A fire alarm is crucial for your security- not only do they tell you when there is a fire, but they also ensure that you leave the premises long before the fire becomes a serious problem. All in all, they ensure your safe evacuation of the premises before you are harmed. There are two kinds of fire alarm systems that you can get for yourself:
- Conventional Fire Alarm System
In a conventional fire alarm system and installation, the whole property is divided into various zones and fire alarms and heat detector alarms are placed in every zone. This gives a rough idea as to where the fire has occurred.
- Addressable Fire Alarm System
This kind of alarm system is way newer and has a different kind of make. Each alarm system has an ‘address’ that enables the complete and correct detection of the exact point where the fire alarm first went off. However, it is important to note that the addressable fire alarm is way pricier than the conventional alarm systems.
Here are some more reasons why you should have fire alarms installed:
It is the law
The Scottish law around fire alarms just changed and now, every building, whether commercial or private, needs to have interlinked fire alarms. This means that if one alarm goes off in one part of the property, all alarms will go off, signalling that there is a fire somewhere on the property. This allows for everyone to be aware of the hazard and make a safe way out of the building. Interlinked fire alarms are also louder than a single alarm going off- making people around the area aware as well. This law has come into place as of February 2022.
Early Detection
One of the biggest advantages of having a proper, interlinked, alarm system is that it enables early detection. This is especially useful if the fire occurs at night. This is because when we are asleep, our sense of smell is not as strong as our sense of hearing. This means that without a fire alarm going off, you will probably not realise that there is a danger of fire until it’s very late. Early detection of the fire alarm will help you prevent any kind of serious damage and will protect the property and its inhabitants before it’s too late.
Prevents damage
Fire alarms ensure that there is minimum damage to the property and that everyone is safe. With early detection, you can react quickly and call for a firefighter as soon as the alarm goes on. This helps prevent the damage that can take place if you are not quick enough to react. If you are unsure about how a fire alarm can help you out further, contact professionals by clicking here to get proper advice!
What kind of Fire Alarm is good for your Property
When it comes to choosing fire alarms that will go well on your property, there are numerous factors considered. Here is a quick guide on what kind of fire alarm you should have, based on your property:
Ionisation Alarms
Ionisation alarms are more sensitive to flaming fires that are caused by flammable liquids, wood or paper. This kind of fire produces a lot of flames but not enough smoke. Most of the fires that occur in houses are classified as flaming fires, which is why for private property, especially one with a fireplace, ionisation alarms are considered better.
Optical Alarms
These are also known as photoelectric smoke alarms. They use optical light to detect the presence of smoke. These kinds of devices usually have a light detector- which can either be optical, infrared or ultraviolet. When smoke starts crossing the light beam, it will make the light dull, triggering the alarm. No matter what kind of property you use, you need to have smoke alarms. The use of smoke detectors is required by occupational health authorities such as OSHA, as well as fire protection organisations such as the National Fire Protection Association, which sets minimum standards for the use of alarms under its NFPA 72 standard.
Multi-sensor Alarms
They usually contain two different elements- optical and heat detection. These kinds of alarms play a dual role- they detect the two by-products of fire, smoke and temperature. This makes them way more popular than traditional alarms as they can detect fires quicker and better. They are also less prone to false alarms associated with ionisation and optical type alarms! They are even recommended by the UK Fire and Rescue Services!
Heat Alarms
These alarms, just like their name, detect an increase in heat. They usually treat an increase in temperature as fire and are prone to false alarms! They are also insensitive to any kind of smoke. These are best suited for kitchens, garages and lofts!
