When it comes to fire alarms, you want to ensure that you have the best system fitted for your property size and purposes.
The majority of our clients are businesses looking to secure the safety of their staff and clients. What is suitable for our smaller commercial customers might not be the best option for multiple occupancy buildings.
Our experts will always advise on the best possible solution for you, but this handy guide should give you a good idea about the different fire alarm systems available from Amthal.
Fire Alarm System Categories For Commercial Properties
L1 Fire Alarm
L1 Fire Alarm systems are the most comprehensive. They feature detectors in all areas of a building and are designed to offer the earliest possible warning of fire so as to achieve the longest available time for escape. These detectors are linked to a centralised alarm system that would alert the whole building. This alarm system is ideal for large premises like hotels, care homes and big office blocks.
L2 Fire Alarm
L2 fire alarm systems effectively provide an early warning to occupants beyond the room in which the fire starts. Detectors are placed in all rooms that form part of an escape route (including corridors) as well as high-risk areas like boiler rooms, plant rooms and kitchens.
L3 Fire Alarm
These systems typically involve detectors being fitted along all escape routes and in rooms that open onto an escape route. They are designed to give building occupants enough warning to escape from a fire before flames, smoke, or toxic fumes impede their exit. L3 fire alarm systems are commonly used in regular-sized commercial buildings with flights of stairs.
L4 Fire Alarm
L4 fire alarm systems are usually recommended for commercial properties with lower fire risk levels, i.e. an office with ground floor rooms only and/or a building that people don’t sleep in. Detectors are placed along escape routes comprising circulation areas and spaces, such as corridors and stairways.
L5 Fire Alarm
These fire alarm systems are ideal for areas in a building that pose a specific fire risk. For example, there might be a room in a building that stores hazardous materials. It is very much a custom category and usually only recommended by a professional fire risk assessment.
Manual Fire Alarm Systems
Several manual fire alarm systems are available, many of which you will already be familiar with.
The most common are the break glass units which can be fitted at each exit point of a building.
While these alarm systems form the most basic fire detection level for businesses with no sleeping persons, manual fire alarm systems can be highly effective. They are most commonly used in small offices and shops.
They do rely on building occupants raising the alarm to alert others in the case of a fire because there are no automatic fire detectors installed.
Fire Alarm System Categories For Domestic Properties
Most of our clients are from commercial backgrounds; however, we also offer our services for large domestic properties.
Here are some of the fire alarm systems we could provide to homeowners.
LD1 Maximum Protection
Detectors are placed in all rooms and areas – including loft conversions – and escape routes. The only places we would not install detectors would be in toilets, bathrooms and shower rooms as these could more easily trigger false alarms.
LD2 Additional Protection
As well as escape routes throughout the property, detectors are fitted in high er fire risk areas of a home, including kitchens, living rooms, hallways, landings and loft conversions if applicable.
LD3 Minimum Protection
This system would see detectors fitted in all areas that form part of the escape routes (hallways, landings and loft conversions if applicable). Please note that these systems would not comply with British Standards for homes of multiple occupancy.
Find Out More About Our Fire Alarm System Categories
Amthal Fire & Security can help give you peace of mind with our superior fire alarm systems and fire protection services.
Don’t forget that regardless of whether your alarms are in a commercial or residential property, you will need to schedule regular maintenance and checks.
Find out more about our fire alarm system maintenance contracts.