Fire safety is a much overlooked problem among people who are deaf or hard of hearing. They do not receive the same media, educational, or industry attention as the hearing population. Many advancements in fire injury and death prevention over the past century have not addressed the fire safety needs of the deaf community. A great invention is the audible smoke alarm, although it does not cover people who a deaf and hard of hearing.

There are various legislation and standards, both Irish and European, concerning fire alarms for disabled people.

The Silent Alert Fire Safe System offers service providers a simple and cost effective solution to the problem of providing fire alarm cover for people who are deaf/ hard of hearing within public buildings and workplaces.

The system includes a discreet Pager unit worn by the user. A special radio transmitter links directly to the existing Fire Alarm System and is triggered automatically when the Fire Alarm is activated. The Pager responds by vibrating and illuminating the fire key.

The New Fire Safe Compatible SignWave Portable Sounder Flasher is ideal for use in hotels, residential homes and other multiple occupancy accommodation as an alternative to a Pager unit.

The system is compliant with all relevant parts of :

• I.S. 3218:2013 - Updated standard for Fire Alarms which specifically states the requirements for deaf/hard of hearing systems with visual or hearing impairments.

• BS5839 part 1 2002 - Standard to cover paging systems for deaf people linked to fire alarms.

• EN BS54-25 – 2008 - Standard for Fire Detection & Fire Alarm systems which use RF (radio links) to communicate.

This system can help make you compliant with Part 3 of the Disability Act 2005.

The Fire Safe system has an open air operating range of 750 to 1000 metres & is radio licence exempt.

The system’s unique design helps service providers fulfil their obligations under the fully implemented Disability Discrimination Act.

Fire Safe is ideal for: Office Buildings/Factories; Hotels; Schools; Multiple Occupancy Buildings; Care Homes; Sheltered Accommodation etc.

For further information contact us by email info@cfsg.ie or 01 295 7540.  CFSG provides all your Fire Safety needs nationwide.

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