Automatic fire detection and alarm systems, an introductory guide to components and systems BR 510

BRE is the UK’s leading centre of expertise on the built environment, construction, energy use in buildings, fire prevention and control, and risk management.

Automatic fire detection and alarm systems: an introductory guide to components and systems (BR 510) was published by BRE on 12 October 2010. It was written by Robert Dudley and offers an introduction to automatic fire detection and alarm systems and how they are developed.

Automatic fire detection and alarm systems are a fairly recent addition to the range of equipment available to combat the threat of fire in buildings, creating an effective and reliable means of detecting fires and signalling an alarm to the occupants. By providing an early warning to the building management team, action can be taken to deal with the fire before it takes hold. Automatic fire detection and alarm systems have a good record of performance and have demonstrated they can be effective in reducing the risk to life and property damage from fire.

The guide discusses how to manage them in use, and ensure that regulatory requirements are met. It introduces the components that are used and the types of system that are available to designers.

The guide deals with fixed automatic fire detection and alarm systems installed in commercial and industrial buildings. It is aimed at building owners, building managers, specifiers, automatic fire detection and alarm equipment installers, maintenance companies, insurance surveyors, building control practitioners, fire safety officers, risk assessors, and fire and rescue service inspectors. It will also be of interest to anyone who needs to consider or deal with automatic fire detection and alarm systems.

Its contents include:

• Background and description.
• Types of system available.
• Detection and alarm devices.
• European standards applicable to the UK.
• False alarms and false alarm reduction.
• Ensuring compliance with standards, installation codes and legislation.

--BRE Group

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