Introduction
Fire Detection & Suppression
Each year, fire is responsible for billions of dollars worth of loss and damage worldwide, not to mention the often sad loss of life which can have devastating effects on families and businesses.
When a fire alarm installation is required, the customer or organisation is often faced with a bewildering array of decisions. For example, which fire safety regulations must the system be compliant with? Is the system to alert the fire brigade, and if so by what method? Westminster can assist with these questions and many others, as well as liaising with the local fire officer and insurers as necessary.
Of course, the early detection of a fire is just part of a fire risk reduction strategy - once a fire has been detected, occupants will need to be alerted and if necessary, evacuated, whilst simultaneously suppressing and extinguishing the fire.
Occupants can be alerted by a number of different methods, such as traditional fire bells and sounders, together with visual indicators such as 'fire strobes' in areas of high ambient noise. Consideration should also be given to the hearing impaired, and Westminster can advise on and supply a number of systems specially designed to warn hearing impaired and deaf persons of any fire alert and of the need to evacuate the building. In addition, Westminster can supply PA/VA voice evacuation systems and emergency lighting systems to assist with the safe evacuation of any building or complex.
Westminster can also supply a wide range of gas extinguishing systems to suit almost any risk, as well as the revolutionary oxygen reduction system, which is not an extinguishing system but a total fire prevention system ensuring an area is constantly protected and a fire cannot even start - ideal for sensitive or high-risk environments such as computer centres, IT rooms, telecommunication centres, bank vaults and even vulnerable warehouses.
Fire Detection Systems
Westminster can arrange the full scope of a fire alarm system
- System Design
- Product Supply
- Installation & Commissioning
- System Interconnection
- Maintenance
Westminster are able to supply solutions worldwide, covering heat and smoke detection; flame detectors; smoke beams; air sampling and wire free systems; automatic door and ventilation operations; intrinsically safe systems; controls; mimics; and audio and visual warnings, together with remote monitoring and fire brigade signalling systems.
Gas suppression
A gas suppression system working in conjuration with a fire detection system will deploy a large quantity of suppression gas, CO2 for example, on to the fire. Gas suppression systems are highly effective and widely used systems for the reduction of damage caused from fires.
Oxygen reduction solution
Whilst gas suppression is effective, there are many drawbacks of these systems - including the space required for the gas storage and the infrastructure needed for the delivery. Systems also need costly renewal once activated and most importantly, a fire has to be detected before the gas can be deployed meaning something is already burning and being damaged.
Oxygen reduction works differently by permanently reducing the oxygen level in a given area, usually with the introduction of Nitrogen, to a point whereby fire will not start. The system requires a small nitrogen generator which can be situated close to the protected area reducing complex delivery pipework and then operates 24/7, meaning the area is always fully protected.
It is important to note that whilst the oxygen level is reduced, it is not eliminated and therefore it is perfectly safe to continue working in these areas, with certain precautions.
Detector Testing
Ensuring your fire detection system is fully operational is an important building maintenance task. Westminster are able to supply a range of products to test fire detection sensors, including both smoke and heat detectors. Equipment also includes telescopic poles with up to 9m reach to enable detectors to be tested no matter how high the ceiling is.
Emergency Evacuation Systems
Evacuation systems can be installed as part of a fire system or as a stand alone system and are used to inform occupants of the need to evacuate the building in the event of an emergency. Systems can be zoned so that buildings are only part evacuated or are evacuated in stages to relieve pressure on stairways and exits.
