User Manual

Fire Safety

Building Technologies 049_Archives_and_Libraries_A6

V10271399_a_en.doc

Fire Safety & Security Products 03.2009

4.3 Control, Alarm and Evacuation System

Staffs in Archives and Libraries have been trained on the procedures and protocols

on how to perform intervention during a fire alarm. The staffs need to demonstrate

and understand these procedures and protocols. In each alarm situation the staff is

expected to maintain a professional behavior and guide visitors to the nearest exit.

4.3.1 Control

Fire control installations are functions activating structural and technical equipment

with damage-limiting effects in case of fire. Fire control installations ensure:

– propagation of smoke and heat is detected in a early stage

– smoke and heat can be extracted

– escape routes are unambiguously identified

– automatic extinguishing systems are activated

– air intake ventilation in archives and libraries

Note:

If the fire is detected in the archive or libraries, the ventilation is normally inter-

rupted and flaps are opened to ensure the extraction of smoke (in room where no

extinguishing is installed).

4.3.2 Alarm

4.3.2.1 Alarm devices

Acoustic alarm equipment is used to alert people in the danger zone as well as in-

ternal intervention forces. Alarm devices are connected to the control unit either di-

rectly with separated stub line or via a monitored output. Sinteso FS20 offers the

possibility to connect addressable alarm devices directly on the detection line.

Visual alarms are used for people with hearing problem that can not perceive the

sound of a siren or in very noisy environment. For these requirements visual alarm

devices are required.

In case of an alarm in archives and libraries, a step-by-step alarm can be accom-

plished to first locally act upon a local alarm device. After verification all alarm de-

vices can then be activated, if required

4.3.2.2 Voice alarm

Conventional alarm elements, such as flashing lights or horns, have limited infor-

mation contents and are increasingly ignored also by trained staff. Using a voice

alarm system will provide a clearly voice information with the procedure to be taken

to reduce the damages in archives or libraries. In addition the voice evacuation

system assures a programmed intervention information and evacuation sequence

in accordance with the evacuation plan. These systems enable step-by-step alarm

and evacuation depending on the situation.

4.3.2.3 Alarm transmission

Alarm transmission to the intervention forces for the internal – and external alarm

or organization like the local or remote fire brigade is accomplished by means of

monitored dedicated lines, telephone lines, dialup connection, radio connection,

network connection or a combination of these transmission methods.