FIRE DETECTION FOR
DWELLINGS
• A Short History of Developments in the Use of Smoke
Alarms in the UK, Related to Ongoing European
Developments
• Jason Perrins – Managing Director, Dicon Safety
Products (Europe) Ltd
BACKGROUND
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Started in North America
Role of Brigades
Insurance Companies
King’s Cross Fire
MARKET DEVELOPMENT
• TV Advertising
• National Fire Safety Week
• Early Experience of Social Landlords
FIRE BRIGADE
INVOLVEMENT
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Installation Programmes
Home Fire Risk Checks
Latest Government Funding
Chose Tamper-resistant “Long-Life” Alarms
MAINS POWERED SMOKE
ALARMS
• Solving the Battery Problem
SMOKE ALARMS IN
BUILDING REGULATIONS
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Arrived in ADB in June 1992
Smoke Alarms at Least Mains Powered
One Per Storey
Interlinked
Supplied From Separate Circuit
LESSONS LEARNED
• Social Landlords Adopted Mains Units in Existing
Properties
• Problem of Power Outages
• Cost and Disruption of Separate Circuit
• Many Fitted Alarms with Integral Backup on
Lighting Circuit
BS5839 PART 6
• Drafted by BSI and Industry in 1995 and
Updated 2004
• Provides Code of Practice for Design and
Installation of Fire Detection and Alarm
Systems in Dwellings
UPDATING OF ADB
• Aligned with BS5839 Part 6
• Smokes with Backup Power Wired on
Lighting Circuit
• Heat Alarms in Kitchens
• Loft Conversions
TYPES OF ALARM
• Ionization – Detection, Pros and Cons
• Photoelectric/Optical – Detection, Pros and Cons
• Heat Alarms – Additional Protection
PERFORMANCE – BS5446
PART 1 AND prEN14604
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Sensitivity
Fire Tests
Sound Output
Construction
• Environmental Tests
• Electrical Safety
• Marking and Information
HEAT ALARMS
• BS 5446-2: 2003
• Manufacturers Mix BS5446 Part1
and EN54-5
• Sensible Approach
THE FUTURE
• New Technology e.g. “Smart” alarms and
Wireless Interlinking
• Extending Coverage Has Important Role
• Getting The Message Across: “Smoke
Alarms Save Lives!”