FIRE ALARM SYSTEM COMPONENTS
IIn each fire alarm system, various fire alarm system components should be used based on the fire alarm design that was applied. Generally speaking there are some common fire alarm system components that are widely used in most types of fire alarm systems.
1- Fire alarm control panel
This is the main central unit of the fire detection system. It receives inputs from each smoke detector in the system and processes these signals to send outputs based on an embedded program inside it.
It could be a conventional fire alarm system that is working with zones or an addressable fire system that is working with a loop pointing system.
The fire alarm control panel should be equipped with external batteries that should cover the system to be in service for a suitable time in case of planned electrical power cut or in case of electrical failures.
The fire alarm system should be designed with a suitable capacity to accommodate all points or zones of the system and a spare for extra zones or points to be added in future expansions (this should be sized well to avoid purchasing additional fire alarm control panel in the future as it is the most expensive part in the fire alarm system cost).
2- Smoke detector
The smoke detector is the most used item in the fire alarm systems components. This fire sensor detects the smoke which was generated out of the fire and then initiates an alarm to the fire alarm control panel.
smoke detector types:
- It could be photo electric smoke detector or,
- It could beam detector which is suitable fire alarm detection method in long distances or,
- It could be duct type smoke detector
3- Heat detector
Since the heat detection is essential in fire detection systems, There are two main types for heat detectors:
- Fixed temperature heat detector
- Rate of rise heat detector
Most rate of rise heat detectors in fire detection systems are designed to initiate an alarm if the temperature rises from 12 to 15 degree Fahrenheit in a minute. A thermo-coupled metal is designed so that it will determine this change and it will reset itself if the temperature returns to normal operation.
On the contrary, the fixed temperature heat detector will trigger an alarm if the ambient temperature reaches a threshold value (commonly used 194°F) to the fire alarm control panel.
It is also available in some heat detectors to combine both (ROR and Fixed temperature).The heat detector type selection is very important in the fire alarm system design phase.
4- Flame detector
Scanning the fire alarm system components, The flame detector is the most used part to protect against fire using flame sensing. The flame detector used in oil storage places or the places that could send fire flames fast in case of fire breaks out. It detects the fire flame and triggers an alarm to the fire alarm panel.
5- Manual call point
The fire alarm manual call points or the “push buttons” should be used in every fire alarm installation. It is important to install because it will be used in case anyone saw a fire and the automatic detectors didn’t detect the fire yet. It is fast and would save time and cost if used in the early stages of fire development.
There are several types of manual call points that should be used depending on the application and the design criteria. The most commonly used types are the single action and the double action push buttons.
Do you want to know fire alarm system basics and design techniques to protect your house and assets from fire?
Get you eBook copy today to acquire the essential information for everyone about fire alarm systems basics, design, installation and testing fire alarm system procedures.
Comments are closed.