Question:
Our sprog's (Steiner) kindergarden is in a house, owned by the school, the upper rooms of which are let out, raising money for the project. The house has a Chubb fire alarm (the panel says model 204E) which has 5 (or so, IIRC) zones. Recently the circuit for the kitchen has developed a fault - as of when someone burnt the toast(!) - but someone has removed the removable bit of the detector and when I tried putting it back it set off the whole system (nearly changing the colour of my underwear - sounded like WWIII was about to erupt!). This particular detector seems to have nothing much to it - just 2 metal strips connecting with the bit which screwed to the ceiling, and the strips on the removable bit go to a little blob of something encapsulated in the centre of the cover. The cover unit has a metal (IIRC) disk a bit below the main plastic of the cover - it looks like a 60s B-movie flying saucer! Anyway, the project doesn't have a service contract with Chubb and Chubb apaprently don't get out of bed for less than 160 or so quid. There are 2 problems: one is to get the thing repaired and working, the other is to keep it all legit with respect to Chubb and ultimately the rules and regs covering buildings in multiple occupancy used for rent. For the first part can anyone who's familiar with these systems advise on what might be wrong and how (and how much!) to fix it? Secondly what do we need to do to keep it OK with Chubb? If we d.i.y repair, can we have them test it cheaply? Better still are there 3rd part Chubb engineers who can fix or test it who might be cheaper than the parent company - maybe someone who'd do it cheap (or free!) for the school?

Answer: Q: Our sprog's (Steiner) kindergarden is in a house, owned by the school, the upper rooms of which are let out, raising money for the project. The house has a Chubb fire alarm (the panel says model 204E) which has 5 (or so, IIRC) zones.

A: 204's not a bad unit - it's 2 circs as standard, up to six in the box, and further by expansion box plus cards - which are proprietary. Fortunately, from the panel on, you have an industry standard situation. Q: Recently the circuit for the kitchen has developed a fault - as of when someone burnt the toast(!) - but someone has removed the removable bit of the detector and when I tried putting it back it set off the whole system (nearly changing the colour of my underwear - sounded like WWIII was about to erupt!).

A: Fun that bit - isn't it Have you hoovered TM out the smoke head? I know it sounds funny, but if there's any crap in the head, and it's blocking the smoke chamber in any way, you're stuffed from the off....that's the non-tech version Q: This particular detector seems to have nothing much to it - just 2 metal strips connecting with the bit which screwed to the ceiling, and the strips on the removable bit go to a little blob of something encapsulated in the centre of the cover. The cover unit has a metal (IIRC) disk a bit below the main plastic of the cover - it looks like a 60s B-movie flying saucer!

A: About the same as most - BTW did you know that that disc is actually radioactive? I'm not kidding, but it's not going to perform immediate kemotherapy on you.....that's the basis for ionisation based detection of smoke. Q: Anyway, the project doesn't have a service contract with Chubb and Chubb apaprently don't get out of bed for less than 160 or so quid. There are 2 problems: one is to get the thing repaired and working, the other is to keep it all legit with respect to Chubb and ultimately the rules and regs covering buildings in multiple occupancy used for rent.

A: Chubb are not reknowned for cheap, no. Neither are fire alarms generally, though - the "you are required by law" bit is the one that puts the cost through the roof in most cases...... Problem 1 is easily solved, and if you solve problem 1, you've solved problem 2. Q: For the first part can anyone who's familiar with these systems advise on what might be wrong and how (and how much!) to fix it?

A: Try vacuuming out the smoke head, refitting it, and resetting the controls (the sounders won't stop until you reset the control - you may have to silence first until the head initialises, depending on the head used). Q: Secondly what do we need to do to keep it OK with Chubb? If we d.i.y repair, can we have them test it cheaply? Better still are there 3rd part Chubb engineers who can fix or test it who might be cheaper than the parent company - maybe someone who'd do it cheap (or free!) for the school?

A: You don't need to do anything regarding Chubb - their only involvement is that their name happens to be on the control unit, and that they may have serviced the unit at some time in the past. Any fire company should look at the system for you, and I will myself if you want...... BS 5839 states that your system should, (in a nutshell) be tested such that 25% of the system is tested 4 times a year - i.e. a quarter of the system on each visit so that the whole system's been tested in twelve months. Naturally, your insurers (possibly) and the local fire officer/inspector will want to see certificates of testing.......and an up to date testing and maintenance log, including details of the fire drills, weekly testing of the bells (or sirens) etc., and periodic maintenance as above. Now for the sore bit I can look at the system for you, cheaper than Chubb will. For systems up to 8 circuits, we charge: Level 1 maintenance (4 visits p/a, 24 hour cover with 3 hour response, testing in compliance with BS5839, certification, etc)..... Ј340 inc p/a (doesn't include parts, labour, call out fees) Level 2 maintenance (as above, includes call out and labour) Ј625 inc p/a Level 3 maintenance (includes call out, labour parts - total cover) Ј1275 p/a inc. If you prefer not to have maintenance cover, I can do a one off visit to cover the breakdown, and to certify the condition of the system: Call out to include labour at Ј95 inc. Parts as required - a replacement smoke detector is currently around Ј75 - Ј80 depending on requirements. That puts you at about the same rate as Chubb walking through your front door - my insider reckons Chubb are charging about Ј130 min for fitted heads currently, plus labour...........plus VAT, which I don't currently charge. Get back to me if you need more info, or want the work doing, or further info about the work - the internet/email is not the most structured way of offering services, and quoting requirements :( If it's urgent, give me a ring on (01892) 520235 office hours - usually someone in, but we're smallish, so it's sometimes all hands to the decks.......