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Fire detection system design

Fire detection systems are primarily designed and installed to warn about a possible outbreak of fire. The warning provided enables early evacuation, thus protecting life and if possible, initial emergency firefighting may be undertaken to inhibit further spread of the fire.

The fire detection system designer, after doing the risk assessment and consulting with the relevant parties, which may include the legislative authority having jurisdiction in that area, the insurer, the architect, the mechanical/electrical consultant and the owner or occupiers of the building, comes up with a document which, among other things, will have a bill of quantities, specification for the system, category of the system and provides design drawings which will give clarity and direction to the installer on the fire detection system.

The designer of the fire detection system must therefore understand what objective is to be achieved by the system and what considerations to give to each type of building as each building will present different challenges and scenarios. The designer is the one who decides which type of devices need to be installed, where they need to be installed and why they need to be installed there. The design task is therefore critical, carrying a heavy responsibility and should not be taken lightly because any mistake, misconception or ambiguity at this stage will eventually have an effect on the installation and the operation of the system, which may lead to unnecessary loss of property or worse still, the loss of life.

The designer carries a liability for the system design.

Fire standards

SANS 10139 provides guidelines and recommendations for the planning, design, installation and maintenance of fire detection system. Three categories are mentioned in the document:

• Category M systems are manual systems and, incorporate no automatic fire detectors.

• Category L systems are automatic fire detection systems intended for the protection of life. They are further subdivided into L1, L2, L3 L4 and L5 categories.

• Category P systems are automatic fire detection systems intended for the protection of property. They are further subdivided into P1 and P2 categories.

SANS 246 is the South African standard for fire protection of electronic environments and was updated at the end of 2015 with many changes to cater for the complication of ever changing technology being used in computer room environments. Fire detection for computer rooms is becoming a specialised skill with higher air flows and “hot aisle/ cold aisles” configurations and it is important to use the services of designers with experience in these environments.

Please note that it is a legal requirement in South Africa from the Department of Labour for persons designing fire detection systems to be registered with SAQCC Fire as a fire detection system designer. By utilising FDIA companies it provides an element of comfort to end users knowing they comply with these standards.

Feel free to contact FDIA at [email protected] for questions, comments or concerns regarding fire detection system design.

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