ceda has launched a new catering equipment industry technical document, 'Interface between fire-fighting systems and other systems in commercial kitchens', jointly published by the Fire Industry Association (FIA).
The document is intended to offer guidance to suppliers of catering equipment who are often required to provide fire protection systems and regularly have problems in ensuring that connections are made between the controls of the fire protection system and other systems, such as building management systems, kitchen extract fans and fuel supplies.
There is a concern that the suppliers of other systems are reluctant to make the connections for several reasons, including fear of setting off the fire protection system, fear or reluctance to work in another contractor’s control box, and communication, resulting in a lack of understanding of the relevance and importance of inter-connections between systems.
ceda’s Technical Support Advisor, Peter Kay wanted to provide ceda members with a guidance document that they can incorporate as part of their contracts not only with fire suppression system subcontractors but also their contracts with their clients. He explains: “Fire Suppression Systems are normally supplied with volt free contacts to trigger other systems such as fire alarms and gas interlocks. However, it is not uncommon to find that these are never used simply because it was unclear as to who was responsible for making the connections.”
“After some investigation it was felt that we should involve the Fire Industry Association with a view to publishing a jointly branded document.
“This is the first time that ceda has worked in partnership with the Fire Industry Association and I find it encouraging that they welcomed our suggestion of a joint document."
Most suppliers of Fire Suppression Systems as well as Fire Alarm Systems and Building Management Systems are members of FIA and therefore will be advised to operate in accordance with the guidelines.
The document is available as a download from the 'Standard Documents' page on the members’ section of the ceda website, along with a guidance document that has been issued to ceda members which gives guidance on good practice relating to the provision of Fire Suppression Systems and also on the use of the ceda/FIA document.
Non-ceda members who wish to view the document can request a copy from the ceda office by emailing [email protected].
