National Security Inspectorate Sentinel House, 5 Reform Road, Maidenhead, SL6 8BY E: nsi @nsi.org. uk | W: nsi.org.uk FSF 210.1 Page 1 of 3 September 2016 © NSI 2016 Information required in fire project files It is expected that fire project files will contain, as a minimum, the following information: Site survey notes System design proposal Theoretical battery calculations Loop continuity test results (addressable systems only) Insulation resistance test results (testing carried out at 500vDC) Commissioning documentation, containing evidence that, at least: o The system has been fully inspected and tested o All devices have been functionally tested o Cause and effect has been proved o Sound pressure level measurements were taken and recorded o Device addresses have been confirmed as correct for each addressable device o Battery capacity is adequate for the category of the system As fitted drawings, showing, at least: o Cable types, routes and sizes o Device locations o Location of the origin of the mains supply to the CIE Zone diagram (if supplied by the company) Copy of relevant BS 5839 – 1 certificates issued Copy of relevant NSI/BAFE Certificate Evidence of transmittal of certificates, logbook, “as fitted” drawings and system O&M manuals to the client Duration of standby supplies Is the specified standby power supply peri od suitable for the system type and the level of supervision? BS 5839 – 1:2013; clause 25.4 Information required in fire project files FSF 210.1 Page 2 of 3 September 2016 © NSI 2016 For category M or L systems the battery standby capacity should be sufficient to maintain the system in an operational condition for at least 24 hours after which the re should still be sufficient capacity to provide an “Evacuate” signal in all alarm zones for a minimum of 30 minutes . If a category M or L system is installed in a building with an automatically started standby generator and it supplies the fire alarm sys tem then the battery standby capacity should be sufficient to maintain the system in an operational condition for at least 6 hours after which there should still be sufficient capacity to provide an “Evacuate” signal in all alarm zones for a minimum of 30 minutes . For a category P system the battery standby capacity should be sufficient to maintain the system in an operational condition for at least 24 hours after which there should still be sufficient capacity to provide an “Evacuate” signal in all alarm z ones for a minimum of 30 minutes provided that either of the following conditions are met : a) the building is continuously staffed, or inspected outside of normal working hours and that staff would be aware of a p ower supply fault indication on the system within 6 hours of its occurrence; or b) power supply fault signals are transmitted automatically to an alarm receiving centre (ARC) and a keyholder is notified by the ARC on receipt of a fault indication from the pro tected premises. If neither of the above requirements are met then the battery standby capacity should be sufficient to maintain the system in an operational condition for at least 24 hours longer than the maximum period the premises is likely to be unoccu pied, or for 72 hours in total, whichever is less , after which there should still be sufficient capacity to provide an “Evacuate” signal in all alarm zones for a minimum of 30 minutes . Calculation of standby battery capacity BS 5839 – 1:2013; A nnex D Cmin = 1.25((T1*I1) + D(I2*T2)) where Cmin = minimum capacity of battery when new at a 20 hour discharge rate at 20 c in ampere – hours (Ah) 1.25 = ageing factor allowing 5% per year over 4 years T1 = battery standby period in hours T2 = alarm time in hours (usually 0.5) I1 = battery standby load in amperes I2 = battery alarm load in amperes D = battery de – rating factor (usually assumed at 1.75). This allows for the inefficiency of the battery under high load conditions Example: Assume standby load of 250mA, alarm load of 750mA and a standby period of 24 hours with 30 minutes in alarm condition: Information required in fire project files FSF 210.1 Page 3 of 3 September 2016 © NSI 2016 Cmin = 1.25((24 x 0.25) + 1.75(0.75 x 0.5)) = 1.25((6 + 0.66)) = 8.32 Ah Simplified calculation The calculation can be simplified by assuming a de – rating factor of 2 but this makes very little difference to the final figure: Cmin = 1.25(T1*I1 + I2) Note: This formula is only valid if a de – rating factor of 2 is assumed and the alarm period is 0.5 hours (30 minutes). If this is not the case then the formula at the top o f the page should be used. Example using simplified formula : Assume standby load of 250mA, alarm load of 750mA and a standby period of 24 hours with 30 minutes in alarm condition: Cmin = 1.25((24 x 0.25) + 0.75) = 1.25((6 + 0.75)) = 8.43 Ah