How much does a commercial fire alarm system cost?
A well-designed and reliable fire alarm system is the first line of defence against fire for your business. Regardless of the size or function of your commercial premises, a commercial fire alarm is essential to protect both people and property. In many cases, a functioning fire alarm system is a legal requirement. In nearly every case, the cost and inconvenience of clearing up after a fire is significantly more than the commercial fire alarm system cost. UK businesses need to ensure that they have an appropriate fire warning system in place in any non-domestic premises, which in most cases will be a fire alarm.
How much does a commercial fire alarm system cost, what do the regulations state, and is it possible for a business to reduce the overall commercial fire alarm cost by installing their own system?
What is a commercial fire alarm system?
A commercial fire alarm system is an essential piece of safety infrastructure that is designed to detect presence of fire, smoke, or heat within commercial buildings. They need to be designed and installed, to ensure that they meet the requirements and layout of the building. Unlike domestic fire alarm systems which tend to rely on basic smoke and heat detectors, commercial systems will be more complex and tailored to the particular risks associated with larger premises. They need to take into account greater occupancy levels and higher risks due to the range of materials that may be stored in them.
Commercial fire alarm systems are designed to provide early warning of a fire. They should provide adequate warning to allow occupants to safely evacuate the premises while minimising the damage to property.
How much does a commercial fire alarm system cost in the UK?
The overall commercial fire alarm system installation cost in the UK can vary significantly, with costs typically ranging between £1,500 and £10,000 or more. The overall cost is due to factors such as the property sizes, the complexity of the system required, and whether any specialised components are required.
Typical prices for different types of commercial fire alarm systems are:
- Basic commercial fire alarm systems: £1,500 – £3,000
Smaller commercial properties with simple layouts will only need a basic fire alarm system. This will usually consist of a smoke and heat detectors, a control panel, and manual call points. A basic fire alarm system will typically be installed in lower risk environments such, smaller offices and shops.
- Mid-range commercial fire alarm systems: £3,000 – £7,500
Commercial and other non-domestic properties with more complex layouts or higher fire risks, such as larger retail outlets, hotels, or schools, will require fire systems with more components. They will usually include a greater number of smoke and heat detectors, and additional features such as emergency lighting. Typically, these systems will be interlinked across different areas of the property.
- Complex fire alarm systems: £7,500 – £20,000+
Larger commercial buildings, and those with specific risk factors, such as warehouses, hospitals, or industrial sites, are likely to require more complex installations. These can vary considerably in cost, reflecting the differences in design complexity and components required for different types of installation. Larger installations with increased fire risk will usually require more sophisticated detection equipment, such as multi-sense detectors, and will require integration with other safety systems, such as sprinklers.
If a property requires a fully addressable system, where every call point and detector can be uniquely identified on the fire alarm control panel, then this will incur higher costs.
The prices above are only indicative, and the cost of a fire alarm system at your premises will reflect a range of factors. An experienced fire alarm design and installation company will be able to advise about the most appropriate system for your needs, as well as its likely cost.
Does a commercial property have to have a fire alarm?
The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 sets out the fire safety responsibilities attached to commercial properties. Business and building owners need to ensure that an appropriate fire detection system is in place. In all but the smallest of commercial premises where fires are likely to be quickly detected and verbal warnings may be sufficient, this is likely to be a fire alarm system.
Every business or building owner should ensure that a fire risk assessment has been conducted. The type of detection system that is required will depend on the results of the fire risk assessment. For most medium-to-large sized businesses, and those in higher risk industries, a fire alarm system is likely to be required. Ensuring that your budget can cover commercial fire alarm cost is essential if you are to remain compliant.
Fire alarm systems in commercial premises should also be regularly maintained and tested to ensure that they are in working order and can be relied upon. If a fire should break out at your premises and it’s later discovered your fire alarm was faulty, this can have regulatory consequences for your business.
Can I install my own commercial fire alarm system?
Many businesses when considering commercial fire alarm system installation cost may wonder if it’s possible to save money by carrying out the installation themselves.
While in the home, installing battery operated smoke alarms and heat detectors, is relatively straightforward, this is not the case in commercial premises. While it may be technically possible to install a commercial fire alarm system, it’s not generally recommended.
Commercial fire alarm systems have varying degrees of complexity, different designs, and need to be fail safe. Crucially, to meet your regulatory requirements, the fire alarm system must comply with British Standards, specifically BS 5839-1. This provides a set of clear guidelines for the design, installation, commissioning, and maintenance of fire alarm and detection systems.
Individuals who are not qualified to install fire alarms, even if they have some technical competence, increase the risk of non-compliance with these standards. This may ultimately lead to penalties, and should a fire break out you may discover that you’ve inadvertently invalidated your insurance policies. If you get the installation wrong, the result could be a system failure, jeopardising lives and property, should a fire break out.
To be confident that your alarm system is correctly designed, installed, and maintained, look for companies that appear on the BAFE Fire Safety Register. They will ensure that the system is appropriately installed, and that regulatory requirements are met.
Which factors impact the cost of a commercial fire alarm installation?
There are a number of factors that will influence the overall commercial fire alarm system cost, covering everything from the initial installation and its long-term maintenance. Understanding these factors is essential when setting budgets and understanding what will be required to get the right system for the specific needs of your commercial premises.
These factors include:
- The building size and layout
Larger buildings with a more complex layout, including numerous floors, areas that are infrequently visited, or with a high footfall, will require a more sophisticated fire alarm system to ensure complete coverage. More detectors, wiring, call points, and control panels will all increase the cost of the installation
- Types of fire alarm system
There are different types of fire alarm systems available, and the choice made will impact the overall commercial fire alarm system cost.
- Conventional systems
These fire alarm systems divide the building into zones, and if a fire should break out, the control panel will then indicate the zone where the fire has developed. These systems don’t give the exact location of the fire, making them suitable for smaller buildings where a zonal fire could quickly be located. These systems are usually the most affordable and are often the most appropriate for small to medium sized businesses.
- Addressable systems
Addressable systems allow for a more precise identification of the location of the fire. These are more advanced, and as a result tend to be more expensive to install. These are ideal for larger buildings and higher risk environments.
- Wireless systems
Wireless systems offer flexibility and simplified installation. They are ideal for retrospective installation in buildings where it can be difficult to run cables, such as listed buildings. They tend to be more expensive than wired systems.
- Fire risk level
Some commercial buildings have a much higher fire risk, or where the consequences of a fire breaking out could be even more serious. This might include industrial settings, hospitals, or schools, all of which are likely to require more advanced fire alarm systems. These kinds of settings may also require integration across other fire safety systems, such as emergency lighting or suppression systems. All of these elements will increase the cost of installations.
- Equipment
The more detectors, manual call points, and other components that are required, the higher the overall cost of the equipment and installation. Larger buildings with a higher number of rooms will have higher installation costs.
- Maintenance
Regular maintenance and testing is essential to ensure that a fire alarm system is in good working condition, and businesses should include maintenance costs when budgeting. The maintenance costs can vary considerably depending on the complexity and size of the installation. Some businesses may opt for 24/7 monitoring services, with emergency services being alerted immediately if the alarm is triggered. This will increase the cost of running a fire alarm system, but is recommended for properties that are empty during particular hours.
- Installation costs
Professional installation costs will depend on the layout of the building, the complexity of the system, and the amount of time it subsequently takes to install the system. Any installation that requires modifications or extensive wiring will have higher installation costs. Simpler installations in buildings with pre-existing infrastructure will usually be cheaper.
Professional fire alarm advice, installation and maintenance
At Protive, we provide a comprehensive fire alarm system installation and maintenance service for residential and commercial properties. We can advise about the best choice of system for your property, and then design and install that system to the highest professional standards.
Contact our experienced team for further advice and to receive an accurate quotation.
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