All fire alarm systems essentially operate on the same principle. If a detector detects smoke or heat, or CO or someone operates a break glass unit, then the alarm sounders operate to warn other people in the building that there may be a fire and to evacuate. It may also incorporate remote signalling equipment which would alert the fire service via a control centre.

Fire Alarm Systems can be broken down into three categories, Conventional, Addressable, Analogue Addressable and Wireless systems.

Conventional Fire Alarm System:

In a Conventional Fire Alarm System, a number of call points or a number of call points and detectors are wired to the fire alarm control panel in zones. A zone is a circuit and typically one would wire a circuit per floor or fire compartment. The fire alarm panel would have a number of zone lights, the reason of having dedicated zones is to give a rough idea to where the fire has occurred.

Addressable Systems:

The detection principle of an Addressable System is similar to a Conventional System except that the control panel can determine exactly which detector or call  point has initiated the alarm. The detection circuit is wired as a loop and up to 99 devices may be connected to each loop. The detectors are essentially conventional detectors with an address built in.

Analogue Fire Alarm System:

Analogue Fire Alarm Systems are often known as Intelligent Fire Alarm Systems. There are several different types of Analogue Systems available which are determined by the type of protocol which they use. The bulk of an analogue detector available are fairly basic as the detector can only give output signals representing the value of sensed phenomena. It is then left up to the control panel to decide whether there is a fire, fault, pre alarm or whatever. With a true Intelligent Analogue System each detector effectively incorporates its own computer which evaluates the environment around it.

Wireless Fire Alarm System:

Wireless Fire Alarm System is an effective alternative to traditional wired fire alarm systems for all applications. They utilise secure, licence-free, radio communications to interconnect the sensors and devices (smoke detectors, call points, etc.) with the controllers. A simple concept which provides many unique benefits and is a full analogue addressable fire detection system without the need for cable.

Link CCTV and Security can design, supply and install the type of Fire Detection system suitable for your needs.