Dear Customers,

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In light of the ongoing Coronavirus/Covid-19 pandemic, 24-7 Fire & Security is implementing contingency measures across the organisation to ensure that we continue to protect our employees and customers. There will be regular communications from 24-7 Fire & Security to our customers as the situation continues to develop.

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Our current measures are based on guidance from national and international public health bodies, including the World Health Organisation (WHO), the Health Service Executive (HSE) and the Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HSPC).

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24-7 Fire & Security is implementing necessary steps to maintain activity and protect against risk.

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We are taking all precautions being advised from governmental organisations. We have established a team to manage our activities in relation to the pandemic. As this is an ever-changing situation, day-to-day management is critical. We will constantly review changes in the situation and update our policies accordingly.

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All 24-7 Fire & Security employees have been issued with official guidance on how to best protect both themselves and customers. They have been provided with instructions on how to communicate with us should their risk status change. We have established business continuity plans.

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Our communication channels are a very important part of our everyday service. Steps have been implemented to ensure that these remain open. We have reviewed staffing across the company to allow for multiple scenarios.

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We prioritise the safety and security of 24-7 Fire & Security employees and customers. Please rest assured that we are enacting all measures to maintain the same high level of service at this time.

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Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any queries or worries.

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Private Security Authority (PSA) Statement (28 March 2020)

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Dear Licence Holder

The purpose of the guidance is to provide guidance to PSA licensed contractors and their employees as to what constitutes an essential service where workers cannot work from home and have no option but to travel to work.


The Government has published details of essential service providers under the new public health guidelines. Essential services includes security activities to assist in the delivery of essential services and the securing of premises closed to the public.

 

The PSA considers the following services as coming within the scope of essential services.

1. Cash-in Transit

2. Security Guarding

3. Alarm/CCTV Monitoring

4. Electronic Security Installers (Access Control, CCTV and Intruder Alarm) installing or repairing access control systems, CCTV systems and intruder alarms at premises providing essential services or premises closed to the public. Installer may also respond to emergency call outs. All other installation and regular maintenance/service work should cease. Retail premises should be closed. If emergency services need to be provided at the licence holders premises this should be done by appointment. The premises should remain closed to the public.

5. Locksmiths installing or repairing locks at premises providing essential services or premises closed to the public. Locksmiths may also respond to emergency call outs. All other installation and regular maintenance/service work should cease. Retail premises should be closed. If emergency services need to be provided at the licence holders premises this should be done by appointment. The premises should remain closed to the public.

6. Private Investigators should only provide services that support essential services. These services should only be conducted from their offices. No fieldwork should be undertaken.

Employers should advise their employees that they should at all times when travelling to and from work bring work identification or a letter from their employer indicating that they are an essential employee, as well as one other form of identification this can include a PSA licence card where one has issued,.

You should continue to follow the latest public health guidance at all times

Further information will issue if there is any changes to this guidance.

We will not respond to individual requests for clarification. If further clarification is required this will be done by another guidance notice to all licence holders.

Stay safe.

Paul

Paul Scallan
Chief Executive
Private Security Authority

 

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​​ACEI member opinion on guidance on maintenance of fire alarms and emergency lighting systems (31 March 2020)

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I have had a number of queries regarding the above and while I stress that this is not a legal opinion, the following is my professional opinion based on my understanding of the Standards and other legislation.
 
General Observations:

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Firstly, COVID 19 is transient. While it is incredibly brutal, deadly and disruptive, we will emerge at the end, pick up the pieces and revert to normality. In my opinion, we must have this as a mind-set.  
 
Also, with this in mind, we must endeavor to return to safe and functional facilities. We can only achieve this by Maintaining and Servicing our Life Safety systems.  
 
There is no question that we must understand that a degree of flexibility is needed at this time. In fact, the Standards recognise this and at the end of the day require that the ‘intent’ outweighs the ‘literal interpretation’ of these documents.
 
The Duty-holders (the ‘User’, ‘Owner’, Responsible Person’, ‘Manager’. etc.) still retain their obligations in respect of their duty-of-care under the Health & Safety and other legislation. This virus does not change or reduce these duties or obligations.  
 
As I believe must be recognised by all, the present conditions will make full adherence to requirements more difficult, and perhaps require risk assessment and specific engineered solutions in respect of the ability to comply with the intent of some required procedures or actions.
 
There are always suitable alternatives if we look for them!
 
Users need to be made aware of the daily, weekly, periodic and annual inspections/tests they are obliged to carry out under the Irish Standards, in order to keep their FDAS and EML installations properly functional.  
 
Consultants, Contractors and Service Providers can assist here by providing our clients with appropriate advice. This is an excellent opportunity to show that we help our Clients with their FDAS and EML system servicing and assist with professional and practical service with, and for, them.

 

FDAS and EML Service and Maintenance:

 

Both FDAS and EML are Life Safety Systems (LSS). As such there is no basis for the argument that a holiday, strike, or even the absence of staff from a facility, can be used as a justifiable reason for not carrying out periodic or annual maintenance and servicing.  
 
In my opinion, COVID 19 does not change this obligation  
 
Both systems (FDAS and EML) require User and (generally) third-party servicing.
 
User servicing: Daily and Weekly:

• Applies to both FDAS and EML

• Even more important now for ‘lock-down’ premises.

 
Periodic/Annual (P/A) Servicing:

• FDAS: Other than for non-domestic, small premises, requires 4 visits annually for all installations

• EML: Requires 4 visits annually for all installations

 
Service Flexibility:

• The fact that the FDAS and EML standards both allow a 2-month window for the next due service, will allow considerable flexibility here.

• Service and Testing can be carried out during weekend or periods of reduced or non-occupancy or in designated areas only or in other ways.

• Unless this virus persists for a long time, the period that it will affect our servicing should be hopefully no more than once or twice during this emergency period.

• Flexibility of Service Providers and Users alike is of paramount importance

 
Re-occupation:

Premises where Life Safety Systems are not serviced could be deemed to be unsafe for re-occupation. This could be under:

• Health & Safety Legislation

• Fire Service Act

• Occupier Liability and other statutory obligations

• Insurance

 
Where a premises has not been periodically/annually serviced (FDAS and/or EML, an element of recommissioning might be necessary to allow sign-off following this problem period:

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• This might be for operational or corporate compliance

• Impact on Health & Safety would have to be reviewed

• It might also be related to insurances If required, it could be expensive and also could result in delayed re-occupation.

 

Insurances:

 

There could be issues regarding insurance cover should essential maintenance and servicing of systems, including FDAS and EML, have not been carried out.
 
Service and Maintenance in different classes of premises:
 
Non-‘locked-down’ premises:

 

There will still be staff in many of these premises, perhaps for reduced operation; services; security; maintenance; or other purposes.  
 
In this regard, normal FDAS and EML servicing remains essential and should not be difficult to schedule.
 
There may even be a justifiable argument that this could be an opportunity to carry out amendments or even upgrades at a time when premises are assessable and system (FDAS and EML) works can safely be carried out safety and in a manner compliant with government and health directives:

• I personally feel that anything we can do to safely maintain some economic activity, is essential at this time.

• REV01: The Government restrictions announced on Friday 27th essentially put this suggestion on hold until such works are permitted

 
‘Locked-down’ premises:

 

These facilities will include all healthcare facilities
 
The fact that these facilities will be in full (if not overloaded) occupancy, makes LSS periodic and annual  servicing even more critical
 
Normal Servicing will be difficult but is not impossible. A degree of flexibility will also need to be taken into account.
 
Fire Detection and Alarm Systems: (FDAS)

• FDAS Panels are located adjacent to main entrances. These can have core periodic checks quite easily. These premises must have personnel entering and leaving and so appropriate procedures will be in place for this.

• With the Users assistance, the operational ability of the installation can be verified without the Service Provided leaving the panel position.

• The use of the ‘evacuation’ switch for a couple of seconds (with Staff appropriately forewarned, may be possibly.

• Testing in certain areas such as plant rooms or the Reception areas where the panel is located, could be considered. With some thought, planning and cooperation with the User, adequate Servicing should be possible.

 
Emergency Lighting Systems: (EML)

• User assistance and cooperation will be essential here as EML is also  throughout the premises but often has no central control facility.

• Distribution Boards are often in central locations and corridors. As such access using appropriate Protective Clothing will be possible in many cases to initiate Tests.

• I expect that virtually all such premises will have in-house maintenance personnel. Such persons could be easily trained to work with the external Service Providers ad test systems both functionally and for full duration. Remember that ALL compliant systems can be tested without affecting the normal lighting.

• Users staff (maintenance or service) could carry out the actual ‘during-and-after’ inspections.

 
Finally, reverting to my initial optimistic attitude that we will revert to normality, this cloud could have a (very tarnished, dull,…) silver lining. At this time can we use this (abiding to all travel, etc. restrictions), to carry out repairs or upgrades to FDAS and EML, where premises are unoccupied or only sparingly occupied.  REV 01: again refer to the note above re Government restrictions on construction activities
 
Could this help a few to keep earning a living; make improvements to LSS that are easier to carry out at this time; and maybe act as a little positivity where everything else is so bleak?
 
I wish all of you the best and stay safe.
 
As always, feel free to email queries  
 
Regards
 
Paul Condron,

Chartered Engineer Registered Consulting Engineer
for and on behalf of Paul Condron Consulting Engineer Limited

10 Rectory Way Herbert Road Bray Co, Wicklow A98CD88
 

Website: www.pcce.ie
 
Member of the following NSAI Standards Working Groups: I.S.3218 - Fire Detection and Alarm Systems for 16 years I.S.3217 - Emergency Lighting for 10 years

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