Modern building owners and managers must prioritise fire safety for their tenants, but with so many factors and codes at play, selecting an alarm system that coheres to local fire safety regulations and is best suited to your individual use-case might be something best outsourced to a professional fire alarm firm or fire protection specialist.
Have you considered the square metres of your building?
What are the pros and cons of “Addressable” systems as opposed to a standard alarm system?
Below are some criteria to help you think like a fire protection specialist and know what to look for when you speak with one.
Table of Contents
Think About the Dimensions and Layout of Your Structure
When deciding on a fire alarm system, it is crucial to consider the building’s size and configuration. Industrial fire alarm systems which use individual wires to link the control panel to each device, work effectively in smaller buildings since they are organised into zones. By doing so, the system can determine the area where an alarm was triggered, which is useful when trying to locate the source of a fire.
Large buildings require complex fire alarm systems. Addressable fire alarm systems may be the best option for multi-story or multi-part structures. Each component in an addressable fire alarm system has its unique identifier, meaning you can pinpoint an active gadget’s precise position without using wires to link them. Each appliance in a building is linked to a single wire that loops back to the main switchboard. These systems are very flexible and may be programmed to do various tasks, including turning off machinery, starting fire suppression measures, and summoning elevators back to the main floor.
For multi-building facilities, industry standard is to use an interconnected fire alarm system so long as all buildings are within the same general vicinity. Wireless alarms eliminate the need for costly and time-consuming hard-wiring by allowing you to manage several sites from a single location.
Utilizing Workforce Size and Active Personnel
The number of people working and visiting your building site should guide your choice of alarm system. When the site is closed, and no one is there to watch it, all the items and equipment there need to be secured. In such a situation, it is crucial to have a fire alarm system that is constantly monitored and can sound an alert on its own in the event of a fire.
For huge residential buildings, a public address system should be installed to inform and direct visitors to the nearest fire exits in an orderly manner to reduce public anxiety and maximise safety. Fire alarms equipped with flashing lights help guide the hearing impaired to a safe exit.
Identify the Potential Dangers That Could Affect Your Building
A comprehensive fire safety risk assessment will help expose dangers in your building, and how people should be warned of those dangers is the first step in selecting an appropriate fire alarm system. Keep in mind that the fire alarm system’s only purpose is to alert occupants and hasten their exit; other fire protection measures, such as sprinklers, smoke detectors, and heat sensors, may be necessary.
Include all fire hazards that are exposed during your fire risk assessment, which will help you pinpoint possible dangers and high-risk spots. Once you have completed your risk assessment, devise the best strategy for early fire detection in your building after identifying the most likely ignition points, causes, and kinds of flames.
The Benefits of a Wireless Fire Alarm System
Wired and Wireless fire alarm systems each have their pros and cons. When implemented by a certified fire protection specialist, they will ensure the right level of coverage to give you peace of mind. When considering the cost of a system, it’s important to think long term. The initial installation of a wired fire alarm system may be lower than a wireless equivalent, but should wiring or hardware fail the cost and interruption to daily business operations may be significant. In the event of hardware failure, components of a wireless system can be replaced rapidly with minimal disruption.
Conclusion
Investing in Industrial fire alarms is an important choice that may prevent lives, property, and assets from being lost in a fire. Thus, it is crucial to think about several variables while deciding on a fire alarm system for your place of business. A certified fire protection specialist can help you determine the fire alarm system that is best for your needs and use case.