Conventional fire alarm systems are the entry level for most fire system requirements. These alarms are suitable for small offices, nurseries, small hotels, warehouses, shops and any small business. They will indicate a zone as an area in the building where the detector has been triggered (many detectors may be in this area) and usually operate the sounders for a full evacuation.
How does a conventional fire alarm work?
Each call point or smoke alarm is connected to the main fire alarm control panel by its own wire. When a detector is triggered, the fire alarm control panel will operate the sounders for a full evacuation.
What are the advantages of a conventional system?
- Conventional fire alarm systems are one of the cheaper options to buy
- Suitable for smaller business premises where a sophisticated fire alarm system isn’t needed
What are the disadvantages of a conventional system?
- Although cheaper to buy it’s more expensive to install
- The exact location of a fire can’t be given with a conventional fire alarm system. However, by wiring different floors or areas as zones, then an indication of which zone the fire is in can be given.
- If a wire becomes severed, the device is disconnected and may not signal the presence of a fire
Twin wire fire alarm systems are similar to a conventional system as they have detection zones. The main advantage of twin-wire systems is you can put sounders on the detection circuit which means you can save on the cost of having to wire additional sounder circuits.
How does a twin wire fire alarm work?
Each call point or smoke alarm is connected to the main fire alarm control panel by its own wire. When a detector is triggered, the fire alarm control panel will operate the sounders for a full evacuation. A twin wire system allows sounders to be installed on the circuit, meaning you don’t need to wire in additional sounder circuits.
What are the advantages of a twin wire fire alarm system?
- Supports remote input/output interface units. So if, for example, lift control shutdown is required but the lift is sited a long way from the fire alarm control panel, the remote input/output can operate this with minimal wiring.
- Save the cost of wiring additional sounder units
- Reduce false alarms – the alarm is sounded only in the zone where the fire is detected. If a fire continues to be detected the alarm will sound in the whole building. If a fire isn’t detected then the system is automatically reset.
What are the disadvantages of a twin wire system?
- Although cheaper to buy it’s more expensive to install
- The exact location of a fire can’t be given with a twin wire fire alarm system. However, by wiring different floors or areas as zones, then an indication of which zone the fire is in can be given.
- If a wire becomes severed, the device is disconnected and may not signal the presence of a fire.
Addressable fire alarm systems enable you to pinpoint exactly which detector has been activated, and where the fire is located. They are suitable for larger business premises such as hotels, office blocks, warehouses and large factories.
How does an addressable fire alarm work?
Each call point or smoke alarm connected to the main fire alarm control panel has its own address. When a fire is detected, the address of the detector is displayed on the main control panel. An addressable fire alarm system also allows sounders to be activated only in the area where the triggered detector is, saving the disruption of full evacuations and false alarms.
What are the advantages of an addressable fire alarm system
- Quick identification of the location of the fire
- Pre-alarm feature gives a pre-warning at the main panel without operating the sounders, giving staff time to investigate a false alarm or potential fire. The detector will still operate if it senses a fire.
- Reduce false alarms.
- Repeater panels can be installed on larger sites, mimicking the information and controls of the main fire alarm control panel. This enables full control of the entire fire safety system across your site.
- Remote diagnostics allows us to dial into your system from our office and examine the control panel for any issues. This means we can solve problems immediately, often eliminating the need for an engineer visit.
What are the disadvantages of an addressable system?
Not as cheap to buy as a conventional fire alarm system
Radio fire alarms (also known as wireless fire alarms) are the same as a standard analogue addressable fire alarm systems but with the advantage of no wires to interlink the detection and sounders. Wireless fire alarms are ideal for premises with multiple buildings such as schools, colleges or science parks or buildings which cannot afford wiring costs or the sight of cabling. Typically this would be heritage buildings, schools, museums, hotels, castles and churches. They are also ideal for premises requiring quick installation as systems can be installed much quicker than wired systems.
How does a wireless fire alarm work?
Wireless fire alarm systems work in much the same way as addressable fire alarm systems, but instead of signals being transmitted by wiring, they are sent by radio-link. They have many of the same features of addressable systems such as each detector having its own address, so when a fire is detected the address of the detector is displayed on the main control panel. A wireless fire alarm system also allows sounders to be activated only in the area where the triggered detector is, saving the disruption of full evacuations and false alarms.
What are the advantages of a wireless fire alarm system?
- Quick identification of the location of the fire.
- No wires so installed quickly meaning minimal disruption to your business.
- Easily connects separate buildings under one fire alarm system.
- Reduce false alarms.
- Repeater panels can be installed on larger sites, mimicking the information and controls of the main fire alarm control panel. This enables full control of the entire fire safety system across your site.
- Remote diagnostics allows us to dial into your system from our office and examine the control panel for any issues. This means we can solve problems immediately, often eliminating the need for an engineer visit.
What are the disadvantages of a wireless system?
More expensive to buy than wired fire alarm system
Fire Alarm Categories
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Your fire alarm system will form a major part in your building fire strategy, so making sure that the system is designed, installed and your fire alarms are maintained correctly is imperative; by working to the strictest British Standards 5839-1:2017 and BAFE SP203, Artius FP will support your commercial fire alarm system requirements from architectural plans through to installation and planned maintenance visits from one of our expert fire alarm engineers.
TO STAY LEGAL, YOU MUST ENSURE:
- A bi-annual service of your fire alarm is carried out as a minimum requirement.
- Any necessary works are carried out and recommendations considered for optimal performance.
- All tests are carried out regularly, when necessary, and in accordance with commercial fire safety guidelines.
- These services are carried out by a competent person.
Fire Alarm Maintenance Explained
You have a fire alarm installed at your premises to protect your building and its occupants. Legally, this must be serviced at least once every six months (according to BS 5839-1: 2017)
It is essential that this system functions properly as, in the event of a fire, this acts as an early warning, enabling safe and timely evacuation.
You are legally obliged to ensure that this detection system works and is in line with current regulatory standards. To do this, you must have fire alarm maintenance carried out by a competent person. On top of this, if your competent specialist/maintenance provider recommends replacements or repairs, it is the duty of the responsible person to ensure these works are carried out.
Artius Fire Protection is the best choice for your fire alarm maintenance, being a leading BAFE-accredited provider to hundreds of customers across UK.
Your Maintenance Visit
During your maintenance visits, we’ll check and test the following before issuing you with a certificate report and any recommendations to be carried out:
- Battery condition
- Accuracy of zone plans
- Heat and smoke detectors
- Manual call points and zones
- Radio signals (if radio/wireless)
- Control panel functions and visuals
- False alarms requiring investigation
Fabric of the building for changes and fire alarm compatibility
If you have monitoring on your fire alarm, we can also maintain this for you, ensuring the signalling connection between your alarm and the receiving centre is performing at its optimal level. If you have emergency lights, fire extinguishers or other fire safety products in place to protect your building, we can maintain
