You know you need to consider a fire alarm for your building, but when do you need to get in touch with a fire alarm designer?
The short answer is; the sooner the better. This might vary depending on your building, but don’t wait. Involving a fire alarm specialist at the planning stage can save you time and and money in the longer term.
A Fire Alarm For Your Building
We know from experience that businesses moving into a new premises most often need to make some alterations to the building. We certainly made adaptations to our new Head Quarters when we moved from Skipton Road to Worth Enterprise Park in 2014. Even if your new premises had a working fire alarm, changes to the building can leave areas without adequate fire protection. If you’re using the building in a different way, or if your insurers have specific requirements, the type of fire alarm you have might need to change.
You might be surprised to know that Health & Safety Executive objected to more than 1 in 3 planning applications last year on the grounds of fire safety. This is much lower than the previous two years when over half of applications suffered the same fate. This improvement is being attributed to improved design. The improved design comes from involving fire specialists at a much earlier stage in the building design process.
Involving fire specialists early on ensures the design of the building includes their expert insight into fire safety. If you’re building from plan, it’s a good idea to contact specialists in fire safety before you get too far into the project. Similarly, for renovations, additions and upgrades, involve all relevant parties at the planning stage to ensure a smooth process and successful project.
“Fire engineers are having to work collaboratively with architects, engineers and designers, rather than being brought in after the planning process to “fix” a design that has been established by planning permission”
Mark Wilson, in “Fire Future Today” 2024
If your building has a fire alarm already installed, it’s important to get it checked over when you move in. Enlist a specialist to ensure you’ve got the necessary coverage for your property, and to carry out any remedial work. The previous owners should pass you any documentation related to fire safety, including the most recent fire risk assessment and documents relating to the fire alarm.
Keybury Fire & Security: The Key to your Fire Safety & Security
Keybury Fire and Security are specialists in Fire Alarm Design, Installation, Commissioning & Maintenance. We hold NSI GOLD & BAFE approvals specifically in these areas. We offer a free initial appointment to discuss your requirements and provide a quotation for fire alarm installation and upgrades. You can book this by contacting our professional team on 01535 661197. We’re perfectly placed to cover the North of England from our Keighley base near the border of West Yorkshire, North Yorkshire and Lancashire.