Liberty Systems

From Forces to Fire Safety: A Future with Liberty Systems

Sat, 02 Aug 2025 15:26:33 GMT

From Forces to Fire Safety:

A New Mission with Liberty Systems

If you're transitioning from the armed forces and looking for your next career mission, Liberty Systems is ready to welcome you into a new kind of service — one that protects lives, property, and peace of mind through cutting-edge fire safety systems.

Why Fire Alarm Engineering? Why Now?

Fire alarm engineers play a critical role in ensuring safety across public, private, and commercial buildings. It’s a hands-on, technical role where attention to detail, discipline, and problem-solving are essential — all qualities honed in military service.

As a Fire Alarm Engineer, you’ll be:

Installing and commissioning life safety systems
Diagnosing and repairing faults
Carrying out planned preventative maintenanc
Advising clients on compliance and best practices
Increasing your knowledge and Skillset
Helping to shape the future of Liberty Systems

This is more than a job — it’s a role with purpose. You’ll continue protecting others, just in a different uniform.

Why Forces Leavers Are a Perfect Fit

At Liberty Systems, we understand the unique skills and values that ex-forces personnel bring:

You work under pressure and stay calm in challenging environments
You’re disciplined, methodical, and used to technical systems
You thrive on teamwork, but are confident working independently
You have a commitment to safety and getting the job done right
You understand and value the need for communication and up to date information

These strengths translate directly into success in the fire safety industry.

What Liberty Systems Offers You

We’re not just offering a job — we’re offering a career path. When you join Liberty Systems, you’ll benefit from:

Structured training — Whether you’re new to the industry or have some transferable technical skills, we’ll upskill you with comprehensive in-house and accredited training.

Certifications & development — We support your progress with professional qualifications and ongoing CPD.

Mentorship — You'll be supported by experienced engineers who understand what it's like to start something new.

A supportive culture — We value your background, your discipline, and your leadership.

A clear future — With Liberty Systems, you're not just filling a role — you’re building a future.

Who We Are

Liberty Systems is a leading fire protection company with a reputation for reliability, professionalism, and integrity. We serve a wide range of clients with fire alarm design, installation, and maintenance services — and we’re growing.

We believe in doing things the right way — and we believe that begins with the right people.

Join Us — Your Next Mission Starts Here

If you’re looking for a meaningful career that values your military experience, gives you room to grow, and keeps you at the heart of protecting others — Liberty Systems could be your next step.

Interested?

Drop us a line at info@libertysystems.co.uk or visit our careers page at www.libertysystems.co.uk/careers

We’d love to hear your story — and help you write your next chapter.

Why Choose a BAFE Accredited Fire Alarm Company | Liberty Systems UK

Sat, 02 Aug 2025 14:08:24 GMT

Why Choose a BAFE Accredited Fire Alarm Company | Liberty Systems UK

Why You Should Use a BAFE Accredited Company for Your Fire Alarm System

When it comes to protecting lives and property, choosing the right fire protection partner is critical. Whether you’re managing a commercial site, residential building, or industrial facility, installing and maintaining a compliant fire alarm system is non-negotiable. That’s why working with a BAFE accredited fire alarm company —like Liberty Systems —is a smart, safe, and legally sound decision.

What Is BAFE Accreditation?

BAFE (British Approvals for Fire Equipment) is the UK’s leading independent register for quality-assured fire protection companies. If a company is BAFE accredited, it means it has been audited and certified by a UKAS-approved third-party body to meet strict fire safety standards.

Using a BAFE registered fire alarm company shows that you’re serious about fire safety and legal compliance.

5 Key Reasons to Use a BAFE Accredited Fire Alarm Company

1. ✔ Legal Fire Safety Compliance

Under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, the responsible person for a premises is legally required to ensure fire systems are appropriate, functional, and maintained. BAFE accreditation helps you prove compliance with current UK fire safety legislation.

2. ✔ Expert Workmanship and Certification

BAFE-accredited companies must meet rigorous training and technical standards. When you hire a BAFE certified installer like Liberty Systems, you know your fire alarm system is being handled by qualified professionals who understand the latest codes and technologies.

3. ✔ Enhanced Insurance Support

Insurance providers increasingly require evidence that fire systems have been installed and maintained by certified companies. Choosing a BAFE registered fire alarm company can protect your insurance position in the event of a claim.

4. ✔ Independent Verification

BAFE doesn’t certify just anyone. Companies must undergo independent third-party audits, giving you double assurance of quality, safety, and trust.

5. ✔ Peace of Mind

With a BAFE certified provider, you can rest easy knowing your fire protection is handled by professionals who are regularly assessed for compliance, safety, and performance.

Why Choose Liberty Systems?

At Liberty Systems, we go beyond compliance—we deliver fire protection solutions tailored to your specific environment, budget, and legal requirements.

We are proud to be a BAFE SP203-1 accredited fire alarm company , offering trusted services to businesses, landlords, and public organisations across the UK.

Our Services:

Fire alarm design and consultation
Fire alarm system installation (conventional and addressable)
Fire system commissioning and certification
Ongoing maintenance and routine testing
Emergency call-out services

We’re committed to quality workmanship , competitive pricing , and exceptional service —all underpinned by our industry accreditations.

Need a Fire Alarm System? Trust Liberty Systems

If you’re looking for a BAFE approved fire alarm company that prioritises safety, compliance, and customer service, look no further than Liberty Systems .

�� Call us today on 0116 442 2729
�� Email: info@libertysystems.co.uk
�� Visit: libertysystems.co.uk to request a free site survey or fire alarm system consultation.

Liberty Systems – Your Trusted BAFE Accredited Fire Safety Partner.

What is a Fire Alarm Zone Plan?

Sat, 25 Jun 2022 18:36:16 GMT

What is a Fire Alarm Zone Plan?

A fire alarm zone plan is an illustrated layout of your building, listing all its fire alarm zones. It should show the building exits, stairs, corridors, lifts etc. The fire alarm zone plan should be located next to the fire alarm panel, which can immediately identify where any potential fire situation may have occurred.

The zone plan should also include:

Building levels
Escape routes and final exits (exits that open out into a place of safety, such as the car park or field)
Circulation areas (corridors, stairs, lifts etc)
A “You are here” sign so that visitors and employees can map out their exit route

Do I need a fire alarm zone plan?

Simply. YES!

According to BS5839-1:2017, it is essential for buildings to have fire alarm zone plans. A Fire Alarm Zone Plan helps the fire service by quickly directing them to the origin of the raised alarm. It saves valuable time in both genuine and false activations.

Zone plans are required on every system of any size, and should be noted as a major non-compliance during routine maintenance, when they are not displayed on existing installations.

Remember, they are most needed in an emergency situation, where time is critical, stress levels and panic may be heightened and although you may be fully aware of the layout of the building and any of its quirks, the first responders may have never seen the site before.

The larger a site is the more critical it becomes to have extra detail available, that's why, here at liberty Systems, We provide an additional pack within the "Fire Documents" Box next to the control panel, this includes larger floor plans, clearer layouts and more detailed information, whilst retaining the crucial zone drawings adjacent to the fire alarm panel.

This gives the fire officer on site all the information to be able to take command of the site away from the building.

What are the requirements of a fire alarm zone plan?

According to the British Standards, all zone plans must be diagrammatic to be fit for purpose. They should be close to the fire alarm panel and accurately indicate the orientation of the building.

With Liberty Systems, you can be sure that you will always be fully compliant and up-to-date with all regulations. Our zone plans keep your buildings and staff safe by ensuring that the fire service can always find the source of a fire quickly and easily.

Where do I need a fire alarm zone plan?

The zone plan should be situated adjacent to all CIE (Fire Alarm Control Panels). This ensures the fire service can be quickly directed to the location of a fire. In an event of a false alarm, this can also help identify the service provider of any problems within the detection area.

As we mentioned earlier, these should be an accurate representation of the building, for a lot of sites this may be a very simple layout, for larger more complex sites, this may require larger zone drawings and additional information.

For example, it is almost entirely useless (and non compliant) to provide zone drawings for a multi storey buildings on an A4 print out, since the only information that can be gleaned from zone drawings like that would be the number of floors.

Trust me... We've seen 15 storey tower blocks with A4 zone drawings, each floor level on the zone drawings being about 40mm x 40mm, you couldn't see the floor layout, or the smaller zones within any given floor.

What Next?

We see it so often, companies are fitting fire alarm systems and not providing zone drawings with the systems, or are providing inadequate drawings (its extremely common to find that zone drawings are out of date and not renewed when the layout of the building changes too)

Remember, your system will generally be considered non compliant without the zone drawings fitted (there are some really great aesthetic options too for sites where a printed zone plan would spoil the finish.)

So make sure that you demand adequate zone drawings upon completion, check them over to make sure the layout is correct too.

Ask your fire alarm service and maintenance company to confirm that everything is correct, if they are missing, you'll need to ask your fire alarm service and maintenance provider to prepare a set for you, there will usually be a cost to this but they should have already raised the missing drawings with you by this point.

Ultimately a Fire Alarm Zone Plan will make your business a safer place.

Here at Liberty Systems we pride ourselves on attention to detail and handing over a fully compliant system, whatever its size, the same is true for our service and maintenance plans.

So, feel free to get in touch today, we would love to work with you on your next project and we're always happy to have a new customer on board to take advantage of our service and maintenance plans.

Liberty Systems are always on hand to offer help and advice for all things fire and security. Contact us today and one of our friendly team will be happy to help!

Call us on 0116 442 2729 or drop us an email at info@libertysystems.co.uk

Who are The SSAIB?

Mon, 06 Jun 2022 08:53:25 GMT

What is SSAIB and NSI?

There are two inspection bodies for intruder and burglar alarm systems. The first is SSAIB (Security Systems and Alarms Inspection Board) who are the leading certification body for organisations providing security systems and services. The SSAIB is a well-known and respected body within the security sector, so certification from them is certainly something to look out for when choosing a security provider.

The second body is NSI (National Security Inspectorate) who were formally recognised as NACOSS (something that your insurer may still refer to)

Liberty Systems are an SSAIB certified security systems provider in Leicester and we cover Nationwide.

All SSAIB certified companies have undergone a thorough audit to assess its products, installation and services. Becoming a member of the SSAIB isn’t easy and companies who are awarded the accreditation have to pass a long list of criteria before they are approved. This ensures that SSAIB approved companies are skilled, competent and worthy of the SSAIB accreditation.

Why choose an SSAIB or NSI Registered Company?

The Police recommend SSAIB or NSI approved companies for home alarm installations as well as business alarm systems because the accreditation guarantees certain benefits and service levels from you alarm installer.

SSAIB or NSI certification means that you can be confident in the quality of service provided to protect your business from the potentially devastating consequences of fire or crime.

By choosing Liberty Systems you can be assured that we meet with the strict SSAIB requirements and you receive the quality service expected.

SSAIB for Monitored Alarm Systems

For added security we can provide ARC monitored alarm systems and because we have the SSAIB accreditation you can receive Police Response too.

The SSAIB check the following so that you don’t have to:

Personnel have been screened to the relevant British Standard
Competence and experience of management and staff
Insurance cover is relevant to the level and nature of work undertaken
Premises are adequate for their activity and that the security of documentation and records is ensured
That best-practice standards are maintained.
That sufficient staff and resources are employed to provide the services offered
Compliance with all relevant standards and codes of practice, British or European
Identity cards are carried at all times

If you're looking for an approved company for your home or business security needs, our team are ready to help!

Call us on 0116 442 2729 or send us an email info@libertysystems.co.uk

Intruder Alarm System Installation | Intruder Alarm System Maintenance | Intruder Alarm System Monitoring

The PSTN switch off: What does it mean for existing Fire & Security Systems?

Mon, 09 May 2022 19:05:46 GMT

Switch on so you don't get switched off!

If you haven't already heard, BT is phasing out traditional copper analogue phone lines.

Openreach are working hard to build the UK's new digital network. By 31st December 2025, analogue will be switched off forever. (We know.... it's kind of sad, but we're looking forward to the digital future and we're here to keep you secure whilst the change happens)

What does it mean for existing Security Systems?

If your intruder alarm or fire alarm system relies on analogue lines then the PSTN switch off will affect you.

This means you will need to upgrade your existing signalling device to an IP based solution to ensure continued monitoring of your system.

But fear not, we've got you covered, all of our monitoring devices can be either IP (hardwired connection to the internet) or GSM, using a mobile network, most of our devices are dual path devices which means that they are a combination of either IP and GSM or Dual GSM.

Our GSM monitoring devices are WorldSIM as well, which means that they can jump onto the network providing the best signal strength.

Its a nice and simple changeover and you'll be back up and running in no time, our Fire and Intruder alarm system monitoring doesn't cost the earth either and our annual price covers everything. Simple (added bonus... no more dedicated PSTN phoneline to pay for the monitoring device)

Why the change?

Traditional Telephone communication has been enabled by a 140-year old system called the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) that uses underground copper wires to carry analogue data. There was a significant upgrade to the Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN) in the 1980s—but there has been a lot of technological development in the past 40 years (Yes... Its really 40 years ago and we are just as sad about that as you are) And it’s these developments that have led to the BT PSTN and ISDN UK switch off.

What happens if I don't switch?

If you’ve not made the switch, the Alarm Receiving Centre (ARC) will not be notified upon an alarm activation, consequently no alert will be sent, which means there will be no keyholder notification, no police response and no fire brigade response!

If you don't upgrade it's likely that your insurance company will not be too happy and may reduce or remove any cover that you had, it's also a good idea to double check your insurance requirements if you're not currently on a monitored system too, just in case its tucked away in the small print somewhere.

Luckily, it’s easy to make the switch and ensure you’re covered. Be prepared.....don't leave it until the last minute as the analogue network in parts of the country is being switched off now in a rolling program that's already underway and will be complete by the end of 2025

How can Liberty Systems help?

Fear not... Here at Liberty Systems we can install the latest technology in alarm signalling.

Is a really simple and low cost process and our service team are all stocked up and ready to help you out.

Our Dual-Com signalling devices are completely wireless signalling devices that uses mobile technology to deliver alarm signals. They comes with 2 roaming SIM's (Dual Path) and use all available mobile technologies is also future proofed for 5G.

We also have the IP & GSM Dual Path version available too.

Need police response? You've come to the right place, Liberty Systems are an SSAIB & Police Approved company, working closely with national police forces we're here to help.

Ready to Get Switched On?

Click Here to get in touch today

EVCS | Emergency Voice Communication System

glenn.shawley@yahoo.co.uk (Glenn Shawley) — Sun, 08 May 2022 19:56:06 GMT

What is an EVC system?

What is an Emergency Voice Communication System?

An EVCS (Emergency Voice Communication System) is a term covering Disabled Refuge Systems, Fire Fighting Telephone Systems and other Fixed Life Safety Telephone Systems such as those used to manage evacuations within sports grounds and arenas etc.

They are a system of fixed, monitored, bidirectional, full duplex voice communication system to assist the orderly evacuation of disabled or mobility impaired people and enhance firefighters communication during emergencies, they are part of Life Safety System Design within a large range of buildings.

What is an EVC System For?

In the first stages of evacuation, before the fire and rescue service arrive on scene the EVCS may be used between the control room and fire marshals on different floors throughout the building.

For example a call can be made from a floor to advise the control room or master station that the floor has been cleared.

The fire and rescue service would normally take control of the evacuation upon arrival at site, with a fire officer at the control room communicating with other fire fighters on site via the EVC system.

A disabled person or anyone who is not able to use an escape route would be able to take refuge in the designated refuge area and contact the master station or control room by simply pressing the button on the outstation, this automacically places the call and identifies the location of the outstation and allows 2 way conversation without the need for any further intervention.

Disabled Refuge Areas

A Disabled Refuge area is a relatively safe place where people who cannot easily use fire escapes (stairs or long routes etc) may call for assistance.

This allows building management and emergency services to safely assist these people from the building when stairwell crowding has eased.

Simple, two way communication (Refuge system) in these areas is essential; firstly to assist rescue teams in determining where assistance is required and secondly to reassure people help is on the way.

The term disabled refuge in this instance refers to those with limited mobility, such as those who are unable to walk without aid, arthritis sufferers, people with injuries and pregnant women.

When do I need a Disabled Refuge?

In accordance with Approved Document B, Disabled Refuge Systems should be provided on every storey (except ones consisting only of plant rooms) of each protected stairway providing an exit from that storey.

Refuges form part of the management plan and offer relatively safe areas for people to wait for a short period only

Purpose-built student living accommodation including that in the form of flats, should be treated as hotel accommodation in relation to the facilities required.

Where should Disabled Refuges be located?

Refuges should be provided on every storey of each protected stairway providing an exit from that storey.

Refuges do not need to be located within the stair enclosure, but should enable direct access to the stair.

The number of refuge spaces does not need to equal the number of wheelchair users who may be in the building. A single refuge may be occupied by more than one person during the evacuation procedure.

Refuges should be a minimum of 900mm x 1400mm in size and accessible by someone in a wheelchair. They should not reduce the width of the escape route or obstruct the flow of people escaping.

A Disabled Refuge system is not just for use during a fire, it must be available at all times and MUST NOT BE DISABLED OUTSIDE OF A FIRE EMERGENCY

Refuges and evacuation lifts should be clearly identified with appropriate fire safety signs and when a refuge is in a lobby or stairway the sign should also have blue mandatory sign worded “Refuge – Keep clear” .

Refuge outstations should be wall mounted between 0.9m and 1.2 m above the ground in an easily accessible, well lit position with low background noise.

Fire Telephone Systems

Fire telephones are hardwired full duplex communications systems with monitoring and battery backup, and are required in buildings over 4 storeys in many countries in the world (in the UK this is governed by BS9999).

These are provided as a backup to traditional fireman’s radio systems, which can fail to operate in many high rise environments due to the large amount of steel in the building, and the “corona” effect of fire on radio broadcasts.

When both disabled refuge and fire telephone systems are installed in a building they should form a single system.

Fire telephones are also required in fire fighting lift lobbies when these lifts are provided within a building.

Fire telephones can also be used for wardens to call the control point during fire drills and primary evacuation phases before the fire and rescue services arrive and assume control.

They should also be installed In buildings when the shape, size or type requires communication between remote locations and the central control point such as in sports venues, to assist stewards in controlling the evacuation.

Where should Fire Telephones be located?

In tall buildings with phased evacuation an internal speech communication system should be provided for speech between a control point and rescue services on every storey.

Type A outstations should be located at every fire fighting entrance point, fire escape landing and fire fighting lobby. They should be wall mounted 1.3m to 1.4m above ground, easily accessible in well lit and low background noise.

In sports stadiums, they should be no more than 30m from a stewards position or other normally manned area e.g. turnstile, police rooms and senior officials.

Emergency Assistance Alarms

Often referred to as an 'Accessible Toilet Alarm' or 'Disabled Toilet Alarm' An emergency assistance alarm is defined in Building Regulations Approved Document M, and must be provided at all accessible toilets within a non domestic premises.

If the toilet is in a non permanently occupied space, remote indication must be provided at a central control or monitoring point and cant rely on its local sounder/beacon only.

An emergency assistance alarm can only be reset by attending the location of the call, so the reset point is within the cubical this also allows accidental calls to be cancelled by the toilet occupier.

The emergency assistance alarm should be fully monitored in line with the specification described in BS8300.

It has now become very common for the disabled toilet to be specified as part of the refuge system, and by integrating it with the Emergency Voice Communication System all calls relating to disabled communications can be displayed in a single point.

Fire Alarm Design Categories

Sun, 08 May 2022 10:20:54 GMT

Fire Alarm System - Design Categories | BS 5839-1

This is something that we get asked to explain quite often... And rightly so, since the foundation of every fire alarm system starts with its design category.

To help you all out when you're next reading through a fire alarm system quote (hopefully you've come to us for that already, but if not, then its never too late to pick up the phone, we would love to help!) or perhaps you've recently had a Fire Risk Assessment carried out and your assessor has recommended a particular category of fire alarm system for your property, well that exactly what this post is for, its a little bit of info to help you get a better understanding of what's involved... so lets jump in!

Put simply, before your fire alarm system can be designed, the system designer would need to know what the objective of the system is, this is determined by the 'Design Category'

There are 3 main categories for fire alarm system in BS 5839

Category M Systems (Manual Only System)

Category L Systems (Life Protection System)

Category P Systems (Property Protection System)

So that's step one of the design process, we now know the primary objective of the system, generally speaking a Fire Risk Assessor will be looking to determine the extent of requirement for a system designed to protect life, where as an insurance company may be looking to protect an asset, such as property or equipment.

Design Categories are then broken down further, lets look at that in more detail below.

Category M Systems

A Manual only Fire Alarm System (Category M) is a system which only comprises of Manual Call Points (MCP) these will be located at each exit from the building.

Manual Call points will be needed in additional areas throughout a building too, such as changes of storey.

There are also maximum travel distances to consider, no one should have to travel more than 45M to reach an MCP, this is further reduced to 25M in areas where there is a higher fire hazard. The 25M travel distance would also apply where a person in a wheelchair would be expected to operate a Manual Call Point.

A Manual Only System is just that and includes no automatic fire detection and relies on a person within the building finding a fire and manually raising the alarm.

Category L Systems

Category L are systems designed for the purpose of Life Protection and are further divided into categories L1. L2 . L3 . L4 . L5

Category L1

A Category L1 System requires automatic fire detection throughout all areas of the building, this could also include ceiling voids etc. The objective of a category L1 system is to offer the earliest possible warning of a fire, so as to achieve the longest available time for escape.

Category L2

A category L2 system requires automatic fire detection to meet the requirements of a Category L3 system below, with the additional objective of providing early warning of fire within specified areas of higher fire hazard or risk, this might include a plant room or boiler room which otherwise wouldn't require detection in a category L3 system, so the difference between a Category L2 and L3 may be as simple as a single additional detector or could require multiple depending on the building layout and nature of the risk.

Category L3

A Category L3 System should be installed within all escape routes and rooms which open onto an escape route, this category is designed to give warning of fire before escape routes become un usable due to smoke and fire.

Category L4

A Category L4 System requires detection within all escape routes. The objective of this system is to give warning to occupants of smoke within the escape routes.

Category L5

A Category L5 System is designed around specific risk and would be installed to meet a specific fire safety objective (Other than the objectives of Category L1 to L4 above)

This could be due to a requirement for detection within a part of the building due to a specific risk or aspect of the buildings construction.

Essentially a Category L5 Fire Alarm System could be as small as a single fire detector or could be a comprehensive system covering large areas.

It is a category often used as part of the operating system for a fire protection system within a building or to operate the cause and effect strategy of a building.

Here at Liberty Systems, a lot of our work involves systems within Purpose Built Blocks of Flats, meaning a large amount of the systems that we design and maintain are Category L5 systems, we wont get into the details of the design of an L5 system within this Blog as there are a number of different factors which affect the extent and requirement for each system.

Its important to note that other Life Safety Systems may be required in conjunction with the Category L5 system within blocks of flats, it is also becoming more commonplace for architects to specify Evacuation Alert Systems within Blocks of Flats.

Take a look at one of our other posts dedicated to Evacuation Alert Systems to help you to understand a little more about how they work, the principles behind them and how they can enhance the Life Safety Systems within your building in the meantime, feel free to get in touch with any questions or for your Free Evacuation Alert System Quote.

If you are in need of a company to assist with the Design, Installation, Commissioning or Maintenance of a Fire Alarm System within Flats or Purpose Built Blocks of Flats, get in touch with us today, we would be more than happy to help.

Examples

To help visualise the Fire Alarm System Design Categories, we've included some drawings below for each system category, hopefully this blog has helped you to make sense of things a little more and helps you to interpret your Fire Risk Assessment and understand the objectives.

As you can see, making changes to the layout of your building may affect multiple aspects of your fire alarm system, some of these building changes can affect how effective the detection is within certain areas of the building or may introduce the potential for false alarms but if we just stick to the Design Categories for now, you can see that repositioning a door entering a room or adding additional rooms within open plan spaces may mean your system no longer meets the intended design category, all of these things are reviewed and checked by your Liberty Systems service engineer at every service visit, why not give us a call before your next alteration project to double check, if you're already a customer we'll be able to help and advise you straight away, if you're not already a Liberty Systems customer... We would love to have you on board!

Category P Systems

Category P systems designed for the protection of property are further divided into categories P1. P2

Category P1

A Category P1 System requires automatic fire detection throughout all areas of the building, this could also include ceiling voids etc. The objective of a category P1 system is to offer the earliest possible warning of a fire, so as to minimise the time between the ignition of a fire and the arrival of Fire Fighters.

(As with all of these descriptions, they are brief overviews, it may not sound like it but there are differences in the design and requirements between categories L1 & P1 which your fire alarm engineer and designer will further explain, this may fore example be in relation to the provision of Manual Call Points and Audibility Levels throughout the building, a fire alarm system designed for the protection of property would, in almost every case require ARC monitoring (Central Station Monitoring) to minimise the time between the start of a fire and the attendance of fire fighters)

Category P2

A category P2 system requires automatic fire detection to provide early warning of fire within specified areas of higher fire hazard or risk, or in areas in which the risk to property or business continuity form fire is high.

Here to Help

We are here for you whenever you need us, our Projects Team provide tenders for fire alarm systems of all sizes, from single retail units through to multi storey offices and towers and our Maintenance Team are on hand 24 hours a day, to service and maintain your systems and provide a comprehensive Call Out and emergency response service.

Get in touch today and see what we can do for you.

How to carry out a weekly test on my fire alarm?

Fri, 19 Mar 2021 20:03:36 GMT

"How do I carry out my weekly fire alarm test" is probably one of the most common questions that we get asked when we visit a new site, it's important that users carry out the correct weekly tests of their fire alarm system to make sure that the system is operating correctly.

Weekly user tests aren't designed to be thorough tests of the system but they do help to make sure that the system is still operating correctly in between service visits and also give building occupants the chance to become familiar with the alarm tones, so they know what they are listening out for in the even of a real fire alarm.

You'll want to carry out the test, during normal working hours at around the same time each week, if your business operates shifts, you may need to add another test or two into additional shift patterns so that those workers are able to become familiar with the alarm as well.

Weekly tests are also a great way for businesses to identify any potential issues with audibility throughout their premises, this can vary with building use, types of work and occupants.

For example, you may have introduced new processes which have increased background noise, making it difficult to hear the alarm in that area, maybe new fire doors have been fitted or partition walls added?

Perhaps you have changed your working practices and have staff working remotely in different areas of the building or members of staff or visitors are hard of hearing?

As the building occupants, you have the best understanding of some of these factors, particularly around the use and occupants of the building, so weekly fire alarm testing gives you a great opportunity to address some of these questions and make sure that audibility is sufficient throughout the building, often times, the rest of the issues around audibility will have been identified in your report by your fire alarm service provider, if your still unsure or need a fire alarm service and maintenance provider get in touch with Liberty Systems today.

Liberty Systems service engineers provide free user training at each service visit as needed so that should help you to stay confident in using your fire alarm system.

Luckily though... weekly user tests are pretty straight forward, so lets jump in to the step by step process.

1 - Put your system "On Test" with the ARC
This is an important first step, if your site is monitored for fire alarm signals, you'll need to contact the Alarm Receiving Centre and put your system on test first, if you're not monitored then you can skip this test (get in touch if you require monitoring)

2 - Make sure that building occupants are aware of the test.
By doing the test at the same time each week and making sure that staff are aware of the test days and times you'll have this one covered, if your building accepts visitors, its a good idea to make them aware if you are going to be testing the alarm

3 - Test the system by activating a Manual Call Point

Use the test key provided to activate a Call point (you should activate a different call point each week)

Once you have activated the call point you'll need to reset it, otherwise when you reset the fire alarm panel, the alarms will sound again!

4 - Make sure that the fire alarm sounders are working and that the fire alarm panel is operating correctly.

When you have activated the manual call point the sounders should activate throughout the building and the fire alarm panel should show the fire indication and the zone (you can see which zone by looking at your zone plan)

You don't need to walk around the entire building to check every sounder but its a good idea to make sure that staff raise any concerns of poor audibility after the test.

You may also notice that any other outputs on the system activate as well, this should release mag locks on doors, raise roller shutters and bring lifts to ground station for example.

5 - Silence the Alarm

This is a pretty simple step, Enable controls on your fire alarm panel (either using a key or a code) and then press 'Silence'

6 - Reset the Alarm

You've already enabled the controls on the fire alarm panel at this point so now its just a case of pressing 'Reset'

7 - Check that the panel is clear

You should now just be able to see the Green Power supply light on the panel.

If you have other lights showing on your system, such as faults, you'll need to contact your fire alarm servicing company to get this checked out. If you need a fire alarm servicing or maintenance company, contact Liberty Systems today, our team are always happy to help.

8 - Check that the ARC received the fire alarm signal

Give the Alarm Receiving Centre a call back and make sure that they saw the fire alarm signal at their end.

9 - Record the test in the Fire Alarm Log Book

Make sure you fill out the weekly test section of the logbook, along with any additional notes and comments

Its a good idea to number each call point in the building as well, this makes filling in the logbook a doddle.

Hopefully that helps you to carry out your weekly fire alarm tests with ease and removes some of the confusion, remember that you also need thorough testing, maintenance and servicing of your fire alarm system to be carried out by a competent servicing organisation, Call Liberty Systems today, Fire Safety is what we do, we're here to help with competitively priced service plans, round the clock support and free user training at service visits, covering all user requirements, including weekly fire alarm tests!

Take a look at our Fire Alarm User Manuals for a bit more information on your system.

Why do I need a fire alarm service plan?

Fri, 19 Mar 2021 20:03:36 GMT

Why Should I have a service Plan?

For some, having another maintenance plan in place may seem like a hassle, or another unnecessary expense, but one thing to remember is that a fire alarm system within your building is a piece of life safety equipment.

Its purpose is to protect Life, Property or both, in the case of Life Category systems, a working fire alarm system should give the earliest warning of fire to enable occupants to escape from a building before the build up of smoke, flames or toxic gasses make the escape routes unusable.

So really the question should be, "Why wouldn't you want a fire alarm service plan in place"?

Knowing that your fire alarm system operates as intended, that any change of layout or use of the building isn't affecting the capability of the system to alert you in the event of a fire is the ultimate peace of mind for any building owner or management team.

What could go wrong?

As with anything in the built environment, products can degrade over time, become damaged, or become ineffective due to external influences, we have even seen an incident when a lightning strike near to a building travelled through to the fire alarm system and blew a loop driver... this stopped half of the system from being able to detect fire!

Having a service contract in place means that your system is going to be thoroughly inspected and tested at least twice a year, we'll run through what happens on a service visit in another post "What happens on a service visit"

If you are in any doubt about the competency of your fire alarm service and maintenance provider, its perhaps a good time to switch provider, maybe you don't even have a service plan in place yet?

Maybe you're not getting the service that you expect, for the price you expect from your existing provider?

Get in touch with our friendly team today and we'll talk you through what you should be getting and just how affordable it should be.

What are the rules?

For now though, if that didn't answer your question, there's obviously rules around fire safety too so we've covered some of the key requirements below (don't forget that your insurers, both building and liability will require this to be met as well as part of your insurance agreement)

The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 says that:

"The responsible person must ensure that, where appropriate, the premises is equipped with appropriate fire detectors and alarms and that these are subject to a suitable system of maintenance and are maintained in an efficient state, in efficient working order and in good repair by a competent person."

The British Standards, BS 5839-1 says that periodic inspection and servicing needs to be carried out by a competent person with specialist knowledge of fire detection and alarm systems, including knowledge of the caused of false alarms, sufficient information regarding the system and adequate access to spares.

An agreement should also be in place for the emergency call-outs to deal with any fault or damage to the system within the required time.

For the system to be considered compliant, the period between successive visits by the Competent Person should not exceed a period of 6 months.

It is also worth remembering the obligations and duty of care placed on operators and business management to protect the users of their buildings through other relevant regulations and guidance.

How Can Liberty Systems Help?

Here at Liberty Systems we want to make sure that everyone has access to high quality service and maintenance for their fire alarm systems, that's why we offer a comprehensive service to all customers, detailed reporting to make it easy to show your system test history and modifications, easy to manage service bookings, our office simply contact you up to a month before your service is due, just to make sure the planned dates work for you.

You get access to our 24 hour phone support and call out engineers as well as free user training.

Oh... and because we believe that fire safety should be accessible to all, we offer very competitive pricing on our service plans too!

If you have any further questions or would like to discuss your system, Click Here to get in touch with our team today, they are always happy to help.

Which fire alarm test key do I need?

Fri, 19 Mar 2021 20:03:35 GMT

Gazing aimlessly into a draw full of keys after being told that you are now in charge of the weekly fire alarm tests?

Or perhaps you have just moved into a new premises and you don't recognise the manual call points and need to work out what you're looking for?

Well fear not, the useful team at Liberty Systems are here to help and save you the hassle, so we've put together a little list of manual call points and their test keys, we've covered some of the most common manual call point types in the UK so hopefully you'll find that key in no time!

Remember to take a look at our post on "how to carry out my weekly Fire Alarm Test" to make sure that you're all set and ready to go, and jump on over to the downloads page and download a copy of the use manual for your fire alarm if you need it.

As always, the Liberty Team are here to help if you have any questions.

Why not get in touch with us today anyway, just to find out how much more we could help and how much you can save with a Liberty Systems Service & Maintenance plan!

We hope that you found this useful, we may add another post with a few additional Manual Call Points in the future, particularly some more obscure or old style fire alarm break glass units.

We've put them all together for you below too... just to be even more useful!!

(may even be a nice little reminder for apprentices starting out on the road to becoming a Fire Safety Professional too!)

Don't forget to get in touch today and let Liberty Systems look after your fire alarm system, you need a maintenance contract in place to satisfy the regulations... so having Liberty Systems on board... with Free training and really useful little blog posts... its a no brainer really!

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