Fire Alarm Design can impact the effectiveness of your fire safety system. Done properly, it can help lower the risk of false alarms.
Your fire risk assessment may highlight the requirement for a fire detection and alarm system in your business premises. There are plenty of people who will throw a fire alarm system in for you. And as the costs of running a business run ever skyward it can be extremely tempting to take the cheapest options. But fire safety is crucial. A carefully designed fire alarm system can save you thousands of pounds in lost operating time, fines and insurance premiums. Properly installed and maintained fire alarm systems provide a fast response to fire. They limit damage to people and property. Ultimately, a well designed fire alarm system could save your business from fire.
How do I ensure a well designed fire alarm system?
It’s a good idea to enlist an approved fire alarm designer and specify that you require a system which complies to BS5839.
Experienced fire alarm designers with up to date training and detailed working knowledge of the standard are ideal. Enlisting such professionals will help you to avoid pitfalls which could lead to false alarms further down the line. Environmental factors, configuration and human error are leading causes of false fire alarm activations. Many of these can be reduced through skilful design.
“Key to the effective performance of automatic fire detection and alarm systems is the correct design, installation, commissioning, acceptance and maintenance process. If the protocols described in BS5839 are followed a false alarm issue is unlikely to occur.”
West Yorkshire Fire & Rescue Service
One small example of BS5839-1:2017’s measures to reduce accidental false alarms is the recommendation for manual call points to be fitted with protective covers. This straightforward measure reduces the likelihood of accidentally pressing the break glass button. Fire alarm design specialists will work BS5839 to ensure that your system is as affective as possible.
Using a third party certificated company can ensure your system meets the standards required for your fire alarm system and help prevent false alarms. It also demonstrates you’re meeting the requirements placed upon you as the responsible person. BAFE highlight the requirement for you to verify that the contractor you employ is certified for the services you require; e.g. if you require fire alarm installation, check your installer holds third party certification for fire alarm installation and not just fire extinguisher servicing.
Keybury Fire and Security are BAFE & NSI GOLD certified for the design, installation, commissioning and maintenance for fire alarm systems. Established in 1982, our team have decades of experience together with up to date training and certification to provide high quality fire and security solutions for your business.


