S 1.75 Fire detection in buildings

Initiation responsibility: Top Management

Implementation responsibility: Planner

Measures for constructional and technical fire protection, fire detection and early alerting in case of fire are basic measures to protect the health and life of all persons in a building.

In Germany, the applicable building regulations define the required measures for constructional and technical fire protection of a building. The Model Building Regulations (MBR) have been created as an aid to orientation in order to unify the various state building regulations. Furthermore, a fire protection concept appropriate for the size and use of the building must be created.

Based on the use and design of a building, various reasons may cause a fire in buildings. The origin of a fire must be detected as soon as possible and the fire must be fought to protect persons and ensure containment of the fire in time.

Smoke detectors should be used for early detection of fire. Point detectors as per DIN-EN 54-7 "Fire detection and fire alarm systems - Part 7: Smoke detectors - Point detectors using scattered light, transmitted light or ionisation" are commonly used. It is recommended to equip all kinds of building with a sufficient amount of smoke detectors.

Local detectors can be controlled and evaluated via a fire alarm control panel (FACP). Jointly, detectors of any kind and the fire alarm control panel form the fire alarm system (FAS).

It is recommended to use a minimum configuration composed of the following:

• Smoke detectors on the ceiling of all corridors as well as
• Smoke detectors on the ceilings of all technology rooms and rooms containing electrical power components (distribution frames, UPS).
• In case of larger buildings it is recommended to use a FACP that is connected to all detectors.
• If an air conditioning system is present, their ventilation ducts must also be monitored. It must be possible to switch off the air conditioning system centrally via the FACP to prevent distribution of fire smoke within the building.

Correct installation of the smoke detectors in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions must be ensured. Planning, creation and operation of a FAS must be designed in accordance with the requirements of DIN 14675 "Fire detection and fire alarm systems - Design and operation", and must be agreed on between the principal, building supervision, fire brigade and, if applicable, insurance company.

If a fire alarm control panel is present, all notifications of such panel, including the incidence alarms, should be sent to a location that is continuously manned such as the gatehouse.

All smoke detectors and/or components of a fire alarm system must be checked regularly to ensure they function properly. Some of the detector lines should be tested sporadically by hand to ensure they are operating properly.

If smoke is detected, alerting should be triggered in the building; such alerting must ensure that this alert can be noticed by all persons in the building.

It must always be ensured that the intended escape and rescue routes are usable to grant safe leaving of the building. The required width of such routes must not be blocked by furniture or electrical devices such as copiers or printers that represent a significant fire load. In Germany, the minimum width of escape routes is defined in the Technical Workplace Directive ASR A2.3 "Escape routes, emergency exits, escape and rescue plan". It should be checked regularly that the escape routes are usable and not blocked by obstacles.

Review questions:

• Are there sufficient smoke detectors installed in the building?
• Is it checked regularly that the escape routes are free from obstacles?