Manual Call Points | Types, Importance, Installation, Maintenance

Table of Contents

Long before automatic smoke detectors came into the picture, manual call points were the primary means of activating a fire alarm.

With advancements in technology, we now have fire detection systems that can be triggered by sophisticated detectors and are attached to high-performance audible and visible warning devices and controllers.

Despite that, several properties still rely on these manual call points either as a standalone system or in combination with automatic fire detectors.

Read on to find out what manual call points are, where they are used, why they are important, how much they cost, and much more:

WHAT ARE MANUAL CALL POINTS?

Manual call points (MCPs) are a part of a fire alarm system that helps identify the area where a fire has occurred so that the attention of personnel can be directed to it. One of the key components of manual call points is that they have to be operated by a human.

They are essentially a small box mounted on a wall that contains a button or lever that allows you to manually trigger the fire alarm.

They are installed at various locations to be accessible to everyone on the property and are usually put in a transparent box with proper labelling so that they are easily identifiable during an emergency fire situation.

In the past, manual call points were inside a glass screen and were referred to as “break-glass”, since the glass had to be broken before the switch or lever could be activated.

They are no longer used since the cost of replacing them was high and they were not as safe to use, resulting in the risk of injuries while breaking the glass.

Break-glass type MCPs are now replaced with modern MCPs that have plastic elements and need to be firmly depressed or pulled to activate the alarm. They are also resettable and can be used again and again.

Manual call points are available for conventional, addressable, and wireless fire alarm systems, and there are also specialist systems for applications such as weatherproof or waterproof call points, as well as those operated by a key switch instead of an element.

TYPES OF MANUAL CALL POINTS

There are two main types of manual call points based on how they are activated:

Button type – contains a button that needs to be pressed to raise a visual and/or audible indicator and also to inform about the change in the loop current;
Key type – contains a keyhole in place of a button, which acts as a switch to alert everyone about a fire emergency. It can also be easily reset in case of a false fire alarm.

MCPs also come as wired installations or non-wired temporary installations. Both offer the same level of protection, but temporary MCPs have the added advantage of being easily moved from one location to the other.

Unlike wired MCPs, temporary MCPs run on batteries and have to be checked every now and then to ensure that the batteries are working fine.

MANUAL CALL POINT COLOURS

Manual call points come in three colours and can have more than one function:

Red manual call points – red MCPs are fire alarm call points used to activate the fire alarm, notify the fire services, and trigger the fire suppression system on the property;
Green manual call points – green MCPs are installed right next to an exit and are used to manually release a door in case of an emergency evacuation;
White manual call points – white MCPs do not indicate any particular function and usually come with additional signage telling you what they actually do. There’s one thing that white MCPs are not used for and that is to call the fire services.

IMPORTANCE OF MANUAL CALL POINTS

You may have a manual fire alarm installed on your property after conducting a thorough fire risk assessment based on your property’s fire safety needs and the perceived risk of fires over time.

The need may also be determined based on insurance requirements or recommended by a qualified fire system designer.

Manual call points can be used both as a standalone system and also in conjunction with automated fire detection systems. Their main purpose is to:

Alert everyone on the premises to a potential fire by sounding the alarm;
Start the evacuation process as soon as possible;
Sound the alarm in case the automated sensors fail;
Notify the fire alarm control panel regarding the area where the fire is;
Alert the fire and rescue services of the fire;
Activate the fire suppressant system.

MANUAL CALL POINTS INSTALLATION

From office buildings to construction sites, shopping centres, schools, and shared accommodation, you can spot manual call points almost everywhere.

Every fire alarm system can have multiple call points which are located along the escape routes and fire exits so that the fire alarm can be triggered without slowing down the evacuation process or putting people in unnecessary danger.

When installing manual call points on your property, there are a few things you need to keep in mind. In order to comply with BS EN 54-11 (The European/British Standard referring to manual call points) the fire alarm call points should be red.

In reference to the location of the call points, they must be installed on all final exits and storey exits including entrances and stairwells, and in any high-risk or special hazard areas such as kitchens, so that it is impossible to exit the storey or building without passing a manual call point.

They must be distributed in a building in a way that no one needs to travel more than 45 metres to reach the nearest call point. The distance is measured based on the actual route of a person, taking into account any walls, partitions, and fixings. For high-risk areas, the distance shouldn’t exceed 25 metres.

In areas such as kitchens where food is prepared, it is advised to install call points with plastic elements as the possibility of broken glass must be avoided.

For areas where the risk of tampering and vandalism may be high, such as in banks or bars, the public must not have access to manual call points. The manual points must be concealed and only accessible to staff members and employees.

The use of these concealed call points must always be done after consulting with the fire authorities and in accordance with BS 5839.

The mounting height of the call points must be 1.4 metres (+/- 0.2 metres) above floor level and they should be clearly visible. They must not be completely flushed into the wall so that they can be seen from the side.

In situations where disabled people are expected to operate the MCPs, the height may be lowered after a professional consultation and the agreed height must be documented on the fire alarm certificates.

MANUAL CALL POINT MAINTENANCE

Regular testing and maintenance are just as important as proper installation, which is why you must have your manual call points tested as part of your weekly fire alarm testing procedure.

Realistically speaking, it may not be possible to have all the manual call points tested each week. The testing is usually carried out on a rotation basis where a different call point is tested every week to make sure the system is working as it should.

For instance, if you have 10 call points installed on your property, it’ll probably take you 10 weeks to go through each one before you can repeat the entire process from the 11^th week.

In addition to that, it is the fire warden’s responsibility to perform a daily visual inspection of all the components of the fire safety system, including all the manual call points.

If the manual call points are not working as they should, if the signage has worn off, or if there are any visible signs of damage, the issue must be raised with the building’s management and it must be rectified as soon as possible.

In reference to the entire fire alarm system, whether you have a conventional, addressable, or wireless system, you must have it regularly maintained by a competent person at least twice a year. This is also when the manual call points will be checked thoroughly by a professional as part of their regular maintenance.

A competent person is someone who has sufficient technical knowledge, understands the different types of fire alarms and how they work, is familiar with the makes and models, and has a good understanding of the legal requirements including the RRO and the BS 5839.

COST OF MANUAL CALL POINTS

In general, the cost of manual call points is not very significant and largely depends on the type of alarm and the number of call points you need around the property.

The average cost of a manual call point is around £150, with low-end call points costing £100 and high-end ones going up to £200.

The total cost of setting up the manual call points along with all the other components is, as discussed above, dependent on several factors.

The main factors affecting the total cost include:

The size of your property;
The type and complexity of the alarm system;
The type of connection;
The total time it takes to install.

Manual call points are the initiating devices and part of a complete fire alarm system that is made up of several components that include the control panel, notification devices, wires, and batteries.

The price may vary significantly based on the type of manual fire alarm you go for. You may choose between conventional, addressable, and wireless fire alarms, all of which come at very different price points.

MANUAL VS AUTOMATIC FIRE ALARM INITIATING DEVICES

As the name suggests, automatic initiating devices automatically detect heat, smoke, or fire using specialised detectors and sensors. In simple terms, they raise the alarm without human intervention.

Some of the most common ones include:

Smoke detectors
Heat detectors
Flame detectors
Carbon monoxide detectors

These devices are quick to identify the earliest signs of a fire and allow ample time to respond to it before it gets a chance to spread and wreak havoc.

The biggest difference between manual and automatic initiating devices is that the former requires a human to activate the system whereas the latter relies solely on automated sensors and detectors to do the job.

When it comes to reliability, automated systems are better since they use special sensors made specifically for the purpose of identifying signs of a fire. Some systems can pick up even the slightest and earliest signs of a fire which would oftentimes be impossible for a human to pick up on.

Automated systems are also very useful for areas where there aren’t any humans present, such as dangerous and hazardous areas on the property.

Although automated systems are highly efficient and reliable, they are almost always used in combination with manual call points so that, if in some case, the automated system fails to activate the alarm, there is always the option to do it manually using a manual call point located on the property.

If you are unsure about which type of fire alarm to choose and where to have it installed, the best way to get the right answer is to conduct a fire risk assessment.

You do not have to hire a professional fire risk assessor if you do not wish to, but you need to make sure that whoever carries out the fire risk assessment is knowledgeable in fire safety and can easily identify and eliminate the risks.

It includes 5 key steps:

Identifying the fire hazards
Identifying the people at risk
Evaluating, removing, or reducing the risks.
Recording your findings, preparing an emergency plan, and providing training
Reviewing and updating the fire risk assessment regularly.

If you are still unsure about which type of fire alarm system is right for you, it is best to consult with a professional for expert advice.

CONTACT CALDER SECURITY

At Calder Security, we offer you a comprehensive solution for all your fire safety needs that include professional installation, maintenance, monitoring, and repair.

We understand that every property is different and the specification of the system depends on several factors including the type and size of the building, the number of occupants, and how high risk it is.

We can help you cut through all that and advise you on the best fire detection system for your building that complies with British Standards, HSE, Building Regulations, and Fire Officer Guidelines, in addition to meeting the requirements of business insurance.

We also understand fire regulations and provide professional maintenance checks and reminders for when the checks are due to help you stay compliant with the law. We work fast to restore your fire alarm system to excellent condition and always strive to meet your expectations.

We offer various levels of monitoring via a 24-hour monitoring centre using Dualcom and BT Redcare signalling, which is the most secure alarm monitoring system and the largest supplier of intelligent alarm signalling services in the UK.

If your system starts to malfunction, you can rely on our highly skilled engineers to restore your system to full working order in one visit. We offer a 24-hour call-out service for customers and can also repair fire alarms not installed by us thanks to our extensive knowledge and experience.