Fire Safety Guides for Irish Businesses
Written for owners and managers rather than engineers. General information on alarms, servicing records, certification and inspections, with no attempt to tell you what your premises is legally required to do.
What is a monitored fire alarm?
A monitored fire alarm is a fire alarm system connected to a monitoring centre, so that an activation is signalled rather than depending solely on somebody being present to hear the sounder.
Fire alarm records to check before an inspection
Before an inspection or a documentation request, find the fire alarm servicing records and the certification issued with them. If nobody can say when the system was last serviced, treat its status as unknown and have it looked at.
Old fire alarm still working? What to check
An older fire alarm that still sounds when tested is not the same as a system in known working order. Check when it was last serviced, whether the records exist, whether it is monitored and whether anything was previously reported as outstanding.
Changing fire alarm provider: what should a business check?
Before changing fire alarm provider, check your notice period and remaining term, ask your current provider for copies of your servicing records, and confirm how monitoring will continue through the changeover.
What does a fire alarm service certificate tell you?
Documentation issued after fire alarm servicing records what was attended to and what was found on that visit. It relates to the alarm system and its servicing. It is not a statement that every fire safety requirement for the premises is satisfied.
What happens during a fire safety inspection in Ireland?
Fire authorities in Ireland have statutory inspection powers in relevant circumstances, and the Fire Services Act 1981 places duties on persons having control of certain premises to take reasonable measures in relation to fire safety. What applies to a particular premises is a matter for the relevant authority or a suitably qualified professional.
Fire alarm installation without losing a working day
Installation time is mostly decided before anybody arrives. A survey that settles the specification in advance is what allows an install to be completed in one working day rather than spread across several visits.
What is I.S. 3218:2024?
I.S. 3218 is the Irish Standard for fire detection and fire alarm systems for buildings, published by NSAI. The 2024 designation refers to the current published edition. The standard is the technical reference used for the design, installation, commissioning, servicing and maintenance of these systems.
Get your FirePulse price
Tell us about your premises and we will come back with the monthly figure in writing.
A nominal survey charge applies and is credited against your FirePulse contract if you proceed.