Knowing Which Fire Alarm System is Right for You
On a surface level, fire detection systems appear to be very simple; when triggered, they produce a noise and, in some instances, a light to alert the occupants of a building. However, when it comes to the installation of these systems, there are many factors the contractor and the business owner need to consider.
Conventional Fire Alarms and Addressable Fire Alarms
The two fire alarm types that contractors generally work with are conventional and addressable systems.
Conventional systems are more traditional and involve either single or multiple circuits. Each circuit has either one or several detection devices, depending on the type of premises and the type of fire most likely to happen.
Addressable systems involve several circuits running throughout a space and can be monitored or controlled through system software.
When it comes to wiring, addressable systems link together using a loop, whereas conventional systems have each device connecting to a control panel. Each device in a conventional system has a separate wire going to the control panel.
When it comes to affordability, the conventional system is cheaper but requires more money to maintain over its lifetime, whereas the addressable system is more expensive to install but is cheaper to maintain.
While both these systems are very reliable, the addressable systems are slightly more so because they can still send signals even if one end of a wire is severed, and these systems also prevent any false alarms that occur. Conventional systems on the other hand will disconnect if a wire is severed. While both systems alert fire departments, addressable alarm systems will show a more precise location of where a fire is, whereas a conventional system will show a more generic area.
Choosing the Right System
While several factors come into play when choosing a fire alarm system, you can rest assured that either option while alert the occupants in your property. Reach out to one of our fire protection contractors today to weigh your options and see what system works for you and your facility.
Our specialists are here for you. To reach us, contact us online or call 866-226-6006 to learn more.