Fire Alarm Systems Overview

Purpose of Fire Alarm Systems

• Designed to alert individuals to emergencies (e.g., fires)
• Protects staff, the general public, and property
• Commonly found in offices, factories, and public buildings
• Often overlooked until an emergency arises

Components of Fire Alarm Systems

Central Control Panel

• Acts as the brain of the system
• Central hub for detector signals
• Provides status indication to users
• Can simulate alarms for fire drills

Detection Devices

• Groups of Detection Devices:
  • Heat Detectors
  • Smoke Detectors
  • Carbon Monoxide Detectors
  • Multi-Sensor Detectors
  • Manual Call Points

Types of Detectors

1. Heat Detectors:
   • Fixed temperature or rate of change
   • Contains heat-sensitive eutectic alloy
   • Triggers when temperature exceeds preset value
2. Smoke Detectors:
   • Ionization:
     • Two chambers; uses radioactive source to ionize air
     • Current flow decreases when smoke enters
   • Light Obscuring:
     • Light beam interference from smoke
   • Light Scattering:
     • Uses Tyndall effect; light scattering triggers alarm
3. Carbon Monoxide Detectors:
   • Detects carbon monoxide levels; sensitive and fast response
4. Multi-Sensor Detectors:
   • Combine optical and heat sensor inputs using algorithms
5. Manual Call Points:
   • Allows personnel to raise the alarm by breaking glass

Types of Fire Alarm Systems

1. Conventional Fire Alarm Systems:
   • Uses physical cabling for call points and detectors
   • Signals wired back to main control unit
   • Divided into zones for easier identification
2. Addressable Fire Alarm Systems:
   • Each detector has a unique address
   • Control panel can identify which detector triggered the alarm
   • Supports up to 99 devices on a loop, with isolation modules
3. Intelligent Fire Alarm Systems:
   • Each detector has its own computer for environment evaluation
   • Reduces false alarms
   • Available in two, four, or eight loop versions
4. Wireless Fire Alarm Systems:
   • Utilizes secure radio communications
   • No need for cabling; fully intelligent detection system

Summary

• Fire alarm systems are essential in many buildings for warning against fire emergencies.
• Key detection types include heat, smoke, carbon monoxide, multi-sensor detectors, and manual call points.
• Variants of fire alarm systems include conventional, addressable, intelligent, and wireless systems.

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