Every year, the news seems to get worse when it comes to home break-ins. Theft, assault and worse, there are many reasons to take extra measures to keep your home and family safe. Knowing your family also feels safe in your home is just as important. By working with a professional security company, you can take advantage of many services they offer. Centralised alarm systems that keep your doors locked unless you know the key code, automatic calls to the police and fire department, even adding your home to a regular security route can all be made part of your home security plan.
Occupiers or owners of commercial buildings are required by law to undertake a fire safety risk assessment in order to provide protection for employees and visitors. After they've completed such an assessment they are then required to maintain proper fire detection measures on an ongoing basis. If you're just entering this arena, what do you need to know about the variety of alarm systems available today?
Available Choices
Essentially, your choice will depend on the size and configuration of the building, the challenge posed by system installation and of course budget. Your first consideration will be whether to choose conventional systems or the newer and more flexible intelligent options.
Zone Detectors
The stalwart of the fire protection community is a conventional alarm system that's been around for decades. It's probably the least costly to purchase and install. You will need to divide the building into separate zones and the alarm detectors and action points will be hardwired on specific circuits direct to the control panel. Any alarm will only identify the circuit and not a specific location. It'll be necessary to search in that zone to find the individual device.
Single Circuit Detectors
There is an alternative to this system known as a "two wire" operation, where detectors, activation points and alarm bells are wired into a single circuit. This has updated functionality as well, such as the ability to isolate problems.
Intelligent Systems
The more modern, intelligent fire systems pinpoint problems down to individual detectors. These are much more expensive and complex, but offer more control. They need less cabling, but each detector has its own unique system address and is able to instantly locate the seat of the problem.
Radio or Wireless
The most modern, but most expensive fire alarm system is wireless. While it's more costly to buy, it's a lot cheaper to install, as it works off wireless or through radio-link. The latest models also take into account the possibility of signal collision or blocking and therefore have multi-frequency channels, so that the signal is always "on."
Aspirating Smoke Systems
Finally, smoke detection systems are the "top of the tree." These aspirating systems are very sensitive and pull air through a series of sampling pipes. The system can detect fine smoke particles. It can even give early warning in the event of a smouldering fire within electrical cabling that might otherwise have gone unnoticed.
Working out Your Needs
The right type of configuration for your building will depend on its size, layout and the ability to install complex cabling. Have a word with your system provider in order to come up with a plan and a budget.
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