If you own a restaurant, convenience store, or even a hotel, you understand that you need to have a commercial fire alarm system. Commercial fire alarm systems are not only required by law they are your main defense against injury or death and devastating damage to your business.
Commercial fire alarm systems differ in many ways from the kinds of fire alarms people install in their homes. They can be far more sophisticated in terms of how they operate and the kinds of things they can detect. Commercial fire alarm systems are designed for the complexities of business operations where fire risks are more far-reaching than the average home.
What distinguishes the best commercial fire alarm systems are the ways they both detect potential problems and provide alerts in the event of problems. Commercial fire alarm systems do more than just let you know when something is wrong.
What are commercial fire alarm systems? What are the benefits of commercial fire alarm systems? And how do commercial fire alarm systems work? This guide will give you the basic information on commercial fire alarm systems.
What are Commercial Fire Alarm Systems?
Commercial fire alarm systems are sophisticated systems designed to protect commercial property and the occupants of that property. Commercial fire alarm systems are designed to provide early detection of things like smoke, heat, and open flame with an array of detection devices.
Each point along the chain of commercial fire alarm systems is connected in one way or another to alarm systems that provide audible and visible notifications that something is wrong. Smoke, for example, will trigger alarms and lights to alert occupants and designated personnel that something has occurred so that proper action can be taken by all.
In addition to providing maximum safety to occupants of the building, commercial fire alarm systems are designed to alert emergency personnel on staff and emergency services such as the fire department and EMTs. In the event of a fire, all appropriate action can be taken as quickly as possible.
Finally, commercial fire alarm systems are designed specifically to comply with all local, state, and federal codes that apply to commercial building safety. Compliance with these laws and regulations with commercial fire alarm systems also means building owners will be in compliance with their own insurance policies.
Benefits of Commercial Fire Alarm Systems
Commercial fire alarm systems are a necessary feature of any commercial property. They save lives and prevent property damage, and they are required by law. But there are some real benefits to having commercial fire alarm systems in place. Some of the benefits of commercial fire alarm systems include:
Early detection of potential fires
The key to avoiding injury, loss of life, and property damage from fires are to prevent them from happening in the first place. Commercial fire alarm systems use detection devices at key sites within the system. Smoke detectors, water pressure sensors, and heat detectors signal a problem the instant it occurs.
Protect the health and safety of occupants
The chief concern in any emergency is the health and safety of people in the building. To provide the safest space, commercial fire alarm systems alert building occupants when anything has been detected. Commercial fire alarm systems use both sound and light to alert people that a fire or threat of fire has been detected. This allows people enough time to either leave a dangerous area or the building entirely.
Insurance purposes
All insurance policies insist that you have some kind of fire alarm system on your property. For commercial properties, these stipulations can often be quite detailed. To comply with your insurance policy, you must have an appropriate commercial fire alarm system. In addition to compliance, many insurance companies offer premium breaks for property owners who install specific types of commercial fire alarm systems. Depending on your insurance company, you may qualify for substantial cost reductions by installing an appropriate commercial fire alarm system.
Compliance with safety regulations
The State of Florida has rigorous regulations that pertain to the safety of commercial properties. Everything from small cafes to large hotels is regulated under these systems. To comply with local, state, and federal fire codes, you will need the type of commercial fire alarm system that works best with your property. Since these codes take into consideration the type of business you operated, you will be able to install the commercial fire alarm system that works best for your business and property.
Avoid unnecessary business interruptions
An effective and efficient commercial fire alarm system is designed to alert you and designated personnel to problems as they occur. This means these systems can let you know when there are potential problems that can be acted on to prevent serious interruptions in the working day. This prevents unnecessary interruptions in your business and saves you money in the long run.
How do Commercial Fire Alarm Systems work?
The way commercial fire alarms work is fairly straightforward. While most commercial fire alarm systems now contain advanced technological features like wireless control mechanisms, the way these systems function remains a function of four steps.
Step 1: The alarm system is triggered
Detectors placed at strategic points throughout the building or grounds will send signals to the fire alarm system control panel. These will set off loud alarms. Most modern commercial fire alarm systems also use flashing lights to signal a fire. The alarms can also be triggered manually with pull-down levels and other types of manual alarm triggers.
Step 2: An alarm is sent
Again, once the detection systems are activated, be it from smoke, heat, or a change in water pressure, the system will send the activated alarm to designated paths. These will include the fire alarm control panel and authorized emergency response personnel. Modern commercial fire alarm systems also send messages to your smartphone and through pre-set computer messaging services. At this stage, protocols for evacuating dangerous areas or the entire building will be activated.
Notification of authorities
Commercial fire alarm systems are tied to local emergency responders. When the fire alarm system sends messages to you and other authorized people, it will simultaneously send messages to the local fire department, police, and ambulance services.
How to install Commercial Fire Alarm Systems
To install a commercial fire alarm system, the first thing you need to do is learn as much as you can about the complexities of these systems. It may sound tiresome, but the more you know and understand the details of individual commercial fire alarm systems, the better equipped you will be to make crucial decisions about your own needs.
You need to do a complete appraisal of your property and the type of business you operate. Different commercial ventures have different needs when it comes to commercial fire alarm installations. For example, restaurants, where stoves, ovens, and deep fryers are in near-constant operation tend to have high needs when it comes to commercial fire alarm systems. Businesses that do not utilize this type of equipment will not pose the same risks. To install the correct system for your business, you need to fully understand what kinds of risks you may be exposed to in the course of daily operations.
To get the best commercial fire alarm system for your needs you also need to understand the size and dimensions of your property. Open warehouses are completely different structures than hotels and motels, for example, Spaces that contain multiple internal spaces require specialized monitoring and signaling to make sure all potential fire hazards can be properly detected, and all places that are occupied can be safely evacuated in the event of an emergency.
There are two types of commercial fire alarm systems. These too vary in terms of complexity depending on the actual system that is installed in your business. The two main types of commercial fire alarm systems include:
Conventional Fire Alarm Systems
These types of systems have been around for decades. They use analog signals sent to initiating devices on the control panel Each device has its own wire, and the signals are sent from zones of protection. When someone pulls a trigger, or when one of the detection devices is triggered, a signal is sent through the wire to the control panel. This initiates all other mechanisms in the fire alarm system. Alarms are triggered, and messages are sent to the fire department and other authorized personnel. These are the types of commercial fire alarm systems you commonly see in department stores and single-story businesses.
The benefits of conventional fire alarm systems are that they are reliable, cost-effective, and affordable. The main disadvantage of these types of systems is that they are prone to false alarms. This can become expensive with fees and even fines for false alarms.
Addressable Fire Alarm Systems
Addressable fire alarm systems are digital rather than analog. Each signaling device has its own digital address which means the fire department can pinpoint exactly where the signal was sent. All devices like smoke detectors, heat detectors, and manual triggers are connected with a wire to the main control panel. This means the fire alarm system will still function even if one part of it is damaged.
Addressable fire alarm systems can be customized and have additional features that work well for large or complex structures. These systems work well for large retail stores, wholesale sites, and distribution centers. They are less prone to false alarms however addressable fire alarm systems are more expensive.
Finally, it is up to you to know and understand the fire codes and regulations that pertain to your business. The State of Florida has a full set of fire codes for commercial properties and these can be enforced with penalties for non-compliance. Commercial fire alarm systems are in place to protect people and property, but they are also regulated by the state.
The fire alarm system regulations in any state differ according to the type of business you operate and the type of structures you own and use. The regulations for manufacturing are different from the regulations for food service, for example.
It is best to consult professionals on the process of installing commercial fire alarm systems. The installation process is complex and demands the expertise of trained licensed electricians. And the fire codes can also be complex. To comply with the fire codes, it is simply better to leave this process to trained professionals.
Commercial Fire Alarm Systems FAQs
What are Commercial Fire Alarm Systems?
Commercial fire alarm systems are sophisticated systems designed to protect commercial property and the occupants of that property. Commercial fire alarm systems are designed to provide early detection of things like smoke, heat, and open flame with an array of detection devices.
What are the benefits of commercial fire alarm systems?
Commercial fire alarm systems offer you early detection to prevent injuries, loss of life, and property damage. They offer advanced safety. Commercial fire alarm systems also bring you in compliance with local, state, and federal fire codes, and they may save you money on your insurance.
What are the two types of commercial fire alarm systems?
Commercial fire alarm systems consist of conventional and addressable systems.
Commercial fire alarm systems save lives, protect people from injury, and preserve your property. If you are a business owner in South Florida, you need to have an appropriate commercial fire alarm system in place. They not only make your business and property save but they can also save you money in the long run.
To make sure you get the correct commercial fire alarm system for your business it is best to work with professionals. Circle Security Solutions can help you with making the right decisions when it comes to installing the correct fire alarm system for your commercial property. We have professionals on staff who understand the complexities of commercial fire alarm systems and who know how to bring your property into compliance with fire codes.
Circle Security Solutions can install state-of-the-art fire alarm systems that provide 24/7 monitoring. We can also help you with things like HD surveillance cameras and HD digital video recorders. For your security needs, including commercial fire alarm systems, Circle Security Solutions will provide you with the products and services you need for your South Florida home or business. With locations in Miami and Boca Raton, we proudly and regularly service Palm Beach County, Broward County, and Miami-Dade Counties.
