Technical Bulletins published by the FDIA
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- Written by Charles Thiongo
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It has been noticed that different gas design concentrations appear on hydraulic gas designs. Sometimes the designer claims to use NFPA standards or manufacturer recommendations.
Please note we utilise SANS/ISO standards in South Africa. SANS 14520 being for clean agent gasses.
Design concentrations cover three classes of fire.
- Class A concentrations apply to all electrical rooms and general applications.
- Higher Class A design concentration must be used for Server rooms or areas where deep bundled cables are present.
- Class B design concentrations should be utilised for flammable fires, (gasses and liquids).
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- Written by Charles Thiongo
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Bulletin 01
We urge all consulting engineers to support FDIA registered contractors
The FDIA is acknowledged as the supporting body for the fire detection and gas suppression industry and we intend to support the consulting engineers in the future by distributing a monthly Bulletin to keep all abreast of what is happening in our industry.
The FDIA registers fire detection and gas suppression installers who meet certain criteria and standards. These companies take the fire detection and gas suppression industries seriously.
By selecting an FDIA listed contractor for a project, a consultant knows the company's technicians are "authorised persons," have been trained on relevant standards and supplier equipment. They are also prepared to have their installations checked for compliance by a third party organisation. These contractors have safety files in place and are conversant with requirements for safety, medical and induction procedures. By appointing an FDIA company, the consultant's risk is reduced, as there is back up and support available.
Consultants who appoint contractors leave themselves open to interrogation if they employ installers with technicians who are not registered with SAQCC Fire (this is a legal requirement) and there is an accident on site.
The following question will be raised, "Why were unskilled persons appointed to conduct the works?"
By selecting a company that offers the cheap solution and is answerable to nobody, the consultant is out there alone if things go wrong with an unlisted company.
FIRE DETECTION INSTALLERS ASSOCIATION (FDIA)
The FDIA provides a facility for end users, architects, specifiers and consultants to select competent contractors and suppliers for particular projects. The FDIA vets, checks and monitors member companies to provide end users/consultants with the confidence of knowing these organisations have the training, experience and safety requirements to fulfil such projects.
The contractors and suppliers have their personnel registered at the various levels at the SAQCC Fire as "authorised persons". Technicians have had training on the national standards, product training from the relevant suppliers and have been tested as competent by the SAQCC Fire.
FDIA contractors have proven track records on fire system installations and have their installations checked by a third party inspection body.
The FDIA contractors ensure they have safety files on hand, have technicians who have undergone medicals and safety induction procedures, meaning the registered companies are equipped for any size fire detection or gas suppression installation. FDIA contractors may not be the cheap solution but can remove the hassle and problems of dealing with an unknown entity.
FDIA Suppliers
The FDIA registered distribution companies who supply fire detection and gas suppression equipment into the industry have trained their staff on the national standards and have staff registered with SAQCC Fire.
This ensures these suppliers have the correct level of expertise to provide technical advice and assistance to consultants, end users and contractors with regard to application of their products, as well as having the correct level of expertise at technical support level to assist should technical problems arise.
Support the companies that care!
