Alarm Systems: Types and Their Role in Fire Safety

Alarm systems are a critical component in ensuring the safety of buildings, particularly in the context of fire protection. They enable timely detection of threats, alert personnel, and activate other safety systems, such as fire suppression or smoke extraction. Our company has extensive experience in installing and maintaining such systems. This article explores the differences between security and fire alarm systems, their core components, and examples of their applications.

Differences Between Security and Fire Alarm Systems

While both security and fire alarm systems aim to protect a facility, their functions, operating principles, and components differ significantly.

Security Alarm System

• Purpose: Detect unauthorized access, theft, or other threats to property security.
• Operating Principle: Responds to physical actions, such as opening doors, breaking windows, or movement in restricted areas. Utilizes motion sensors, magnetic contact detectors, glass break sensors, etc.
• Notification: Sends signals to a security control center, the property owner, or law enforcement.
• Applications: Offices, retail stores, warehouses, private homes.

Fire Alarm System

• Purpose: Detect signs of fire (smoke, temperature rise, flames) for prompt response.
• Operating Principle: Employs smoke, heat, flame, or gas detectors. Activates sirens, notification systems, and may trigger fire suppression or smoke extraction systems.
• Notification: Transmits signals to a central control panel, initiates evacuation, and informs fire services.
• Applications: Public buildings, industrial facilities, shopping centers.

The key difference is that fire alarm systems are mandatory for most facilities under the requirements of Ukrainian Building Code DBN V.2.5-56:2014, while security systems are installed at the owner’s discretion. Our company specializes in integrating both types to create comprehensive safety solutions.

Core Components

Fire alarm systems consist of several key components that ensure their effectiveness. These include:

Sensors (Detectors)

• Smoke Detectors: Respond to smoke particles in the air. The most common type for offices and public spaces.
• Heat Detectors: Detect temperature increases. Used in high-dust environments where smoke detectors are less effective.
• Flame Detectors: Respond to infrared or ultraviolet radiation from flames. Suitable for warehouses with flammable materials.
• Gas Detectors: Detect combustion byproducts, such as carbon monoxide.

Central Control Panel

Receives signals from detectors, processes them, and activates notification or fire suppression systems. Can be integrated with smoke extraction systems.

Notification Devices (Sirens, Speakers)

Alert people to danger, facilitating rapid evacuation. The sound level must be at least 85 dB, as per regulatory standards.

Communication Lines

Cables or wireless modules that ensure signal transmission. Fire-resistant materials are used for reliability during a fire.

Backup Power Supply

Batteries or generators that ensure system operation during power outages.

Our experts select components tailored to the specific characteristics of the facility to ensure maximum efficiency and compliance with standards. Also, read our article on the installation of fire safety systems.

Application Examples

Fire alarm systems are versatile and used across various facilities. Below are examples where their installation is particularly critical:

• Offices and Business Centers: Smoke and heat detectors are integrated with notification systems for rapid employee evacuation. For instance, in high-rise buildings, we install addressable detectors that pinpoint the exact location of a fire.
• Industrial Facilities: In high-risk fire environments (e.g., chemical plants), combined flame and gas detectors are used, integrated with automatic fire suppression systems.
• Shopping Centers: Large visitor numbers require robust notification systems and integration with smoke extraction. We place detectors in high-traffic areas.
• Warehouses: In spaces with flammable materials, heat and flame detectors are installed, capable of operating in high-dust conditions.
• Hotels and Hospitals: Priority is given to rapid notification and safe evacuation. Systems are connected to speakers with voice announcements for clear instructions.

Our company has completed dozens of projects involving fire alarm installations, ensuring full compliance with DBN requirements and reliable protection for facilities.