Fire Industry Association announces release of new guidance document

The Fire Industry Association (FIA) has announced the release of a new guidance document, titled “Guidance on Antistatic Precautions when Fitting Equipment to Control and Indicating Equipment.”

This document, as reported by the FIA, provides detailed advice to help fire safety professionals reduce the risks associated with electrostatic discharge (ESD) when working with Printed Circuit Board Assemblies (PCBA) in Control and Indicating Equipment (CIE).

ESD events can lead to damage to sensitive electronic components within CIE, potentially affecting the safety and performance of fire detection and alarm systems.

The new guidance is designed to provide clear instructions for handling and installing PCBA components in a way that minimises these risks.

Key recommendations for managing electrostatic discharge

The guidance includes several recommendations for mitigating ESD risks, particularly for those working with PCBA’s in CIE.

These recommendations include the use of antistatic wrist straps, grounding techniques, and proper handling and transportation methods for sensitive electronic components.

The document further outlines safety precautions that should be observed before, during, and after working with CIE to ensure the integrity of both the equipment and its functionality.

Aimed at installers, maintainers, and commissioners in fire safety

The guidance is intended to serve as an essential resource for various professionals in the fire safety industry, including installers, maintainers, and commissioners.

It is available for download on the FIA website and is designed to support industry professionals in adhering to high safety and operational standards.

The FIA encourages all relevant parties to review the guidance and apply its recommendations in their work to avoid potential damage from ESD events.

Available for download on FIA website

The guidance document is freely available for download from the FIA’s official website.

It is positioned as a valuable tool to help fire safety professionals maintain best practices while working with control and indicating equipment.

The FIA has emphasised the importance of following the procedures outlined in the document to prevent damage to sensitive components and ensure the continued reliability of fire detection and alarm systems.

New FIA guidance on antistatic precautions in fire safety industry: Summary

The Fire Industry Association (FIA) has released a new guidance document titled “Guidance on Antistatic Precautions when Fitting Equipment to Control and Indicating Equipment.”

The document offers detailed advice on preventing electrostatic discharge (ESD) damage when working with Printed Circuit Board Assemblies (PCBA) in Control and Indicating Equipment (CIE).

It includes recommendations for antistatic precautions such as wrist straps, grounding methods, and safe handling of components.

The guidance is aimed at installers, maintainers, and commissioners in the fire safety industry and is available for download from the FIA website.