Do you need a fire alarm in a commercial property?
If you manage a commercial property safety has to be paramount. You have a responsibility to your staff and the wider public who may use your building to ensure that risks are reduced and safety prioritised. It is now compulsory to fit a commercial fire alarm system in a commercial property.
If a fire breaks out in your commercial property the consequences can be severe if it isn’t dealt with quickly. Smoke and fire represent a serious danger to both people and property so an early warning of fire is essential.
Business fire alarm systems provide vital early warning of fires and smoke enabling a quick response and evacuation of the building if necessary.
Is a fire alarm in a commercial property required, what is the fire alarm system installation cost and what are the different types of commercial fire alarms?
What are the different types of commercial fire alarms?
The choice of commercial fire alarm system for your premises will depend on its size, layout and any specific requirements of the building. You may also need a different fire alarm depending on the grade of your building. The three most common types of commercial fire alarm systems are:
Conventional Fire Alarm Systems
These are the most common type of fire alarm and are typically found in smaller commercial properties. They divide the building into zones, and each zone is connected to a specific circuit. If a fire alarm is triggered, the system will indicate the general area effected rather than the precise location.
Addressable Fire Alarm Systems
Addressable fire alarm systems will usually be installed in larger commercial buildings. Each device connected to the system, such as smoke detectors, will be assigned a unique address. This means the control panel can pinpoint the exact location of fire or smoke, enabling faster response times and building evacuation.
Wireless Fire Alarm Systems
Wireless fire alarm systems use wireless technology to connect various devices to the control panel. This eliminates the need for extensive wiring. They are highly flexible and suitable for buildings where installation is challenging or in historic properties where the installation needs to be discreet.
What are the fire regulations for commercial buildings?
Current UK fire alarm regulations require all commercial premises to have an appropriate fire detection system. In practice, this means that if there’s a fire there needs to be a realistic means for that fire to be detected and for the building’s users to receive adequate warning.
This doesn’t mean that you are required to have a fire alarm but in practice a commercial fire alarm system will be the most appropriate.
Who is responsible for fire safety in commercial premises?
Whoever controls the commercial premises will be responsible for fire safety in the premises. These are known as the ‘the responsible person’ and can include the landlord, property owner, occupier or employer.
Fire safety in commercial premises will depend on the details of the lease. The lease should outline fire safety responsibilities and, in most cases, the lease will state that the tenant must comply with fire safety regulations. If you operate the business from a property you own, then you will be responsible for fire safety.
If you do not follow your legal obligations in relation to fire safety for your commercial buildings you may be in breach of the commercial lease. This can result in a fine, or in the most extreme case, could even lead to a custodial sentence. If you are entering into a new commercial lease it’s important to ascertain who is the responsible person for the property when it comes to fire safety.
Do all commercial premises need a fire risk assessment?
A fire risk assessment is a legal requirement for commercial buildings in the UK. This is a thorough assessment of the premises to identify potential fire hazards, evaluate risk, and then implement appropriate measures in order to mitigate those risks. It will look at fire detection and warning systems, escape routes, fire extinguishers, and other fire safety provisions.
The assessment should be carried out by a competent fire risk assessor and the findings must be documented and reviewed regularly. If your building undergoes significant changes to the layout, design or usage, a new fire risk assessment will need to be carried out.
Commercial Fire Alarm Systems from Protive Security & Surveillance
Protive Security & Surveillance provide a comprehensive range of Fire Alarm Systems offering open protocol solutions which enable Conventional, Addressable, and Wireless Fire Alarms.
Our expert engineers will guide you from the initial plans and architectural drawings, through to the installation and setup of your system.
To find out more, please fill out our contact form or call us on 01925 661752.
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