BS9251 revisions

FloWatch give a brief overview of the introduction of Fire Sprinkler Monitoring coming out in late 2020 through the revision of BS9251:2014

What's changing?

BS9251:2014 is being replaced with BS9251:2020.

This British Standard gives recommendations for the design, installation, components, water supplies and backflow protection, commissioning, maintenance and testing of fire sprinkler systems installed for life safety purposes with additional benefits for property protection. 

This British Standard also gives recommendations for sprinkler protection of domestic and residential premises where the building height is either more than four storeys or 18 m and above, whichever is the lower. The recommendations of this British Standard are also applicable to any addition, extension, repair or other modification to a residential sprinkler system

Why do I need to Monitor the Fire Sprinkler System?

Section 5.15 of BS9251:2020 (Draft) currently states:

"Except for category 1 systems, all valves which control the flow of water to the system should be electrically monitored for the open position."

Section 5.11.4.1 of BS9251:2020 (Draft) currently states:

"An alarm to indicate low water levels should be provided for a stored water supply"

Annex A of BS9251:2020 (Draft) sets out the Requirements for Monitoring of a Domestic and Residential Fire Sprinkler System. Annex A.2 States:

"The aim of monitoring sprinkler systems is the continuous supervision of the main functions of the system, i.e. those whose failure might impair the correct automatic operation of the system in case of fire, and the raising of a supervisory alarm to allow corrective measures to be taken.  All devices used for monitoring should have at least IP 54 protection as specified in BS EN 60529 and be connected to a common supervisory alarm device. All signalling and alarm cabling should be fully supervised and should be given in the event of short or open circuit."

The Solution

FloWatch are specialist manufacturers of Fire Sprinkler Monitoring and Alarm Systems. The FloWatch 9251 Sprinkler Monitoring system monitors the following elements of the system:

> Monitored Isolation Valves and will raise an audible and visual alarm in the event of an isolation valve being in the not fully open position

> Flow Switches for Activation of the Sprinkler System. FloWatch 9251 Sprinkler Monitoring system is fully addressable so each flow switch can be easily identified. This can also be interfaced with an automatic fire alarm and detection system if required under the fire strategy of the building

> Low Level Tank Switches for low water content in a storage tank

> Booster set for fault or Loss of Power.

Features of the system include:

• 24 Hour battery Back Up

• Fully Addressable

• Built in GSM Sim Card to remote monitoring of system and email notification

• Easy Installation and Set Up

• Outputs to Fire Alarm and BMS Systems

Visit our website for further information www.flowatch.co.uk

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