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Wireless fire alarms

If you own a commercial property, it is your responsibility to protect your building and the people in it from all kinds of safety threats.

Fire safety is a very important issue that must never be overlooked. With fires claiming many lives over the years and causing non-fatal injuries, it is detrimental to have the right fire alarm system installed on your property.

With many different options, from simple smoke detectors to fully integrated fire alarm systems, it can oftentimes get very confusing to make the right choice.

There are three main types of commercial fire alarm systems: conventional, addressable, and wireless.

Wireless fire alarms are a modern, reliable, and secure solution for providing good fire detection throughout a property.

Not surprisingly, wireless fire alarms are becoming more and more popular in modern homes and businesses as they offer great advantages compared to other systems.

Read on to find out all about wireless fire alarm systems, what they are, where they are used, how much they cost, what their installation entails, and much more:

WHAT ARE WIRELESS FIRE ALARM SYSTEMS?

Wireless fire alarm systems also called radio signal fire alarms, use radio signals instead of traditional wires to connect the call points and detectors to the control panel.

They run on batteries, allowing the components of the system to communicate even in the event of a power outage, though you have to make sure to keep checking the batteries regularly to avoid being caught off-guard.

Wireless fire alarm systems are just as reliable as traditional hard-wired systems and meet the industry standards to ensure you, your property, and everyone in it stay protected.

These systems work in the same way as addressable fire alarm systems where each detector has its own address and the control panel is able to display the exact location of the fire. This ensures pinpoint accuracy and gives ample time to control the fire and allow safe evacuation.

It also helps cut down on disruption caused by full evacuations since the sounders are activated only in areas where the sensors are triggered. In addition to that, it is particularly helpful in the event of false alarm activations where a brief visual inspection can verify whether or not it is an actual fire.

COMPONENTS OF A WIRELESS FIRE ALARM SYSTEM

A wireless fire alarm system is more complex than a basic smoke detector and has several components that help give it added functionality.

The main components of a wireless fire alarm system include:

  • Detectors – also called initiating devices, detectors are designed to pick up traces of smoke, heat, and carbon monoxide. They are an integral part of fire alarms that send a danger message to the control panel.
  • Call points – also called manual pull stations, call points are usually installed in commercial settings along with automatic fire detectors. They are attached to a wall and require someone to pull a trigger or push a button to manually raise an alarm in the event of a fire.
  • Beacons, sounders, or strobes – also called notification devices, beacons, sounders, and strobes are all different ways of alerting people in the event of a fire being detected by the system. They either make a loud sound or emit a light, making sure that even those with hearing and visual impairments are made aware of the threat.
  • Control panel – the control panel is the brain of the fire alarm system and the main component that all the other devices are connected to. It receives and sends out signals, connects the other components in the system, and makes sure they all are doing their job.

WHERE ARE WIRELESS FIRE ALARMS USED?

Wireless fire alarm systems are generally a good idea for all types of properties. They are particularly suitable for places that give importance to aesthetics and may not want visible wires on their premises.

Here are a few scenarios where it would be ideal to opt for wireless fire alarm systems:

  • Buildings with high ceilings where traditional cabling and wiring would be difficult;
  • Historic or listed buildings where there are restrictions when it comes to alterations being made to the building’s structure;
  • Properties where the look and experience would be ruined by unsightly cables;
  • Temporary locations, such as construction sites, that may require a fire alarm;
  • Businesses that plan on expanding in the near future;
  • Businesses that would suffer in the event of a power failure;
  • Communal buildings and blocks of flats where wired fire alarm systems would be disruptive as well as time-consuming.

BENEFITS OF WIRELESS FIRE ALARM SYSTEMS

With the general trend these days to go wireless, more businesses and residential properties are switching to wireless safety systems, including fire alarms.

Does this indicate that wireless fire alarms are the best choice for you? Maybe. Maybe not. Depending on the type of property you have and your specific fire safety needs, you may choose one of the different types of fire alarm systems available in the market.

To help you make an informed decision, we’ve listed down the pros and cons of wireless fire alarms so that you get more clarity. The benefits of wireless fire alarm systems include:

Easy installation

The main advantage of wireless fire alarms is that they are easy to install anywhere. Compared to traditional hard-wired systems, wireless systems require no more than a few nuts, bolts, and screws. As a result, they can be installed anywhere without ease.

Easy modification

Wireless fire alarms are very easy to modify and are a great choice if you plan on updating the layout of your building or need to move the fire alarms around. Despite the changes you make to your building, these systems continue to provide the best protection possible.

Outage-proof

Since wireless fire alarms work on batteries, they continue to work in the event of a power outage. They are not connected to the power grid and are not dependent on it to work.

DRAWBACKS OF WIRELESS FIRE ALARM SYSTEMS

Following are some of the drawbacks of wireless fire alarm systems:

Dependent on batteries

Since wireless fire alarms are not connected to the power grid, they work using batteries. While this in itself isn’t a drawback, it can be if you don’t check and replace the batteries on time. Worn-out and discharged batteries will not be able to support the system and will cause it to malfunction or stop working completely.

Range restrictions

Wireless fire alarms may not be the best choice for large areas and may have issues with information transmission to the control panel.

Monitoring may not be available

Some wireless fire alarm systems have a dialler system to connect to the fire department while some may simply provide an audible alert. Monitoring services may not be available for them in the same way as for wired fire alarm systems.

WIRELESS FIRE ALARM INSTALLATION

Although wireless fire alarm systems can be installed as a DIY job, there are a number of factors that may impact the installation and, subsequently, the system’s efficiency and reliability.

Keeping this in mind, it is always best to hire a professional to do the job as they are trained and have the required certification to ensure the best results.

The placement of the sensors is a very important part of fire alarm safety, and a professional electrician will be able to assess your property and suggest the best installation points. Without professional help, it may also be difficult to fit sensors in awkward spaces.

Hiring a professional ensures that the fire alarms are installed as per the British Standards BS 5839 and helps you stay compliant with the law.

WIRELESS FIRE ALARM MAINTENANCE

Fire alarm maintenance is just as important as proper installation. Regardless of the type of fire alarm you have on your property, it is very important to have it regularly tested, inspected, and serviced.

Fire alarm maintenance helps save lives and protect property, save money in the long run, avoid faults and false alarms, and stay compliant with the law. In addition to that, a properly maintained fire alarm is a business insurance requirement as well.

This is because regular inspections help identify potential issues with the system and rectify them before they turn into serious problems that affect the fire alarm’s functionality.

According to fire safety regulations in the UK, a fire alarm must be inspected by a competent individual every 6 months. A ‘competent person’ refers to someone who has the required skill, knowledge, and expertise, and is an accredited contractor.

As a responsible individual, it is also your responsibility as the business owner, employer, or manager, to conduct your own fire safety checks and test the alarm system to demonstrate that all the equipment is working efficiently.

The best way to ensure that all aspects of fire alarm maintenance are covered is to create a fire alarm maintenance checklist. It helps outline all the components of the fire safety system and how they must be inspected on a weekly or monthly basis.

WIRELESS FIRE ALARM COSTS

Wireless fire alarms are a great option for protecting your property and the people in it. The average cost of a wireless fire alarm system is around £2,900, including materials and labour.

This is not a fixed cost and can vary greatly depending on several factors such as:

  • The number of components including the detectors, beacons, and control panels;
  • The size of your property, with a bigger property requiring more components leading to a rise in the total cost;
  • Accessibility, with difficult-to-reach areas meaning higher labour costs.

OTHER TYPES OF FIRE ALARM SYSTEMS

There are other types of fire alarm systems to choose from for protecting your property from fires. They include:

Conventional fire alarm systems

Conventional fire alarm systems, also called non-addressable fire alarms, are the simplest and most common type of fire alarm systems suitable for use in commercial settings. Despite being an analogue system, they remain an ideal option for fire safety.

A series of initiating devices and notification devices work together to create different zones throughout the property, all of which connect to the alarm system’s control panel.

A conventional fire alarm system uses one or more circuits that are connected to the sensors in parallel. What this means is that each device on the system is connected to the control panel on its own wire.

If a sensor detects signs of a fire, it sends a signal to the control panel to set off the alarm. It uses increased electrical currents to notify the control panel of the changes that it picked.

Although conventional fire alarm systems can be used anywhere, they are ideal for small buildings, single-storey buildings, and buildings with an open layout where a few zones can cover the entirety of the building.

Addressable fire alarm systems

Addressable fire alarms are systems where the fire and smoke detectors are connected to and communicate with each other as well as the control panel.

Each device on the system uses a system-wide protocol, which is a language used by the control panel to communicate with the devices.

The control panel allocates each device with a unique location or “address” based on where the initial detection occurred. During installation, the device’s address is logged in the control panel, in addition to the real-world location where the device is placed.

This level of interconnectivity and communication allows the control panel to identify exactly where the detection occurred, aka, where the fire is.

Addressable fire alarms are complex systems better suited to businesses that span over a large area. This is mainly due to their ability to determine the exact location of the fire instead of just identifying a zone.

HOW TO CHOOSE THE BEST FIRE ALARM SYSTEM FOR YOUR PROPERTY?

There is no one answer when it comes to choosing the best fire alarm system for your property. A fire alarm system that may be perfect for one property may be completely wrong for the other.

The best way to determine your fire safety needs is to conduct a fire risk assessment.

A fire risk assessment is a requirement under The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 for all non-domestic properties. It needs to be carried out once a year by a competent person and includes measures to reduce or possibly eliminate the risk of fire.

You do not have to hire a professional fire risk assessor if you do not wish to, but you need to make sure that whoever carries it out is knowledgeable in fire safety and can easily identify and eliminate the risks.

A fire risk assessment is carried out in five steps:

  1. Identifying the potential hazards;
  2. Identifying the people at risk;
  3. Identifying the measures needed to keep people and property safe;
  4. Recording the findings and preparing an action plan;
  5. Reviewing and updating the fire risk assessment.

If you are unsure about which type of fire alarm system is right for you, it is best to consult with a professional for expert advice.

CONTACT CALDER SECURITY

At Calder Security, we offer you a comprehensive solution for all your fire safety needs that include professional installation, maintenance, monitoring, and repair.

We understand that every property is different and the specification of the system depends on several factors including the type and size of the building, the number of occupants, and how high risk it is.

We can help you cut through all that and advise you on the best fire detection system for your building that complies with British Standards, HSE, Building Regulations, and Fire Officer Guidelines, in addition to meeting the requirements of business insurance.

We also understand fire regulations and provide professional maintenance checks and reminders for when the checks are due to help you stay compliant with the law. We work fast to restore your fire alarm system to excellent condition and always strive to meet your expectations.

We offer various levels of monitoring via a 24-hour monitoring centre using Dualcom and BT Redcare signalling, which is the most secure alarm monitoring system and the largest supplier of intelligent alarm signalling services in the UK.

If your system starts to malfunction, you can rely on our highly skilled engineers to restore your system to full working order in one visit. We offer a 24-hour call-out service for customers and can also repair fire alarms not installed by us thanks to our extensive knowledge and experience.

Contact us here or call us today free on 0800 612 9799 for more information on wireless fire alarm systems and whether or not they are the right fit for your property.

Photo by Chris Johnson on Unsplash