Alarm call points

Raising the alarm, including the location of alarm call points, internal fire alarm telephones and alarm indicator panels... 

It is essential to discuss the requirements for stmc-tural protection, compartmentalization, emergency lighting, detection, alarms, call points, suppression, means of escape and signage with the applicable local authority, fire brigade or insurance company personnel before finalizing designs. 

Manually operated alarm call points should be provided ih all parts of a building where people may be present, and should be located so that no one need walk for more than 30 m from any position within the premises in order to give an alarm. 

Fire alarm circuits are wired as either normally open or normally closed. In a normally open circuit the alarm call points are connected in parallel with each other so that when any alarm point is initiated the circuit is completed and the sounder gives a warning of fire. In a normally closed circuit the alarm call points are connected in series to normally closed contacts. When the alarm is initiated, or if a break occurs in the wiring, the alarm is activated. 

Manually operated alarm call points should be provided in all parts of a building where people may be present, and should be located so that no one need walk for more than 30 m firom any position within the premises in order to give an alarm. A breakglass manual call point is shown in Fig. 14.49. They should be located on exit routes and, in particular, on the floor landings of staircases and exits to the street. They should be fixed at a height of 1.4 m above the floor at easily accessible, well illuminated and conspicuous positions. 

The appropriate fire safety signs should be used to indicate the location of fire-fighting equipment and fire alarm call points which should be on fire escape routes. If equipment and call points are located together they can be mounted on a panel to form a Fire Point. In crowded and irregular shaped work areas high level signs can make the location of fire exit routes and fire-fighting equipment easier to identify. 

Fire Action Notices which contain information on what to do on discovering a fire and also what to do on hearing the fire alarm should be positioned by each fire alarm call point and final exit doors. Details of the emergency number to call and the location of the fire assembly point will need to be entered on the Notice. 

Figure 4.4 Typical example of a fire alarm call point notice...

Fire fighting equipment and fire alarm call points - fire points... 

The location of extinguishers >- The location of manual fire alarm call points >- The location of evacuation assembly points >- Fire action signage. 

This sign may be used to indicate the location of a fire point. A fire point being an area where there is a cluster of emergency equipment, e.g. fire alarm call point, fire extinguishers and emergency teiephones. 

General fire action notices are provided for all the occupants of a building and are normally located adjacent to fire alarm call points, storey exits or fire door exits. 

The positions of fire alarm call points should be indicated with this type of sign particularly in areas where it may be necessary to identify the location of a manual alarm call point from some distance, e.g. in a large warehouse. 

Figure 9.74 Proprietary device for protecting a manuai fire alarm call point from accidental operation...

The location of manually operated fire alarm call points and control equipment for the fire alarm... 

Visual check - fire alarm call points in good order Yes No ... 

Manual Alarm Call Points (MACs) allow an operator to initiate the emergency response system, regardless of the response of the automatic instrumentation. They can be used for any type of emergency. The typical MAC is of the open contact Break Glass type, suitable for Division 1 locations. MACs should be covered with a guard to prevent inadvertent alarm activation. They should be clearly visible and labeled and easily operable by personnel wearing personal protective equipment (PPE) such as gloves. 

In a normally open oirouit, the alarm call points are connected in parallel with each other so that when any alarm point is initiated the circuit is completed and the sounder gives a warning of fire. 

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