Detection and Communication System

Defects

Probable causes for the defect

Design for Maintainability (DfM) Guidelines

• Flame detector is misaligned, damaged by shock (loosely fitted).
• Wrong selection (exposed to usual but high heat / smoke / light source).
• Function should be checked through simulation test after installation and during regular maintenance.
• Obstructed, covered by paint– poor housekeeping.
• Dirty – especially for poorly accessible points.

• Design system to accommodate false alarm management as per SS CP 10:2005 and Fire Code [8].
• Locate fire alarm panel in corrosion resistant cabinet without any exposure to excessive dampness. Fire panel connectivity should be independent and compatible with the building automation system (BAS).
• Specify red wiring for fire alarm system. Segregate from other ELV cables to remove electromagnetic interference.
• Use alarm verification features to reduce incidence of false alarms.

Construction

• Installer should identify circumstances that can lead to a high rate of false alarms and should inform both the designer and user.
• Check to ensure acceptable levels of false alarms during commissioning (SS CP 10:2005, BS 5839-1:2017, BS 5839-6:2013).
• Install neatly and protect with sleeve as per manufacturer’s requirements (care to be taken in concealed spaces).
• For the protection of joints in junction box, refer to minimum joint requirements.

Maintenance

• Conduct regular testing and inspection of fire alarm panel as per SS CP 10:2005, BS 5839-1:2017, BS 5839-6:2013.
• Conduct daily check to ensure normal operation, and to record and rectify any faults. Perform weekly tests to check battery and voltage conditions.
• Conduct monthly simulation of zonal fire and fault conditions. Clean fire alarm panel for proper operation and visibility (NFPA 72:2016).
• Keep fire panels safe and secure from unauthorised tampering.

• No power supply (unreliable power source, faulty wiring or battery goes flat).

• Designate locations of manual call points along all exit routes and at final exits (BS 5839-1:2017, BS 5839-6:2013).
• Manual call points should be located in such a way that a person should not have to travel  more than 45m along an escape route to reach a manual call point, when the layout of the building is known. Each manual call point should be positioned 1.4m (+/-200mm) from floor level (BS 5839-1:2017).

Construction

• Use pull station type manual call points in outdoor areas rather than break glass type, in order to prevent water ingress.
• Ensure that manual call points are securely mounted and properly aligned (SS CP 10:2005).
• Upon installation, test the system (e.g. three- second response test for manual call point, battery removal test, etc.) (BS 5839-1:2017, BS 5839-6:2013).

Maintenance

• Conduct monthly test of manual call points on all alarm zones to ensure each part is functional, and especially check whether the remote auxiliary facilities are initiated or not.
• Monitor power supply and faulty wiring of call points and other elements of the fire detection system.

• Wrong selection of bells –not distinguishable from general clutter.
• Loose gong bolt or damaged alarm – blocked, corroded, spoilt by extreme temperature fluctuation.
• Faulty alarm panel to indicate the exact alarm – no lucid diagram, corresponding bulb blown off or battery goes flat.

• Design fire alarm system (e.g. location, type and number of alarms) as per SS CP 10:2005 (see also BS 5839-1:2017); and emergency voice communication system as per SS 546:2009 (see also BS 5839-9:2011).
• Alarm sound selected should be distinguishable from general clutter. Use a visual alarm where there is excessive background noise. Propose incident communication facilities (as per SS ISO 22313:2013) and determine internal/ external communication needs (e.g. through PA system integrated with iBMS) as per SS ISO 22301:2012.

Construction

• Establish, implement and maintain procedures for warning and communication (e.g. life safety); and set incident communication procedures (SS ISO 22313:2013).
• Link lifts with audible warnings and emergency detection system as per ISO/TR 25743:2010.
• Installation and cabling of fire alarm devices should be done in such a manner where, in the event of a fault, at least one sounder located within the vicinity of the control and indicating panel will remain in operation (BS 5839-1:2017).

Maintenance

• Inspect alarms for defects (e.g. loose or blocked gong bolt, damaged or corroded alarm, alarm spoilt by temperature fluctuations, etc.).
• Conduct annual check of all installed speakers, amplifiers, and connecting appliances (including cables) and keep records.
• Conduct routine check of fire alarm panel indicator bulb operation and battery (NFPA 72:2016).
• Perform real time monitoring and management of system performance.

Dirty and damaged fire detector

Faulty, corroded and improperly installed detector

• Comply with the fire detection system requirements of Fire Code 2013 by SCDF [8], SS CP 10:2005, ISO 7240 series, BS 5839-1:2017, BS 5839-6:2013.
• Ensure detectors are accessible for maintenance and replacement.
• Conform to the selection of heat, smoke, and flame types based on requirements on-location.
• For decisions regarding the number of fire detectors, and their location and spacing design requirements, refer to SS 575:2012, BS 9990:2015.

Construction

• Ensure the proper fitting of each fire detector, to avoid misalignment or damage caused by shock.
• Ensure quality workmanship so as to avoid detector obstruction and or detector being covered by paint.
• Remove paint, dust or any foreign material that can affect its function from detector.

Maintenance

• Practice proper housekeeping to maintain cleanliness and avoid obstructions (especially at poorly accessible points).
• Inspect fire detectors weekly, and conduct monthly fire alarm simulations from a randomly selected detector to check the entire system.
• Perform annual test of 20% of all detectors; all detectors will be inspected over a five-year period (SS CP 10:2005, BS 5839-1:2017, BS 5839-6:2013).

• Design emergency power supply systems in buildings as per SS 563-2:2010; and emergency lighting fixtures as per SS 563-1:2010 (see also BS 5266-1:2016, BS EN 50172:2004, BS 5266-8:2004, NFPA 101, AS 2293 SET:2005).
• Building emergency generator supply should be able to back up the emergency voice communication system (SS 546:2009, BS 5839-9:2011).
• A standby generator may be used solely to provide power to emergency lighting systems, or in addition, to meet requirements other than those directly associated with emergency lighting.

Construction

• Conform to the requirements for the installation of emergency power supply systems in buildings as per SS 563-2:2010, BS EN 1838:2013, BS 5266-1:2016.
• Individual luminaires should be mounted to avoid glare and if possible, should be positioned at least 2m above floor level (measured from floor to the underside of the luminaires).
• The horizontal illuminance on the centre line of any exit cannot be less than 0.5 lux. A fuel supply must be readily available to ensure that emergency lighting operates continuously for the rated period following the failure of normal power supply (SS 563-2: 2010).

Maintenance

• Ensure the maintenance of emergency power supply systems in buildings. Conduct a monthly manual test of emergency lights and replace batteries or lamps as soon as a fault is detected (SS 563-2:2010, AS/NZS 2293.2:1995/AMDT 3:2012).
• Conduct monthly fire simulation test. Simulate failure of main power supply and test the efficiency of the standby battery.
• Ensure visual and audible fault signals are activated once the battery is disconnected.

Obsolete alarm panel

• Proper connectivity to response centre is not provided.
• Panel is tampered – lack of concern for safety or unsafe location.
• Bulbs, buzzer etc can’t work if not reliable or battery goes flat.
• Bulbs blown off – not replaced.
• Exposed to excessive damp location, poor make corrode cabinet.

Construction

Maintenance