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Taking fire safety seriously

Security is a grudge purchase, and fire systems are even more so. With traditional security technology, you can control access to a building or campus and view surveillance cameras wherever you are whenever you need to, but fire systems are basically hidden away and forgotten about for years.

Nichola Allan

More accurately, people hope their fire detection and suppression systems can be forgotten, but they will only be overlooked until an emergency arises. Unfortunately, some may find out too late that the security manager’s concerns about maintenance, outdated technology, and insufficient drills were valid all along. (Of course, that does not apply to SMART Security Solutions readers.)

To gain some insights into how fire systems need to be designed, installed and maintained, SMART Security Solutions asked Nichola Allan, MD of G2 Fire, for some insights into the local fire market. G2 Fire provides certified fire detection electronics to professional installation companies in South Africa and sub-Saharan Africa.

SMART Security Solutions asked how seriously companies take their fire safety responsibilities, from prevention to detection, as well as evacuation plans.

Allan says that pressure from fire departments and insurance companies is helping to ensure companies take fire safety more seriously. However, she says there is still a reluctance to look at anything beyond basic compliance. “A lack of expertise with regard to good fire risk planning and sensible prevention still prevails in the industry. It is a large and complex issue with many different areas of specialised knowledge, and it is difficult for a single entity to be an expert in them all. Yet too many claim that they are.”

Points to ponder

In all risk management challenges, it is essential to break the complexity down into manageable chunks. Hence, we ask what important factors should be taken into account when evaluating the fire safety preparedness of a building. This includes office and residential spaces housing multiple tenants or inhabitants, and industrial facilities and factories. Allan offers three critical starting points:

• Early warning and ease of escape. Getting people out of the building safely has to be the number one priority.

• Selection of the right technology is critical. There is a delicate balance between reducing false alarms and having early warnings. Too many multi-tenanted buildings use the wrong technology to avoid false alarms and minimise costs – generally resulting in wasting money on ineffective systems. There is also a trend of too many detectors and insufficient audible warning systems. This is also a false economy.

• Most importantly, prevention is better than cure. So simple housekeeping practices to mitigate potential fire risks are the best start: keeping areas clean, not letting flammable items pile up, doing good electrical maintenance, and clearing areas around the fire fighting equipment.

Following on from the above, what products, solutions or technologies are required to ensure optimal preparedness and the ability to deal with fires that occur and (at the very least) buy enough time to get people to safety?

The answer is that there are a number of options, all important, but the priority of each will depend on the environment. Allans explains that these include:

• Early and appropriate detection. Reliable detection means using the correct technology for the environment, correct audible warnings and easy-to-navigate and clearly marked escape routes. These must be supported by the correct lighting pointing out and illuminating the escape routes, even if there is a power outage.

• The use of voice evacuation should be more widespread as people react faster to instructions rather than general alarm noises.

• Readily available fire extinguishers and people who know how to use them are also an underestimated benefit.

Maintenance is crucial

Maintenance is not just about keeping things looking good, it is about ensuring everything runs smoothly and efficiently. Even if a building has the best equipment installed by the best service provider, maintenance is critical if the system is to do its job over several years. So how often should testing be done to ensure the system will work when required?

Allan says fire safety systems should be checked weekly in a fire drill. “This not only tests the equipment, but makes people in the building familiar with the sound of the alarm, so they know exactly what it is when an emergency does occur.”

She adds that a professional should check the equipment at least every six months, with all inputs tested at least once every 12 months. Moreover, backup batteries should be checked on each visit, and the outputs should be tested, including audibility. “There is no point in the fire panel knowing about a fire if the occupants are not alerted.”

A burning issue

The dangers of lithium batteries catching fire are highlighted in this publication, a global problem exacerbated by the number of lithium batteries installed over the past few years. We conclude the article by asking if those responsible for fire safety have considered the dangers of lithium batteries and prepared accordingly. Do they know lithium fire is not like a ‘normal’ fire?

“Lithium batteries are a hot topic at the moment, and there is general confusion and a lack of consensus on the best way to combat the risks,” Allan says. “Standards and government regulations have not yet agreed on a suitable solution, so it will remain a contentious issue for a while. Technologies will evolve to combat it, but I do not think everyone fully appreciates that it is not a normal fire and cannot be treated as one.

“End users need to be cautious not to overspend on falsely advertised magical solutions to the problem, and should always carry out independent research before parting with their hard-earned money.”

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