Do I need a Fire Alarm Zone Plan?
If your premises have a fire alarm, then you should have a Fire Alarm Zone Plan. Even if your buildings & fire alarm are small, all non-domestic buildings with a fire alarm need a Fire Alarm Zone Plan. Your Fire Alarm Zone plan should be displayed clearly to be compliant.
Why do I need a Fire Alarm Zone Plan?
In accordance with BS5839-1:2017, all buildings with a fire alarm system must have an up-to-date, accurate fire alarm zone plan. They are required on every system of any size; if a suitable zone plan is not displayed on an existing installation, fire safety is being compromised.
It is a mandatory requirement to have an up to date, clear & accurate Fire Alarm Zone Plan adjacent to your Fire Alarm Control Panel & any repeater panels you have in your premises.
What are Fire Alarm Zone Plans For?
The Zone Plan is to assist building occupants & the emergency services to identify the specific locations in a building. The Zone Plans also help the Fire Services to understand your premises layout, which can be critical in an emergency situation.
The Fire Alarm Zone Plan is a clear map of the building, to help anyone who needs to understand the layout of the building.
All plans should clearly show:
- The layout of the building
- Any different levels
- Fire Exits
- ‘You Are Here’ signs
- Circulation areas (such as corridors, stairs & lifts)
BS 5839-6 sets out the latest recommendations for fire detection & fire alarm systems in both new & existing domestic premises in order to make them safer to live in.
The latest revision has been published as BS 5839-6:2019 Fire detection & fire alarm systems for buildings Part 6: Code of practice for the design, installation, commissioning & maintenance of fire detection & fire alarm systems in domestic premises.
New recommendations have been added for fire detection in supported housing in particular, whilst revised guidance on the installation of communal fire alarm systems in purpose-built blocks of flats has also been introduced.
Fire detection & alarm systems substantially reduce the risk of death or serious injury from fire; the fire fatality rate is between two & three times greater in premises where a smoke detector isn’t working or present.
Who is this standard for?
- Architects & other building professionals
- Enforcing authorities
- Installers
- Commercial Sector, Housing Sector & Public Sector premises
- Others responsible for implementing fire precautions in domestic premises
Why should you use this standard?
BS5839 Part 1 -6 gives recommendations on planning, design, installation, commissioning & maintenance of fire detection & fire alarm systems in domestic premises that are:
a) Designed to accommodate a single family
b) Houses in multiple occupation that comprise a number of self-contained units, each designed to accommodate a single family
c) Sheltered housing, including both the dwelling units & the common areas
The recommendations apply to both new & existing domestic premises & recommendations for routine attention are also given.
The systems covered range from those comprising a single self-contained smoke alarm to systems of the type described in BS 5839-1.
The recommendations in Part 6 may also be applied to the fire detection components of combined domestic fire & intruder alarm systems or fire & social alarm systems.
Note that the recommendations refer principally to fire detection & fire alarm systems installed for the purpose of life safety, however, recommendations are given for systems that are also intended to protect property.
How can I get a Fire Alarm Zone Plan for my building?
When Fire Queen Limited install a Fire Alarm System, we also provide a Zone Plan as part of the installation. If a Zone Plan is not provided, please contact our team to arrange a survey. We can also provide a Zone Plan for existing systems.
Providing an accurate Zone Plan requires all devices connected to the Fire Alarm Panel are proved to their Zone; this generally takes anything from 1 man half a day, to 2 men 1 day to complete & provide a drawing/sketch. This is then sent to a specialist CAD company to check & create the Zone Plan. Following approval, a Framed Fire Alarm Zone Plan is produced, then fitted onsite. The cost for a Zone Plan is inclusive of these actions & the time it will take.
When Fire Risk Assessments are reviewed, this should also include your Fire Alarm Zone Plans. Fire Queen Limited can help ensure your premises are fully compliant by completing your Fire Alarm Maintenance & providing a Fire Alarm Zone Plan.
Contact us to arrange a survey
We have to physically prove every device & its location to determine its Zone is correct,
Please contact our Customer Support Team to discuss a your Fire Safety needs with one of our Technical Advisors.
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