The basics of critical systems such as fire protection, security, and emergency power systems

Critical systems are essential components of any building or facility that aims to provide a safe and secure environment for its occupants. These systems often work alongside each other, or other systems such as Building Management Systems (BMS), to protect the building, its occupants, and its assets from a variety of threats; ranging from natural disasters to man-made emergencies. 

For critical systems, it is usually the case that the most important property is the dependability of the system. Consequently, critical systems are usually developed using well-tested techniques rather than newer techniques that have not been subject to extensive practical experience.

There are many roles to play in ensuring that critical systems are designed, installed and maintained to the highest standards. These roles include building owners themselves, facility managers, Architects, engineers, and construction contractors. Critical systems are a crucial consideration from the point of a building’s inception, and these roles work together to ensure these systems are in place and functioning properly.

In the UK, there are also several regulatory bodies that work together to ensure that critical systems in buildings and facilities meet the necessary safety standards and regulations. These bodies include:

• The Health and Safety Executive (HSE): a UK government agency responsible for enforcing health and safety laws in the workplace. The HSE has a role in ensuring that critical systems such as fire protection, security, and emergency power systems meet the necessary safety standards.
• The Building Regulations: setting minimum standards for the design, construction, and alteration of buildings in the UK. Part B of the Building Regulations specifically deals with fire safety.
• The Fire and Rescue Services: responsible for enforcing fire safety regulations in buildings and facilities in the UK.
• The National Security Inspectorate (NSI): an independent regulatory body that provides certification for security and fire protection companies in the UK. 
• The Electrical Safety Standards in the Private Rented Sector (England) Regulations 2020: these regulations apply to landlords in England and require them to ensure that electrical installations in their properties are inspected and tested by a qualified electrician at least once every five years. This includes emergency power systems such as backup generators.

Building owners and facility managers should be aware of these regulatory bodies and the requirements they set out to ensure that their critical systems are in compliance.

The basics of fire protection systems

A fire protection system is one of the essential critical systems of any building or facility. These systems are designed to detect and suppress fires before they can cause significant damage to property or harm to people. To do so, they use a combination of active and passive fire safety components that work together to prevent, detect and alert, restrict and potentially suppress a developing fire.

These basic components consist of:

Fire alarms and smoke detectors

Fire alarms and smoke detectors are designed to detect the presence of smoke or flames in the building and alert occupants to potential danger. 

Emergency escape lighting 

If a fire cuts the power, this should be triggered automatically.

Smoke ventilation

This can include automatic vents which allow smoke to escape from a building whilst keeping corridors and stairwells smoke-free.

Sprinklers

Sprinkler systems are designed to quickly suppress fires by releasing water from a network of pipes that are installed throughout the building. The sprinklers are activated when the temperature in the room reaches a certain threshold and prevent fires from spreading to other areas of the building.

Fire suppression systems

Fire suppression systems, on the other hand, use chemicals or gases to suppress fires. These systems are typically used in areas where water cannot be used to extinguish fires, such as data centres or electrical rooms. Fire suppression systems are activated automatically or manually when a fire is detected, and they release a chemical or gas that is designed to suppress the fire.

The basics of critical security systems

Another essential component of any building or facility. Critical security systems are designed to protect against a wide range of potential security threats, including unauthorised access, theft, vandalism, and terrorism. 

Their basic components include:

Access Control Systems

These limit who has access to certain areas of a building or facility. These systems may include key cards, biometric scanners, or PIN codes to grant access to authorised personnel. 

Surveillance Systems

Used to monitor and record activity in and around a building or facility. These systems can include security cameras, motion detectors, and alarms. 

Intrusion Detection Systems

These detect unauthorised entry into a building or facility. These systems may include sensors that detect motion, sound, or vibration. 

Perimeter Protection System

These are used to secure the exterior of a building or facility. These systems may include fencing, gates, and barriers. 

Communication Systems

These are used to enable quick and efficient communication between security personnel in the event of a security breach. These systems may include two-way radios, intercoms, or emergency phones.

The basics of emergency power systems

An emergency power system is an independent source of electrical power that supports important electrical systems on loss of normal power supply. Imagine what would happen if a data centre lost power and didn’t have an emergency power system in place! Thankfully, emergency power systems are typically required by building codes and standards in many countries; and they must be installed, tested, and maintained to strict standards to ensure that they function properly when needed.

The basic components of an emergency power system include:

Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS)

Provides short-term backup power to critical equipment such as servers, data centres, and other electronics. It can also provide power to lighting and other critical systems during a power outage.

Emergency Generators

A backup power system that provides electricity to a building or facility during a power outage.

Battery Backup Systems

A small-scale emergency power system that provides backup power to essential equipment for a short period. 

Standby Power Systems

A large-scale backup power system that can provide power to an entire building or facility. These systems typically include generators, fuel storage systems, automatic transfer switches, and other components.

Regular maintenance and testing of critical systems can help to identify potential problems before they become serious issues, ensuring that the system is always ready to respond to an emergency.

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