Exploring the Different Types of Fire Alarm Systems in Security System Design

Some alarms and security system design are more suitable for each company, considering aspects such as the physical structure’s particularities and the area’s size.

There are two types of fire alarms: conventional and addressable. Understand the difference between them.

Conventional

Conventional alarm systems are indicated for smaller environments, as they do not have cabling that allows the exact identification of the beginning of the fire. This alarm system monitors areas delimited by zones or sectors, using an alarm center, detectors, and triggers.

If a fire starts, the detectors communicate to the alarm center, identifying the area where the fire occurred, but with little precision. Therefore,  it is important to use this type of alarm in small companies to facilitate the exact location of the start of the fire.

Furthermore, the system requires periodic maintenance, as it does not have an automatic detection mechanism for defects and failures. However, it is the most used model and works well for structures with more limited space. Furthermore,  installation costs are lower.

Addressable

The addressable system is ideal for medium and large companies, as its devices communicate the exact location where the fire started.

Just imagine if, in a place with a very large area, like a shopping mall, you had to look for the place where the flames started. Much time will be lost, increasing the chance of the flames spreading and the difficulty of controlling the fire.

Therefore, when identifying signs of fire in the addressable system, the detectors communicate an exact address to the control unit, directing the focus of emergency actions. Furthermore, the addressable system is more sophisticated, automatically identifying possible defects and the need for corrective maintenance.

It Is Also Important To Mention That This Type Of Alarm Is Divided Into Two Classes:

Class A: Even if a problem occurs in any device, the system’s operation will not be interrupted, as each circuit is individually connected to the control unit.

Class B: Class B is characterized by the possibility of interrupting, totally or partially, the system’s operation, as the devices do not have a return connection to the control unit. Learn the Types of Fire Alarm Systems here.