Sheffield City Council has taken a decision to upgrade the fire alarm
systems across its entire housing stock
as part of a major electrical upgrade programme to keep customers
safe. Phase 1 of this work will see over 20,000 properties upgraded
from category LD3 to the higher level of protection, LD2, using Aico
3000 Series Alarms.
Domestic Fire Alarm installation is guided by
BS 5839-6 which clearly identifies both grades of alarm system to use
and categories of protection.
Grade D is the most common and requires one or more interlinked mains
powered alarms, each with an integral stand-by supply. LD3 category,
which is a low level of protection, was the
minimum requirement, but Sheffield City Council decided to move to the
next level up, LD2, in anticipation of changes to the British Standard,
which were released at the end of April.
Jill Hurst, Head of
Housing Investment and Repairs says “we take safety seriously. Trying to
anticipate the forthcoming Part 6 [BS 5839-6:2013] revision, we decided
to install a more comprehensive Category LD2 system instead of the
minimum requirement. Our aim is to help customers keep safe, to better
manage our housing stock and protect this vital and scarce resource.
Early detection of a fire can, in many cases, mean that fire spread is
prevented and property damage is limited – this could also apply to
adjoining property damage. Scottish and Northern Ireland standards now
have LD2 as mandatory, including owner
occupied properties. Installation during our electrical upgrade
programme was an excellent chance to undertake this work in advance of
England catching up.”
A long standing Aico customer and early
adopter of its latest technology, Sheffield City Council, through its
principal contractors, is installing mains powered 3000 Series for this
upgrade, using the Ei3024 and Ei3028 Multi-Sensors. The Ei3024 features
Optical and Heat Sensors
which constantly monitor and analyse smoke and heat levels providing
the best response to all fire types and reduced false alarms. Designed
specifically for use in kitchens, the Ei3028 is Aico’s first Heat &
Carbon Monoxide Alarm providing protection from both Fire and Carbon
Monoxide poisoning.
In
line with LD2, the Council is fitting mains powered Smoke Alarms in
every circulation space on each storey (i.e. hallways and landings), in
the principal habitable rooms and in every access room serving an inner
room, plus a Heat Alarm in the kitchen. All 3000 Series Alarms
within a property are being hardwired together or, where this is not
practical, wirelessly interconnected using Aico SmartLINK RF technology.
In
addition, the Ei3018 Carbon Monoxide Alarm is being installed in every
room that has a fuel burning appliance. Once again, this sees Sheffield
City Council going well beyond the regulations which only requires a
Carbon Monoxide Alarm in rooms with solid fuel burning appliances.
Peter Marr from the Council’s Repairs Policy and Investment Team stated:
“Sheffield City Council believes that the best way to protect tenants
from Carbon Monoxide poisoning is through the provision of an audible CO
Alarm coupled with educating tenants on how to stay CO safe. Since the
start of this programme, a small number of CO instances have been
highlighted and acted upon which has evidenced the wisdom to install;
furthermore, AudioLINK has proved an invaluable aid in these
investigations. Coverage, therefore, is in every room with a fuel
burning appliance (gas or solid fuel, open or room sealed, with or
without flame shut-off features etc.).”
As well as the quality of
the alarms themselves and a whole protection solution, Sheffield City
Council has been impressed with the quality of the support provided by
Aico, as Peter comments: “From this area’s RSM [Regional Specification
Manager]
Paul Cartwright to the Technical Team in the Head Office in Oswestry,
the advice given has always proved to be helpful, frank and trustworthy
which is much appreciated.”
Sheffield City Council is running the
alarm upgrade process alongside its fixed wire testing programme, to
minimise access to property requirements, until 2021.
Aico,
an Ei company, is the market leader in residential Fire and Carbon
Monoxide Alarms in the UK. All alarms are designed and built in Ireland
specifically to meet the UK standards and regulations. For more information please go to www.aico.co.uk or contact Aico on 01691 664100 or enquiries@aico.co.uk.
