Take a look at the guidance below.
Manual Call Point (MCP) Height
MCPs should be mounted at 1.4 meters from floor level with an acceptable tolerance of 300mm.
This means that call points may be fitted between 1.1 meters to 1.7 meters in height measured from the center of the frangible element (the break glass) to the finished floor height.
Where disabled people are present it may be more suitable to mount the call point at a lower level as suggested in England and Wales, Approved Document M [6] under the Building Regulations 2010 [2].
If a lower mounting level (outside the range above) is chosen to accomodate disabled persons a variation should be recorded.
Manual Call Point Protective Covers
All manual call points should be fitted with protective covers to prevent false alarms.
These are usually available from the call point manufacturer as a hinged transparent plastic cover.
Manual Call Point Locations
MCPs should be located at all storey exits and all exits to open air that lead to an ultimate place of safety (whether or not the exits are specifically designated as fire exits).
'Exits to open air that lead to an ultimate place of safety' will generally include roller shutter doors except for those where there is a dock leveler present.
Call points will also be required in or adjacent to high fire risk rooms such as kitchens, rooms used for cellulose paint spraying or rooms designated as presenting a high risk of fire.
Maximum distance from any one call point
There should be no location in the building exceeding 45 meters from a call point. If the design is being prepared before the final internal layout has been determined this distance should be reduced to 30 meters.
In the event of the following the above distances should be reduced to 25 meters and 16 meters:
- where a significant proportion of occupants have limited mobility and it can reasonably be anticipated that one of these occupants will be the appropriate person to first operate the fire alarm system in the event of fire; or
- where processes in the area result in the likelihood of rapid fire development (e.g. where there is use, or processing, of highly flammable liquids or flammable gases).
Phased Evacuation
In buildings with phased evacuation, additional MCPs are necessary to ensure that a MCP is located at every designated exit from an alarm zone.
Where these exits from a zone are doors into a enclosed stairwell the call points should be located on the accomodation side of the door to avoid persons decending the stairs activating call points in zones other that the one containing the seat of the fire.
Flush Mounted Call Points
MCPs may be flush-mounted in locations where they will be seen readily. If however call points are mounted side on to approaching persons the call point must protrude the wall surface by a minimum of 15mm.
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Fire3D AI Detector Coverage Calculations
Fire3D calculates these coverage distances automatically and adjusts coverage based on the location of the detector in the room.
There are many other influences on detector coverage such as:
- Maximum device mounting heights
- Proximity to obstacles
- AC & HVAC
- Differing ceiling types
- And more...
Fire3D AI takes all of these into account when automatically calculating coverage for detectors. Taking care of this means faster quotes and estimates and cost effective designs which are not 'Over Specified' winning you more business.
Other Fire3D AI Coverage Calculations
The AI engine also calculates coverage and complinace for many other tests to ensure BS5839 compliance.
Some of these include:
- Risk assessment based device placements ensuring the correct coverage is in place to comply with the assessment.
- Sounder coverage based on sounder power and ambient decibels in each room.
- VAD coverage based on VAD classification, ambient LUX and daylight compensation in each room.
- MCP walking distance coverage based on floorplan layout and obstructions.
- High risk Rooms ensuring these have MCPs near.
- Fire & Resuce search distances based on floorplan layout, zoning, obstructions and visibility.
- And many more...
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