The full name of this Irish Standard explains its precise purpose: I.S. 3218:2013 Fire Detection and Fire Alarm Systems for Buildings – System Design, Installation, Servicing and Maintenance.

Fire Engineering Systems Association

Within the Irish fire industry it was long recognised that the Fire Alarms Systems business was fragmented and lacked a cohesive representative association. In addition the Fire systems houses in Ireland are the principal source for Gaseous and fixed Fire extinguishing systems (excluding Sprinkler installation) and this part of the industry also lacked representation.

Over years many informal attempts had been made to unify the industry and possible association with UK establishments was also investigated.

In 2002/3 a concerted effort was made and the British Fire Protection Systems Association (B.F.B.S.A.) the representative body of the British Fire Alarm suppliers and manufacturers made representation to the Irish fire Industry with a view to establishing an Irish branch office.

The proposal was considered at length however it was established that the Irish Fire industry required representation with an emphasis on the Irish Standards/ Codes of practice ,the Irish Market and the unique Irish ways of conducting business.

With this in mind, and making every effort to maintain the new found momentum, it was agreed that an independent Irish representative body would first be established and thereafter consideration would be given to establishing associate status with various international bodies including the B.F.P.S.A.

The Association is now actively working on behalf of the membership. It is recognised throughout the Industry,by government and regulatory bodies and has established itself as the voice of the Fire Detection, Alarm and Extinguishing business in Ireland.

Fire Detection and Alarm Systems (FDAS) – What are the transition arrangements of the Irish Standards?

I.S. 3218:1989 was a Code of Practice issued in 1989 and superseded by issue of Standard I.S. 3218:2009 on the 8th of May 2009.

Because of the duration of building projects any Fire Detection and Alarm Systems (FDAS) designed in accordance with I.S. 3218:1989 or I.S. 3218:2009 for which a Fire Safety Certificate under the Building Control Regulations has been granted, may proceed to completion but all reasonably practicable steps should be taken to bring such systems into conformity with I.S. 3218:20013.

A note on all System Certification documents stating that the design and installation is in accordance with I.S. 3218: 1989 or I.S. 3218:2009 shall be included.

All variations from the standard for which a Fire Safety Certificate under the Building Control Regulations has been granted shall be recorded on the System Certifications documents.

Fire Detection and Alarms Systems (whether new installations, extension/alterations or modifications to existing installations) shall be commissioned to I.S. 3218:2013. In addition, the areas covered in any new installation or any system extension/alteration or modifications shall be designed and installed to I.S. 3218:2013.

User responsibilities for all Fire Detection and Alarm Systems shall be in accordance with I.S. 3218:20013.

Serving and maintenance for all FDAS shall be in accordance with I.S, 3218:2013.

There is no requirement for a Fire Detection and Alarm System designed, installed and commissioned to a previous version of I.S. 3218 to be upgraded in whole or in part to the latest version of the standard unless:

a) The owner agrees to a fully up-to-date installation, or

b) The existing installation cannot be incorporated in a new system and would detrimentally affect either its operation or the effective operation of the new upgrade, or

c) an upgrade is required by a Fire Safety Certificate under the Building Control Regulations for material alterations, extensions or change of use of the premises.

Cannon Fire Safety Group provides a full range of Fire Alarm Systems to meet your requirements including the deaf fire alarm interface that links with any existing fire alarm system, catering for the deaf, deafblind and hard of hearing. Call us 01 295 7540 or email us info@cfsg.ie. It is important to note that paragraph 6.6.7.1 of the IS 3218:2013 standard makes specific reference to making the necessary inclusions in your Fire Alarm System to facilitate deaf and hard of hearing.  It states that visual and/or tactile alarm devices “shall” be used. CFSG supply the Silent Alert Firesafe System which is fully compliant with all the relevant parts of IS3218.  There are products which you may be offered to fulfill your requirement to the deaf and hard of hearing but while a lot of these may seem to meet your requirements, in many cases they do not comply with the IS3218:2013 standard and therefore cannot be classed as a component part of an IS3218 fire alarm system.  This is very important to be aware of no matter which product you choose as there could be insurance and litigation issues in the event of an incident.

Member of FESA

Source: FESA; I.S. 3218:2013

Fire alarm systems are composed of alarm initiating devices (smoke detectors and heat sensors), alarm notification appliances (sirens or devices that produce loud noises), fire control units (sprinkler systems or fire extinguisher systems), power supplies and wirings.

Fire alarm systems notify the occupants of a building or a house of a possible fire so that the occupants can either evacuate for safety or extinguish the fire before it could spread out and become uncontrollable.

The modern fire alarm system is capable of detecting smoke and heat from a small flame, water flow in a sprinkler system or an activated pull station, and reporting this information to on-site personnel via dedicated phone line to any location in the world. Although a seemingly straightforward device from an installation standpoint, fire alarm work can be quite complex, especially when you consider the enormous moral and legal responsibilities involved.

So how does a fire alarm system work? The fire alarm system can be set off automatically by smoke detectors, heat detectors or manually. These sensors are set to detect certain levels of heat or smoke that could be an indication of fire. A loud bell or a siren, sometimes accompanied by blinking or flashing lights for individuals who have hearing problems, blasts to alert occupants in the building. To truly understand how a fire alarm system works, let us go further into the components of the fire alarm system. In a fire alarm system there is always a smoke detector to detect smoke or fire.

How does a fire alarm system work by way of smoke sensor? There are two types of smoke detectors. These are the optical detector and the ionization detector. The optical smoke detector detects smoke by using light sensors (infrared LED). When smoke particles pass thru the chamber of the optical detector, it scatters light that triggers the alarm. In the ionization detector, if the smoke particle enters the chamber of the ionization detector it will reduce air ionization inside the chamber of the ionization detector and triggers the alarm.

Another aspect of how a fire alarm system works is the heat sensor or also called thermal sensor. A fire alarm system works by way of heat sensor in quite simple way. The heat sensor monitors the temperature in a room and any abrupt rise or sudden extreme change in temperature triggers the fire alarm.

Some fire alarm systems have automatic dialers that could dial an emergency number to contact the local fire department.

Also all the companies and buildings must be aware and be according to the Irish Standards I.S. 3218:2013 for Fire Detection & Alarm Systems.

Cannon Fire Safety Group provides a full range of Fire Alarm Systems that you might need, highlighting the deaf fire alarm interface that links with any existing fire alarm system, catering for the deaf, deafblind and hard of hearing.

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

Source: Alarm Systems

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.