Short answer
A fire alarm project is prepared from the building’s architectural plan and its intended use. First the regulatory requirements and zoning are determined, then the detector type and location for each area, manual call points, sounders, panel location, cable route and battery capacity are calculated. Once the project is approved, installation is carried out, the system is tested and commissioned, and delivered with its documents.
What is needed to start the project?
A fire alarm project starts with the building’s current architectural plans. The plans must show the partitions of each floor, ceiling heights, areas with suspended ceilings and raised floors, stairwells and elevator shafts, shafts and doors. If there is no plan, or if the building has been renovated, an up-to-date plan is drawn by taking measurements on site.
The intended use of the building forms the basis of the project. A school, hotel, hospital, factory or residence carries different risks and different regulatory requirements. If the same building has more than one use, such as shops, offices and a car park, each section is assessed separately.
During the site survey, the building’s other systems are also noted: air handling units, fire doors, elevators, sprinklers and pumps, and the PA system if there is one. If the alarm system will send signals to these or receive signals from them, the connections are included in the project.
Regulations and standards
In Türkiye, which buildings must have fire detection systems and the basic requirements are set by the Regulation on the Fire Protection of Buildings. The TS EN 54 family of standards is the basis for equipment and system design. These standards define the characteristics of components such as the panel, detectors, call points, sounders and power supply.
The engineer who prepares the project checks the regulatory requirements one by one according to the building class. Exact thresholds and details are assessed according to the current text of the regulation. The practices of the local fire department and municipality can also affect the approval process. We recommend consulting an expert for legal obligations.
Who will prepare the project and who will submit it for approval should be discussed from the start. When the project comes from one company and the installation from another, changes made on site may be forgotten in the project. Having a single person responsible for both the project and the work makes sure the project and the site match at handover.
Zoning and detector placement
The building is divided into zones that make it possible to locate the fire quickly during an alarm. In conventional systems each zone appears on the panel as a line; in addressable systems each device appears with its own address, but zoning is still done. Zones are usually determined by floor, fire compartment and area of use.
A suitable detector is chosen for each area. Smoke detectors can be used in offices and corridors, heat detectors in kitchens and boiler rooms, and beam detectors in warehouses with high ceilings. The spacing of detectors and their distance from walls are determined in line with the standard, according to ceiling height and ceiling shape. If there is a lot of cabling above suspended ceilings or below raised floors, these voids can also be protected.
Manual call points are placed on escape routes, near floor exits and stairwell entrances. Sounders and strobes are distributed so that the alarm can be heard and seen everywhere in the building. In noisy production areas and in places where people with hearing impairments may be present, a visual warning is important.
Expert note: Have the project prepared before the building is finished, before the suspended ceiling is closed. Running conduit and cable after the ceiling is closed is both expensive and may not allow access to every part of the ceiling.
- 1Plan and intended use
- 2Regulation and zoning
- 3Device placement and cabling
- 4Battery calculation and project approval
- 5Installation and programming
- 6Test, report and handover
Cable, panel and battery calculation
In the project, the panel location, the route of each line and the cable type are determined. The panel is usually placed on the ground floor, at a point that the fire department can reach easily and where people are always present, such as reception or the security room. In large buildings, additional repeater panels are also planned.
Cables are run in separate conduits or trunking, apart from power cables. Fire-resistant cable is used for lines that must keep working during a fire. Which lines will use this cable is determined in the project.
The battery calculation is made so that when the power is cut, the system can stay on standby for a set time and then run the sounders for a set time in an alarm. The required durations are determined according to the standard and regulation; in the calculation, the standby and alarm currents of every device are added up.
What is in the project file?
The project file to be submitted for approval or given to the installation team consists of the following documents:
- Device layout plan for each floor
- Zone list and zone boundaries
- Single-line or line diagram
- Cable type and route information
- Battery and power supply calculation
- Connections to other systems and scenario list
- Technical datasheets of the devices to be used
Installation, testing and commissioning
Installation is carried out in line with the project, and if a mandatory change is made on site, the project is updated. After the cables are run, the lines are measured, the devices are fitted and the panel is programmed. In addressable systems, each device is given an address and a readable location name, such as 2nd floor corridor or canteen kitchen. If only a number shows on the panel display, finding the fire takes time during an alarm.
At commissioning, each detector is tested one by one with test aerosol or a heat tester, each call point is checked by pressing it, and it is checked whether the sounders can be heard in every area. Linked scenarios such as ventilation shutdown, door release and announcements are run in real conditions. Operation on battery is also tested by cutting the power.
The test results are recorded in a commissioning report. This report is a reference document in occupancy permit and inspection processes and in future maintenance.
Handover and after
When the system is handed over, the as-built project, device list, commissioning report, panel user manual and maintenance recommendations are provided. The building manager and security staff are shown how to read the panel, how to silence and reset the alarm, and what to do in case of a false alarm.
After installation, the system is kept in working order with periodic maintenance and tests. Any renovation, new partition wall or change of use in the building may require the project to be reviewed. Converting a storage area into an office changes the detector type and layout.
Frequently asked
Who prepares the fire alarm project?
The project is prepared by an electrical engineer competent in this field, in accordance with regulations and standards. The approval process varies depending on the type of building and local practices.
Can a fire alarm project be done for an existing building?
Yes. First, measurements are taken on site and an up-to-date plan is drawn, and the cable routes are determined according to the existing structure. Where there is no suspended ceiling, cables are run in trunking or along the surface.
What should the commissioning report include?
It should include the test result of every detector and call point, checks of the sounders and strobes, a battery operation trial and the results of linked scenarios. The report should be dated and signed.
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