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.
Explore Our Other Blogs
What Is a Central Station Alarm?
A central station alarm system is one that feeds directly into a central monitoring station. If a sensor on the central station alarm system is triggered, such as fire, smoke, C02, or burglar, the system does much more than just set off a loud siren or send an email alert telling you to log into…
How Your Internet Speed Affects Your Security System
Internet speed is a precious commodity in today’s connected homes. Internet speed is responsible for how quickly or slowly data moves from the internet to the application on your computer. Things like your mobile phone, television, computer, gaming system, and even appliances use the internet. And your home security system probably does too. The average…
What Kind of Certifications Make Our Team Security Experts?
At FSS Technologies, we pride ourselves on the fact that we are not your typical fire safety or security company. When people call us, they don’t want a one-size-fits-all solution — they want our experts to design a system that perfectly fits their needs. We take “First in Security, First in Satisfaction” seriously to ensure every…
How Do Fire Sprinkler Systems Work?
Fire sprinkler systems work by detecting heat from fires and releasing water to extinguish them. Different components work together in various configurations to boost a structure’s fire and life safety measures. Learn how a fire sprinkler system works, what your options are, and why it’s a necessary investment for your business. What are the main…
Where Should Fire Alarm Pull Stations Be Located?
While they generally go unnoticed until a moment of need, a fire alarm pull station is an integral part of a business or large residential building’s fire alarm system. What Is a Fire Alarm Pull Station? As opposed to a smoke detector or sensor, human intervention activates pull station alarms and is the catalyst for setting off…
Does My Business Need an Access Control System?
Does My Business Need an Access Control System? Before determining whether your business could benefit from an access control system, let’s go over the different types and their capabilities. In short, an access control system is a type of security system that lets you control who, where, and when someone can enter or exit your…
Advantages of Having an Alarm System
There are a lot of advantages to having an alarm system. For starters, the National Council for Home Safety and Security says that homes without an alarm system are three times as likely to get burglarized. 3 Benefits of Alarm Systems
How Video Doorbells Work
A video doorbell is a system that allows you to see who is ringing your doorbell by way of a video connection. If your video doorbell has a two-way audio system, you also can talk to the person at the front door, whether you’re home or not. How you connect your system and how you…
What are the NFPA Standards for Commercial Fire Protection?
What is NFPA? The National Fire Protection Association is a non-profit organization founded in 1896. Working with more than 9,000 volunteer members, the NFPA works to create fair, balanced standards for the health and safety of the general public. The NFPA’s goal is to eliminate death, injury, and property loss caused by fire; therefore, they have developed more than 300 codes and standards for fire…