The use of approved materials and the performance of maintenance works regularly are essential.
Organized in collaboration with the Occupational Health and Safety Coordinatorship of Yildiz Technical University and TUYAK, “Fire Security Seminar” was held in the Auditorium of YTU. In the event, Hayri Kartopu, the Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors of EEC Entegre Bina Kontrol Sistemleri, gave a speech, which attracted attention, to the students and the sector stakeholders.
In his presentation named “Fire Detection and Alarm Systems for Life Safety”, Hayri Kartopu outlined the functions of the fire detection system as detecting fire at the initial stage, giving the audible and light alarms to direct those in the building and the fire fighting teams, controlling the other building security systems and managing the communication necessary for evacuation and emphasized that all these functions basically serve to the purpose of “ensuring safety of life and property”. Mentioning about the fact that loss of life occurs particularly while people are asleep, Kartopu continued his speech by stating “As the most important factor threatening life safety in the case of fire is smoke, smoke detection is a priority in this type of systems. Smoke must be detected as early as possible in all sleeping quarters and all sections which are not people-intensive or where people cannot enter, and on the escape routes. In the case of fire breaking out in our living or accommodating quarters, we have 4 minutes to leave the fire scene. Therefore, early detection is of great importance”.
While outlining the condition in our country, he expressed “The scope and properties of the fire detection and alarm systems to be installed are determined by the national and local regulations and the application guidelines and standards. Nevertheless, we still encounter with improper designs and applications, whether consciously or unconsciously. In many projects, unapproved materials may be used”. He called the attention to the requirement for acting sensitively in the product selection in order to be able to ensure reliable detection.
Mentioning about the guidelines, regulations and standards that must be complied with in Türkiye individually, Hayri Kartopu pointed out the deficiency that he considers with regard to the subject by stating “Technical specifications that are specific to any projects are issued in our country. The Ministry of Environment and Urbanization has a technical specification even if it is deficient. By the way, this technical specification is currently being updated. Unfortunately, our Trade Association does not have any publications in this regard even if not binding. This type of publications would substantially prevent each project designer from having their own specific technical specification”.
Stating the benefits of using approved materials as a solution offer to the problems occurring, Kartopu underlined the necessity for encouraging and inspecting the maintenance works of the fire detection systems as well as updating the Interior Electric Wiring Regulation. Reminding that the importance of the system should be considered in terms of safety of life and property, Hayri Kartopu ended his speech by stating “The requirements to arise in terms of the characteristic and intended use of the structure must not be ignored, but must be taken into account carefully”.
