User Manual

7
Siemens Switzerland Ltd
Building Technologies Division
• Keeping escape routes accessible and unobstructed.
• Use of fire resistant decorations, furniture and furnishings.
Detection measures The main tasks of an automated fire protection system are to detect (an incipient
stage) fire, sound an acoustic alarm, notify the fire service and activate the pre-
programmed control functions. Such a system consists of a control unit with
peripheral input devices (such as manual call points and automatic fire
detectors), output devices (such as sounders and beacons) and output contacts
to control other systems (such as smoke control systems, HVAC systems,
elevators, automated extinguishing systems, etc.).
To minimize the danger to life and the damage to property, it is important to
detect a fire as early as possible. Optimal product selection combined with the
appropriate knowledge make it possible to design a fire detection system capable
of detecting a fire extremely early and virtually eliminate any danger of false
alarms.
Chapter 2 describes the measures needed to ensure that a fire is detected reliably
and at the earliest possible stage.
Alarm and evacuation
measures
When a fire breaks out prompt warning is essential and buildings must be
evacuated within minutes to protect people’s lives. Buildings with large numbers
of occupants, such as hotels, therefore have special requirements with regard to
alarming and evacuation.
The purpose of a (acoustic) fire alarm is to warn people of the potential hazard.
In the case of a hotel three distinct target groups are addressed:
• Hotel guests for whom a hazardous situation has been detected.
• Hotel staff who should coordinate the evacuation.
• The people who should deal with the fire.
In a basic installation the fire detection system must activate the installed alarm
devices and transmit the alarm signal to the fire department.
More sophisticated installations may include a dedicated voice alarm system,
which can be instrumental in preventing panic by providing clear information
about the danger and any required evacuation procedures through calm and
concise announcements.
In addition to the type of alarm and evacuation system provided, evacuation
plans, escape route identifications, emergency lighting systems and smoke
venting systems are essential to ensure a fast and safe evacuation of all persons.
Each hotel must have a detailed evacuation plan with detailed procedures for the
systematic, safe, and orderly evacuation of the building in case of fire or other
emergencies. Fire drills should be carried out on a regular basis to ensure that all
members of staff are familiar with all aspects of this plan.
If an evacuation of the building becomes necessary hotel guests, who will
normally have little knowledge of the building, must be able to rely on the
escape route identification notices to find their way out of the building.
To enable a safe evacuation, the emergency lighting must be turned on in all
relevant areas.
Air handling systems remove smoke from a building allowing the escape routes
to be kept clear of smoke which is essential to enable people to leave the hotel in
a quick and safe manner.
Chapter 3 describes the measures needed to alert staff, hotel guests and the
intervention forces, and how to ensure a fast and safe evacuation of the hotel.