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Fire Alarms Maintenance
Today there are two basic types of fire alarm
control panels:
With
a conventional fire alarm system, each zone must
be wired using a separate circuit, to enable the source
of a fire alarm to be identified. Furthermore, in
the event of a fire alarm being triggered, the
panel can only identify which zone contains the
triggered device, it is then necessary to manually
search the affected zone to discover the actual cause of
the alarm.
An
analogue addressable system overcomes these limitations.
Each fire detecting sensor or call point is
electronically coded with a unique 'address'.
The control panel is then able to conduct two way
communication with any of the addressable devices
connected to the system by using the unique address
number to define which device it wishes to communicate
with. The panel can ascertain whether each device is
functioning correctly and also discover the amount of
smoke or heat that the device is currently sensing.
This
technology allows the panel to make 'intelligent'
decisions as to the appropriate action to take based on
the information it receives from the individual sensors.
This has many
advantages, for example very slow build up of
apparant smoke density seen by a sensor can
cause a warning or pre alarm condition to be
triggered by the alarm panel prior to the
situation becoming serious enough to warrant a
full alarm.
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In addition to fire alarm
control panels, there are also air-sampling systems. These
systems constantly sample the air in the environment looking for
smoke particles. Due to the sensitivity of these systems, fires
can be detected at a very early stage. Detection systems will
inform of a fire starting. Technology has moved on to systems
that are able to prevent fires from starting in the first place.
Called OxyReduct, these oxygen reducing systems are ideal for
computer rooms, archive storage facilities or data storage
areas. Safe for humans, where they have been installed,
companies can say with confidence that a fire in that area is no
longer possible.
In fire safety legislation there is nothing to dictate the type
of panel that is required. This important decision should be
made purely on best practice. Your fire safety adviser will
advise on all aspects of setting up and maintaining an effective
fire prevention programme. Qualified engineers and technicians
will offer a package of services to ensure the safety of your
business and staff.
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