Fire alarm system – basic components

Fire alarm systems are active remedies that can establish the presence of fire (or the effects of fire) to manage various hardware components associated with the alarm and to notify the occupants of a site or external people / systems.

In modern buildings and modern equipped facilities, fire alarm systems are often associated with other security systems and can interact with them - the event registered as a component of such a system may notify and activate the action in a video surveillance system or alarm security one.

Typically, fire alarm system in a site is designed and coordinated with the architects before or during construction of a building, as shall be consistent with its specificity and devices that control access to buildings and individual rooms. Also appear necessary to ensure the fastest possible evacuation of its inhabitants.

Necessary components

Fire alarm systems include the following main components: 

1. Control panel (central)

Also as with alarm systems, fire alarm central is a basic component, which is connected to other elements of the system.

Modern fire centrals allow precise programming of the behaviour of individual components and hence the entire system, which is a prerequisite for timely and accurate notification when an event occurs. They have inputs (through receiving a signal from the initiation devices) and exits (through which activate alarm devices). As with alarm systems, they can support areas.

2. Initiating and alarm devices

Initiating devices may be automatic fire/smoke detectors or manually actuated means which notify the central.

Alarm devices can be sirens, bells, speakers, lights and any other means of alerting occupants, fire authorities and external devices when fire event occurs.

Reliability of the initiating and alarm devices can be further checked periodically by specialized components.

3. Power supply and cabling

Reliable power is critical for the functionality of the system and must provide such backup. Normally used batteries are identical to those in home alarm systems.

Signal cables make the connection between each component of the system and the central and it is desirable that they be placed in another building on the site.

Depending on the specific job, a fire alarm system may include additional components, such as means for communication with external security systems, remote notification tools, devices that give operators more information about the place of occurrence of an event.