Installing a high-quality fire alarm system is an essential way to enhance the safety of you, and others around you, whether in your residence or at work.
Many of us understand the basics of fire alarm functionality. Though the alarm goes off once a fire is detected. But how many of us truly understand how a fire alarm system works?
A fire alarm security system has a simple function: alert all humans in the building that there is a fire, so that evacuation protocols may be followed. In public buildings, it is mandatory to have a working fire alarm system installed.
There are several components to a fire alarm system:
Sensors
Fire alarm systems use fire sensors to detect smoke or fire. Sensors include:
- Smoke Detectors: Smoke detectors are used in public and private buildings alike. If part of a fire alarm system, a smoke detector will trigger the whole alarm. On its own, a smoke detector will emit a high pitched, loud beeping noise to alert residents of smoke or fire.
- Heat Detectors: In areas that are frequently smoky, like kitchens, a smoke detector is more like a boy-who-cried-wolf. In these situations, a heat detector can be used to identify a sudden increase in heat, and activate the alarm system.
- Manual Call Points: These often take the form of a bright red pull station. Thereafter, which can be pulled by a person who has identified a fire, setting off the alarm.
Indicating Appliances
Once a fire alarm has been activated by one of the above sensors, the building will go into a state of emergency to let everyone inside know they must evacuate. There are several indicating appliances used to spread the alarm:
- Noises: Bells, horns, chimes, or other loud, distinct noises will immediately let everyone know an alarm has been set.
- Lights: Strobe lights or other varieties of flashing lights may be used.
Many buildings and institutions practice fire drills to make sure everyone is familiar with the alarm system and knows exactly how to evacuate the building. Though they may be irritating at the time, it’s important that you know how to proceed in case of any emergency.
Main Alarm Panel
The main alarm panel should be located in a secure room, ideally with twenty-four-hour surveillance and access. This panel will indicate the location of the fire, informing which evacuation plan will be taken. The main panel also includes a touchpad, which can use to reset, silence, reprogram, or troubleshoot the alarm system.
While a fire alarm security system is essential in evacuating buildings and saving lives. Also, installing a fire alarm monitoring, or fire-fighting, a system can go even further. Once a fire alarm is triggered, a fire alarm monitoring system will alert the nearest fire station and activate the emergency response. A fire alarm monitoring system can save two minutes in response time, which may not sound like long but in the case of a fire can make a BIG difference!
Author Bio:
Anne Flemings loves interior designing and is always in pursuit of the latest changes and trends in home improvement. Her other interests lie in cooking, painting, and blogging. She is an enthusiast homemaker who lives in Toronto with her husband and two kids. She can be followed on Twitter.
