Conventional vs Addressable Fire Alarm Systems
Fire alarm systems consist of a network of connected devices installed throughout a premises. These devices include smoke and heat detectors that sense for fires, as well as fire alarm sounders and fire bells that warn occupants of the presence of a potential fire.
There are two main types of fire alarm systems – Conventional Fire Alarm Systems and Addressable Fire Alarm Systems. This post will explore both types of fire alarm systems to help understand the functional differences between these two systems.
What is a Conventional Fire Alarm System?
Conventional systems are relatively older fire alarm systems that are based on analogue technology. They are generally suited for smaller applications, such as fire alarm systems in small offices, shops, restaurants, and residential properties.
Conventional fire alarm systems make use of one or more circuits (wired connections) that connect sensors, detectors, and devices to a fire alarm control panel. Each circuit represents an area or zone that these linked devices cover.
Conventional fire alarm systems are able to link multiple devices on a single circuit, however, these systems cannot tell which device has been activated within a circuit. This means that it can identify a fire within a zone, but cannot determine the exact location of the fire within that zone.
What Is An Addressable Fire Alarm System?
Addressable fire alarm systems are modern systems that use digital technology to transfer information from networked devices to the main fire alarm control panel. These systems use binary code (combinations of zeros and ones) to allow linked devices to communicate with the main control panel.
As the name suggests, addressable fire alarm systems allow you to assign a unique address/code to each device installed on the system. This means that addressable fire alarm systems are able to determine the exact location of a fire by identifying the individual device that has been triggered.
All of the devices in an addressable fire alarm system connect to the fire alarm control panel in a wired loop configuration. Addressable fire alarm systems make use of a single wired circuit to connect all networked devices, as seen in the accompanying diagram.
The Difference Between Conventional And Addressable Fire Alarm Systems
The key differences between conventional fire alarm systems and addressable fire alarm systems can be summarised as follows:
Wiring
All of the devices in an addressable fire alarm system connect to the main control panel via a single shared wire loop that runs through the entire premises. Whereas conventional fire alarm systems require each networked device to connect to the main control panel via its own dedicated fire resistant wire, rather than a shared one. Conventional systems require more cabling than addressable systems, making the installation process a lot more tedious in comparison.
Location Detection
Addressable fire alarm systems are able to pinpoint the exact location of a fire by identifying the individual device that triggered an alarm. In the event of a false alarm, addressable systems can determine the faulty device that activated the alarm.
Conventional alarm systems cannot identify the exact device that triggered an alarm. These systems are more suited for smaller facilities where pinpointing the exact location of a fire becomes unnecessary.
Cost
Addressable fire alarm systems offer more advanced functionality and are therefore more expensive to purchase than conventional fire alarm systems. However, addressable alarm systems can work out to be more cost-efficient in the long run when installation, maintenance, and upgrade costs are considered.
While conventional fire alarm systems may cost less to purchase, the extensive wiring involved in installing these systems results in them being more expensive to install than addressable fire alarm systems.
Reliability
Addressable fire alarm systems are generally considered to be more reliable than conventional systems due to the way in which these systems are wired to connect to the main control panel.
Conventional fire alarm systems are wired to connect to the control panel only at one end. This means that if the wire gets damaged or severed, a device’s signal cannot be transmitted to the control panel and the device will become disconnected.
Addressable fire alarm systems are wired to connect to the control panel at two ends in a loop. This means that if one end of the wired loop gets damaged or severed, a device’s signal can still be sent to the control panel via the other end of the wired loop.
FST Fire Alarm Systems
Fire and Security Techniques is an authorised supplier of high-tech fire detection systems and fire alarm systems. We provide comprehensive fire protection solutions for all types of properties and working facilities.
Contact Us for conventional and addressable fire alarm systems suited to your unique fire protection needs.
