Fire detection is a matter of life and death. Statistics show that in 2006 alone, there were 55,800 dwelling fires and 491 fire-related deaths in this country. According to research results provided by TNS Omnibus for the government?s Fire Kills campaign, seven out of ten adults in the UK put smoke alarm in their top three most important gadgets.

An important aspect of M&E contracting jobs is to integrate fire detection systems into commercial and residential buildings. This requires careful consideration of a wide range of issues far more critical than simply installing smoke alarms. Not only efficient facilities but also practical strategies are needed in order to successfully detect fire and save lives.

Take public theatres as an example, where an increasing number of modern productions rely on haze machines, smoke generators and even real fire on stage to enhance their dramatic effects. This poses a considerable challenge to the theatre?s fire risk management team, as their fire detection systems are often troubled by false alarms. Therefore, the task of those with M&E contracting jobs is to devise a long-term strategic solution to avoid not only the detection of special effects of fire and smoke but also the unnecessary evacuation of audiences.

The solution is for those with M&E jobs to enable a theatre?s fire detection system to identify pre-determined fire conditions within a theatrical programme, with an in-built provision to prevent accidental activation of fire alarms during the controlled period. Even more critical are the fire detectors, which are strategically placed in different zones of the theatre and carefully cross-referenced. In the event of a fire, the theatre?s fire detection system produces a discreet alarm that the audience cannot see or hear. This allows the fire risk management team to investigate the cause of the alarm and determine either to silence the system or to alert and evacuate the audience.

Meanwhile, in private residences, although smoke alarms still play a major role in fire detection, a series of technological advances in recent years have made these devices more reliable. Particularly in M&E contracting jobs for rented dwellings and new-builds, mains-powered smoke alarms have replaced traditional battery-powered units in order to offer continuing and unfailing protection.

Other technologies, such as wireless interconnectivity and multi-sensor smoke alarms, have made M&E contracting jobs in fire detection much easier. Wireless technology interconnects the mains-powered smoke alarms in different parts of a residential building by radio signals. This makes it easier for those with M&E jobs to make changes to the building?s fire detection system and meet the changing needs of different occupiers. In the case of multi-sensor smoke alarms, both optical and heat sensors are included in one single unit. No matter what type of fire breaks out, it will be detected.

Finally, those with M&E jobs can wirelessly interconnect smoke alarms with other devices, including sprinkler systems, carbon monoxide alarms, and alarms for the deaf and hard of hearing. Such system integration provides greater and cost-effective protection of lives and properties.