Top Fire Alarm Systems For Commercial Safety

Fire alarm systems are necessary for the protection of life and property. Fire detection systems are required by law in most non-domestic buildings where people work or visit, such as offices, shops, hotels, and public places. 

A fire safety risk assessment must be made and updated by the employer or the building owners/residents in accordance with the regulation.

Fire detection and alarm systems

According to the results of the evaluations to be made, it is necessary to ensure that all fire safety precautions, including fire alarms and detectors, are taken to minimize the risk of injury or loss of life in the event of a fire. 

Fire detection and alarm systems are divided into types according to their use cases

Fire detection and alarm systems are divided into types according to their use cases in different types of facilities. There are various types, such as simple fire alarm systems, which are called 'conventional', Intelligent fire alarm systems, which are called 'addressable', and wireless fire alarm systems. They can also be categorized as either manual or automatic.

1. Conventional fire alarm systems

Conventional fire alarm systems have been commonly used in small businesses and properties, such as shops and restaurants for many years. It is more affordable than other alarm systems in terms of price.

It works by dividing the building where the fire detection system is installed into a series of detection zones, and the detectors and call points within each zone are wired to the circuits that are allocated to the control panel.

When a detector activates, the control panel identifies the circuit containing the triggered device, thus indicating the zone from which the fire alarm originated. However, the area must then be manually searched to determine the location of the device.

2. Addressable fire alarm systems

Addressable fire alarm systems provide detailed information about detectors, while conventional systems only provide information about certain circuits or zones. The addressable fire detection panel receives information and status reports from each device and indicates its exact location when there is a fire, malfunction, smoke, heat, or pollution.

Each detector or call point has its unique address, requiring less wiring than conventional systems

Intelligent fire alarm systems are more expensive and more complex because they provide more detailed information than conventional panels.

They are designed for large commercial facilities and more complex systems with network connections, as they have increased flexibility, intelligence, and identification speed. Addressable systems have different types of starting devices. Each detector or call point has its unique address, requiring less wiring than conventional systems.

3. Wireless fire alarm systems

Wireless fire alarm systems are known as wireless or battery-operated radio-linked fire alarm systems, which are more flexible and faster to install than other systems. They are preferred when wired installations are not suitable (i.e. where wiring is prohibited). Since there is no cable between the sensing devices and the control panel, the need for long-term cable tests is also eliminated.

Wireless systems must comply with the EN54-25 standard. Increasingly sophisticated, wireless fire alarm systems are much more reliable than those introduced in the 1980s and feature multi-frequency links to eliminate signal blocking and collision, allowing a high margin of signal strength to be maintained. 

An effective solution is possible with Finder fire alarm systems so that institutions and organizations such as industrial facilities, airports, shopping centers, business centers, training places, hotels, and tunnels are not vulnerable to fire.