Security guards should be taught how to use alarms

ABU DHABI // Security guards are taught how to silence fire alarms, but not always how to use them, fire safety experts have said.

Training on how to put out a fire, operate a fire alarm system and evacuate buildings is crucial to ensure the protection of residents in tower blocks.

“All buildings require a fire alarm system as per Civil Defence regulations,” said Hani Kobty, technical manager at Telectron, a leading fire and security engineering contractor in Abu Dhabi that works with Civil Defence. “If the building is over seven floors, a voice evacuation system is required, which usually asks you to exit the building when a fire occurs. It can also be used to address a message if and when required and these are some of the basic features of a fire alarm system.”

He said, to his knowledge, not all security guards knew how to use the systems.

“They are only aware of how to silence an alarm if it occurs or reset the panel when required,” he said. “False alarms happen all the time. It could be due to a lack of maintenance or due to other parameters that are not related to a fire. For example, smoking in an apartment, dust or condensation from humidity.”

Mr Kobty said all fire alarm panels in Dubai were linked with Civil Defence.

“In case of an alarm, the Civil Defence will be notified and they will usually call the building to make sure everything is OK,” he said. “That is not the case in Abu Dhabi, although they are following suit.”

The basic technology on almost all fire alarm systems today ensures the exact location from where the alarm went off is shown on a panel.

“What’s more important, in my opinion, is that security guards are given basic training on how to react when and if there is a fire,” Mr Kobty said. “It is more important to know how to put out a fire than only how to operate a fire alarm system.” He said it was vital they knew how to evacuate the building of tenants.

He said false alarms occurred frequently.

“They can never be completely avoided,” he said. “However, you can limit the number of false alarms by maintaining the systems properly and constantly training security guards.

“They need to know how to read and understand the different messages given by fire alarm systems and, most importantly, they need to know what to do when a fire occurs – how to react and help.”

Emma Button, consultant at JLL Property, said security guard training was up to property management.

“Generally, with these high rises, you have facilities management on site and they have staff to cover a 24-hour period,” she said.

“There should be a facilities person on site even if a guard does not know, because you need to have someone else who is trained.”