User Manual

Siemens Switzerland Ltd 18
Building Technologies Division
3. Alarming and evacuation
3.1. Introduction
Once a fire has been detected by an automatic detector or by a person activating a manual call point, the fire
detection system will generate the preprogrammed control and alarm signals.
A major factor that can affect the success of building evacuation is that many people do not take the sounding of
fire alarm sufficiently seriously or do not understand the meaning of the acoustic signal. Such doubts lead to
unnecessary delays in people’s reaction to the warning. The more clearly the information can be conveyed to the
people in the building, the better the situation will be understood and the more quickly the necessary actions will
be taken.
A fast and efficient evacuation procedure is essential. This not only saves lives, but once the evacuation of the
building has been completed, the fire services can concentrate on minimizing the damage to property.
Personnel in data centers should be trained on the procedures and protocols on how to perform intervention
during a fire alarm. They need to demonstrate and understand these procedures and protocols. In each alarm
situation trained personnel are expected to maintain a professional behavior and guide people to the nearest exit.
3.2. Alarming
3.2.1. Objectives
The purpose of a fire alarm is to warn people about the presence of a fire within the premises. In a data center
context these people may be divided into 3 target groups:
• Selected members of staff
• Staff working in the building (in general) or visitors
• The municipal fire service
For each of these target groups various technical solutions are available, which can alert the people concerned in
the most appropriate and efficient manner.
3.2.2. Alerting selected members of staff
Alarms to the in-house staff are always generated without delay to allow the cause of the alarm to be
investigated. Time is of the essence: investigation must begin immediately. It is still possible that the fire is small
enough to be dealt with by local means. The aim is to prevent any unnecessary disruption until absolutely
necessary. Without activating the main alarm, members of staff may be alerted in one (or more) of the following
ways:
Pager Alarm activation via an in-house pager system, causing the pagers carried by all
members of staff to vibrate.
Mobile/Cell phone (SMS) Transmission of a preprogrammed text message.
Local acoustic Activation of buzzers or speakers in staff areas only: e.g. control room, manager’s
office, site or facility management.