoke detectors operate only with conventional systems.
Sounders and Strobes
Fire alarm sounders are the only means with which to raise the alarm in the event of fire. These sounders are manufactured in many shapes/type (wall ceiling, base mounted etc), and can have various output sound levels. There are fire alarm sounders that also combine a strobe light to give a visual indication of a fire for persons whom maybe hard of hearing.
You would also expect fire alarm sounders with a strobe light for example in noisy warehouse(s) or a theatre. I note that the installation of sounders must adhere to the strict sound pressure levels as laid out in the Fire Alarm code of practice (IS:3218:2013:NSAI)
It is recommended (when designing) apart from achieving the sound pressure level (measured in dB), that the sounders should be installed so that there are numerous sounders using a lower volume than that of fewer sounders with a louder volume, which may cause disorientation for an elderly person trying to evacuate.
Control Panels
Fire alarm control panels are available from several Manufacturers but there are mainly two types of system:
- A “Conventional type system” or
- An “Addressable type system”.
At Lara, we generally use the manufacturers “C-tec” and “Morley” for our installations, both of whom offer various conventional and addressable options. Lara has found both these Manufacturers to provide the best quality of product with a large after sales service, and both have expert technical support network in place. These particular manufacturers have a significant presence in the Irish fire alarm market and come well recommended.
