FIRE DETECTION
AUTOMATIC & MANUAL FIRE SYSTEMS
Standard servicing and maintenance of your fire detection systems by an accredited company and SAQCC registered technician’s are crucial in order to comply with regulations. Systematic servicing ensures systems are operating correctly and can save you from costly repairs in the future.
Fire detection systems are designed to save lives and property, however, in order to achieve these goals, the system will need to be maintained and kept in proper working condition.
CONVENTIONAL FIRE DETECTION SYSTEMS
Conventional fire detection systems are suitable for smaller, less complicated facilities and designed to warn personnel or clients of fires within the building/s. Conventional systems are more cost effective in smaller areas and generally quicker to install than their addressable counterparts.
Once a fire is discovered by the various types of detectors, sounders and beacons will activate, warning personnel of the incident. The fire control panel will show which zone is in fire, giving personnel the opportunity to reach that area and extinguish the fire it before it gets out of control.
The main disadvantage of conventional systems is that a zone may be a reasonably large area (maximum of 20 detectors) and finding the fire in that area may take unnecessary and valuable time.
It is therefore recommended that addressable systems be utilised for larger, more complicated buildings.
ADDRESSABLE FIRE DETECTION SYSTEMS
Addressable fire detection systems are the most secure way to protect property against fire risk and damage and can be tailored to suit any environment. With the right addressable system, you can shut down lifts, stoves, air conditioners and more during the event of a fire.
Addressable systems are best suited for larger, more complicated facilities such as hotels, schools, hospitals, office blocks, shopping centres and other high occupancy areas. Addressable systems are highly intelligent solutions that will pinpoint the exact location of the fire. The panel (or repeater panels) will inform the user by setting off the sounders and beacons, either throughout the building, or within the area of danger depending on the programming. The panel’s LED display will also inform the user of the location such as ‘Room No. 264’, ‘Boardroom 1’, etc which would give the fire team sufficient time to reach and put out the fire before it causes irreparable damage to the building or becomes a threat to personnel or clients/patients.
Addressable systems are undeniably the most thorough method of fire detection. The fire retardant cable runs in a loop from the panel through each device, returning to the panel from a separate route. this ensures that if the cable is cut off at any point, the panel will still be able to read the other end of the loop to receive information from the various devices.
For those moments when cable would be unsightly or impossible to utilize, wireless devices are available and can be applied within the system.
