Various Type Of Fire Alarm Systems, Functional Description, Integrity Level And Cost Implication
The System Integrity Level refers to the reliability and sustainability of the fire alarm system to protect the building and its occupants from fire. This involves ensuring that all connected devices within the system are functioning properly and maintaining their connectivity. Achieving system sustainability is possible through electrical supervision and interactive features between the master control panel and slave devices. Continuous scanning between the control panel and field devices plays a crucial role in maintaining the system’s integrity and effectiveness during a fire event.
Standalone fire alarms are simple and self-contained systems, comprising three key components: a power supply (typically regular 1.5 volts AA batteries), audio alarm components (like a built-in piezo buzzer), and a fire sensor (such as a smoke sensor). When smoke is detected, the built-in piezo buzzer activates an alarm sound that continues until the smoke dissipates. These alarms are suitable for small homes where immediate local notification suffices.
Integrity Level :
Over time, standalone alarms may experience a loss of integrity due to aging. This can result in reduced sensitivity of the smoke sensor, leading to delayed or undetected smoke. Periodically replacing the smoke detector can resolve this issue. Additionally, the batteries may lose their power due to aging, affecting the alarm’s functionality. To address this, it is essential to replace the batteries periodically.
Cost of solution: since it is independent device it is cheaper no domain experts are required , user can install and replace them self.
The conventional fire alarm system is commonly used in medium-sized buildings and follows a structured approach with the following components:
Control Panel : The centralized control panel manages the entire fire alarm system, consisting of a power supply unit, detection circuit, and indicating display unit. It receives signals from automatic fire detectors and manual call points.
Fire Sensors : Automatic fire detectors like smoke detectors and heat detectors are distributed throughout the building to sense fire and send signals to the control panel, triggering the alarm.
Alarm Sounders : Conventional systems typically use hooters or sirens as alarm sounders to audibly alert occupants about the presence of fire.
Wiring : The conventional system usually employs separate 2-core cables for each zone’s detectors and manual call points, along with an end line resistor to supervise connectivity. Similarly, separate cables are used for alarm sounders with an end line resistance.
Integrity Level:
Smoke detection: Over time, smoke detector may experience a loss of integrity due to aging, leading to reduced sensitivity of the smoke sensor. Periodically calibrating the smoke detector with the OEM can resolve this issue. Contaminated smoke detectors may trigger false alarms or cause delayed or undetected smoke, resulting in decreased user confidence in the fire alarm system. It can be resolved by cleaning smoke sensor .
Connectivity and Health Monitoring: Conventional systems lack the capability to monitor the connectivity and health of individual devices such as detectors, MCP, and alarm sounders.
Cost Implications: The conventional system utilizes more cables, making it more expensive. Physical and periodic maintenance, along with manual functional validation, also contributes to higher costs.
Addressable fire alarm systems provide advanced features and precise location identification. Each fire detection device in this system has a unique address or identification code. Devices with unique addresses are connected to a loop or circuit, allowing communication with the centralized control panel. When a fire or fault is detected, a specific device sends a signal to the control panel, indicating its unique address and the type of event. In the event of a fire, the addressable system can use siren-type alarms to generate dual-tone audio sounds limited to the fire-affected zone and its neighboring zone.
Integrity Level:
Smoke Detection: Over time, smoke detectors may experience a loss of integrity due to aging, resulting in reduced sensitivity of the smoke sensor. Periodic calibration of the smoke detector with the OEM can resolve this issue.
Level of Contamination: Addressable systems allow checking the level of contamination remotely from the panel. If a detector is over-contaminated, it will indicate its ID and location to the control panel, making handling contamination easier.
Connectivity and Health Monitoring: Addressable systems have the capability to monitor the connectivity and health of individual devices such as detectors, MCP, and alarm sounders.
Notification: Using sirens for fire emergency notification in high-complexity buildings can create panic and confusion among occupants. NBC 2016 recommends automated voice alarm notifications to avoid such issues. Frequent training of occupants is required for siren-based systems, which may not be practically feasible. Post installation service support may vary brand to brand . Solution is OEM product warranty for 1 year service warranty 5 year with commercial from supplier and OEM to be obtained to avoid risk.
Cost Implications: The addressable system utilizes less cables, making it less expensive. Physical and periodic maintenance, along with manual functional validation, also contributes to lesser costs. But devices, control panel and its software costs more. However overall cost of conventional and addressable is almost same. The conventional system utilizes more cables, making it more expensive. Physical and periodic maintenance, along with manual functional validation, also contributes to higher costs.
Addressable Fire Alarm System using Voice Alarm :
Similar to the addressable system with siren alarm, the addressable fire alarm system with voice alarm includes the same components for precise fire detection and location identification. However, instead of siren alarms, it features automated voice alarm capabilities. When a fire event is detected, the control panel activates the voice alarm feature and generates pre-recorded or live voice messages specific to the event’s type and location. These voice messages are broadcasted through speakers installed in designated areas, providing clear and immediate instructions to occupants during an emergency. The addressable fire alarm system with voice alarm is highly effective in providing accurate information to occupants, facilitating prompt and organized evacuation, and reducing false alarms.
Integrity Level:
Smoke Detection: Over time, smoke detectors may experience a loss of integrity due to aging, resulting in reduced sensitivity of the smoke sensor. Periodic calibration of the smoke detector with the OEM can resolve this issue.
Level of Contamination: Addressable systems allow checking the level of contamination remotely from the panel. If a detector is over-contaminated, it will indicate its ID and location to the control panel, making handling contamination easier.
Connectivity and Health Monitoring: Addressable systems have the capability to monitor the connectivity and health of individual devices such as detectors, MCP, and alarm sounders. Post installation service support may vary brand to brand . Solution is OEM product warranty for 1 year service warranty 5 year with commercial from supplier and OEM to be obtained to avoid risk.
Cost Implications: The addressable system utilizes less cables, making it less expensive. Physical and periodic maintenance, along with manual functional validation, also contributes to lesser costs. But devices, control panel and its software costs more. However overall cost of conventional and addressable is almost same. The conventional system utilizes more cables, making it more expensive. Physical and periodic maintenance, along with manual functional validation, also contributes to higher costs.
A mock drill using Airlight Fire detection and warning system serves as a simulated exercise to test the system’s effectiveness and assess occupants’ preparedness during a fire emergency.
It evaluates the system’s functionality, response time, and communication, ensuring swift and safe reactions from everyone involved. Regular mock drills improve preparedness and identify areas for enhancement in the fire alarm system and evacuation procedures. Conducting mock drills is a mandatory standard operating procedure, and with Conventional or Addressable Fire Alarm with Hooter systems, it can be challenging and disruptive to occupants. However, with Airlight’s NBC 2016-compliant fire and warning solutions, mock drills can be easily and efficiently conducted without disturbing regular activities of the occupants.
- Fire detection and warning systems infrastructure is installed and maintained according to codes and compliance.
- Regular mock drills using the Fire detection and warning system are conducted and recorded every three months. These drills serve as simulated exercises to test the system’s effectiveness and assess occupants’ preparedness during a fire emergency.
- Appoint a Professional AMC Fire Alarm company to provide technical support, including preventive maintenance, continuous software and hardware upgrades, and obsolete management. The company will perform periodic calibration of smoke detectors, assist in conducting quarterly/half-yearly mock drills, and provide training to fire alarm monitoring and rescue support staff. They will also prepare and update standard operating procedures for daily, weekly, and monthly maintenance and monitoring. Additionally, they will help maintain all fire alarm-related documents and records, assist during third-party audits and fire authorities’ inspections, and provide suitable documents and records for insurance companies. This comprehensive support aims to improve preparedness and identify areas for enhancement in the fire alarm system and evacuation procedures.
