Which specialty should be responsible for the installation of the fire alarm system?
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Which specialty should be responsible for the installation of the fire alarm system? Generally, companies do not have dedicated departments for the maintenance and management of fire alarm systems, and there are no clear regulations specifying which department is responsible for such work during construction. At present, it is the electrical department that oversees this aspect – I wonder if this is appropriate Could the experts please talk about who is in charge of this area in your company? Who will be in charge of maintenance and management? Thank you!
The automatic fire alarm system includes: fire detection and fire alarm. Fire detectors are installed on-site (in workshops and offices) to monitor for fires; fire alarms are installed in the fire control center to manage all the fire detectors. When a fire is detected, audible and visual alarm signals are sent to alert the personnel on duty; some fire alarms can also activate associated equipment to extinguish the fire. Since the situations vary from one unit to another, it is generally the comprehensive departments such as the Utility Center and the Administrative Department that are responsible for management; the department in charge is also responsible for maintenance, while the HSE department oversees things from the perspective of fire safety.
Our company is under the responsibility of the security department
Our factory has its own fire brigade; daily management and maintenance are the responsibility of this fire brigade, while construction tasks fall under the responsibility of the Equipment Engineering Department. In practice, the Equipment Engineering Department remains the competent department in charge of electrical matters. Different companies vary; the key is determining which department should be assigned personnel with expertise in relevant field management, as well as deciding who has authority over the associated maintenance costs and investment decisions.
The approach adopted by the security department is questionable. The Safety Department is the regulatory body for HSE across the entire plant; it should not be responsible both for supervision and inspection as well as for management. It is tasked with identifying potential hazards and deficiencies, as well as overseeing their correction, which can lead to a situation where the same department acts both as an athlete and as a referee, resulting in unclear responsibilities.
Regarding the construction and management of this area, different organizations have varying situations, which leads to different management methods. During the engineering phase, it is managed by the electrical department of the engineering team; upon project completion, it falls under the responsibility of the Electrical and Instrumentation Division, the Equipment Department, and the Safety Department. During normal operation, it is maintained and managed by the Electrical and Instrumentation Department, with the Equipment Department and the Safety Department being the responsible authorities. The monitoring of these systems is handled by operators from the production department, either the shift supervisor or those in the utility operations role.
We are the manufacturer of the alarm devices and come to carry out maintenance; the procurement terms are clearly specified in the contract
This approach is good; it can save companies time and manpower, and it is also quite professional. I just wonder about the timeliness? After all, there is the issue of time on the journey.
Our company is managed by electrical and instrumentation staff, because they understand it while others don’t. It seems that people who know how to manage are still needed.
The fire control automation system involves equipment, materials, and logistics departments, and it is also closely related to electrical and instrumentation automation. It is crucial that manufacturers provide training for the company’s specialized staff, so as to create a professional team for production and maintenance; this is also a common practice. For example, in shopping malls and supermarkets, management and maintenance are handled by specialized staff from the property management company