FOCUS COVID-19 response
These projects can continue during
the coronavirus outbreak, according to government guidance – highlighting the need, with FRSs deployed elsewhere, for scrupulous regard to be paid towards fire safety on site.
System selection
In relation to fire alarm systems, there are two choices – wired or wireless – although the latter is gaining favour, because it does not require specialist trades to set up and call points can be deployed in minutes. Any number of call points can be added to the system and linked wirelessly to cover large or small sites. The signal passes through all commonly found materials, including steel, concrete and stone. Wireless fire alarm systems, which are
available to rent or buy, should be compliant with the BS EN 54: Fire detection and fire alarm systems standard. Incorporating dust resistant smoke and heat detectors to reduce false alarms, they can be linked to offsite monitors and so are highly suited to locked down sites and to operating 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The ability to add or remove units means that personnel in all areas of the building receive the same audible alarm, ensuring that everyone present can evacuate to a place of safety.
22 MAY 2020
www.frmjournal.com
Advances in technology make wireless
systems capable of being much more than a fire alarm. Incorporating cloud based data capture goes a step further by enabling construction sites to implement a fully integrated fire, flood, security and medical response system. This is essential if, for instance, a locked down site has basic security team coverage. Supported by cloud storage and apps that can interpret and respond to the data received, it can be converted into valuable management information which is sendable instantaneously to anyone with a smartphone. Such end to end solutions enable site management teams to capture data related to emergencies in real time and to send customised alerts out to relevant personnel. Practical benefits include an ability to alert emergency response teams when a fire is detected, or interfacing with security systems so that an alarm is raised when an intruder is detected opening a security door – especially important when construction sites are vacated during the shutdown. These systems can also detect flooding caused by a burst pipe (which can impact on electrical circuits).
Security patrols or lone workers complying with self isolation requirements can raise a medical alert via call points from remote areas of the building or construction site, or
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