The importance of fire alarms is well understood these days, but not every building has the same requirements. That means there are several different fire alarm types that the premises could be fitted with, and while they all have the same aim – alerting people to a fire early enough to help save lives – they all work a little differently.
TVF provide new installations and maintenance of fire alarm systems across the UK. TVF (UK) Limited guides through four of the main alarm types, providing information on how they work, what the benefits are, and any other important information:
1. Conventional Fire Alarms
The traditional, conventional fire alarm is a system that uses zones to signify where a fire has broken out. Call points are used alongside detectors and when a fire is detected, the fire alarm control panel will light up to indicate the zone where the fire is.
The conventional fire alarm will be wired to at least two sounder circuits, utilizing any range of audible indicators
This allows the general location of the fire to be established, a useful feature for both the emergency services as well as for those responsible persons to initiate evacuation via the most appropriate route.
A conventional fire alarm will be wired to at least two sounder circuits, utilizing any range of audible indicators. Because each call point has to be wired directly to the fire alarm panel, this type of system is better suited for buildings with a more basic layout or smaller premises, reducing the number of points that need to be individually wired in.
2. Addressable Fire Alarms
The addressable fire alarm gets its name from the fact that each call point can be assigned an address on the control panel to help pinpoint the exact location of a fire. This can save time and save lives when it comes to the outbreak of a fire in a larger building, allowing for safe evacuation as well as vital information for local fire and rescue services.
The system operates similarly to the conventional fire alarm aside from the ability to show exactly which call point has been triggered. Because the call points and other devices can be wired into the loop, there is also the potential to trigger sounders and sprinklers if required.
3. Analogue Addressable Fire Alarms
An analog system means that faults can be dealt with immediately and false alarms can thereby be reduced
An analog addressable fire alarm system is sometimes called an intelligent fire alarm system since it does more than simply detect the presence of a fire. The different call points and detectors can be set up and assigned for precision when it comes to location, but they also use their computer to send information about the general environment (fire, smoke, heat, faults, etc.).
An analog system like this means that faults can be dealt with immediately and false alarms can thereby be reduced, while still alerting with pinpoint accuracy when a fire does break out. It should be noted that some of these systems vary greatly, and will therefore differ in what the control panel can tell you about the input devices connected.
4. Wireless Fire Alarms
A wireless alarm is exactly what it sounds like. Utilizing radio frequencies to communicate with call points and detectors, this system needs no wires, which makes it ideal for several situations, including for listed buildings, where there is a desire to maintain certain aesthetics or where it would take a long time to wire up a building due to the design.
Users can still address individual call points to ensure pinpoint accuracy with this type of system; the signaling is secured across multiple frequencies and you can adapt the system in the future without the need for rewiring. This system type must comply with BS EN54-25 standards.
Fire Alarm System Categories
There are six fire alarm system categories outlined in BS 5839-1. This category will have a bearing on what type of system is best suited for your building, business practices, and risk level. The categories are as follows:
Category M
Manual fire alarm system – incorporates no automatic detectors.
Category L1
Systems were installed throughout all areas of the building.
Category L2
Systems installed only in defined parts of the building, including all parts necessary to satisfy the recommendations of the code for a Category L3 system.
Category L3
Systems designed to give warning of fire at an early enough stage to enable all occupants, other than possibly those in the room of fire origin, to escape safely.
Category L4
Systems installed within those parts of the escape routes comprising circulation areas and circulation spaces, such as corridors and stairways.
Category L5
Systems in which protected area(s) and/or the location of detectors are designed to satisfy a specific fire safety objective (other than that of a Category L1, L2, L3, or L4 system).
Category P1
Automatic fire detection systems intended for the protection of property – systems installed throughout all areas of the building.
Category P2
Automatic fire detection systems intended for the protection of property – systems installed only in defined parts of the building.
