• Test your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, change batteries immediately if needed.  For more information check out our section on smoke alarm maintenance & carbon monoxide detector maintenance.
• Check your fire extinguishers.  For more information, check our post on fire extinguisher information.
• Check for overloaded or damaged extension cords, replace where needed.                                        
• Ensure you have an emergency preparedness kit in case of incidents such as power outages and flooding.
• Practice your families fire escape plan so everyone knows what to do in case of an emergency
• More than one-quarter (29%) of the home structure fires involving grills started on a courtyard, terrace or patio, 28% started on an exterior balcony or open porch, and 6% started in the kitchen.
• Position the grill well away from the residence. Do not place your grill directly next to siding, deck railings, extended eves, or below overhanging branches / leaves.
• Do not place your grill near or under utility pole wires that may be coming into your house.
• Place the grill a safe distance from any kind of foot traffic.
• Keep children and pets away from the grill area by declaring no less than a 3-foot zone around the grill. 
• Look for the standard on your sunscreen before sunbathing: If you are one of the thousands of sun lovers thinking of spending the day on the beach, look out for the ISO 24443 standard on sunscreen before you make a purchase. It is also important to wear sunscreen while driving in warm weather to avoid dangerous rays.
• Check arm bands and swimming costumes for standards: Make sure children’s swimming costumes, sun screen and armbands meet the relevant standards and display the CE mark. The I.S. EN 13138 standard for buoyancy aids ensures that rigorous safety test methods have been put into use and that aids are safe to be worn by your child.
• Buy sunglasses that protect against solar radiation and UV rays: When looking at the latest, most fashionable sunglasses consumers should choose options that meet the I.S. EN 1836 standard. This ensures that eyewear purchased offers protection against solar radiation or UV rays. Eyewear that does not offer protection from solar radiation or UV rays can damage your eyes.
• Check the CE mark on trampolines and bouncing castles: When buying a trampoline, make sure it comes with a safety net and a protective pad around the springs and that it also displays the CE marking (this ensures it meets the I.S. EN 13219 standard). Bouncing castles should meet the I.S. EN 14960 which tests and ensures that materials, design and structural integrity of the inflatable unit is fully safe and reliable for use. Ensure that the inflatable is securely anchored with a minimum of six anchorage points.
• Look for CE marks on tents: If you are one of the thousands of music lovers getting ready to go to one or more of this years’ summer festivals, look out for the CE marking and standards on tents and camping equipment before you purchase. I.S. EN 15619 and IS EN 13782 are both tent safety standards that will ensure the design, structure and fabric used in your tent is reliable, secure and flame retardant to avoid a dangerous situation.
• Check that your fitness equipment carries the relevant standard: Before you start training on your treadmill for that 10k or mini marathon check that it carries the relevant safety standard. Treadmills should carry the I.S. EN 957 standard, which ensures that the treadmill is safe and suitable for use.

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When CO accumulate? This happens when a gas appliance has been incorrectly fitted, badly repaired or poorly maintained. It can also occur if flues, chimneys or vents are blocked.

Oil and solid fuels such as coal, wood, petrol and oil can also produce carbon monoxide.

Causes of CO Poisoning

You can be in danger of Carbon Monoxide poisoning at home/ company  if dangerous amounts of Carbon Monoxide accumulate in the home/ company. This can happen as a result of any or a combination of the following:

• Faulty or damaged heating appliances
• Heating appliance not maintained or serviced
• Rooms not properly ventilated
• Blocked chimneys or flues
• Indoor use of a barbecue grill or outdoor heater
• Poor installation of heating appliances
• Improper operation of heating appliances
• Property alterations or home improvements, which reduce ventilation
• Running engines such as vehicles or lawnmowers in garages
• Using cooking appliances for heating purposes

You can’t see it, taste it or smell it but it can kill quickly and with no warning.

CO poisoning – The six main symptoms to look out for:

1. headaches
2. dizziness
3. nausea
4. breathlessness
5. collapse
6. loss of consciousness

Because carbon monoxide has no taste, smell or colour. Gas Safe Register strongly recommends you fit an audible carbon monoxide alarm in your home/ company.

While an alarm will alert you to carbon monoxide in your home, it is no substitute for having an annual gas safety check and regular servicing by a Gas Safe registered engineer.

Cannon Fire Safety Group has all Fire safety appliances that you or your company needs, including CO smoke alarms! Contact us for more details by email: info@cfsg.ie or call us on 01 295 7540. Nationwide service.

Your business is insured, it does not mean you are fully covered in the event of fire.

A fire insurance policy may contain exclusions based on the cause of the fire, such as if the fire alarm system was not working properly due to a lack of maintenance or if the business does not follow all the Irish Standards for Fire Safety issues.

Under I.S 3218: 2013 commercial fire alarm systems should be serviced quarterly per annum. Under I.S 3217:2013 emergency lighting systems require 3 x half hour test and 1 x x 3 hour test annually. Under I.S. 291 fire extinguishers should be serviced annually.

Cannon Fire Safety Group provides all the Fire Safety requirements that you might need, highlighting the deaf fire alarm interface that links with any existing commercial fire alarm system, catering for the deaf, deafblind and hard of hearing.

Call us 01 295 7540 or email us info@cfsg.ie

Certified by NSAI/ Member of FESA

The current structure of the Fire Service in Ireland is based upon the legislation of the Fire Services Act of 1981 & 2003. While the “duty of care” in respect of Fire Safety in Buildings rests with the Owner/Occupier under the Fire Service Act, 1981, the Fire Authorities have various powers of inspection and enforcement for Fire Prevention/safety measures in existing Buildings. View relevant legislation.

A Fire Safety Certificate is also required for a hotel, hostel or guest building.  Also in 2001 Fire Safety in Guest Accommodation was published which is a guide to setting out the fire safety measures and procedures which should be considered, including recommendations for fire alarm systems.

Lets list some important points that you must be aware of:

A fire alarm system is required in every premises used for guest accommodation, to provide early warning of an outbreak of fire and to ensure that the escape routes can be safely used.

The amount and type of fire safety equipment in a hotel varies by the size of the building, its height and age. Hotels/guesthouses should be provided with a fire detection and alarm system, unless the premises is fully covered by an automatic sprinkler system. New installations of automatic fire detection and alarm systems should be in accordance with Fire Services Act of 1981 & 2003. Existing installations should be assessed for adequacy, and if serious deficiency exists should be upgraded. Adequate existing systems may continue in use, provided they were installed and commissioned as required and are maintained to these standards according to legislation.

Fire alarm systems in public buildings, including the provision of visual alarm systems, are also dealt with in the recommendations of Irish Standards I.S. 3218: 2009. This standard, published by the National Standards Authority of Ireland (NSAI), makes detailed recommendations for planning, design, installation, commissioning, and servicing of fire detection and alarm systems in buildings. Paragraph 5.6.7.1 of the Standard states that in areas where a normal type of sounder may be ineffective, e.g. where the occupants are hearing impaired or may be sleeping, visual alarms and tactile alarm devices should be used. Please check I.S. 3218: 2009 for further details, also check Fire Safety Building Regulation

Make sure that your hotel/ hostel/ guesthouse has the Fire services according to the Irish legislation. Cannon Fire Safety Group provides all the Fire Safety requirements that you might need, highlighting the deaf fire alarm interface that links with any existing commercial fire alarm system, catering for the deaf, deafblind and hard of hearing.

Call us 01 295 7540 or email us info@cfsg.ie

Certified by NSAI/ Member of FESA

With a conventional system, there is no way of pinpointing the exact location of the fire. However, by wiring your building into different zones, you can get a general idea of where the fire is. For instance, if you have two floors, you could wire the first as ‘zone 1’ and the second as zone 2. So if a fire occurs in zone 1, you know that the fire is somewhere on the first floor.
Wiring differences
Addressable alarm systems connect devices using a loop. This is where one wire connects all devices to the control panel. Both ends of the wire loop connect to the control panel.

With a conventional alarm, each device will be connected to the control panel via its own wire, rather than a shared one. One end of the wire will be touching the device, and another touching the control panel.
Which is the cheaper option for you?
Conventional alarm panels cost a lot less to buy but are more expensive to install. This is because each device that is being connected needs its own wire. With addressable systems, one wire loop will connect several devices. This means conventional systems require more wire and more man hours during the installation phase.

Additionally, addressable systems have a range of other facilities that can help save money. For instance, addressable alarm panels monitor the air flow through smoke detectors to prevent the occurrence of false alarms, which can be costly to a business.
Which is more reliable?
The addressable alarm panel is also the more reliable of the two. This is because the wire connects to the control panel at both ends (see the diagram above). If one end of the loop becomes severed, signals can still be sent to the control panel via the other end of the loop. Loop isolation modules are also used to separate devices on the loop. This means that if one device becomes disconnected, it won’t disable the circuit. With a conventional system, if a wire has become severed, the device will become disconnected.
Overall
Functionally, the addressable fire alarm unit is superior, which can help prevent costly activities and save time when detecting a fire. It’s also cheaper and easier to install. But in terms of buying price, a conventional system is cheaper, and will meet the functional needs of small premises where a sophisticated system is not necessary.

Source: Fire Magazine

1. When you purchase an artificial tree look for “Fire Resistant” label
2. When you buy a live tree, check for freshness
3. When setting up a tree at home, keep it away from fireplaces
4. Check each set of lights (new or old) for broken or cracked sockets
5. Never use electric lights on a metallic tree
6. Turn off all lights when you go to bed or leave the house
7. Fasten outdoor lights securely to trees and house walls to protect from wind damage
8. Use non-combustible or flame-resistant materials to trim a tree
9. Never use lighted candles on a tree or near other evergreens. Also use non-flammable holders, and place them where they will not be knocked down
10. Do not burn wrapping papers in the fireplace

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