A fire alarm system is an excellent way to observe fire and smoke just by detecting changes in the combustion and environment.Generally, fire alarm system is classified into two: automatic and manually activated.The automatic fire alarm system provides notification to all the people, if any unexpected fire or smoke fumes occur, and also prepare the ways to control fire.
The component of the automatic fire alarm systems are: fire alarm control panel, primary power supply, backup power supplies, initiating devices, and notification appliances.The fire alarm control panel monitors and controls inputs and outputs.The primary and secondary power supplies provide energy supply to fire alarm systems.The initiating devices in the system are the source of all input to the system in case of any emergency occurs.
All the notification system draws energy from the power supplies given to the fire alarm, and signals everyone to move out from the place immediately.The safety interfaces in the building is important for the fire alarm systems to control the spread of fire and smoke fumes.
The activating devices react to all other devices associated with fire such as heat detector, flame detector, radiant energy, smoke detector, and water-flow detector.Cameras and computer algorithms are widely used today with the activating instruments to test and evaluate the effects of fire on other detection techniques.
The common types of notification appliances are: audible or visible signals with pre-recorded instructions for the people to evacuate safely.The fire alarm systems contain automatically activated speakers to signal the unwanted fire event.The residential fire alarm system uses the existing power supply, and the non-residential requires a separate, uninterrupted power supply.
The fire alarm control panel controls the part of the fire alarm system.The control panels are divided into four: conventional panel, multiplex panel, addressable panel, and coded panel.The earlier type of model is the coded panel, which is similar to conventional and the best-known example is the IBM 4201.Conventional panels are used in smaller buildings such as restaurant, schools, and apartments, and good example is Edwards 6500.
Multiplex is the older type of control panel that are used in larger buildings and complexes and Simplex 2120 is one of the multiplex panel.Addressable panel is the advanced type of control panel, and the best example is Simplex 4100U.Addressable panel has a higher degree of programming ability and it is provided with the single point detection system.