False Alarms: It's Not the Detectors, It's the Design

🔇 Acoustic Sealing – More Than Just Noise Control At ITC, our passive fire protection works often include acoustic sealing. But what does it actually mean, and why is it important? What is it? ➡️ Acoustic sealing closes gaps and penetrations in walls, floors, and ceilings to reduce sound transmission. Why does it matter? ➡️ Improves comfort in schools, offices, care homes, and residential buildings. ➡️ Works alongside fire stopping to maintain building integrity. ➡️ Helps ensure compliance with both safety and performance standards. How do we deliver it? ➡️ Third-party accredited fire stopping teams. ➡️ Full documentation and traceability via Onetrace. ➡️ Installed to industry best practice. Acoustic sealing isn’t an add-on — it’s part of creating safer, quieter, and more efficient environments. #AcousticSealing #PassiveFireProtection #FireStopping #Compliance #ITCContractors

⏳Pre-discharge notification ⚠️ NFPA 2001 requires that 📢🚨Audible and Visual Pre-discharge notification to be provided within the protected area of occupiable spaces to give positive❗ warning ❗of impending discharge. According to NFPA 2001, The occupiable Enclosure or Space is defined as, "An enclosure or space that has dimensions and physical characteristics such that it could be entered by a person". 💡🧩📖 So, the word occupiable - which is the keyword here - refers to both spaces that are regularly or always occupied, such as control rooms, and those that are not normally occupied, such as server or data rooms where personnel may enter temporarily for maintenance or service. In all such areas, audible and visual pre-discharge notification must be provided to ensure that anyone present can evacuate the room immediately before the agent is released. Examples of other❌🙅 non-occupiable spaces where the use of Audible / Visual notification appliances, is not required🚫 as follows: 1️⃣ Above-ceiling voids. 2️⃣ Cable / pipe shafts. 3️⃣ Raised floor voids. 📖 Reference: NFPA 2001, section 3.3.35 and section 9.5.4 #Fire_Detection #Fire_Alarm #audible_visual_notification_appliances #clean_agent #FM200 #NOVEC #Fire_Protection_Engineer #NFPA_72_2025 #NFPA_2001 #Certified_Fire_Protection_Specialist #CFPS

Smoke Management in Parking Garages Effective smoke control design in parking facilities is vital for fire safety and occupant evacuation. Key design considerations include: ✅ Standards & Codes: Based on NFPA 92, NFPA 204, and local building codes. ✅ Ventilation Strategy: • Mechanical (jet fans or ducted) to direct and extract smoke. • Natural (shafts or openings) where feasible. ✅ Objectives: • Keep smoke above breathing level. • Maintain visibility for evacuation and firefighting. • Control heat and fire spread. ✅ Design Elements: • 10–12 air changes per hour (ACH) in fire mode. • Zoning for controlled smoke extraction. • Smart control via BMS / Fire Fighting System. ✅ Supporting Systems: CO/smoke detectors, fire alarms, sprinklers, and emergency power. 📌 The schematic below illustrates a sample basement parking design with: • Fresh air intake • Jet fans guiding smoke flow • Exhaust shafts • Zoning & detectors • Firefighter access route #smokemanagmentsystem #exhoustfan #jetfan #parkingventilation

🚨 Installation Heights Matter: A Quick Guide for Fire Safety 🚨 Correct installation is key to optimal fire system performance. Here’s a quick guide to mounting heights for some of our core devices: 📍 Manual Call Points (TX7140): Install at 1.4 m (range 1.1 m – 1.6 m) for compliance with EN & BS 5839-1 and easy access. 📍 Smoke Detectors (TX7100): Coverage depends on height. For ceilings ≤6m, protect ~60m². For higher ceilings up to 12m, protect ~80m². 📍 Heat Detectors (TX7110) & Multi-sensors (TX7120): For ceilings ≤8m, both protect an area of 20-30m². Always consider the environment and avoid areas with high temperatures, dust, or steam for reliable operation. #FireSafety #LifeSafety #BS5839 #Installation #FacilityManagement #ManualCallPoint #SmokeDetector #HeatDetector

Fire door drop down seals! When we think about fire doors, the focus is often on the door leaf, the frame, and the intumescent strips. But one often-overlooked component plays a vital role in keeping fire, smoke, and toxic gases from spreading: the drop-down seal fitted to the bottom of a fire door. So, what’s its purpose? A fire door drop-down seal is a clever mechanism that lowers automatically when the door closes, creating a tight seal at floor level. When the door opens, the seal retracts, preventing unnecessary drag or wear. Why it matters: • Prevents smoke and flames from passing underneath the door. • Helps maintain fire compartmentation and compliance with building regulations. • Improves acoustic and thermal performance. When is a drop-down seal needed? • If there’s a gap under a fire door that exceeds the allowable clearance. • In situations where permanent threshold seals aren’t practical (e.g., doors across uneven floors or where accessibility is important). • When upgrading existing doors to meet modern fire and smoke protection standards. A fire door is only as strong as its weakest point. Ensuring the right seals are in place—including drop-down seals—can make all the difference in an emergency. #firedoors #firesafety #ignitesafety

🚨 Choosing the right surge protector for your fire alarm system is crucial! Here are a few reasons the Deflector is one of the best SPDs for the life-safety industry: It’s a full-system surge protector to prevent damage to sensitive fire alarm components. Audible alarm, visual indicator, and remote alerts can notify staff right away if protection is lost. The modular design means surge protection is reinstated quickly and without tools ⚒️ 👉 https://lnkd.in/eCfbytxV

🚨 Big Change in Fire Safety Standards 🚨 The new BS 5839-1:2025 brings a critical update: ❌ Heat detectors are no longer permitted in bedrooms. All sleeping accommodation is now classed as high-risk, meaning only smoke-sensitive detection is acceptable. This shift has major implications for HMOs, supported housing, care environments, and anywhere people sleep. But that’s not all – stairway lobbies now require detection, and there’s a new emphasis on documenting how detectors are selected and configured. In our latest article, we break down: ✅ The key changes in BS 5839-1:2025 ✅ Why heat detectors have been banned from bedrooms ✅ How our North London HMO project (2023) already anticipated these changes with multi-sensor technology 👉 If you’re a fire alarm designer, installer, or building manager, this is a must-read. 📖 Read the full article here: https://lnkd.in/gzTd9hmR

Connecting an instant shower head improperly poses significant risks. Incorrect wiring jeopardizes user safety and increases the likelihood of damage to the unit itself. It's crucial to ensure cables are connected correctly, adhering to electrical codes specific to the region. Proper installation safeguards both the user and the equipment. #electricalsafety #homeimprovement #DIY #safetyfirst #electricaltips

Design. Install. Maintain. Comply. We cover every step of the fire protection journey, so your business stays protected, compliant, and confident. No outsourcing. No guesswork. Just straightforward service from a team that knows your site inside out. #MagniFire #fireprotection #complianceconfidence #businesssafety #firealarms

Here are 5 things you must do to stop those false alarms and keep your space safe. - Check for Obvious Causes Burnt toast, steam, aerosols, or dust can easily trigger alarms. Identify and eliminate the source if safe to do so. - Inspect the Detector Location Detectors placed too close to kitchens, bathrooms, or heaters may need relocating. Poor placement often causes repeated false alarms. - Clean the Devices Dust and debris inside smoke detectors can cause false activations. Gently clean with a hoover or soft brush as per manufacturer guidance. - Test and Reset the System Test the alarm using the designated button and reset it if possible. If the issue persists, avoid tampering and move to the next step. - Call a Qualified Fire Alarm Engineer Persistent issues should be checked by a certified engineer to ensure there’s no fault in the system or need for replacement parts. For more expert advice, visit www.firehow.co.uk and keep your space protected. #fireprotection #firesafety #firealarm #smokedetector