Catering sector trade association, ceda, says its latest industry technical document offers guidance to catering equipment suppliers ‘often required to provide fire protection systems, but who regularly encounter problems 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’.
ceda, which has jointly published the guidance, Interface between fire-fighting systems and other systems in commercial kitchens, with the Fire Industry Association (FIA), says there is ‘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 ‘a lack of understanding of the relevance and importance of inter-connections between systems’.
Its technical support advisor, Peter Kay, was keen to provide members with a guidance document that they can incorporate as part of their contracts not only with fire suppression system sub-contractors, but also with their clients. He explains: “Fire suppression systems are normally supplied with volt-free contacts to trigger other systems such as fire alarms, gas interlocks, etc. However, it is not uncommon to find these are never used, simply because it was unclear as to who was responsible for making the connections.
“After some investigation it was felt we should involve the Fire Industry Association with a view to publishing a jointly branded document. This is the first time ceda has worked in partnership with the FIA, and I find it encouraging that the Association welcomed our suggestion of a joint document.”
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 offering 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 wishing to view the document can request a copy by emailing: fiona@ceda.co.uk.
