Inspection and maintenance of zone plans
To maintain compliance with BS 5839-1, fire alarm zone plans should be regularly inspected and updated as necessary. The following best practices should be followed:
- Routine inspections: During maintenance visits, technicians should verify the accuracy of the zoneplan against the current building layout, checking for correct orientation.
- Recording deficiencies: Any missing, Fire Alarm Zone Plans outdated, or inaccurate zone plans should be documented as amajor non-compliance issue i.e. at the time of a Special Inspection being carried out
- Updating following building modifications: If structural or layout changes to the building are
observed by a servicing technician, they should advise the premises management of the need to ensure the fire alarm zone plans be updated accordingly.
Conclusion
A well designed, clear, concise and correctly orientated zone plan is a crucial aspect of an effective fire detection and alarm system. The Rosepark Care Home fire serves as a stark reminder of the consequences of poor fire alarm zone planning. Compliance to BS 5839-1 ensures that the zone plan serves its primary purpose: to provide clear, accurate, and accessible information during a fire event, enabling swift identification of the affected zone and improving emergency response times.