In today’s business environment, ensuring businesses are kept secure with the latest fire alarm technology is of paramount importance. Fire alarms play a crucial role in safeguarding employees as well as protecting your assets and premises. Technology is advancing rapidly in all realms, including advancements in the fire industry. In this blog post, we will explore a range of recent advancements in fire alarm technology, tailoring this towards businesses and the importance of remaining up to date with these recent advances.
Fire alarm systems are an interconnected system of devices used to detect, suppress and stop the spread of smoke and fire in your business premises. These detection systems are also used to warn employees or any personnel of the presence of a fire.
Figures state that fires, where a smoke alarm was not present, accounted for 49% of commercial building fires and 40% of commercial building fire-related deaths and casualties in the last year, showing the importance of fire alarm systems in business buildings to protect assets and people from fire. The average damage to buildings from fire has also increased by 8.3% within the last year, again emphasising the need for fire alarm systems.
Traditionally, fire alarm systems could be understood as simple smoke and heat detectors, however, with the development of fire alarm technology, like AI and wireless cloud-based systems, these systems have developed significantly over the years to provide advanced systems with a plethora of enhanced fire safety features.
Innovations in fire alarm technology mean that business sites are more secure than ever, leading to reduced loss of life from fire and safer-feeling employees who feel safe and well looked after by their employers.
Fire alarm systems for businesses come in various types, each suiting different businesses depending on their needs and environment. Some of the types of fire alarms that businesses can utilise include:
These systems work by dividing a site into individual electric circuits otherwise called ‘zones’. When fire or smoke is detected in a zone, the central control that the zone system is connected to recognises the threat and triggers an alarm in the zone area. This fire alarm system is one of the most commonly used systems for businesses given it is often cost-effective whilst working well to detect fire threats.
These fire alarm systems prove more accurate than conventional systems as they can locate a much more precise location for the area in which the detector has been triggered. This accuracy comes from uniquely assigned addresses for each detector meaning that the system that links all devices together, the control panel, can pinpoint a much more accurate location of the fire, improving response time and overall safety.
The ease and flexibility of wireless fire alarm systems make them a great choice for businesses or buildings that either struggle with wiring or simply want an accurate yet simple fire alarm system.
These systems utilise advanced technology to detect fires in the early stages. These ASD systems work best in areas with high ceilings or areas where conventional systems are not practical. Aspirating smoke detection systems are highly sensitive making them a great choice for a business fire alarm system.
The development of technology has meant that fire alarm systems have been revolutionised, improving their capabilities as well as functionality. Some of the latest advancements in these systems include:
Remote monitoring via a central location that manages and monitors all of a site’s fire alarm systems allows for greater control, management and overall fire safety. Remote Monitoring allows for 24/7 monitoring of a fire alarm system and can help reduce false alarms, provides rapid response to incidents and can even help with earlier detection of fire. It works particularly well with buildings that span large areas across a range of locations.
Building management systems (BMS) can connect fire alarm systems through centralised control, creating an integrated system that can house multiple internal systems across a site’s security and fire safety. When it comes to fire safety, fire alarm systems can communicate with other building systems such as access control and HVAC to improve efficiencies and better overall safety and to reduce the fast spread of fire. By connecting systems, triggered alarms can automatically initiate procedures such as emergency lighting and other custom actions.
The Cloud and cloud-based systems have transcended over to the fire safety industry. These systems work by storing data in the Cloud instead of in physical servers and can provide remote access to data from anywhere in the world, as well as in real-time, particularly beneficial when decisions need to be made quickly.
Smart systems are one of the best developments in fire alarm systems to date. These systems connect fire alarm systems into one interconnected system and leverage cloud technology and data analytics to enhance detection systems and response capabilities. Key features include remote monitoring and management and integration with Internet of Things (IoT) devices and benefits include improved productivity, energy efficiency, increased control and improved safety through automation.
At BusinessWatch, we are pioneers in state-of-the-art solutions that can be tailored to the specific needs of businesses. We are advocates of innovation and constantly align with the latest fire alarm technology for businesses. Our 30+ years of experience and commitment to client experience means we provide innovative solutions and advanced technology for your fire alarm systems. As an NSI-Gold accredited business, we can guarantee you the highest industry standard of fire protection.
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