Importance of Fire Alarm Monitoring System

Importance of Fire Alarm Monitoring System

A fire alarm monitoring system has a number of devices working together to detect and warn people through visual and audio appliances when fire, smoke, carbon monoxide or other emergencies are present. These alarms may be activated automatically from the smoke detectors, and heat detectors or also be activates via manual fire alarm activation devices. Alarms can be either motorized bells or wall mountable Sounders.

Many of companies installed have fire alarm systems to give them early warning in the case of a fire, protecting their property, people, and business. During working time fire alarm activation will alert personnel on site to a fire position, in appropriate cases, a call to the fire brigade will be made, and within the few minutes, the fire authority will visit on site to assist. In high-risk situations, this will have automatic attendance. In lower risk situations, where monitoring is in place, the fire authority will need the confirmation of fire before attending, but will, of course, attend if it is required.

It is fine during the working hours, as people can take proper actions to meet the needs of the situation. Now, think the scenario where the fire alarm system is installed by regulatory requirements after that quality maintenance is provided and the weekly or monthly tests are carried out, all at the high cost to the business. The system is not monitoring, and at the end of the working day the building is closed up for the night, or the weekend, sometimes longer during the holiday times such as Festivals.

Here are the Few Maintenance Tips:

1. Make sure they are placed in the proper places. There should be detectors on every floor, including the basement. Do not place them near draft areas such as vents or windows.

2. Test the alarm at least once a week or month. You can do this just by pressing down the test button.

3. Keep the alarms clean. Dust them often. Do not paint over them.

4. Smoke alarms should be replaced approximately one decade unless they are defected or damaged. If this is the case, then they need to be replaced immediately.

Different Types of Fire Alarm and Detection Equipment

Fire detection equipment is an essential part of any building safety. When working properly, they alert the occupants in the building of a fire before it spreads, giving them enough time to relocate. This type of equipment comes in many forms such as heat detectors and smoke detectors.

1. Heat Detector

Heat detectors are the oldest type of fire detection System. These devices are typically found in spots with the fixed temperature, including small rooms, heater closets, and kitchen facilities. It should not be installed in areas with the fluctuating ambient temperature. It is because the alarm on heat detectors is set to go off if there is a rise in the temperature.

2. Smoke Detector

Smoke alarms are designed to detect fires quickly. There is Fire detection equipment is divided into three subcategories.

1. Photoelectric Alarms

These operate with the use of the light source, photoelectric sensor, and beam collimating system. When the smoke begins to enter the optical chamber, it crosses the light beam path. It results in light being scattered by the particles in the smoke. The scattered light is then directed to the sensor, after which the fire alarm is activated and sounded.

2. Ionization Alarms

An ionization smoke alarm contains the small amount of radioactive material. The radiation passes through an ionization chamber which is an air-filled space between two electrodes and permits the small, constant current between the electrodes. Any smoke that enters the chamber absorbs the alpha particles, which reduces the ionization and interrupts the current, setting off the alarm. This type of alarm responds best to fast flaming fires.

3. Combination Alarms

These have the features of both ionization and photoelectric alarm technologies. The photoelectric function responds to low energy smoldering fires, and the ionization function responds to rapid, high-energy fires.