In providing a fire alarm system, the engineer needs to consider a number of matters including the power source required to operate the system. Battery backup systems are used to provide a standby power source in case of a mains failure.
What Battery Backup Actually Does
Power is lost from the mains supply. In this event the power supplied from the battery automatically takes over. It enables Detectors, Call Points and Sounders to continue functioning without any disconnection to them. It would otherwise be impossible to continue functioning in the event of a fire occurring.
The Two Main Battery Types
In many conventional fire alarm systems, sealed lead-acid batteries are used to provide the required backup. However, many of the newer systems and even some of the addressable fire alarm systems use lithium or NiMH batteries as they are light and hold charge well.
How Long Backup Should Last
Using standards to determine the back-up required (typically 24 hours of standby power and 30 minutes full alarm for conventional systems) and also recognising that for high risk areas or unoccupied premises 72 hours of standby may be required.
What Engineers Check During a Service
During the service of a fire alarm system, a Fire Alarm Engineer will look for signs of deterioration such as a battery developing a swollen case, corroded battery terminals or even voltage drop under load. The battery can then be subjected to a load test, where a controlled current is drawn from the battery to determine if the battery can actually deliver its rated capacity and not just display a high reading when not under load.
There is more on Fire alarms Milton Keynes at https://isefireproducts.co.uk/fire-alarm-systems/milton-keynes/.
Signs a Battery Is Failing
There are many indicators that could alert the need for fire alarm battery replacement. If your fire alarm battery is showing low-battery fault messages, then this indicates that it is failing and needs to be replaced as soon as possible. A fire alarm battery that’s taking longer to recharge after a mains interruption than normal also indicates that it’s failing. If you have a fire alarm battery that’s been in the system for over 4 years, then it’s likely to need replacing soon. In the event of a failure, this could lead to a breach of your legal duties, putting people and property at risk. A failure here could be fatal.
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