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FALSE ALARMS

Statistics

The table below indicates calls made to Dublin Fire Brigade throughout 2003, 2004 and 2005

The problem of false alarms is still an issue in the fire detection industry as system complexity increases and some systems are being installed without due consideration given to their integral reliability. This high incidence of false alarms places an unacceptable burden on the Fire Brigade, and jeopardises lives by misapplying resources.

At each stage of designing and installing a system the responsible person should verify the previous phase to provide a quality control check. This process is even more essential with systems where the design is based upon a set of drawings. In these cases it is not uncommon during final instllation, for the engineers to find a number of changes have occurred during the building design or refurbishment and the paper design does not match the physical reality (such as a location's change of use). It is then very important that the installation engineers make suitable adjustments to the system or refer it back to the original designer.

Installing high quality EN approved products can not only reduce faults and false alarms but can also assist the installer during the critical installation and commissioning phase of project. The use of poor quality products can increase unwanted alarms by:

Shortcuts being taken to meet completion timescales where poor quality products have extended the installation and commissioning phase.

The maintenance of any fire system is important ensuring it functions correctly and within specification to protect life and assets. Age of system, Standards, evironment and quality of installation are all factors on why a system should be maintained.

The fire system should be a passive system for it's entire life (apart from its scheduled tests). It should be a continued reliable operation, 24/7, free of the anxiety and confusion of false alarms, and a key to the protection of buildings and occupants. If all systems have the same criteria as above, then all specifiers, installers and end users should reduce the costs to both industry and the fire-brigade.