How Do Fire Alarm Control Panels Work
Fire Alarm Panels
A fire alarm panel is the control center for a fire alarm system. The panel acts as the central processing unit. It receives signals from the smoke and heat detectors associated with the system and sends out signals to the fire alarms, sprinkler heads, and local authorities.
If the panel receives a signal that smoke has been detected, it may trigger an alarm to sound in the building. It may also activate a sprinkler head in the same area as the smoke detector. The fire alarm panel is programmed to respond based on the types of signals it receives.
The most common fire panels in use today are Conventional Fire Panels and Addressable Fire Panels.
Conventional Fire Panels
A Conventional Fire Panel is mostly used in smaller facilities. It generally acts as an early-warning system for people in the building by sounding an alarm when there is an issue. It cannot be programmed to respond in more complex ways, but it’s also not as expensive. The Conventional Fire Panel is not able to communicate with each component of the system, but a building can be wired into zones, so owners have a general idea of where a signal is coming from.
Addressable Fire Panels
Addressable Fire Panels give every smoke detector or sprinkler head a unique, identifiable address. When a smoke detector goes off, the main control panel knows exactly which one it is and where it’s located within the building. This comes in handy when a large area needs to be protected, such as a stadium. Specific responses can be programmed into Addressable Fire Panels, and they can be networked together. This allows the owner to see where the alarm is coming from inside the building.
What Type of Fire Protection Do I Need?
Deciding on the right type of fire protection system for your facility and budget can be challenging. It requires a unique skill set to understand, design, install, and maintain these specialized systems.
The Team at FSS will make sure your system meets all codes, as well as your company’s specific needs.
