Importance of Outsourcing Fire Alarm System
Discuss about the Project Management Of EMAAR Outsourcing.
This report focusses on the company named EMAAR, which is a big holding company. It is located in Dubai and it has many buildings under their development. EMAAR successfully outsources various services. There are various services which the companies outsource like security, waste management, pest control, elevator maintenance and so on. Generally, outsourcing services helps to decrease the time spent on the non-core activities and helps the company to focus on what it does the best. This report highlights on outsourcing the fire alarm system. Any building which lacks fire alarm system is suggested to install one as it secure the building and its assets.
The objective of this report is to discuss on asset management processes; workload attributes; Work breakdown structure; situation appraisal; competitive analysis; outsourcing decisions; partnering and alliance contracts; then on Contract law and OH&S.
As a main device that detects and signals fire notification and protection, the fire alarm system is worthy for high level of care and maintenance. The fire alarm system can be effective based on the quality of care and maintenance the system receives.
Asset management process is referred as a systematic process that ensures maintenance of physical assets in terms of upgradation and their operations with less cost. The asset management process is illustrated in the below figure.
High standards of safety and health are fulfilled by asset management. Thus, asset management must have a strategic and proactive approach. t Asset management processes allow the following:
- Ensures to measure the performance and policy objectives of the facility established.
- Ensures to avoid any potential crisis and related issues.
- Provides data management.
- Enforces better and effective service.
- Decreases the risk for stakeholders.
- Ensures to decrease the life cycle cost.
- Provides better financial plan.
- Helps to take better decisions in terms of resource allocation.
- Ensures to have a positive change in the organization.
The essential components of the asset management plan includes:
- Performance management
- Value of the asset
- Integration of financial and technical plans.
- Sustainability
- Assessment of risk
- life cycle management
Characteristics of Fire Alarm System
The characteristics are (Diong, 2004);
- The fire incidents are survived based on timely and orderly evacuation.
- Prior notification about the evacuation, for the existence of fire has a great impact in the overall process, through fire alarm system.
- Shuts downs the AHUs, for stopping the fire from spreading and decreasing the occupant’s smoke exposure.
- Electronically closes the doors for stopping the fire from spreading.
- Provides automatic alerts for the fire brigade.
- Monitoring of sprinklers.
- Ensures to pressurize the fans, for clearing smoke from the stairways, to ease the escape process.
- Helps to bring the passenger lifts to the ground floor.
- Monitoring of CO2
Work Description
For the installation of fire alarm system in the building, effective communication between the outsourcing partner and the company maintenance department is essential. Before installing the fire alarm system, the technicians are required to calculate and provide an estimate price for fire alarm system installation. The company has to provide the electrical layouts and building blueprints for the technicians, to locate the best and secure spot for the system to run effectively.
Only on agreeing the price the installation work starts. The installed fire alarm system requires maintenance, which includes any repair issues, general maintenance, non-functioning parts and its replacement.
Resources Required
The required resources are listed below (“Total Solutions Providers for Fire & Security Systems”, 2010):
- Experienced and skilled technicians
- Wiring circuits
- Gas, heat, smoke and flame Detection
- Linear heat detection
- Early warning fire detection and control
- Cables
- Drilling machines
- Tools for installation
- Blueprint of the building.
- Mobile Equipment
- Electrical layout of the building
- CCTV and Monitors
- Fire alarm systems
- Extinguishers
- Bladder Tanks
- Foam Deluge
- Foam Agents
- Foam Skids
- Hydrants
- Hose Reels
- Foam Pourers
Time Requirement
The time varies based on the area of the building and its requirements. Because, the time required for drilling the holes for the electrical wiring and circuits, for mounting the system, and for attaching the cabling completely relies on the size and necessity of the building. Only then, the system is tested to ensure its working. The escape or evacuation time can be favored by alerting the fire engine and the occupants early, by the fire alarm system.
Asset Management Processes
Strategic Level of Analysis
The strategy revolves around the cost of lifecycle and additional expenses, where the lifecycle cost must be decreased; adequate level service must be maintained; and service level with less cost must be maintained to decrease the cash flow. On the other hand, the company’s long term financial investment on the life cycle of the asset must be identified along with the additional expenses that are necessary to meet the technical plan.
The above mentioned aspects can be implemented by conducting and analyzing a survey, which covers all these areas. Further, following the local and standard laws with respect to fire safety is also an essential part of the strategy.
It is better to include the requirement of the organization and employees in the planning, design, installation, commissioning, verification, handover and electronic maintenance of the systems.
The risk assessment can be managed by maintenance service based on the following:
- Weekly Testing
- Annual Service
- Full-time Site Management
- System Inspections
- Modifications and Extensions
- Training
- Refilling
- Spares and Refurbishment
- Calibration
The situation Appraisal comprises of evaluative methods that helps to select and use the analytical techniques. Situation Appraisal helps to develop a framework for the routine activities. This frame work helps to answer the following question:
- Where to start?
- How to identify the situation which requires action?
- How to effectively manage the activities?
- How to set the priorities for the activities?
- How to stop the problem of overlapping?
- What are the threats and opportunities?
In fire alarm system, the contractors can be appraised by the owners while switching contractors. In such case, the contractors could justify their charged rates.
In this technology oriented world, every aspects appear to be in competition like the market competition, the owners of the companies are even competing in providing effective and safety environment for their workers. To take right decision for running competitive procurement, the scope, outsourcing transaction, service levels, risk and price must be related and analyzed. Moreover, contract terms and price must also be considered (“3 Key Considerations Before You Begin Outsourcing in Qatar, Saudi Arabia or the UAE”, 2018).
Partnering and alliance contracts with the outsourced partner allows the organization to benefit with the following aspects:
- Increases the efficiency in the asset operation.
- Ensures management of energy consumption.
- Mainly ensures efficient and effective building operations.
Based on competition, it is effective to select HSE system of international and local requirements for a sustainable fire system contractor, in Dubai. Because, it is approved from the ISO 9001:2000. The contract established between the company and the contractor is based on a fixed sum. It covers the routine inspections and other services of the fire alarm system. However, it also covers the systems such as the sprinkler and the hose reel. The inspection is scheduled based on month wise or year wise. If any fault is identified in the routine inspections, it is the responsibility if the contractor to replace the fault with respective charges for the repairs. The charges are already mentioned during the agreement between the two parties.
Workload Attributes and Work Breakdown Structure
According to Occupational Safety and Health Convention, 1981 (No. 155), the Article number 9 States that, the laws and regulations must abide to the law by enforcing concerns with respect to occupational safety and health of the employees working in their company. The laws state that the environment must be protected by scheduling and facilitating adequate and appropriate inspection system. Further, it states that the failure of following the law will be subjected to adequate penalties. Whereas, Article number 13 states that the labour inspectors can be given the authority for taking steps to identify the defects in the building, plant or a working place. This act is passed to identify the threats for the health and safety of the workers (“Occupational Safety and Health Inspection (Occupational Safety and Health)”, 2018).
Based on the Constitution of Saudi Arabia, under Article 32 the protection of environment and labour law are specified (“Saudi Arabia Environment, Health & Safety Profile and Checklist”, 2014). Labour law of 2005 states that all the employers and workers must know their labor law (Jannadi & Bu-Khamsin, 2002).
The contract terms and conditions should be clearly discussed and both the parties must agree to the same (“3 Key Considerations Before You Begin Outsourcing in Qatar, Saudi Arabia or the UAE”, 2018). Employment contract must be signed by all. The fixed contract for the service requires no objection certificate.
Therefore, the above articles prove that there are strict laws to follow for the safety of the workers’ environment and violation of laws can end up the owner in chaos. The fire alarm system and its maintenance can help the owners to overcome the threats of health and safety at the working premises.
References
3 Key Considerations Before You Begin Outsourcing in Qatar, Saudi Arabia or the UAE. (2018). Al-Mirsal. Retrieved 11 April 2018, from https://www.al-mirsal.com/2016/02/14/3-key-considerations-before-you-begin-outsourcing-in-qatar-saudi-arabia-or-the-uae/
Azzara, D. (2016). Fire & Life safety Codes & Standards Used in the Middle East. National Fire Protection Association.
Diong, C. (2004). Servicing & Maintenance of Fire Alarm Systems. IEM / MFPA Seminar On Fire Alarm And Detection Systems.
Jannadi, O., & Bu-Khamsin, M. (2002). Safety factors considered by industrial contractors in Saudi Arabia. Building And Environment, 37(5), 539-547. https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/s0360-1323(01)00056-7
Occupational Safety and Health Inspection (Occupational Safety and Health). (2018). Ilo.org. Retrieved 10 April 2018, from https://www.ilo.org/safework/areasofwork/occupational-safety-and-health-inspection/lang–en/index.htm
Saudi Arabia Environment, Health & Safety Profile and Checklist. (2014). The Isosceles Group. Retrieved from https://nimonik.com/case_studies/audit_previews/ksa_audit_preview_health_safety_environment.pdf
Total Solutions Providers for Fire & Security Systems. (2010). Tyco. Retrieved from https://www.tycofireuae.com/Tyco%20UAE%20Brochure%20Rev%201.0.pdf
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