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Do you install fire alarm systems?

Chris Pearson
Bit of thread drift going on elsewhere, so I have started a new one.


"Do you install fire alarm systems?" - a question which is asked on insurance renewal, but what does it mean?


IMHO, there is a world of difference between providing a mains supply with third core for linking for a couple of smoke detectors and a heat detector in the kitchen on the one hand (i.e. the minimum grade D2 LD3); and a full on panel with separate detectors and sounder etc. (grade A LD2) in a large house. I consider myself perfectly capable of providing the former, but have never attempted the latter.


So where does the threshold lie? I'd be interested in views on certification too please.
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    Sparkingchip:

    Hardwired smoke and heat alarms are a fire alarm system and their installation is within the scope of BS7671, you cannot just ignore them when you are doing an EICR.


    If you are not inspecting and testing the wiring for an alarm system of any type for an EICR you have to specifically state on the EICR that they are excluded from the report and the client needs to get a report from a specialist company.


    How an electrician or inspector could justify not inspecting and testing a mains voltage smoke alarm circuit for an EICR is beyond me, as is how they could inspect and test the smoke alarm circuit but not say that the actual alarms are not fit for purpose, because for example they expired several years ago.


    The heffalump trap here is whether you I&T the alarm system - i.e. does it function as it should? If you are going to do that, you will need appropriate training and PI insurance.


    I suggest that it is sufficient to unclip (a sample of) the smoke/heat alarms and inspect the cable and terminations. Then do IR (if you have not done a whole board check), Zs, and RCD (if fitted and not already tested) on the circuit as with any other circuit.


    As for a panel system, I would stop short at inspecting and testing the supply.


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  • 0
    Sparkingchip:

    Hardwired smoke and heat alarms are a fire alarm system and their installation is within the scope of BS7671, you cannot just ignore them when you are doing an EICR.


    If you are not inspecting and testing the wiring for an alarm system of any type for an EICR you have to specifically state on the EICR that they are excluded from the report and the client needs to get a report from a specialist company.


    How an electrician or inspector could justify not inspecting and testing a mains voltage smoke alarm circuit for an EICR is beyond me, as is how they could inspect and test the smoke alarm circuit but not say that the actual alarms are not fit for purpose, because for example they expired several years ago.


    The heffalump trap here is whether you I&T the alarm system - i.e. does it function as it should? If you are going to do that, you will need appropriate training and PI insurance.


    I suggest that it is sufficient to unclip (a sample of) the smoke/heat alarms and inspect the cable and terminations. Then do IR (if you have not done a whole board check), Zs, and RCD (if fitted and not already tested) on the circuit as with any other circuit.


    As for a panel system, I would stop short at inspecting and testing the supply.


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