Why install a fire alarm system?

At ATL Alarms we’re working with clients, facilities management companies and construction companies across the UK to design and install state-of-the-art fire alarm systems.

It is not actually a legal requirement to have a fire alarm on your premises. However, current UK fire alarm regulations state that all business premises must have an ‘appropriate fire detection system’. This means that if a fire breaks out there needs to be a system in place that will detect the fire and warn employees and those in and around the building easily.

According to the UK Government website, as an employer, you are classed as the ‘responsible person’ and are fully responsible for the fire safety of the business. Installing a fire alarm is, therefore, an easy way to ensure the safety of your employees as well as knowing you are abiding by the regulations.

Given the above, an effective and functioning fire alarm system is a one of the best ways of protecting yourself, your employees and your customers against a potentially life-threatening hazard or situation. There are many different reasons why we’d recommend installing a system in your premises, including:

• A fire alarm system can save the contents of your property – it acts as an early warning system that smoke, or fire, is present in your property, and can give you time to save valuable stock, IT, paperwork and, most importantly of all, lives.
• It will improve the overall security of your premises – a fire alarm system will provide a safer environment, monitoring your premises both day and night, and thereby giving you peace of mind.
• It can give you precise information – a good fire alarm system can provide detailed information about the exact location of a fire, allowing you to act quickly to extinguish it.
• It can be simple to operate – a fire alarm system from ATL will be designed to meet the specific structure and layout of your premises and to comply with recommendations from a full Fire Risk Assessment. We offer full training to ensure that you know exactly how to test, set and monitor the logs.

In terms of compliance, commercial fire alarms need two annual maintenance visits a year with every device being tested. In addition, the systems are fully monitored and we report on any fault conditions. The UK Fire Alarm Regulations state that your fire alarm system must be ‘adequately maintained’. However, BS 5839 and the UK government recommend that a fire alarm system should be inspected by a ‘competent person’ at least every six months.

Not only that, the British Standard BS 5839 states that you should test your fire alarms weekly in the workplace to check that they are working properly. Proper testing is vital in ensuring that your fire alarms are operating correctly. If you don’t check your alarms weekly or properly then you will only be able to identify an issue or fault in the system when it is too late. If you are not testing fire alarms adequately, you will be violating the regulations and will have to explain this to any investigating fire officers who visit your premises. It is important to remember that as a business owner you are responsible for the lives of your employees, so you must carry out proper testing.

A fire alarm system should be viewed as an investment, not a cost – the safety and security of your people is paramount, so it’s vital to ensure that you invest in a robust system that meets the standards. At ATL we have vast experience of design and installation, and our expertise ensures that whatever system we recommend will protect everyone who uses your commercial buildings.

For Stuart Drummond, owner of ATL Alarms, ensuring that clients have a fire alarm system that works within their commercial space is a priority. 'We’re passionate about fire and security,' comments Stuart. 'That’s why we encourage all our clients to think seriously about the system they have in place and to talk to us about installations, upgrades and servicing. We have a strong track record of helping clients to comply with their Health & Safety obligations, and also to protect their greatest asset: their people. We work with independent Fire Risk Assessors to ensure that the fire detection system and processes in place are correct for your business.

'We’re actively looking to work with facilities management companies and construction businesses to ensure that the fire alarm systems they install are fit for purpose, and we’re also reaching out to organisations in and around Cambridge to improve their fire safety. At the end of the day, clients must have the right system for their needs, and our service doesn’t end once we sell you a product – we’re happy to provide continued support, advice and servicing to our clients to ensure they stay safe for many years to come.'

ATL Alarms offer fire alarm system design, installation and servicing in Cambridge, Newmarket and surrounding areas, so why not call us on 01353 722882 or complete our enquiry form to request a no-obligation quotation?