4 Components of Fire Alarm Systems: A Simple Guide For Beginners 

Everyone knows the importance of fire alarm installations. But how much do you know about fire alarm systems? How they are made, how they work, and other basics? While it may not bring any change for buyers and clients, it is elementary knowledge for fire alarm business owners.  

Every fire alarm systems business owner should be able to tell you that what parts make up a fire alarm system. If you haven’t yet learnt the basics, this isn’t great news. The next buyer could be knocking any minute – asking for details on fire alarm systems and their types. Imagine losing a sale because you hadn’t read up enough! How sad is that?  

Take 5 minutes of your packed schedule and brush up on the basics. Boost your confidence and your sales.   

4 Fire Alarm System Components: In Details 

The technology for fire alarm systems has advanced to a great height, today. Residential fire alarms are built differently than commercial fire alarm systems. Before we get to the details, there are largely two types of fire alarms:  

• Class A Fire Alarm System: These have a loop wiring design allowing multiple paths of power supply. So, if one stops working – the other can run the functions. 

• Class B Fire Alarm Systems: Rather unsafe because of the single wiring design. It’s cheap but often fails to detect signs of fire if the single pathway stops working.  

Although the basic mechanism remains the same. Here are the parts present in all fire alarm systems:  

1. Power Supply: Primary and Backup 

2. Fire Alarm Control Panel  

3. Initiating Devices 

4. Notification Devices 

Power Supply in Fire Alarm Systems 

A fire alarm system comprises of two power supply outlets. First, comes the primary power supply, followed by the backup power supply. Fire alarm power consumption facilitates sending and receiving of signals between sensors, control panel and the notification devices.  

Primary Power Supply 

The power provider supplies power between the range of 120- to 240- Volts. The range is mandated for the primary power supply. 

Backup Power Supply 

This comes to play when there’s a power cut. In such scenarios, these are charged by 12- Volt batteries to keep the fire alarm system working. It’s crucial to check if a fire alarm system comes with backup power supply.  

(FACP) Fire Alarm Control Panel in Fire Alarm System  

The FACP has a circuit. There are different types of branch wiring designs in fire alarm circuits that send electricity to the rest of the devices attached to the FACP. 

Besides, the FACP is the end and means of any fire alarm system. It receives messages from the different devices spaced out in multiple locations within a premise. Upon doing so, it sends out alerts for all building occupants. Helping them evacuate in time. 

It is often attached to other devices like sprinklers, smoke sensors and more. These help in putting the fire out or alerting individuals. 

The only difference between conventional and addressible fire alarm systems is that the later can detect the exact device in the troubled zone. While the other can only trace the area of trouble.  

However, these require thorough and regular inspections. So that one doesn’t miss when the FACP stops working or malfunctioning. Monthly inspections are ideal for fire alarm systems.  

Notification Devices in Fire Alarm Systems  

As already discussed, upon detecting fire or smoke – the FACP sends alert messages. This process is completed with the help of notification devices – both audible and visual.  

These include horns, strobes, speakers, strobe lights with speakers, etc. Such alarms come in handy when sudden evacuation is urgent. Some fire alarm systems also come with text signals and graphic alerts.  

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Initiating Devices in Fire Alarm Systems

There are two different types of initiating devices that sends caution messages to the FACP. This allows the FACP to send evacuation signals to the notification device. The two different types are: 

1. Manual Initiating Devices or a Pull Station 

In such cases, a human being is required to initiate the alarm. These has different methods like breaking the glass or pulling the lever.  

2. Automated Initiating Devices

These come in variety. For example, smoke sensors, heat sensors and those which detect gas. These are much more advanced than the traditional pull stations.  

Mainly, because it doesn’t require human interventions in situations of emergency. These devices ae automated and can detect and send signals, all without human prompts. Making fire control much safer.  

The Final Word  

These 4 basic but integral components make up the fire alarm system’s mechanism, at large. There are other associated devices, too. But those are more peripheral than primary. While you can gather some facts on those too, learning about the basics is absolutely mandatory.  

Keeping an eye on the four primary components will save you from large expenses and accidents. Remain updated, replace batteries on time and have an efficient fire alarm system protecting you, at all times!