Fire alarm system design
A major UK client decided, in the wake of Grenfell tower, that they required all replacement and new fire alarm systems to be designed by a third party accredited designers
The client, recognising Tenet Consultants as an EC&I and BAFE accredited contractor with successful delivery of a number of fire projects, approached Tenet Consultants to provide the designs via their nominated designers who are independently assessed and accredited through the BAFE SP203-1 scheme.
- Undertaken significant works in both new build and refurbished premises.
- Undertaken reviews of FA design for non-accredited companies.
- Undertake preliminary assessments prior to detail design to provide innovative solutions.
Fire alarm installation on existing buildings and replacing redundant fire alarm systems with modern fully addressable systems presents a challenge within the site environment
Replacing outdated fire alarm systems across existing facilities presented significant technical and logistical challenges.
Many of the legacy systems had been installed decades ago and were directly fixed into the building fabric, making their removal complex and time-consuming.
Traditional hard-wired replacements were not only costly but also problematic to install due to densely populated cable routes and strict limitations around drilling and creating new penetrations.
Additionally, any new system had to carefully consider the operational requirements of the site and the impact on existing cause and effect arrangements.
Tenet assembled a core team of SQEP engineers and BAFE-certified ‘Nominated Designers’ to lead the project from concept through to detailed design and support during installation and commissioning.
Our team had undergone specialist training in advanced technologies, including radio-operated fire alarm systems, allowing installations to avoid the constraints of hard-wired infrastructure.
We also introduced VESDA (Very Early Smoke Detection Apparatus) systems, using catenary wire for sample pipework to eliminate the need for roof fixings, alongside the latest beam detection and video detection systems designed to overcome the challenges of stratification layers.
Recognising the need for innovation, Tenet engaged experts with experience beyond the nuclear sector to bring a broader skill set to the project. We worked closely with suppliers, carried out detailed radio signal surveys, and undertook thorough optioneering to ensure the selected solutions aligned with the site’s technical, operational, and constructability constraints.
By introducing new technologies and leveraging specialist expertise, Tenet successfully designed and supported the installation of compliant, efficient, and minimally invasive fire alarm systems.
Our approach significantly reduced abortive costs in the early stages by ruling out unsuitable technologies and focusing only on viable solutions.
We developed a clear and comprehensive understanding of the client’s requirements, enabling us to deliver a system that met both safety and operational needs.
Throughout the project, Tenet continued to foster collaboration with stakeholders and suppliers to explore and apply the latest innovations, ensuring the final solution was not only futureproof but also seamlessly integrated into the existing site environment.
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