Blog

What Are Fire Alarm System Zones?

October 26, 2018|fsstechnologies

Fire alarm zones are standard in conventional fire panels. Each zone represents a different area in the building to help firefighters and professionals pinpoint the source of an alarm. However, it can be confusing to research fire alarm zones because they are not as common as they once were. Conventional and addressable systems handle communication for fire alarm system zones differently.

Newer and more commonly used addressable systems rely on points to determine the location of a fire. A point could be any device that initiates an alarm, such as smoke detectorsmanual pull stations, or water flow switches that activate once heat reaches a system’s sprinklers. In any case, it’s essential to understand alarm zones and how they contribute to your building’s overall fire safety.

How do fire alarm zones work?

Fire alarm system zones are designated areas within a building where detection devices are grouped together. The size of each zone usually depends on a structure’s size, layout, occupancy, hazards, and other related factors. Most buildings organize fire alarm zones by floors, hallways, and stairwells. Still, zones ultimately depend on whether a facility uses conventional or addressable fire panels.

Conventional fire panels

A conventional fire panel is often used in small facilities and is a cost-effective solution for small businesses. With this type of alarm system, multiple devices are on a pair of wires. Instead of individual identification, any point on a specific wire can trip the alarm and only be identified as being in Zone “X,” not as the devices themselves.

The main downside to zones on a conventional fire panel is that they only identify an area of the building instead of pinpointing an exact device and location of a fire. For example, the first floor of a building could be Zone 1, and the second floor could be Zone 2. The size of each floor could create guesswork as to where the fire is located, giving first responders a less-than-ideal situation with minimal context.

Addressable fire panel

Addressable fire panels

Addressable fire panels, on the other hand, give every device a uniquely identifiable address. When a fire is detected, the main control panel tells you exactly which device is going off and where it’s located, eliminating the need to create and label zones. This setup is enormously handy when you are protecting a large area or multistory building, which could have up to 20,000 points throughout the facility.

Additionally, addressable fire panels can be networked together across locations. For example, let’s say you have a school district with three or four schools. All the schools would have their own panels, and the entire set could be networked to another main panel in the superintendent’s office. The superintendent would then be able to keep watch over the whole district and see where an alarm is coming from inside the building.

Another advantage of addressable systems is troubleshooting. For example, if a smoke detector is faulty, the system will let you know that it needs to be replaced. If a device is not communicating correctly with the panel, the system will notify you of the problem. These are just a few of the many features that make addressable fire panels a requirement of most local fire codes.

How should my business handle fire zones?

In today’s fire alarm market, conventional panels are primarily used for monitoring water flow and tamper switches for sprinkler systems. At FSS, if you require anything more, our professional recommendation is to use an addressable fire alarm system in your building. Doing so gives you more control over identifying devices and hazards, meaning your business has a better chance at faster emergency response rates.

Deciding on the best type of fire protection system for your facility and budget can be challenging. Understanding, designing, installing, and maintaining these systems requires a unique skill set. At FSS, we can work with you, your architects, engineers, and local authorities to ensure your system meets all codes and your company’s specific needs. Contact our expert service technicians and customer care specialists to explore your options.

Contact Our Friendly Pros Today

Explore Our Other Blogs

Hero-typesfireal

Most Common Causes of House Fires

A house fire can be a life-altering event that some may never fully recover from. The best way to protect your home and family from a fire is to educate yourself about the risks and how to prevent them. We all know the essential forms of prevention and protection, like smoke detectors, fire extinguishers, sprinklers,…

Continue reading
HeroWireVsLess-min

Wired vs. Wireless Security Cameras

Wired or Wireless? When we talk about wired versus wireless in-home security, it has little to do with whether a piece of equipment has physical wires attached to it. The terms wired and wireless refer to the communication signal that is transmitted from one piece of security equipment to another. For a security system to…

Continue reading
smart-home-automation-solutions-Hero

What is a Smart Home and How Can Home Automation Solutions Help You?

Home automation solutions are no longer the ideas of science fiction. These intelligent home systems can save you hundreds of dollars through energy conservation, and they can provide state-of-the-art security to protect your home and the loved ones inside of it.  What is A Smart Home?   A smart home is equipped with lighting, heating,…

Continue reading
2020-01_FSSTechnologies_blogs_internet-speed_hero

How Your Internet Speed Affects Your Security System

Internet speed is a precious commodity in today’s connected homes. Internet speed is responsible for how quickly or slowly data moves from the internet to the application on your computer. Things like your mobile phone, television, computer, gaming system, and even appliances use the internet. And your home security system probably does too. The average…

Continue reading
Hero-winter-fire-min

Winter Commercial Fire Safety Tips

While fire safety and prevention are crucial year-round, unique fire hazards accompany winter’s freezing temperatures. The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) reports that many holiday-related factors contribute to an increased fire risk during the winter months, and commercial settings are just as vulnerable. Besides creating and reviewing company-wide fire safety procedures, here are 4 tips…

Continue reading
Heroalarmbeeping-min

The Top 5 Reasons Why Your Smoke Alarm Is Beeping

Do you hear a faint chirping noise coming from the back hallway or the basement? Don’t ignore it. It might be your smoke detector. Smoke detectors are designed to chirp or beep when they need servicing. Common Reasons for Smoke Alarm to Beep When the battery in your smoke alarm is starting to get weak,…

Continue reading
Hero-ReasonsToChooseLocal-FSS_Blog-2-22

Reasons to Choose a Local Security Company

Whether you’re considering investing in a home or commercial security system or switching providers, you may be weighing local and national companies. Which companies can you trust? Is there a difference in service between your options? Does a larger company necessarily mean better service? There are pros and cons to both sizes of company, but…

Continue reading
HomeSecurity-ForDisabilities-Hero

Home Security Solutions for People with Disabilities

According to the Centers for Diseases Control and Prevention (CDC), one in five American adults live with a disability. The most common disabilities are hearing or vision impairments, mobility issues like arthritis or a diminished ability to live independently, speech and language challenges, and cognitive conditions including dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. Recently we talked about…

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
Openpath-Hero

Avigilon Alta: The Industry’s Leader in Commercial Access Control

With the rise in popularity of hybrid workspaces and flexible scheduling, more business owners are turning to access control systems to secure their investments. Not only are access control systems the latest standard for commercial security, but FSS Technologies is a proud partner with Avigilon Alta, the leading access control system manufacturer. Why Avigilon Alta?…

Continue reading
24h emergency
Secure My Space
chat with us