Table of Contents
A fire alarm system is designed to detect the earliest signs of a fire and alert you to the emergency situation. This gives you ample time to respond to the fire and take the necessary steps to minimise the loss of both life and property.
Protection from and prevention of fire is not only important for established and permanent premises but also for temporary properties such as construction sites.
Depending on the nature of work and operations going on in these properties, they are just as vulnerable to fires and require just as much protection.
Since installing a permanent hard-wired system makes no sense in such properties, the best solution for them is temporary fire alarm systems.
Temporary fire alarms are wireless alarms that do not need to be hard-wired into the infrastructure. This makes them easy to move around and, compared to permanent fire alarms that are built into the management system, temporary fire alarms are designed to adapt to the changes in the build.
Read on to find out more about temporary fire alarm systems, where they are used, why they are important, how they are installed, and much more:
WHAT ARE TEMPORARY FIRE ALARM SYSTEMS?
Properties undergoing construction or maintenance are affected by a significant number of fires, which is why these premises must have adequate resources to detect fires and suppress them so that they are prevented from spreading any further.
A good fire alarm system is designed to detect the earliest signs of a fire and alert the occupants of the threat to allow them to evacuate safely and prevent the fire from spreading.
There are different types of fire alarms available and you need to make sure you choose one that meets your requirements.
Every fire alarm is made up of a few basic components that include the fire alarm control panel, detection devices, notification devices, and additional equipment.
When it comes to temporary fire alarm systems, they are designed to be used in temporary premises such as construction sites or during periods of maintenance. They can also be used in markets, fairs, festivals, and other similar gatherings.
Due to the nature of such premises, they make use of temporary fire alarms which are usually battery-powered or manual since mains wiring may not be a viable option given the time and location constraints.
However, in places where the main power supply is easily available, there are also a variety of temporary fire alarms that can be hardwired into the property.
HOW DOES A TEMPORARY FIRE ALARM SYSTEM WORK?
In practice, temporary fire alarm systems work on the same principle as any other fire alarm system, with an aim to minimise the risk of fire and speed up response time during such emergencies.
The key difference lies in their design with temporary systems being wireless and able to be easily repositioned. All it takes is to just install and uninstall the system as required and you should be good to go.
Wired fire alarm systems, on the other hand, may become a hindrance and significantly slow down work. Imagine that everything is ready at a construction site in order to move to the next phase but you have to wait for the wired system to be dismantled and reinstalled before you can move ahead. This not only wastes time and resources but can also leave the property unprotected during the reinstallation.
The absence of wires in temporary systems means easy installation and that no specialised electricians are required to reinstall the systems at a new location.
When used with wireless detectors, the temporary alarm systems can send a site-wide warning alarm to make sure everyone on the premises is made aware of the situation as quickly as possible.
If the temporary property is big, such as a huge construction site or market, getting a message across from one end to another may be a hassle, and that is where these temporary fire alarms come in.
Wireless fire alarm systems, also called radio signal fire alarms, use radio signals instead of traditional wires to connect the call points and detectors to the control panel.
They run on batteries, allowing the components of the system to communicate even in the event of a power outage, though you have to make sure to keep checking the batteries regularly to avoid being caught off-guard.
Wireless fire alarm systems are just as reliable as traditional hard-wired systems and meet the industry standards to ensure you, your property, and everyone in it stay protected.
Using wireless communication, the system can trigger sounders installed all over the property. For places that are noisy, such as construction sites where people may be wearing ear protection, visual warning becomes very important.
A red flashing beacon, coupled with an audible warning siren makes for an attention-grabbing way of alerting everyone on the premises.
REASONS TO CHOOSE A TEMPORARY FIRE ALARM SYSTEM
If you are responsible for the safety of a temporary property such as a high-risk construction site, it may be best to consider a temporary fire alarm.
Choosing the right fire alarm is an integral part of fire safety and a big decision to make. Here are the top reasons you must opt for a temporary fire alarm for your property:
Wireless technology
The wireless technology used by temporary fire alarms offers flexibility, especially considering that the layout of temporary premises such as construction sites is always changing.
A wireless system will allow you to adapt to ongoing developments and make it incredibly easy to move the detectors, call points, and sounders according to your requirement.
Battery-powered
Since these systems are entirely battery-powered, they do not rely on the mains power supply, which may or may not be available in such temporary properties.
They are much more reliable in case of a power shutdown and, thanks to advances in technology, boast a much longer battery life.
This feature makes wireless temporary fire alarms just as safe and reliable as any hardwired system. Just make sure you keep a check on the battery’s health and change them if need be.
Worn-out and discharged batteries will not be able to support the system and will cause it to malfunction or stop working completely.
Quick and easy to install
No wires mean no hassle. By taking out the wires and cables, they’ve essentially taken out any worry related to installation and hardwiring the system into the walls.
The installation process is much easier and takes far less time. This translates to shorter downtime, higher growth, and more cost savings!
Flexibility
The beauty of temporary fire alarm systems is that they can be fitted anywhere, even in locations that are difficult to access. This is due to the system being wireless and having far fewer prerequisites.
In addition to that, they can be installed on mounting boards, giving you added flexibility on where you can safely position the components.
Long-term cost savings
Although wireless temporary fire alarm systems are more expensive to buy as compared to hardwired systems, they are cheaper to install, maintain, and easily move around from one place to another.
They can even be reused for other properties, for instance, other construction sites when work in the current one winds up, and can get you your money’s worth!
Wireless fire alarms are a great choice for temporary locations, but there are a few things you need to keep in mind and be prepared for.
There is a range restriction when it comes to wireless fire alarms, and they might not be the best choice for large areas since they may have issues with information transmission to the control panel.
Also, some wireless fire alarm systems have a dialler system to connect to the fire department while some may simply provide an audible alert. Monitoring services may not be available for them in the same way as for wired fire alarm systems.
TEMPORARY FIRE ALARM SYSTEM INSTALLATION
According to the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Act 2005, all temporary sites must conduct a fire risk assessment and have a functional and effective fire detection and warning system in place.
These fire safety measures may include both temporary or permanent fire alarm systems depending on the circumstances and requirements. You just have to make sure that they are tested regularly and can be relied on in the event of a fire emergency.
When installing sounder beacons, make sure that the warning is unambiguous, distinctive, and audible. Environmental conditions must be kept in mind when installing sounder beacons in especially noisy areas such as construction sites.
To prevent any confusion, regular fire drills must be carried out so that the sound of the warning and the fire drills both are familiar to everyone on the premises.
The placement of the sensors is a very important part of fire alarm safety, and a professional electrician will be able to assess your property and suggest the best installation points.
Hiring a professional ensures that the fire alarms are installed as per the British Standards BS 5839 and helps you stay compliant with the law.
COST OF TEMPORARY FIRE ALARM SYSTEMS
The average cost of a temporary wireless fire alarm system is around £2,900, including materials and labour. This is not a fixed cost and can vary greatly depending on several factors such as:
- The number of components including the detectors, beacons, and control panels;
- The size of your property, with a bigger property requiring more components leading to a rise in the total cost;
- Accessibility, with difficult-to-reach areas meaning higher labour costs.
ADDITIONAL FIRE SAFETY MEASURES IN TEMPORARY SITES
Whether it’s a construction site, market, fair, or festival, fire safety must never be neglected. There are several additional fire safety measures you can take in addition to installing a temporary fire alarm system on your premises.
The fire alarm must be used in conjunction with fire safety measures such as fire extinguishers, emergency lighting, clear evacuation policies, and more.
The responsibility for the implementation of these procedures must be on the designated responsible person(s).
According to the UK fire safety regulations, you are responsible for fire safety in your workplace if you are the owner, employer, landlord, occupier, or anyone in a controlling position such as the building manager or risk assessor.
As the responsible person, your duties include carrying out a fire risk assessment and reviewing it regularly, informing staff members and employees about the risks identified, putting in place and maintaining appropriate fire safety measures, planning for emergencies, and providing the occupants of the building with adequate fire safety instructions and training.
A big part of these duties includes appointing a fire warden who plays a key role in fire emergencies and undertakes both preventative and reactive duties.
There must always be a means of escape in case an individual is confronted by a fire and is unable to pass it to reach to safety.
The escape routes must be clear and uncomplicated and appropriately signed and well-illuminated. Temporary stairs may be fabricated and temporary fire doors may be built during the construction phase, especially for high-rise buildings.
According to the UK fire safety regulations, every property must have appropriate fire-fighting equipment which includes portable fire extinguishers. For some high-risk properties, it may also include sprinklers or hose reels.
You must make sure that you have the right type of fire extinguisher for your property and that it is well-maintained and in good working order.
Extinguishers come in different types and their water, dry powder, and foam must be discharged and refilled every 5 years and replaced every 20 years. In the case of carbon dioxide extinguishers, they must be replaced every 10 years.
There must be emergency lighting on the property to illuminate the escape routes and signage to avoid confusion and prevent chaos during the emergency.
General housekeeping practices must be followed, which include properly storing flammable materials and ensuring that waste disposal is properly handled.
Implementing the right fire safety measures can lower your insurance premiums and allow you to enjoy financial as well as health and safety benefits!
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.
Contact us here or call us today free on 0800 612 9799 for more information on temporary fire alarm systems!