Networked fire alarm systems are recommended for commercial facilities. The benefit of a networked system is that it can communicate data throughout fire alarm panels to give you more information and control over a fire event. In extensive facilities, control panels are positioned on different floors or buildings throughout the facility to relay status and maintain control over designated areas. Even if one control panel is offline, the rest of the network will continue to function and communicate needed data. In addition, a networked system allows you to access to control panel data from one central location. Through a dashboard, you can alter sensitivity or disable devices. If you use a mass notification system, it can be integrated into the networked alarm system to deliver critical messages to people in an emergency.
Common Applications:
- Restaurants
- Office buildings
- Industrial facilities
- Clean rooms
- Data centers
- School systems
Types of Alarm Systems:
- Ionization-type alarms – These alarms use radioactive material between two electrically charged plates. This causes ionization in the air, which allows current to flow between the plates. In the case of fire, smoke entering the chamber interrupts the flow of ions. This reduces the current and triggers the alarm.
- Photoelectric alarms – These alarms aim a light source into a sensing chamber. Smoke then reflects light onto a sensor and triggers the alarm.
- Heat detectors – Heat detectors vary by type and include fixed temperature and rate-of-compensation. They are best used in dirty environments or in those with high hazard flammable liquids.
- Air aspirating detectors – These detectors use laser sensors in a detection housing. Using a pump connected to tubing throughout the room, air is drawn into the detector head. These are ideal for the environment, such as clean rooms, computer rooms or high dollar risk areas where early detection is critical.
- Linear beam detectors – These are preferred for facilities with large spaces. They use ceiling-mounted detectors on opposites sides of a space. They measure reflectivity to determine if there is smoke obscuration.
- Ultraviolet and infrared detection systems – These systems offer high-speed detection around extensive industrial and flammable liquids facilities.