Automatic Fire Detection Systems
The specificity of these systems requires that a maintenance plan and preventive/corrective technical assistance suitable for the system and the place where they are installed must be implemented, and these must be checked on an annual basis.
The actions to be developed consist, in a succinct way, in inspecting the correct functioning of the detection devices, detectors and manual alarm push buttons of each (circuit, zone) and verifying that the control unit (alarm center) receives the information from the devices and signals it correctly, triggering the audible and light alarm, triggering the associated auxiliary devices.
Any structural changes that may hinder the operation of the detection and alarm devices must be noted, so that the activation conditions and operation of the protection are guaranteed. Detected occurrences and anomalies must be recorded in the occurrence log book and corrected as soon as possible. The maintenance and preventive/corrective assistance of your security system is the guarantee that your investment in security remains active.
What does the law say about the maintenance of automatic fire detection systems?
Technical note nº 12 of the National Emergency and Civil Protection Authority, based on the technical regulation of security against fire in buildings (Ordinance nº 1532/2008), states that the responsibility for the maintenance of the fire detection and fire alarm system should be clearly defined and that this responsibility belongs to the responsible for security (SR) of the building, who can delegate this competence. It also states that maintenance must only be carried out by properly trained and competent people to carry out the inspection, technical assistance and repair of the installed system. Finally, this technical note mentions that at least once a year the owner and/or operator must ensure that a competent person performs the tasks mentioned in this document and that they form part of Extinçor’s intervention program.
Tasks to be performed:
– Fire Control Panel – Check visual indications, buttons and commands, zone identification, if the equipment programming is in accordance with the functioning currently approved for the building and check the correct operation of the power unit and test the battery charge.
– Detectors – Visual inspection and checking for visible damage, carrying out detection tests, verifying that a space of at least 0.5 m is kept clear.
– Alarm Buttons – Visual inspection and verification of visible damage and functional tests.
– Sirens – Visual inspection and verification of visible damage and functional tests.
– Flags – Visual inspection and verification of visible damage and functional tests.
– Communicator – Visual inspection and verification of visible damage and tests of transmission and reception operation.
– External power supplies – Visual inspection and check for visible damage, check the tightness of the connection terminals and ensure the state of conservation and cleanliness and check the correct functioning and test the battery charge.
– Magnetic retainers – Visual inspection and check for visible damage, lubricate and clean moving parts and check correct operation.
– Interactions with external systems – Check the operational status of the interaction with other equipment or external systems.
After carrying out the aforementioned tasks, a maintenance report will be delivered with an indication of any anomalies detected and the necessary corrective actions proposed by the responsible technician.