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Fire Alarm Systems
Information Packages
Alarm Systems Using Wireless or Other Transmission Technology as a Single Path of Communication
Fire Protection System Sign Requirements
Inspection and Testing of Fire Protection Systems
Duct Smoke Detectors for Control of Smoke Spread
Tampering with Fire Safety Equipment - Letter
Time Warner Cable - Fire Alarm Signal Transmission
Fire Protection - Out Of Service
Fire Protection System - Out of Service Notification
Fire Watch Requirements and Procedures
Notice of Fire Watch
National Fire Protection Association Forms (NFPA 72 - 2016 Edition)
Deviations from Adopted Codes and Standards Supplementary Record of Completion
Emergency Communications Systems Supplementary Record of Completion
Emergency Communications Systems Form - Supplementary Record of Completion
Initiating Device Supplementary Record of Inspection and Testing
Interconnected Systems Supplementary Record of Completion
Interface Component Supplementary Record of Inspection and Testing
Mass Notification System Supplementary Record of Inspection and Testing
Notification Appliance Power Panel Form - Supplementary Record of Completion
Notification Appliance Supplementary Record of Inspection and Testing
Power Systems Form- Supplementary Record of Completion
System Record of Completion Form
System Record of Inspection and Testing Form
Fire Protection - Out Of Service
Permit Applications
Fire Alarm Affidavit for Alterations or Tenant Improvements (1-20 Devices)
Fire Alarm Control Panel Replacement Application
Fire Alarm Installation Permit Application
Plan Review and Permit Submittal Requirements
Fire Alarm Control Panel Replacement Plan Review Requirements
Fire Alarm Installation Plan Review Requirements
Town of Brighton Bi-Annual Fire Alarm Registration Application
Commercial Fire Alarm Permit Application
Residential Fire Alarm Permit Application
A fire alarm system can make the difference between life and death. Fires can spread quickly, creating dangerous amounts of smoke and heat. Sounding the alarm quickly matters, as every extra second allows your people more time to escape safely. It also allows you more time to put out a small blaze with a portable fire extinguisher, preventing it from turning into something only professional firefighters can handle.
The purpose of a fire alarm system is to detect a fire and provide warning to building occupants to evacuate the premises. Automatic devices, such as smoke and heat detectors, sense the fire and then activate audiovisual devices. These audio-visual devices, such as horns, speakers, and strobes, act to notify the occupants of a building about an emergency situation. Manual pull stations also activate the audio-visuals, but rely on a person to operate them. Fire alarm systems must be thoroughly inspected annually in accordance with National Fire Protection Association - Chapter 72.
Understanding Automatic Fire Alarm Systems
Automatic fire alarm systems often play a major role in loss prevention during a fire emergency. These systems can be just as complicated as they are important. Below is a high-level overview of the components of an automatic fire alarm system.
The basic purpose of an automatic fire alarm system is to detect a fire in its early stages, notify the building occupants that there is a fire emergency and report the emergency to first responders.
What are the Two Types of Fire Alarm Systems?
Before you decide to install or replace a fire alarm, you should know about the different types of fire alarm systems on the market. The two main types of fire alarm systems are conventional and addressable. The various components that make up these systems are either automatic or manual. The following information will help you decide what type of fire alarm system will work best in your facility.
Type 1: Conventional Fire Alarm
Conventional fire alarm systems and its components are all wired to the same cable that connects them to a fire alarm control panel. The control panel displays a signal when these components activate. These types of systems are inexpensive and work well in small facilities. The main problem with conventional fire alarm systems is that when a fire alarm component produces a signal and it appears on the control panel there is no way to know which component it is in the building. If you foresee this to be a problem you may want to consider an addressable fire alarm system.
Type 2: Addressable Fire Alarm
Addressable fire alarm systems are the most modern type of system and its components have individual unique identifiers. When one of the system’s components initiates, it indicates the component’s address on the fire alarm panel. Large facilities utilize these systems because they can quickly pinpoint where the trouble signal originated. This saves a lot of time because it eliminates the need to search for the component that produced the signal.
Understanding Automatic Fire Alarm Systems
What are the Two Types of Fire Alarm Systems?