Blog

Types of Fire Alarm Systems

December 27, 2019|fsstechnologies

How Does a Fire Alarm Work?

Fire alarm systems have two main functions:

  1. Alert the occupants of a building to a fire emergency enabling a safe evacuation
  2. Notify firefighters of the fire emergency.

Options for Fire Alarms

Manual Fire Alarms

Manual fire alarms, also known as manual pull stations, are a way for people to alert occupants of a building and the local authorities to a fire emergency.

These fire alarms exist in either single-action or dual-action varieties. Triggering dual-action pull stations typically involves breaking a glass covering to reach the pull lever while single-action stations lack a glass covering.

Downsides to Manual Fire Alarms

Manual fire alarms have a few downfalls. First, manual fire alarms are only useful if someone is present, awake, and alert in the building in which the fire starts. Then, they rely on the judgment of the person to raise the alarm effectively and recognize fire signatures. Lastly, manual fire alarms can be misused—who hasn’t missed a class or two because someone pulled the fire alarm?

Automatic Fire Alarms

  • Thermal detectors- these detect fire through a heat-sensitive element
  • Smoke and carbon monoxide detectors – detect fire in its early stages, while it is smoldering and producing smoke or senses a build-up of certain chemicals in the air
  • Flame detectors – line-of-sight devices that use infrared or ultraviolet light to detect radiant energy that is indicative of a fire signature

When these detectors are activated, they also will emit a warning sound to any occupants who might be in the building as well as send a phone or radio signal to notify emergency personnel that an event is underway.

Do I Need a Fire Alarm?

Fire alarm systems are critical for commercial building owners. Local building codes as well as the authority having jurisdiction will determine the type of fire alarm equipment you are required to have in the building, as well as how often it must be inspected and tested. The authority having jurisdiction over your building is typically the building or fire official of the city or county. Contact your local city/county government for specific details.

For assistance in designing and installing a fire alarm system as part of your business security system, contact FSS Technologies today for a free consultation.

Explore Our Other Blogs

security-pets-Hero

7 Ways Home Monitoring Keeps Your Pets Safe

Your family’s safety is at the forefront of your mind when installing a security system, and that includes your pets as well. When researching a security product that suits your needs, consider the ways that this technology can help your pets stay safe too. We have detailed some of the most common hazards as well…

Continue reading
Hero-keyless

The Benefits of Keyless Access Control

As your organization grows and evolves, managing physical access becomes increasingly complex. Traditional keys often struggle to keep pace with changing employee roles, multiple locations, and heightened security expectations. These issues don’t just cause minor issues—they create risks that can impact productivity, compliance, and overall security. Keyless access provides a modern approach to commercial access…

Continue reading
Hero-cfs-min

What Does a Commercial Fire System Include?

Fire safety is critical for all businesses, but the components within commercial fire systems vary significantly between industries and functions. Fires can stem from common causes that affect any commercial property and sources unique to specific fields, so fire systems must address every threat using detection, prevention, protection, and suppression. With many options available for…

Continue reading
Hero-restaurant-min

Fire Systems for the Restaurant Industry

Companies in varying industries face fire hazards in their standard operations to a certain degree. Businesses that operate commercial kitchens, however, are at significant risk for fire-related hazards because cooking equipment is a leading cause of commercial fires. According to the U.S. Fire Administration, an estimated 50% of non-residential fires were caused by cooking in…

Continue reading
BusinessBurglary-Hero-min

Which Businesses are Burglarized Most?

The idea of business theft and burglary is not a pleasant one; however, the likelihood of your business being burglarized is rather high. In fact, approximately 37% of small business owners were impacted by burglary or theft over the past year. Retail businesses in particular are highly targeted as thieves are seeking the opportunity to either use or resell stolen items. Everything from simple shoplifting to employee theft can contribute to overall business…

Continue reading
Savance-blog-Hero

How Savance Workplace Can Work for You

Savance Workplace is one of the nation’s leaders in workforce management solutions, offering tools that help declutter your company’s processes and optimize your productivity. With a wide variety of fully customizable products branded for your business, Savance Workplace can help your organization take its efficiency to the next level. As a trusted partner of Savance…

Continue reading
Hero-motiondetec

Motion Detector Installation Basics

Motion detection devices are a crucial component of any security system, commercial or residential. They allow owners to cover a relatively large amount of space with a small number of devices. Motion detectors also are known to detect activity that window sensors might miss. When it comes time to install motion detection devices, remember these…

Continue reading
Hero-healthcare

Fire Systems for the Healthcare Industry

Healthcare facilities face uniquely complex life safety challenges and fire hazards. Unlike other commercial properties, hospitals, clinics, and long-term care centers must safeguard patients and protect equipment that’s both expensive and essential to life safety, and maintain 24/7 operations with no downtime. With vulnerable lives at stake, the healthcare industry must adhere to strict fire…

Continue reading
selfmonitoring-vs-monitoringcosts-hero

Professional vs. Self-Monitoring: Cost Comparison

We recently talked about the various codes required for your security and fire protection systems. We also talked about why monitoring is vital as part of a business’s fire safety system—mainly because the code may require it. This blog will address the pros and cons of self-monitoring your business’ entire alarm system versus the cost of professional security monitoring. First, what is the difference between the two? Professional vs. Self…

Continue reading
Hero-residential

How Do Residential Fire Sprinklers Work?

Residential units are essential pieces of many commercial and mixed-use developments. Whether you’re building townhomes, low-rise apartment complexes, or single-family dwellings, fire protection requirements extend beyond nearby commercial spaces. Builders and general contractors must understand how residential fire sprinkler systems work, how they differ from commercial systems, and which codes apply to different projects. While…

Continue reading
24h emergency
Secure My Space