The purpose of a fire alarm system is to
A voice evacuation system is also often employed in buildings. Many fire alarm systems are also connected to the alarm data of systems, such as fire extinguishing and smoke removal systems.
The conformity of equipment used as part of a fire alarm system may be demonstrated by a harmonised product standard and a CE marking. The latest updated lists of harmonised EN standards for equipment used in fire alarm systems can be found on the hEN Helpdesk website (in Finnish) using the advanced search and selecting CEN/TC 72 as the TC group.
Those undertaking a construction project must ensure the building to be constructed meets the essential structural requirements, including fire safety requirements.
They must appoint for the construction project a principal designer as well as qualified designers for each sub-area as required by the scope of the project. The designer sets the requirements for the system to be created on the basis of the assignment data provided by the developer. The designer must take the intended use of the building and the properties of the system selected into consideration in design and dimensioning, also taking the requirements set by authorities supervising the construction of the system into consideration.
The designer must include the requirements set for fire alarm system construction and selection of equipment in the implementation record drawn up on the system, which must be submitted to the local rescue authority for information.
The fire alarm system installation business selected by the developer is responsible for the installation of the fire alarm system on the property.
Another business working under the supervision and responsibility of the installation business may participate in the installation work. The installation business’s responsible person must make sure the requirements set for the construction of the fire alarm system are met as specified in the implementation record, terms and conditions of permit and procurement documents.
The installation business must provide an installation certificate on the work performed by it before the commissioning inspection. The installation business’s responsible person shall sign the installation certificate.
Installation and maintenance of fire alarm systems may only be carried out by installation businesses whose competence has been verified and who meet the requirements. A list of the installation businesses is available here (in Finnish).
The responsible person must meet the prescribed qualification requirements concerning qualifications and work experience; see more detailed instructions about qualification requirements and for applying for a certificate of qualification (in Finnish).
Before the start of installation, the business must notify Tukes to allow supervision and appoint a qualified responsible person (in Finnish) to carry out duties related to fire alarm systems.
Training related to fire alarm systems is arranged by KIWA Impact Oy (in Finnish). There are no qualification requirements for the training. On separate application, Tukes may issue an area-specific certificate of qualification to those who have passed the examination and meet the other qualification requirements.
Subcontractors are actors not entitled to carry out the installation or maintenance of fire alarm or fire extinguishing systems on their own. They must work under the supervision and responsibility of a qualified installation business included in the Tukes register of businesses.
Before a fire alarm system is taken into use, a qualified inspection body approved by Tukes must perform a verification inspection. The installation business must order the verification inspection. If the installation business neglects its obligations or is unable to fulfil them, the possessor of the equipment must order the inspection. Periodic inspections of the automatic fire alarm system must take place at 3-year intervals. However, the first periodic inspection of new equipment must be carried out within 12 to 18 months of the equipment’s verification inspection. The possessor of the equipment is responsible for ordering periodic inspections.
Connecting to the Emergency Response Centre (in Finnish)
The possessor of the equipment must ensure that the fire alarm systems are in working order and have the system components maintained and inspected in compliance with the requirements set for the appropriate level by law.
This is regarded as appropriate when a person responsible for fire alarm system maintenance is appointed and a maintenance programme is drawn up for the system on the basis of the system supplier’s maintenance instructions, and this programme is also implemented. Periodic inspections take place at 3-year intervals after the first inspection.
The use of the property shall be adapted to the characteristics of the fire alarm system to ensure reliable and undisturbed use of the fire alarm system.
