When do we need a fire alarm system?

[Guest AbidHus]

Hi, when opening a New Nursery does it need to be fitted with a Fire Alarm ?
Or can it be fitted with interconnected smoke detectors ?

Thanks

[green-foam]

I would suggest that you have a fire risk assessment carried out.

I would also suggest that interconnected smoke alarms do not constitute a fire alarm.

To expand on the above:

Interconnected smoke alarms are acceptable for a domestic dwelling, but for use as a "Fire Alarm" they fail on several reasons.

If a fire is discovered there is no way of manually initiating the alarm. (A fire alarm has manual call points)

There is no sound volume requirement. (A fire alarm has to have a minimum sound level in all areas)

They can be wired in non fire proof cable. (A fire alarm has to be wired in fire proof cable)

The list does go on.