Firing Alarm Wiring & Installation

What is required when carrying out a fire alarm installation? What skills, knowledge or equipment do I need? To be considered a fire alarm installer, you must have certain attributes and hands-on-skill to competently install the containment, fire rated cable and fix the equipment to the building fabric, i.e. fire alarm control, smoke detectors, manual call points, sounders, interface units, etc.

Due to the critical nature of a fire alarm system which is usually installed to protect life or property, the installer must be fully conversant with the fire alarm design code; BS 5839-1:2013 Fire detection and fire alarm systems for buildings. Code of practice for design, installation, commissioning, and maintenance of systems in non-domestic premises.

 

Prior to any equipment being connected, all installed cables should be subject to a 500V dc insulation test. These tests should show an insulation value of at least 2Mohm between conductors and between each conductor and screen or earth. Earth continuity tests should be carried out on all mains supply circuits as well as an earth loop impedance in accordance with BS 7671. The maximum impedance of each loop or radial circuit should be recorded to ensure it meets the manufacturer’s recommendations.