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- Written by: Vaune Everington
- Category: General
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CHOOSING A CATEGORY
Choosing the category of system is the very first decision that has to be made before a fire detection design or installation can take place.
The various system categories are to be regarded as a “menu”, from which one can select a suitable system for any building.
Because of the wide range of systems covered in SANS 10139, the specification of requirements for a system, without a reference to a system category, has little meaning.
The category of system to be installed always needs to be included in the specification.
The specification of any category of system, other than Category L1, M or P1, always needs to include details of those areas of the building that are to be protected.
Category L1, L2, L3 and L4 systems should also satisfy the recommendations of SANS 10139 for a Category M system.
The category of system may be stipulated in the requirements imposed by an enforcing authority, by property insurers or by the purchaser of the system, that category should be used.
If the designer has not been informed as to the category of system required, he/she should make the decision on the category in consultation with the end user and /or the fire consultant. It is important that the end user can confirm that the category of system will be compatible with any fire strategy for the premises.
The contractor should never try to fit a system category to meet their installation at the end of the job.
The system category dictates where devices should be installed and the basis for design, installation and inspection.
NOTE: Annex A of SANS 10139 provides information on the categories of systems that are typically installed in various types of premises.
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- Written by: Vaune Everington
- Category: General
- Hits: 428
Following the passing of Shane Nefdt the FSIB has had to make important decisions in replacing a popular captain of the industry.
By utilising in-house staff and a couple of outside volunteers we have managed to restructure our training to provide experienced persons in fire detection and gas suppression as instructors.
Our highly efficient secretary Linda Nefdt carries on her normal duties taking bookings and administrating all things training.
All things are back to normal.
Our training centre has been re-named: - "The Shane Nefdt Training Centre".
ALL TRAINING COURSES ARE OPEN FOR BOOKINGS
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- Written by: Keith Norgate
- Category: General
- Hits: 425
We enter another year of inspecting fire systems and a big thank you to the insurance industry for your support.
A large part of our business is generated by recommendations from the insurance industry for customers to get their fire systems inspected and certified.
We have saved many clients from poorly installed or designed fire detection and gas suppression installations and hence upgrading standards of installation throughout the country.
A large problem comes from design and supply projects issued directly from clients as they put trust solely in the hands of one company who design, install, commission and hand over systems without any review from the outside. These companies normally get the first year maintenance contract so problems only come to light after this period.
Their latest concern we are dealing with is many persons now providing room integrity testing with outdated or non- approved equipment or software. The operators are sometimes not fully trained and provide results based on NFPA standards which differ from those in South Africa.
With the support of the insurance industry we unearth these problems and try to resolve them at various levels.
Keep demanding 3rd party certification of fire detection and protection systems as this is the only true way you know your insurance can rest at ease knowing installations are in accordance with national standards and have a greater chance of protecting properties against fire.
The insurance industry is one of the leaders in uplifting the quality of fire protection systems in South Africa.
We applaud you and thank you.
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- Written by: Keith Norgate
- Category: General
- Hits: 486
FSIB Fire Systems have launched a new web site www.fireza.net
FSIB Fire Systems objectives over the years has been to provide services and information for the support of the fire detection and gas suppression systems industry.
Our effort in providing training and installation inspections is our never ending task to uplift the industry, this is the next step in providing an INFORMATION CENTRE open to all.
We provide technical bulletins of various items published over the years and other industry information on all topics fire detection and gas suppression.
We provide up to date logbooks that can be downloaded for FREE.
FREE advice for registering at ECSA as a fire practitioner as well as up to date information regarding available training courses and information on third party inspections.
VISIT www.fireza.net NOW
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- Written by: Keith Norgate
- Category: General
- Hits: 541
A never-ending discussion - should we open roof smoke vents in the event of a fire sensed by a smoke detectors? If there is a water sprinkler system, do we still open the vents or allow the sprinkler system to operate and extinguish the fire?
The fire fighter wants the smoke vented to allow for clear site to evacuate the premises and clear air for him to do his job, the sprinkler supporters say let the sprinklers do their job first and then open the vents.