A fire alarm system is made up of many different devices. They use visual and audio signals that will warn people about a possible fire, carbon monoxide, or smoke that has occurred in the area it covers. Many people think they do not need an alarm system or that they aren’t important, but little do they know how necessary they can be in desperate times. Fire alarms play a huge role in communicating with anyone in the building, or people in their homes to alert them with the information that there is a fire emergency. Most fire alarms will also send an alert to a station nearby that can either be on or off-site. Other than this, alarms immediately send a message to the local fire department.
Fire deaths happen more often than you would think. One of the #1 causes of fire deaths happens due to smoke inhalation. This happens when a mixture of chemicals, debris, smoke, and gases cause a variety of difficulties from respiratory distress, skin inflammation, or even swelling in your airways. A fire alarm will allow people in a building to be evacuated for safety before they are exposed to smoke or other hazardous substances, like those above, that can be found in commercial or industrial settings such as hydrogen chemicals, carbon monoxide, and gas, with many others. If the fire is not tended to very quickly, smoke inhalation can sometimes lead to death.
You may be wondering what is the best fire alarm system at this point. There are several different main types you can consider and study on.
Wireless Alarm Systems
Wireless fire alarm systems cover the need for two phone lines with a system that acts as a cell phone. Just like your WiFi, wireless fire alarm systems send their signals through a radio wavelength. There is no wiring to deal with, and you don’t need to pay for a ton of cabling or the labor rated to install it. They are much cheaper and quicker to install.
Wired Alarm Systems
These fire alarms are attached right into your home’s power cables rather than relying on a battery by itself to give power. Hardwired systems also normally have a battery backup so the alarm will still work if there’s a fail that happens to occur.
Ionization smoke alarms
They have a little amount of radioactive body between electrically energized plates. This converts the air and causes current to go within the plates. When smoke enters the chamber, it changes up the flow of ions, and this then reduces the flow of current and activates the alarm.
Photoelectric fire alarm
This uses a light beam that detects the smoke. According to NFPA, “these alarm types are more effective at going off when a fire starts from a smoldering beginning, like a lit cigarette that sinks down into a couch cushion.”