Fire Alarms…There are Several Options for Home Fire Alarm Protection.
Fire Alarms
Fire Safety Statistics -There is a domestic fire every 8 minutes in the UK.Deaths and Injuries – 3 out of 4 fire deaths occur in homes. There were 562 deaths in 2002, which represents a 7% decrease on the 606 recorded in 2001. 25% of all people killed in home fires were asleep at the time.
There are several options for home fire alarm protection, depending on the requirements of your premises, how you view the risks of fire and your concern to protect your home and family.
Smoke Alarms Smoke alarms simply alert you to the danger of fire and are the popular and cheapest solution.There is a wide choice of smoke alarms available, at reasonable prices, each one using a different fire detection method.
See the” Smoke Alarms” Page for details.
Just fit an appropriate smoke detector, one for each floor of your home, and follow the instructions on how to use it.
Fire Alarms – Combined with Your Burglar Alarm System. A burglar alarm monitored system is the most effective means of bringing a response to a home alarm activation.The signals can include: – Intruder Alarm, Fire Alarm (from links to smoke or heat sensors), Personal Attack Alarm and Alarm Confirmation.
The best alarm systems can alert you to fire or intruders wherever you are, via e-mail, text message, Internet, or a fixed-line telephone call. You can also raise an alarm if you come under personal attack.Systems can be hard wired or wireless.
See the “Burglar Alarms Monitored Systems” Page for more details.
Dedicated Fire Alarm Systems- What Type of System do you need? This depends on the nature and use of your property.
How Does a Fire Alarm System Work? Fire alarm systems include the following: –
Input Devices- comprise of smoke detectors and manual alarm activation points, which set off an alarm.
Output Devices- incorporate bells and sounders that attract attention to the alarm and can involve flashing lights.
Control and Warning Panels – displays any alarms the system status and can monitor the network for faults.
Types of Fire Alarms UK.
Non Addressable – are particularly effective in smaller premises such as a house or in flats. When triggered the input sensors communicate with the control panel, which then activates the bells or sounders.The sounders are usually wired to separate sounder circuits, however the latest versions, called Two Wire Systems incorporate the sounders on the zone circuits.
Analogue Addressable – In these systems all the input devices are wired on ring circuits. The control panel is in continuous contact with all the devices and can automatically decide when an input device has reached its activation point and select which of the outputs to use, depending on the type of input apparatus triggered.These systems are particularly useful in larger premises such as manor houses or apartment blocks.
Wire-less Alarms – work by means of radio links in the same way as analogue systems.The control panels operate in the same way as described for analogue above.Wireless systems are well suited to larger properties, or in buildings where it would prove to be difficult and expensive such as, temporary buildings, and on dispersed sites. Systems can be designed with a mix of wireless and hard wired technology.
Further Advice Your local fire brigade will be pleased to provide advice on the sort of equipment that would best suit your home. The fire brigade are willing to send someone round to check your home and advise, on fire prevention and escape routes. Also check with your home insurance company, they will advise and may offer premium discounts depending on the type of fire alarm system you fit.