Comms Room "MOT" Ensures Fire Safety

Checkmate Fire Solutions, the UK's leading passive fire protection provider is offering to carry out fire safety checks on Comms Rooms throughout the UK.

It is estimated that there are over 200,000 Comms rooms in the UK.

Most, if not all, should be protected by Gaseous Fire-Extinguishing systems, which must comply with BS ISO 14520 P1: 2000(E).

This standard not only regulates the installation of the fire protection equipment but also places a responsibility on the Comms Room or Facilities Manager for the continued effectiveness of the system and annual testing.

Checkmate are certified as a "Competent Body" and are able to test fire cells and issue fire certificates should the fire protection system comply with the requirements of the standard.

Any defects found can be rectified by Checkmate to ensure continued compliance and maintain full protection against fire.

Alan Oliver, Marketing Director of Checkmate comments, " There is a general level of ignorance of the requirements of the standard and the need for regular testing.

There is also a shortage of competent test organisations and that's where we come in".

By their very nature Comms Rooms are frequently changed and added to.

Any breaches to the structure of the fire cell caused by new cabling, air conditioning systems etc should be fire-stopped automatically.

In many cases however this does not happen and the breaches may not be evident by a simple visual inspection.

Frequently the problems occur under raised floors, above false ceilings and hidden behind equipment.

Specialist air pressure testing will then be required to ensure the Comms Room can maintain air pressure for the 10 minute minimum called for by the regulations.

Using diagnostic equipment supplied by Retrotec Europe, the leading supplier of fire enclosure integrity test systems, Checkmate can test a Comms Room and rapidly identify and fix any fire safety breaches that may be identified.

To arrange an "MOT" test for a Comms Room or for more information on Checkmates Fire Solution's services please contact Charlotte Mottram on 01279 850021 or email info@checkmatefire.com.

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