Commercial fire alarms have been standard features of commercial properties for a long time. These things are regulated by local, state, and federal laws that determine the kinds of commercial fire alarms you need to have in place and how they are to be operated.
There are good reasons why commercial fire alarms are now required by law, and the fact of the matter is that any business owner is best served by having the best commercial fire alarm system in place. Commercial fire alarm systems protect people, in the first place. They give people the warning they need to evacuate in the event of a fire or other emergency. And commercial fire alarms are your first defense against catastrophic property loss.
There is a long list of benefits to installing commercial fire alarms in South Florida. Any business owner knows that it is in their best interest to have commercial fire alarms in place to protect their employees, patrons, and property.
What are commercial fire alarms? What is the importance of commercial fire alarms? And what are the benefits of commercial fire alarms? This guide will introduce you to commercial fire alarms.
What are commercial fire alarms?
Commercial fire alarms are those systems designed to be installed in commercial properties like retail, industrial, rental, and other business sites. The fire alarm systems are meant to provide visible and sonic warnings in the event of a fire or other emergency to all occupants so that they may take appropriate action. Commercial fire alarms are also designed to alert emergency response personnel such as the fire department, EMTs, and the police.
Commercial fire alarm systems consist of the alarms themselves and all the components of the alarms system that make it function to provide maximum safety to occupants and to reduce or eliminate property damage. This means that commercial fire alarm systems consist of smoke and heat detectors, sprinkler systems, evacuation systems, alarms that include sounds and lights, and emergency alerts. Modern commercial fire alarm systems also include carbon monoxide detectors which are also linked to the entire system.
The full commercial fire alarm system is made up of:
- A control panel that monitors input and system integrity, controls the output and sends information.
- Automatic sensors, manual pull-stations, and other initiating devices for heat, smoke, flames, CO2, etc.
- Fire alarm monitors that rule out a false alarm and instantly transmit the emergency to first responders.
- Notification devices that alert building occupants, i.e., sirens, speakers, and flashing lights.
- Building safety systems such as exit lighting, emergency signage, fire doors, and ventilation systems.
- Fire control units, such as fire sprinklers that extinguish the fire with water, and fire suppression systems that use non-water agents.
Depending on the type of business you operate and the type of building, your commercial fire alarm system may also include voice evacuation systems that direct occupants to safety in the event of a fire, emergency, or even something like an active shooter. Some commercial fire alarm systems also include severe weather alerts.
Importance of commercial fire alarms
No matter how large or small your business is, the fact remains that you need a commercial fire alarm system to protect your building. Things like home smoke alarms and CO2 alarms are simply not sufficient for commercial properties. To properly maintain the safety of people who live, work, or do business in your building, you need a commercial fire alarm system.
You also need a commercial fire alarm system to protect your assets. It is not just the building itself you need to protect from fire and other emergencies. It is essential that you have a commercial fire alarm system to protect everything in the building. Business owners have too much invested in their property and equipment to cut corners on fire safety.
There are also legal mandates on commercial fire alarm systems. The State of Florida has a strict code of regulations for how your commercial property is to be set up for commercial fire alarm systems. Commercial fire alarms are not just a matter of safety or your personal preferences, you are required by law to maintain a specific type of commercial fire alarm system in the State of Florida.
Benefits of having commercial fire alarms in South Florida
There are great benefits to having a properly installed and maintained commercial fire alarm system in South Florida. Some of these benefits include:
Protecting people and property
The primary benefit of commercial fire alarm systems is to protect the safety and lives of people. Whether you own rental property or are a business owner, your number one priority is to maintain the safety of the occupants of your building and business. The best way to maintain the safety of people is with a commercial fire alarm system.
24-hour monitoring
Commercial fire alarm systems, as noted above, provide far more than the ordinary smoke alarm or sound alarms. Commercial fire alarm systems provide 24-hour monitoring to ensure that the safety of your building is maintained at all times. This means 24-hour operations of smoke detectors, CO2 detectors, heat sensors, all alarm devices, and all notification systems.
Instant alerts
Commercial fire alarm systems alert you, any emergency personnel you have in your organization, and emergency responders immediately. This means there is no lag time between the detection of a problem and the process of alerting everyone authorized to respond. This also means instant alerts to all occupants of the building.
Immediate access to assistance
Since commercial fire alarm systems are configured to alert the fire department, the police, and EMTs, you will get immediate assistance in the event of an emergency. In the unfortunate situation in which someone is injured, they will get immediate assistance and transport to the hospital.
Comply with local, state, and federal regulations. As we stated above, there are local, state, and federal regulations for fire alarm systems and commercial properties. If you are a business owner, it is your responsibility to comply with these laws as they pertain to the type of business you are operating. The State of Florida has some strict regulations for commercial fire alarm systems. If you are not in compliance with these regulations, you risk having your business shut down until you come into compliance.
How do commercial fire alarms work?
Commercial fire alarm systems can be quite sophisticated. With modern technology, commercial fire alarms have become completely wireless and controllable through wireless systems. However, in terms of how a commercial fire alarm system works, they all follow the same series of steps.
Step 1
As soon as the fire alarm is triggered by any of the sensor devices (smoke detectors, heat detectors, CO2 detectors, etc), an audible alarm will sound. These are accompanied by flashing lights or some other visible light signal. These alarms can be triggered mechanically by pulling an alarm trigger.
Step 2
The alarm is sent to the proper authorities. Commercial fire alarm systems are automatically linked to the fire department, the police, and EMTs. These messages can be sent to other people through a mobile system.
Authorities are notified that the alarm system has been triggered. They will respond immediately to the source of the notification. This means police, EMTs, and the fire department will immediately respond.
Step 3
Once the proper authorities are notified, you as the business or property owner will also be notified.
Types of commercial fire alarms
As much as technology has provided advancements in commercial fire alarm systems, there remain two basic types of commercial fire alarm systems.
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.
Most common commercial fire alarms
The most common commercial fire alarm systems include:
Conventional fire alarm systems
Best suited for small, one-story structures.
Addressable fire alarm systems
These work well for larger operations and structures.
Hybrid fire alarm systems
These combine both conventional and addressable technologies. These are the more advanced, and expensive, fire alarm systems. Commonly found in places with high-security needs like hospitals and other institutional sites.
Commercial fire alarms risks
The main risk with commercial fire alarms is false alarms. When false alarms get triggered, the fire department and other emergency responders will answer the alarm. This can result in municipal fees. You may also be subject to fines in some municipalities.
Commercial fire alarms FAQs
What are commercial fire alarms?
Commercial fire alarms are those systems designed to be installed in commercial properties like retail, industrial, rental, and other business sites. The fire alarm systems are meant to provide visible and sonic warnings in the event of a fire or other emergency to all occupants so that they may take appropriate action. Commercial fire alarms are also designed to alert emergency response personnel such as the fire department, EMTs, and the police.
What are the benefits of having commercial fire alarms in South Florida?
Protecting people and property, 24-hour monitoring, instant alerts, and legal compliance.
What are the two main types of commercial fire alarm systems?
Conventional and addressable.
Circle Security Solutions can install and monitor all types of commercial fire alarm systems. Whether you operate a small business in a single-story structure or a massive warehouse, Circle Security Solutions has the professional training and experience to provide commercial fire alarm systems that will suit your needs. We have been providing Miami alarm systems & services for 40 years.
Circle Security Solutions will provide you with the most comprehensive commercial fire alarm systems that will provide maximum protection for your people and your property. Circle Security Solutions also know how to make certain that your commercial fire alarm system is in complete compliance with all fire code regulations in South Florida.
Wrapping things up
The most important reason you need to install a commercial fire alarm system is to ensure the safety of everyone on your property. In the event of a fire or other emergency, it is crucial that you have mechanisms in place that will alert people and help them escape danger.
You also need to protect your property, not just the structure but also everything in your building. Commercial fire alarm systems help stop problems before they become catastrophes.
To get the highest quality commercial fire alarm system in South Florida, Circle Security Solutions is your best bet. We have the experience and knowledge to help you evaluate your needs and install a commercial fire alarm system that will protect your people and your property. From installation to 24-hour monitoring, Circle Security Solutions offers the highest quality service available.
