Firecom is responsible for providing fire sprinkler services nationwide to some of the UK’s largest warehouses and manufacturing plants. Our services include the installation and regular maintenance of sprinkler pump systems to ensure that in the event of a fire, the sprinkler system performs at its optimum level.
Over the years Firecom’s engineering team has been involved in some challenging projects from colleges and schools to large manufacturing plants. Firecom works with some of the UK’s leading national companies and manufacturers, installing and servicing effective fire sprinkler systems across the country.
In summary fire sprinklers save lives, buildings, stock, assets and jobs. They also prevent the accidental release of carbon gasses into the environment by reducing fires.
Over the years Firecom’s engineering team has been involved in some challenging projects from colleges and schools to large manufacturing plants. Firecom works with some of the UK’s leading national companies and manufacturers, installing and servicing effective fire sprinkler systems across the country.
In summary fire sprinklers save lives, buildings, stock, assets and jobs. They also prevent the accidental release of carbon gasses into the environment by reducing fires.
How the Sprinkler System Works
A sprinkler system is a network of fixed water pipes supplied by one or two water sources with sprinkler heads fitted at specific distances apart. Sprinkler heads can be placed in enclosed roof spaces and into floor ducts where fires can start unnoticed. In a large warehouse they may be placed within storage racks as well as the roof. Water is supplied by the town’s mains or an on-site tank with a pump assisted gravity feed. Any system of water supply is designed to pressurise the distribution pipe network.
At the point where water enters the sprinkler system there is a valve. This valve should be serviced every six months, with rubber seals changed on an annual basis.
Detector heads are nozzles that direct a stream of water onto a deflector plate which diffuses water over a given area. The detector heads are activated by temperatures between 60-70 degrees. A glass bulb which breaks at those temperatures holds back the water until called upon. Only sprinkler heads in the immediate area of the fire open – all other heads remain closed. This ensures water is delivered to the hottest point and reduces the amount of water required.
Each week a bell test should be carried out by a competent person to ensure that there is water flowing in the system. As the bell is powered by the flowing water the sprinkler system both controls the fire and gives an alarm warning without the use of electricity.
At the point where water enters the sprinkler system there is a valve. This valve should be serviced every six months, with rubber seals changed on an annual basis.
Detector heads are nozzles that direct a stream of water onto a deflector plate which diffuses water over a given area. The detector heads are activated by temperatures between 60-70 degrees. A glass bulb which breaks at those temperatures holds back the water until called upon. Only sprinkler heads in the immediate area of the fire open – all other heads remain closed. This ensures water is delivered to the hottest point and reduces the amount of water required.
Each week a bell test should be carried out by a competent person to ensure that there is water flowing in the system. As the bell is powered by the flowing water the sprinkler system both controls the fire and gives an alarm warning without the use of electricity.
Firecom can offer systems designed to BS EN 12845 and BS 9281 as well as Safe Contractor accreditation.
Installation of Commercial Sprinkler Systems
Our team of highly skilled engineers are able to install commercial fire sprinkler systems into a wide variety of commercial properties such as factories, restaurants, warehouses and even supermarkets.
All proposed works are surveyed before installation work commences. All commercial works are carried out in accordance with BS EN 12845:2004.
Firecom employ only the most experienced engineers with the necessary qualifications to operate to the high standards required by our clients. Furthermore, we continually invest in personnel as a guarantee to provide you with the best possible service.
All works are priced competitively to ensure Firecom not only delivers exceptional unrivalled service but also to ensure compliance is maintained for our customers.
All proposed works are surveyed before installation work commences. All commercial works are carried out in accordance with BS EN 12845:2004.
Firecom employ only the most experienced engineers with the necessary qualifications to operate to the high standards required by our clients. Furthermore, we continually invest in personnel as a guarantee to provide you with the best possible service.
All works are priced competitively to ensure Firecom not only delivers exceptional unrivalled service but also to ensure compliance is maintained for our customers.
Sprinkler System Service and Maintenance
The requirements of the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 state:
‘Where necessary in order to safeguard the safety of relevant persons the responsible person must ensure that the premises and any facilities, equipment and devices provided in respect of the premises under this Order… are subject to a suitable system of maintenance and are maintained in an efficient state, in efficient working order and in good repair.’
Firecom maintenance plans fulfil the statutory requirements and are competitively priced without compromising safety or accreditation standards.
‘Where necessary in order to safeguard the safety of relevant persons the responsible person must ensure that the premises and any facilities, equipment and devices provided in respect of the premises under this Order… are subject to a suitable system of maintenance and are maintained in an efficient state, in efficient working order and in good repair.’
Firecom maintenance plans fulfil the statutory requirements and are competitively priced without compromising safety or accreditation standards.
Existing System Remedial Works
Firecom can refit, refresh, or extend pre-existing fire sprinkler systems in the event of an internal layout change or required repairs. Our highly trained engineers can isolate, drain and refill systems with the landlord or building owner’s approval, and carry out work with minimal auditory and visual disruption.
All minor commercial works are surveyed in accordance with BS EN 1285:2004
Weekly Fire Pump and Alarm Testing
Commercial fire sprinklers must work correctly at all times in order to comply with the British standards and your insurance requirements. It is your responsibility to make sure that the fire sprinklers are maintained regularly and kept in good repair and the simplest way to ensure this is to start and turn over your fire pump engine once a week.
Flow Switch Testing
A flow switch is used to monitor the flow of air or water and senses different pressures from different flows. Flow switch testing should be conducted every three months in accordance with BS EN 12845:2004 certification standards.
In the case of a fire sprinkler system, the flow switch will signal to the fire alarm to indicate the system is working correctly. If the flow switch is not working properly the fire alarm will not sound and an investigation must be made into the fire sprinkler system. The flow switch should be replaced every five years or 100,000 cycles, whichever comes first.
We currently undertake flow switch testing at a number of retail sites nationally which enables us to offer competitively priced services. We aim to test and service multiple sites simultaneously thereby passing on the cost savings to our clients.
At each test we award certification that can be passed onto centre management to prove that the Sprinkler system in that particular unit is working correctly.
In the case of a fire sprinkler system, the flow switch will signal to the fire alarm to indicate the system is working correctly. If the flow switch is not working properly the fire alarm will not sound and an investigation must be made into the fire sprinkler system. The flow switch should be replaced every five years or 100,000 cycles, whichever comes first.
We currently undertake flow switch testing at a number of retail sites nationally which enables us to offer competitively priced services. We aim to test and service multiple sites simultaneously thereby passing on the cost savings to our clients.
At each test we award certification that can be passed onto centre management to prove that the Sprinkler system in that particular unit is working correctly.
Service of Sprinkler Pumps
LBPC rules for automatic sprinkler installations 2009:
All commercial sprinkler systems should be serviced to BS EN 12845 standards. This generally consists of one major visit and one minor visit per year.
Ask our team for more information in relation to your legal requirements.
All commercial sprinkler systems should be serviced to BS EN 12845 standards. This generally consists of one major visit and one minor visit per year.
Ask our team for more information in relation to your legal requirements.
Inspection of Sprinkler Storage Water Tanks
LPC: BS EN12845 2015: Clause TB203.6: 10-Yearly Routine
As part of the LPC Rules for Automatic Sprinkler Installations 2015 incorporating BS EN12845, at no more than 10-Year intervals, all storage tanks shall be examined internally.
We use submersible camera equipment – a remotely operated vehicle (ROV) - which in most cases provide a useful means of conducting a tank inspection without the need of draining the water storage tank. Further information on the ROV inspection can be found below:
As part of the LPC Rules for Automatic Sprinkler Installations 2015 incorporating BS EN12845, at no more than 10-Year intervals, all storage tanks shall be examined internally.
We use submersible camera equipment – a remotely operated vehicle (ROV) - which in most cases provide a useful means of conducting a tank inspection without the need of draining the water storage tank. Further information on the ROV inspection can be found below:
Internally
An ROV internal inspection will provide evidence of the following:
- Tanks shell/liner - including any amount of internal debris which could affect the performance of the suction pumps.
- Tanks Ancillaries – suction connection including vortex inhibitor, overflow, heater, and drain.
- Internal condition of the roof support structure and roof sheeting.
24-Hour Emergency Call Out Service
Should you require our service, a trained and qualified Firecom engineer is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to ensure your sprinkler systems are working properly and comply to the latest accreditation standards.
We work to the highest standards to ensure our customers are safe and compliant to the latest legislation at all times.
We work to the highest standards to ensure our customers are safe and compliant to the latest legislation at all times.
