Addressable Fire Alarm System

An addressable fire alarm system is one in which all fire and smoke detection devices in a system are connected and communicate both with each other and a central control monitoring location. This interconnectivity allows the control personnel to identify the location or “address” where the initial detection occurred. The information directs the emergency response team to pinpoint their efforts immediately to the precise location of the developing problem.

Linking all devices offers several advantages that are not possible with traditional independent fire alarms. Some of the benefits of an addressable system are:

• Accurate identification of where the problem started and where it may be spreading
• Specific actions can be programmed such as delaying evacuations from areas not immediately threatened, thereby reducing bottlenecks of evacuating occupants
• Reduces potential for false alarms
• Each element of the system can be monitored routinely for operational health

Each detection and notification device is connected to each other. Moreover, each device is connected directly to the central addressable fire alarm control panel which is continually sending messages to check on the functionality of each instrument. In response, each element sends back a report that informs the control panel of its current health. If for any reason a device does not respond, the control panel indicates a problem at that particular address. Authorized technicians from the fire alarm maintenance company can immediately proceed to the location, fix or replace the problem device, and the issue is solved.

Direct identification of the site of the outbreak is beneficial for several reasons. Occupants can initiate immediate evacuation from the adjacent areas while others receive notification to evacuate in the opposite direction from that location to prevent crowding

Conventional Fire Alarm System

Conventional fire alarm systems have been around for many years. They range from simple 1 or 2 zone systems, to systems with over 100 zones. The largest panel we currently manufacture is 48 zones.

Conventional detection offers a good basic system, ideal for small applications, or projects on a tight budget.

The detectors in a zone (or area) of the building are all connected to the same pair of wires. If any of these detectors reports an alarm, a single indication is shown on the control panel, meaning that the exact location of the alarm is not shown.

The sounders (including sounder bases) are wired on a separate circuit.

An end of line unit is fitted to the last device in each circuit (Detection Zone, or sounder), in order to monitor the line for breaks.