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From Smoke Detectors to Control Panels: What's Inside a Fire Alarm System?
A fire alarm system is a building system specifically designed to detect, alert, and notify emergency forces about fire, smoke, carbon monoxide, or other fire-related emergencies. Fire alarm systems are required in most commercial buildings under various building regulations. These systems may include smoke detectors, heat detectors and manual fire alarm activating devices (handle stations). All fire alarm system components are connected to a fire alarm control panel, usually located in an electrical room or control room. Fire alarm systems generally use visual and audible signals to alert building occupants in the event of a fire, and some fire alarm systems can also disable elevators to prevent their use during fire conditions.
Design
Fire alarm systems are designed according to the fire protection requirements of a particular site, which is usually by reference to the minimum safety standards set forth by the appropriate building regulations, insurance agencies and other authorities. Designers will identify specific components, layouts, and interfaces to meet these requirements. Choose equipment specifically manufactured for these purposes and consider standardized installation methods during the design process.
It is said that there are currently several standards that are often referenced, such as ISO 7240-14, NFPA 72, and Canada's ULC standard.
Component
A fire alarm system is made up of several different parts:
- Fire Alarm Control Panel (FACP): The core of the system, responsible for monitoring input and system integrity, controlling output and transmitting information.
- Remote alarm device: Directly connected to the control panel for emergency personnel to view system status.
- Main power supply: usually supplied by commercial electricity.
- Backup power unit: Includes sealed lead-acid storage batteries or generators to support power during primary power failure.
- Starting devices: These components serve as inputs to the fire alarm control unit and are activated manually or automatically.
- Fire alarm notification equipment: Converts energy from a fire alarm system or other stored energy source into notification-provided content such as audio and visual warnings.
- Building Safety Interface: Allows fire alarm systems to control various aspects of the building environment, including ventilation, lighting, etc.
Fire alarm notification equipment
Fire alarms often come in many forms, most commonly including an electric bell or wall-mounted sounder. Some fire alarm installations can also combine an audible alarm with an audible evacuation message to provide clearer response instructions.
Fire alarm notification devices use audible, visual, tactile, textual or even odor stimuli (such as ozone) to alert occupants to evacuate or take action.
Emergency Voice Alert Communication System
Some fire alarm systems use Emergency Voice Alert Communications (EVAC) to provide recorded and manual voice messages. These systems are usually used in high-rise buildings, stadiums and other places to conduct controlled evacuation when complete evacuation is difficult to achieve.
American and British standards
In the United States, fire evacuation signals typically consist of standardized audible tones, and emergency signals are clearly identifiable. In contrast, in the UK, fire evacuation signals usually consist of a two-tone alarm, with also visual notification.
Residential Systems
Residential fire alarm systems are very common today and are often installed along with security alarm systems. In the United States, residential fire alarm systems are required when more than 12 smoke detectors are installed in a building.
Building Safety Interface and British Fire System Classification
Various devices can be connected to the fire alarm system to facilitate evacuation or control the onset of a fire. The fire protection system in the UK is mainly designed in accordance with BS 5839 Part 1. According to different building types and application scenarios, fire alarm systems can be divided into various categories:
Including manual systems and automatic systems, the latter are further divided into categories such as L1 to L5 and P1 to P2.
In summary, the design and components of a fire alarm system involve numerous interrelated technologies and standards, which together form a complete and effective fire alarm prevention and control system. In daily life, how should we further understand and improve these systems to enhance fire safety?
