Category: Design
Prepared by Eng. Ahmed Fathy, Projects Manager ·
Definition
A fire alarm system consists of a control panel, smoke or heat detectors, manual call points and sounders, designed to the building type, Civil Defence requirements and the fire protection code.
Why it matters on a project
It is a condition for Civil Defence approval in most non-residential and large residential buildings, and early design avoids breaking finishes to run cables later.
Measurement and pricing
Detectors, call points and sounders by number, cables and conduits in linear metres, and the control panel by number.
Common mistake
Treating the alarm as a last item, then running its conduits above finished suspended ceilings.
Frequently asked questions
Does a villa need a fire alarm system?
A small villa usually does not; larger and commercial buildings follow Civil Defence requirements.
Conventional or addressable?
Addressable shows each detector's location on the panel; conventional shows only the zone.
Related terms
- Civil Defence approvalCivil Defence approval of fire and life safety systems.
- MEP drawingsElectrical, plumbing, HVAC and fire drawings.
- Suspended (false) ceilingA secondary ceiling hung below the structural slab to conceal services and improve acoustics and lighting.
- Completion certificateThe certificate showing the building was built to the permit and is fit for use.
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