What to do in the event of a Fire Alarm Activation

What to do in the Event of a Fire Alarm Activation

In simple terms you will have one of two types of fire alarm system.

a) 240V Interlinked Fire System

This system has no main central fire alarm control panel and no break glass call points. This system has a 240-volt electric supply to each smoke or heat detector. Each detector incorporates its own sounder and each detector has its own independent battery backup in case the main electricity fails. If anyone detector is activated then all of the detectors will be activated and make an alarm noise.

As soon as the smoke or excess heat has cleared from the detector that has been activated then all the detectors will stop making their alarm noise.

Please note that you do not have to manually reset this type of fire alarm system.
You do not have to do anything.

In an alarm condition look for an illuminated and continuously red indicator light on one of the detectors as this will be the way that you can identify which detector has been activated.

If your alarm system has been activated, for instance by smoke from cooking, then open your windows and exit doors and put all fans on to ventilate the area as quickly as possible.

Make a note of which detector it is that has been activated and write down the location, the time and what caused the detector to activate. Keep this information safe, as the Landlord/Fire Alarm Engineer may need this information. If you hear an intermittent beeping noise this means that the battery inside the detector needs changing as it will have lost its charge.

You can change the battery yourself which is a very simple job or if you find it difficult you can contact your Landlord.

If you experience numerous false alarms that do not appear to have been caused by a known source then you must inform the landlord as your fire alarm system will need checking over by a fire alarm engineer.

Under no circumstances must you interfere with or disconnect the fire alarm system.

Please read your OMM for full technical details of the fire alarm system.

b) 24 Volt monitored fire alarm system with a main fire alarm control panel and break glass points:

This system is easy to identify as you will find a main fire alarm control panel on the wall in your hallway on the ground floor which is usually located beside the front door. You will also find break glass call points adjacent to all exit doors and at the descent of each flight of stairs.

With this system, if any of the smoker or heat detectors are activated (then all sounders that are situated and built under the smoke heat detectors) will be activated and make an alarm noise.

This fire alarm system will not automatically reset.

To reset this type of fire alarm panel you will need to carry out the following procedure:

i) Enter the Engineer Access Code. This code is printed on the front cover of your alarm panel. You may have an older key operated panel and in this case you should turn the key to the required setting.

ii) You now have to set your panel to SILENCE. This will stop your fire alarm system from making an alarm noise.

iii) You now need to check your property to identify which smoke/heat detector or break glass point has been activated. If a smoke/heat detector has been activated then a continuously illuminated red light will be shown on the actual detector and this is how you can identify that this is the detector that has been activated. If a break glass point has been activated then you can identify this by looking at the glass and seeing if it has been broken. NB: If a break glass point has been activated then please leave the fire alarm as it is in this silence position and contact your Landlord as soon as possible so that a new break glass can be fitted to your panel.

iv) You now need to reset your fire alarm panel. To do this you press the reset button or turn the alarm panel key to RESET.

Please note that you only do this after any smoke or excess heat has been cleared from the area where the activated detector is located. To do this open all windows and exit doors and turn on any extractor fans.

v) You now need to reset the Engineer Code or return the alarm key to its normal position.

You will find ready provided fire alarm activation log sheets adjacent to your fire alarm panel inside a plastic pouch pinned to your wall. Can you please take this sheet out and complete it so that there is a record of all false alarms.

Under no circumstances must you interfere with or disconnect the fire alarm system.