When choosing a fire alarm system for your commercial property, there are considerations in addition
to meeting all code requirements.
Evaluating an addressable fire alarm system vs. a conventional fire
alarm system can save you time and money.
Knowing the difference and which is best for your building will ensure
the right system to provide protection against smoke, fire or gas with a code
compliant system that saves effort, time
and money.
The main difference between
an addressable fire alarm and a conventional alarm system is that an addressable system provides
the exact location of an activated device.
A conventional alarm system does not provide an exact location although
zones can be set up for warnings in general locations. This main difference is due to the wiring and
installation of the devices to the control panel.
Wiring of Addressable Fire Alarm vs. Conventional Fire Alarm
Systems
An addressable fire alarm
system connects each device with a loop, with one wire connecting all devices
and looping back into the control panel.
Each device has it’s own unique identifier to pinpoint an activated device
such as smoke detectors and call points.
This allows for quick action to extinguish a fire quickly at the source.
Conventional fire alarm
systems require each device to be wired directly to the main control panel with
individual rather than shared wiring.
Zones may be established to identify general areas of an alarm although
precise locations of a fire source are not displayed. A conventional fire alarm system is more than
adequate in smaller or simpler building layouts, although consulting with a
fire alarm system specialist will help you to evaluate other factors such as
system and installation cost, functionality and reliability.
Addressable vs. Conventional Fire Alarm System Cost
System and installation cost
should both be evaluated, as a conventional fire alarm system may cost less for
the control panel and devices, but installation to individually wire each
device may cost quite a bit more depending on the complexity. Added benefits of addressable systems should
also be considered such as the ability to monitor air flow via smoke detection
devices which prevents costly false alarms.
The cost to expand or add additional devices should also be considered
for future business growth, building sales or renovations.
Addressable fire alarm
systems can be more reliable in some cases and should be discussed with your
fire alarm system specialist. An
experienced fire alarm system company will evaluate your building and operation
requirements and recommend the system which provides the greatest value. High Rise Security Systems is a proud
distributor of Notifier® by Honeywell and many other fire alarm systems from
the best names in the industry.
High Rise Security Systems provides fire
alarm system consulting, design, support, maintenance and monitoring
24/7/365. We offer more than 30 years
of experience in fire and security system integration to schools, hospitals,
hospitality and commercial properties in and around Chicago. Contact us to learn more about which system
is right for you and the difference between addressable fire alarm vs.
conventional fire alarm systems.
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