Conventional Fire Alarms

Conventional fire alarms are hardwired systems designed to detect fire and alert occupants. They consist of smoke or heat detectors, manual call points (pull stations), and notification devices like bells or strobes, all connected to a central control panel via dedicated circuits. Each circuit covers a specific zone in a building, allowing the panel to identify the general area of an alarm trigger, though not the exact device.

When a detector senses smoke or heat, or someone activates a call point, the circuit closes, sending a signal to the control panel, which then activates alarms throughout the building. These systems are reliable, cost-effective, and suited for smaller buildings like schools or offices, but they lack the precision of addressable systems, which pinpoint exact device locations.

Key components of Conventional Fire Alarms:

• Smoke Detectors: Ionization (better for flaming fires) or photoelectric (better for smoldering fires).

• Heat Detectors: Fixed-temperature or rate-of-rise, for areas like kitchens.

• Control Panel: Monitors zones, displays alarms, and may connect to fire services.

• Notification Devices: Audible (horns, bells) and visual (strobes) alerts.

Pros of Conventional Fire Alarms:

Simple installation, lower upfront costs, durable.

Cons of Conventional Fire Alarms:

Limited zoning (harder to pinpoint fire location), less scalable for large or complex buildings.

Maintenance of Conventional Fire Alarms:

involves regular testing (monthly/quarterly), battery checks, and cleaning detectors to avoid false alarms. They’re regulated by standards like IS3218 in Ireland., requiring professional installation and inspections.

List of All Fire Alarm Courses