Our project design starts from the system solution chosen together with the customer. Our sales team surveys the situation, helps choose the system and prepares a quotation. Once the quotation has been accepted, our design team prepares the implementation of the chosen solution.
What is decided in fire alarm system design?
The need for a fire alarm system and the level of requirements come from the regulations that apply to the site, the conditions of the building permit and the fire engineering design. System design turns them into an implementation. Decree 976/2024 of the Ministry of the Interior defines what a completed fire alarm system must achieve: it must detect an incipient fire reliably, activate quickly enough and cover the protected area sufficiently for its intended operation.
In addition, the system must give the necessary notifications and alarms, transmit the designed control outputs and also work during a power cut. The components must be compatible with each other. Corrosion, heat or other environmental conditions must not impair reliability. In design, these requirements are reflected in the choice of detector types, their placement, the division into loops and detection zones, and the dimensioning of the standby power supply.
Basic specifications before the details
Before any drawings are made, a statement of the system’s basic specifications is drawn up. Under the Decree, it must record at least:
- the site details and the person who drew up the statement
- the grounds on which the system to be installed is required
- the design rules to be followed, other requirements and any deviations
- the dimensioning criteria and the extent of monitoring and protection
- whether fire alarms are connected to the Emergency Response Centre or to another continuously monitored location
- the arrangements for alarm transmission and link fault monitoring
- interoperability with other systems
- the arrangements relating to firefighting and rescue operations
The design rules used may be, for example, the Finnish ST-ohjeisto 1 guideline (Paloilmoittimen suunnittelu, asennus ja ylläpito, 2019). The statement is later attached to the installation certificate, so it accompanies the project all the way to operation and maintenance.
Supporting electrical designers before the project begins
Electrical designers can get product presentations and system-specific expert help from us even before a project starts. This support comes before the project design for an approved system purchase.
Fire safety technology support for electrical designers
Plans and drawings to support implementation
We prepare system designs, working drawings and zone plans. Our services also include producing clean copies of working drawings and converting source material into digital format.
The plans describe the implementation of the chosen system and serve installation, commissioning and subsequent maintenance. The quotation specifies the design documents to be delivered.
Fire alarm, voice alarm and escape lighting in the same design
In addition to the fire alarm system, we design voice alarm systems and escape lighting. When the systems are designed together, detection zones, announcement zones and escape routes support each other. Control outputs and interfaces are also in the same set of documents. The design of emergency lighting and exit signs starts from the spaces and escape routes, and the design of voice alarm systems from how the spaces are used and the need for announcements.
Plans as a basis for inspection and maintenance
In the inspection body’s verification inspection, it is verified before the system is taken into use that the system meets the requirements set for it (Act on Certain Fire Safety Equipment 191/2024, section 15). Up-to-date design documentation makes the inspection easier. The same documentation later serves maintenance and periodic inspections, when the maintenance programme and zone plans are kept up to date as the system changes.
That is why it is worth recording the reasoning in the plans as well: why a particular detector type was chosen for a space, how the detection zones have been divided and what control outputs the system performs. This information saves time when the use of the property changes later.
Project preparation and support for dealings with the authorities
Our expert design services include preparing and comparing invitations to tender and compiling site cards, life-cycle records and other project documentation. We also provide rescue and safety plans as well as support with the approval process for plans.
We help prepare the project documents and deal with the authorities where necessary. Official decisions and approvals are the responsibility of the competent authority.
Technology, cost and life-cycle consulting
The equipment price is only one part of a system purchase. Consulting in the early stages of a project also looks at implementation, maintenance, expandability and future changes.
PAP’s expert support helps the electrical designer and other parties to the project compare alternative solutions. For the actual system purchase, our sales team puts together a proposal and a quotation for the customer.
A new system or upgrading the existing one?
In a new-build project, PAP supports the electrical designer from the project preparation stage onwards. Once the system purchase has been approved, project design produces the detailed designs for the chosen solution.
In an upgrade, our sales team surveys the existing system and helps choose the upgrade solution. Project design uses the survey data and existing documents in the detailed designs for the approved solution.
Read our article on replacing a fire alarm system
How project design proceeds
1. Approved solution and source material
The starting point for design is the accepted quotation, the chosen system solution and the project material. We go through the source data and design documents needed for implementation.
2. Refining the implementation
We refine the implementation of the chosen system, its functions and its connections to other safety technology. Design turns the approved solution into plans that can be implemented.
3. Plans and preparation
We prepare the project’s system designs, drawings and other documents included in the order. The material is used to prepare the implementation and to carry out the installation work.
4. Handover and next steps
We go through the design material and hand it over for use in the project. PAP can also provide project management, installation, commissioning and maintenance services.
Supporting designers and properties
The service is suitable for design consultancies, building and electrical contractors as well as property owners, property managers and asset managers. You can make use of PAP’s expertise for an entire design package or for a limited expert task.
Experience with demanding projects
At Redi, PAP designed and commissioned the fire alarm and voice alarm systems. The site is an example of a project in which the needs of many different spaces and activities come together in a single fire safety solution.
Initial information for starting the design
Design proceeds fastest when the following are available:
- floor plans in digital format and information on the intended use of the spaces
- the conditions of the building permit and the sections of the fire engineering plan concerning the fire alarm system
- information on the controlled systems, such as voice alarm, smoke ventilation and fire doors
- in an upgrade, the documents, zone plans and maintenance history of the existing system
- the project schedule and information on which design documents are being ordered
What design documents will I receive?
The quotation specifies the documents to be delivered. They may include system designs, working drawings, zone plans and clean copies of working drawings. The zone plan is also one of the appendices to the installation certificate. It is kept up to date as the system changes.
Are controlled systems part of fire alarm system design?
Not entirely. Under the Decree, the fire alarm system’s control outputs must not interfere with the operation of the fire alarm system, and the design and installation of the operation of controlled equipment are not part of the fire alarm system implementation. The fire alarm system design defines the control outputs and interfaces. The designer of the controlled system takes care of their own part. The coordination of voice alarm systems is explained on the voice alarm page.
Can design be ordered without installation?
Yes. Design can be ordered as a complete package or as a limited expert task, such as producing clean copies of working drawings or drawing up zone plans. If the project continues, the same plans carry over to installation and commissioning without the source data having to be collected again. In larger projects, design can be part of a comprehensive solution.
Ask for design help with your project
Tell us about the site, the project stage and the design you need. We will go through a suitable scope of work and the next steps.