Whether accidental or started on purpose, fire risks in school are extremely high - especially when you take into consideration the various materials and equipment that can catalyse the rate at which a fire could spread. From paper learning materials to chemicals in science labs to the electronics in IT suites, potential fire outbreaks are a serious safety threat in school environments.
As such, it’s essential that the necessary precautionary measures are put into place in order to not only minimise these risks from occurring in the first place, but to minimise the damage that is caused should a fire break out. This is where a fire alarm system comes in.
Keep reading as we discuss why these systems are so important, along with what you can expect from the installation process and tips for maintaining these systems in your school.
Fire Alarm Systems in Schools: Why Are They Important?
The purpose of a fire alarm system is to detect the presence of a fire and to warn personnel of the threat. Effective commercial fire alarm systems will be able to detect the early signs of a fire, such as smoke and rising temperature changes in a room, allowing them to promptly sound connected alarms. This then offers ample time for evacuation and other necessary fire safety measures to take place.
As you can see, this makes fire alarm systems important for ensuring the safety of all staff, students and other personnel in a school setting. Not only that, but having such a system in place is also a legal requirement in schools, along with a Fire Safety Risk Assessment (FSRA).
The Types of Systems Available
Whilst the general premise of how a fire alarm system works remains the same, there are still different types of systems available, each with slight differences in how they operate.
Three of these include:
● Conventional systems
● Addressable systems
● Wireless systems
Needs Assessment and Design
As previously stated, a FPRA is a legal requirement in all schools. This risk assessment should help to determine what potential fire risks there are and where, which in turn will allow the necessary responsible person(s) to determine the specific needs and level of protection required when choosing a fire alarm system.
Factors to consider will include:
● Building size
● Occupancy level
● Fire hazards
● Local regulations
● Building type
Upon assessing these needs, you should then consult with a qualified fire alarm installer, such as us here at E K Fire Protection, to find a system type and design that will meet the needs of your school. This will involve discusing and choosing between conventional, addressable and wireless systems.
Upon settling on a chosen system, our installers will visit your site and conduct a thorough survey of your school building(s). Doing so will allow them to identify optimal locations for detectors, alarms and other components of the system.
Ensuring Necessary Compliance
Before installation takes place, it’s highly recommended to check your local fire safety codes to ensure that the system you plan on installing complies with these. On top of that, you’ll want to contact your school’s insurance company and check whether they have any specific requirements for the fire alarm system you have installed.
This is important to ensure that your insurance will be valid in the event that you do need to make a claim for fire damage in the future. Not only that, but depending on the type of system that you have installed and how comprehensive it is, it may have the potential to lower your school’s insurance premiums - which is an added benefit!
Installation
When it comes to the actual installation of your system, our experienced installers will handle the process with professionalism and efficiency. This will include mounting detectors, wiring the system (if required) and connecting the system to power and notification systems.
After everything has been installed, the system will then undergo rigorous testing to ensure everything is functioning properly. This may involve simulating fire events, then checking the effectiveness of alarm volumes and their response times.
Staff Training
The process doesn’t stop after installation. Instead, staff will first need to be trained on how to respond to fire alarms. For example, they will need to learn and understand the necessary evacuation procedures and the correct process for reporting emergencies.
Certain individuals may also be trained on basic system operation, such as how to perform regular system tests and how to identify system faults, as well as how to disable alarms when there is no longer a threat.
Tips for Maintaining Your Fire Alarm System
Once you have a fire alarm system installed, it’s important to carry out regular inspections and maintenance to ensure it remains in good working order.
This typically includes:
● Performing regular tests
● Replacing batteries
● Identifying and addressing any issues
Detailed records should be kept of any and all inspections, maintenance and repairs. These are not only important for regulatory compliance, but are useful for future reference when it comes to any issues that may present themselves later down the line.
Here at E K Fire Protection, we also offer training courses to help you and your staff refresh your fire safety skills. These courses will teach you:
● How to tackle fires with confidence
● How to understand the properties of fires and how they spread
● How to prevent fires
● The different types of extinguishers
● How to correctly use an extinguisher
This knowledge can help you to stay up to date with the fire safety in your school and better understand how your fire alarm system works, so that you can stay on top of its maintenance and ensure there are always adequate, working fire protection and security measures in place.
Get in Touch
If you’re based in or around Kent and are in need of a comprehensive fire alarm system for your school, then we can help here at E K Fire Protection.
We offer a range of services to help ensure adequate fire protection is in place at your establishment, for fire alarm systems to fire extinguishers and more.
Get in touch with us today to discuss your requirements and to learn about the support and services we can offer you.
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