Must-Have Features Of A Fire Alarm System
Posted on: 3 October 2022
Many commercial security installations have a fire alarm system. Since fires can easily break out in large corporations, a fire alarm keeps a building's occupants safe and protects the business's assets. If you are shopping for a fire alarm system for your business, here are some features you shouldn't leave out.
Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detectors
A fire alarm system should have a smoke detector. If the system detects smoke, it will set off an alarm to warn people of a possible fire outbreak. This enables the security personnel in a commercial building to move people out quickly to avoid problems.
Additionally, an ideal fire alarm system should have carbon monoxide detectors. This is especially important for buildings that have water heaters. When fuel for the water heater is burned incompletely, it releases carbon monoxide. If this carbon monoxide is inhaled, it could lead to death. Therefore, ensure your commercial fire alarm system has carbon monoxide detectors.
Visual Notification Devices
Outdated fire alarm systems have audible notification devices. When such a system detects flames or smoke, it alerts the building's occupants with a loud alarm. These systems don't account for hearing-impaired individuals.
Investing in a fire alarm system with visual notification devices addresses this problem. For example, a system with bright flashlights warns people with hearing issues to exit a commercial space when a fire breaks out. Furthermore, visual notification devices notify all employees if audible devices fail.
Addressable Fire Alarm Panel
Many conventional fire alarm systems have a non-addressable panel. This system classifies alarm devices into zones. Therefore, if an alarm goes off, the security personnel must physically inspect every device in that specific zone to identify the one in the alarm. For example, if the alarm goes off, it will provide a message like "Alarm Zone 3, 3rd Floor." This means you must manually inspect all the devices in this alarm zone.
On the other hand, an addressable panel inspects all alarm components individually. Since each device has a unique address, the panel can quickly detect the origin of an alarm. For example, an addressable panel in a hotel enables those at the front desk to identify the exact location of an alarm by looking at the address on the panel display.
In Closing
When shopping for a commercial security system, ensure you pay attention to the features of the fire alarm. You should pick a fire alarm system based on your specific needs and your budget. Consult a specialist in fire alarm systems to guide you through the different types of systems, so you can choose the one best suited for your business. For more information on fire alarm systems, contact a professional near you.
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