The Importance of Manual Call Points in Fire Safety Systems

Strategic Placement and Visibility of MCPs

MCPs must be installed in prominent and easily accessible locations throughout a building, such as near exits or in corridors. This strategic placement ensures that occupants can quickly locate and activate an MCP as they evacuate the building. According to British Standards (BS 5839-1), it is essential that from any point in a building, an occupant cannot exit the storey or the building without passing by a Manual Call Point. This ensures the quickest possible response in an emergency situation.

Reducing Delay in Alarm Activation

The primary purpose of MCPs is to minimise the delay between the discovery of a fire and the activation of the building’s fire alarm system. Sufficient MCPs should be distributed throughout the premises to ensure that this delay is minimised as much as possible. In areas where there is a high fire hazard or where rapid fire development is anticipated, the urgency of having a nearby MCP becomes even more critical, as a shorter delay in alarm activation could save lives.

Mitigating the Risk of Malicious Use

While MCPs are vital for safety, they can be subject to misuse, particularly in unsupervised public areas. To reduce the risk of false alarms, MCPs are generally not installed in locations such as public common areas of shopping centres or certain public houses. In environments like public car parks, it may be more appropriate to use an emergency voice communication system instead of MCPs, ensuring that emergency communication can still occur without the risk of false alarms.

Compliance with British Standards

Conformance to British Standards, specifically BS 5839-1, is crucial for ensuring the effectiveness of MCPs. This standard outlines the correct siting, operation, and installation practices for MCPs within buildings.

Key points include:

Placement on Escape Routes: MCPs should be located on all escape routes, particularly at storey exits and exits leading to an ultimate place of safety. This ensures that during an evacuation, occupants will have easy access to MCPs to raise the alarm if necessary.
Distance Requirements: The distance any person should have to travel to reach the nearest MCP should not exceed 45 meters under normal conditions. However, in environments with higher risks, such as areas where highly flammable materials are present, this distance should be reduced to 25 meters to ensure rapid access.
Installation Height: MCPs should be installed at a height of 1.4 meters from the finished floor level, making them accessible to a wide range of occupants, including those in wheelchairs.

Special Considerations for Building Layouts

The layout of a building also influences the distribution of MCPs. For example, in multi-storey buildings with phased evacuation plans, MCPs should not be located on stairway landings to avoid accidental activation during evacuations from non-affected floors. Additionally, doors that lead to areas not considered places of ultimate safety, such as enclosed courtyards or flat-roofed areas without external escape routes, may not require MCPs, as these areas could give a false sense of security.

Conclusion and Next Steps

Manual Call Points (MCPs) are a critical element of fire safety systems, ensuring that building occupants can quickly and effectively raise an alarm in the event of a fire. By adhering to British Standards and strategically placing MCPs throughout your building, you enhance the safety and protection of everyone inside.