The Difference Between Addressable and Conventional Fire Alarm Systems
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| Photo Credits | Georg Pik |
In both residential and commercial settings, fire alarm systems serve as
indispensable tools for detecting and promptly notifying individuals of
fire emergencies. Given the hazard fires present to life and property, it is
essential to choose an appropriate fire alarm system to ensure the
safety of our business.
Selecting the right system will ultimately depend on the fire safety
needs of your home or business, as well as your budget.
Fire alarm systems are essential for the early detection
and notification of fire emergencies. Two common types of fire alarm
systems used in residential and commercial buildings are conventional
and addressable fire alarms.
Conventional Fire Alarms
They consist of multiple fire detectors and devices connected to a central control panel. The detectors are divided into zones, and each zone is associated with a specific area or floor of the building. When a fire is detected in a particular zone, the corresponding indicator on the control panel is activated, indicating the approximate location of the fire. Conventional fire alarms provide a general idea of the fire's location but do not pinpoint the exact device or area.
Addressable Fire Alarms
In these configuration, each fire detector or device, such as smoke detectors, heat detectors, or manual call points, is assigned a unique address. This allows the control panel to identify the specific location of the device that has been activated in case of a fire or fault. Addressable fire alarm systems provide detailed information about the exact area or room where the alarm has been triggered, making it easier for emergency responders to locate the fire quickly.
Wiring
In addressable system, there is one wire that connects all devices to the fire alarm control panel, while in conventional system there is a unique wire for each device and each wire connects to the fire alarm control panel.
On this setting, addressable system require less cabling than conventional systems since each detector has its own unique address.
Capacity and Scalability
The Conventional fire alarm systems are generally suitable for smaller buildings or installations with simpler fire safety requirements. They have limited capacity in terms of the number of devices they can accommodate and the distance between the devices and the control panel. In contrast, addressable fire alarm systems can handle larger buildings with more complex layouts. They offer greater capacity for devices and longer wiring distances, allowing for easy expansion and customization as the building's needs evolve.
Detection and Monitoring Capabilities
The addressable fire alarm system provide advanced detection and monitoring capabilities. These system can continuously monitor the status of each device, including smoke detectors, heat detectors, and manual call points. They can also detect faults, such as wiring issues or device failures, and provide detailed information about the specific device or area affected. This level of monitoring enhances the overall reliability and effectiveness of the fire alarm system.
The conventional fire alarm panels, there will be multiple devices on a zone, so if any of the devices on that zone go into alarm, you’ll get an alarm at the panel that will say “Zone Alarm.” It will also tell you what zone, as they’re numbered. This means that if an alarm comes in, it will tell you the area of the building that the alarm is in, but not the specific location since it could be any of the devices on that circuit. You have to go to that particular area to determine which device cause the alarm.
Addressable systems allow you to set an address on the field device, normally a 3-digit number, and then tell the panel what and where that device is located. These system will provide a specific location where the alarm and what type of device caused the alarm. It also gives you the ability to individually program each device so if you have one smoke detector and one duct detector right next to each other, you can program one to send an alarm and the other to just send a supervisory and not set of the horns and strobes. In comparison with the conventional panel, every device on the same circuit would report the same.
The fire alarm control panel on an addressable system receives information and status reports from each device and indicates its exact location if there is smoke or fire.
Maintenance and Troubleshooting
The addressable fire alarm systems offer advantages in terms of maintenance and troubleshooting. The unique addressing of devices allows for easier identification of faults or issues within the system. When a specific device or area reports a fault, it can be quickly located and addressed, minimizing downtime and simplifying maintenance procedures.
Cost
The conventional fire alarm system cost less to purchase but actually cost more to install due to the extensive wiring involved with these systems. It takes more time and more wires to install conventional systems.
The addressable fire alarm systems are more advanced from a functionality standpoint but cost less to install. Addressable system can also be more cost-efficient in the long run when you consider the accuracy of these systems at detecting fire threat. These system have less likely to cause a false alarms.
Functionality
The addressable fire alarm panels are simply more advanced and therefore allow for more control and flexibility. These types of systems are even known as “intelligent” fire alarm systems. They are also more reliable than conventional fire alarm panels when it comes to false alarms.
The conventional fire alarm systems are not effective, it just in some ways limited when it comes to the scope of protection they can offer.
They consist of multiple fire detectors and devices connected to a central control panel. The detectors are divided into zones, and each zone is associated with a specific area or floor of the building. When a fire is detected in a particular zone, the corresponding indicator on the control panel is activated, indicating the approximate location of the fire. Conventional fire alarms provide a general idea of the fire's location but do not pinpoint the exact device or area.
Addressable Fire Alarms
In these configuration, each fire detector or device, such as smoke detectors, heat detectors, or manual call points, is assigned a unique address. This allows the control panel to identify the specific location of the device that has been activated in case of a fire or fault. Addressable fire alarm systems provide detailed information about the exact area or room where the alarm has been triggered, making it easier for emergency responders to locate the fire quickly.
Wiring
In addressable system, there is one wire that connects all devices to the fire alarm control panel, while in conventional system there is a unique wire for each device and each wire connects to the fire alarm control panel.
On this setting, addressable system require less cabling than conventional systems since each detector has its own unique address.
Capacity and Scalability
The Conventional fire alarm systems are generally suitable for smaller buildings or installations with simpler fire safety requirements. They have limited capacity in terms of the number of devices they can accommodate and the distance between the devices and the control panel. In contrast, addressable fire alarm systems can handle larger buildings with more complex layouts. They offer greater capacity for devices and longer wiring distances, allowing for easy expansion and customization as the building's needs evolve.
Detection and Monitoring Capabilities
The addressable fire alarm system provide advanced detection and monitoring capabilities. These system can continuously monitor the status of each device, including smoke detectors, heat detectors, and manual call points. They can also detect faults, such as wiring issues or device failures, and provide detailed information about the specific device or area affected. This level of monitoring enhances the overall reliability and effectiveness of the fire alarm system.
The conventional fire alarm panels, there will be multiple devices on a zone, so if any of the devices on that zone go into alarm, you’ll get an alarm at the panel that will say “Zone Alarm.” It will also tell you what zone, as they’re numbered. This means that if an alarm comes in, it will tell you the area of the building that the alarm is in, but not the specific location since it could be any of the devices on that circuit. You have to go to that particular area to determine which device cause the alarm.
Addressable systems allow you to set an address on the field device, normally a 3-digit number, and then tell the panel what and where that device is located. These system will provide a specific location where the alarm and what type of device caused the alarm. It also gives you the ability to individually program each device so if you have one smoke detector and one duct detector right next to each other, you can program one to send an alarm and the other to just send a supervisory and not set of the horns and strobes. In comparison with the conventional panel, every device on the same circuit would report the same.
The fire alarm control panel on an addressable system receives information and status reports from each device and indicates its exact location if there is smoke or fire.
Maintenance and Troubleshooting
The addressable fire alarm systems offer advantages in terms of maintenance and troubleshooting. The unique addressing of devices allows for easier identification of faults or issues within the system. When a specific device or area reports a fault, it can be quickly located and addressed, minimizing downtime and simplifying maintenance procedures.
Cost
The conventional fire alarm system cost less to purchase but actually cost more to install due to the extensive wiring involved with these systems. It takes more time and more wires to install conventional systems.
The addressable fire alarm systems are more advanced from a functionality standpoint but cost less to install. Addressable system can also be more cost-efficient in the long run when you consider the accuracy of these systems at detecting fire threat. These system have less likely to cause a false alarms.
Functionality
The addressable fire alarm panels are simply more advanced and therefore allow for more control and flexibility. These types of systems are even known as “intelligent” fire alarm systems. They are also more reliable than conventional fire alarm panels when it comes to false alarms.
The conventional fire alarm systems are not effective, it just in some ways limited when it comes to the scope of protection they can offer.
Conventional fire alarms are cost-effective options for smaller installations, while addressable fire alarms provide advanced features, precise location information, and scalability for larger and more complex buildings. Considering factors such as the building size, layout, monitoring needs, and future expansion plans when deciding which fire alarm system is best suited for your specific requirements.
Regular testing, inspection, and maintenance are essential for any fire alarm system to ensure its reliable operation during a fire emergency.
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