Fire Alarm Call Points

Recognisable usually by its green or red colour, the fire alarm call point is a critical wall-mounted safety device allowing anyone to manually trigger a building’s fire alarm system in an emergency. Often known as manual call points (MCPs), they provide an essential human-machine interface for responsive fire detection and notification.

Their immediate alarm activation, ease of use, and contribution to effective emergency communication make them indispensable in any fire safety plan. By incorporating break glass and fire alarm call points in building designs and adhering to safety standards, businesses demonstrate their commitment to safeguarding lives and minimising the impact of fire incidents.

Features and Benefits of Installing Fire Alarm Call Points

Break Glass Activation: Clear and deliberate activation by breaking glass or a frangible plastic element ensures intentional alarm triggering.
Anti-Tampering Mechanisms: Features to reduce false alarms and malicious activation help maintain system reliability.
Plug and Play Installation: Easy wiring and installation simplify setting up or upgrading fire alarm systems.
Standard Colours: Typically green, with other colour options like red available to suit different regulatory or environmental requirements.
Immediate Alarm Activation: Allows occupants to quickly raise alarm signals in the event of an emergency.
Precise Alarm Location Tracking: Identifies exactly which call point was activated, facilitating rapid emergency response.
Enhances Occupant Safety: Provides a reliable way for anyone in the building to alert emergency systems promptly.
Compliance with Fire Safety Regulations: Supports adherence to legal requirements and standards.
Optional Integration with Emergency Services: Some systems automatically notify fire departments (e.g., Jabatan Bomba dan Penyelamat Malaysia) for faster intervention.

How Fire Alarm Call Points Work

In the instance of a possible fire, a user will break the glass or press a designated plastic element to activate the unit. Upon activation, the call point immediately sends a signal to the central fire alarm control panel. This panel then triggers audible and visual alarms throughout the building, alerting occupants to the fire and initiating evacuation protocols.

Many systems, particularly in commercial buildings across Malaysia, can also automatically notify Jabatan Bomba dan Penyelamat Malaysia (Bomba) for a rapid response.

Manual call points serve as an essential backup measure if automatic smoke or heat detectors fail, and are strategically installed in accessible locations along escape routes to ensure quick activation when needed.

Types of Fire Alarm Call Points: Break Glass vs. Push Button

Manual fire alarm call points primarily feature one of two activation mechanisms, each with distinct functional niches.

Break Glass: The traditional break glass manual call point requires the user to physically break the glass (or a frangible plastic element) to access and press an underlying button. The broken glass serves as a clear visual indicator of deliberate activation and often acts as a deterrent against accidental alarms.
Push Button: Push-button call points, sometimes referred to as resettable manual call points, are activated by simply pressing a button or panel. These are often preferred for ease of use and quick resetting after an alarm, eliminating broken glass. They are suitable in environments where quick, repeated testing might occur.

Installation and Maintenance Tips for Fire Alarm Call Points

Proper installation and regular maintenance of fire alarm call points are crucial to ensuring the effectiveness of a fire alarm system, promoting occupant safety, and maintaining regulatory compliance within buildings.

Strategic Placement: Position call points clearly visible along escape routes, near final exits, and adjacent to fire exits on each floor. Ensure they are mounted at a height accessible to all, typically no higher than 1.4 meters from the floor.
Adequate Spacing: Ensure a minimum of one manual call point per floor. For comprehensive coverage, maintain a maximum travel distance of 30 meters to the nearest call point.
Routine Testing: Regularly test all fire alarm call points as per local regulations and manufacturer guidelines (e.g., monthly or quarterly) to ensures they will operational readiness when a fire emergency arises.
Visual Inspection and Accessibility: Periodically check each call point for visible damage, tampering (especially break glass type units), or obstructions. Ensure clear, unobstructed signage is present, and the call point remains easily accessible at all times.
Prompt Repair and Replacement: Any faulty call point detected during inspection or testing, or any unit that has been activated (e.g., requires break glass replacement), must be repaired or replaced promptly to restore full fire alarm system functionality and readiness.
Environmental Considerations: For compartments with high humidity, choose call points with appropriate IP ratings to ensure resistance to moisture ingress and long-term reliability of the fire alarm system.

Preventing False Alarms with Anti-Tampering Call Points

False alarms can disrupt operations and strain emergency services, making their prevention a critical aspect of fire alarm system management. Modern fire alarm call points are equipped with advanced anti-tampering features specifically designed to minimise accidental or malicious activation.

These features include:

Transparent protective covers that require a deliberate action to lift before activation
Resettable elements on push-button manual call points that prevent repeated activation
Key-activated call points that require authorised access.

Proper placement of these call points in well-considered locations, coupled with clear, unambiguous signage, further helps to minimise misuse.

Choosing the Right Fire Alarm Call Point for Your Building

Selecting the appropriate fire alarm call point is crucial for establishing an effective fire alarm system tailored to your building's unique requirements.

Building Size and Layout: Larger or multi-floor buildings require more units, strategically positioned to ensure rapid activation and effective alerting throughout all areas.
Occupancy Type: Different occupancy types (e.g., residential, office, industrial, public spaces) dictate the choice between break glass type or push-button manual call points, considering ease of use versus deterrence of false alarms.
Environmental Conditions: Assess the operational environment; for outdoor use or areas with high humidity (common in Malaysia), choose weatherproof or appropriately IP-rated call points.
Regulatory Compliance: Adherence to local fire safety regulations in Malaysia is paramount. Ensure all chosen fire alarm call points and their installation comply with national building codes and fire safety standards for legal operation and maximum occupant safety.
Accessibility and Visibility: All call points must be clearly visible and easily accessible to occupants along designated escape routes and near exits. Unobstructed access ensures that anyone can quickly trigger the fire alarm in an emergency, without delay.

Please consult with a qualified fire safety professional to select appropriate fire alarm call points and ensure correct placement for optimal coverage and accessibility within your specific building's design.

Industrial Applications of Fire Alarm Call Points

Fire alarm call points are critical safety components indispensable across a diverse range of industries and building types, facilitating immediate manual fire detection and enabling rapid emergency response.

Oil and Gas: In hazardous oil and gas facilities, manual call points provide essential early warning for fires, protecting personnel and valuable infrastructure from highly flammable materials in challenging environments.
Mining: Underground and remote mining operations rely on call points for timely fire alarm activation in harsh conditions to mitigate risks in enclosed or isolated environments.
Commercial Buildings (Retail, Offices, Hotels): Fire alarm call points enable occupants to quickly raise the fire alarm, crucial for public safety and swift evacuation.
Healthcare (Hospitals, Laboratories): Hospitals and laboratories require precise fire alarm systems to facilitate immediate alerts for vulnerable patients and critical equipment, allowing for controlled, safe evacuation, and emergency procedures.
Educational Institutions: Schools, colleges, and universities utilise fire alarm call points to ensure the safety of students and staff. They provide a vital means for anyone to trigger an immediate fire alarm, initiating emergency protocols swiftly.
Residential Buildings: In multi-unit residential buildings like apartments and condominiums, call points offer occupants a direct means to activate the fire alarm system, providing early warning for all residents and facilitating timely evacuation during a fire incident.

Buy Fire Alarm Call Points at RS Malaysia

RS Malaysia is a trusted supplier and distributor of comprehensive fire alarm call points and emergency activation solutions. We offer a wide range of manual call points, including break glass type and push-button options, sourced from reputable brands like Eaton, Hoyles, and Legrand, ensuring reliable options for every building's safety plan.

Beyond fire alarm call points, we also provide a wide array of other fire safety equipment, such as fire blankets, smoke alarms, and fire extinguishers, catering to all your comprehensive building safety needs.

Explore our user-friendly online site for the full range of products and have them shipped to your door at your convenience. With our flexible delivery options, you can receive your products precisely when needed. For comprehensive details on delivery times and fees, please consult our delivery information page.

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