How Fire Is Deducted In Fire Alarm System

Over recent years, the importance of fire safety has come to the forefront due to the increase in severe and fatal accidents involving fires. A prudent aspect of fire safety is the fire alarm system. Alarm systems are essential in alerting individuals to potential hazards, providing them enough time to either extinguish the fire or evacuate the building. But how does a fire alarm system detect fire? This article aims to uncover the sophisticated process behind this critical safety device, including its components and their functioning.

The Components of a Fire Alarm System

A fire alarm system is a combination of several devices working together to detect and alert people via visual and audio appliances when smoke, fire, carbon monoxide, or other emergencies are present. There are primarily four critical components to a fire alarm system:

1. Fire Alarm Control Panel: Considered the brain of the system, the Fire Alarm Control Panel (FACP) receives information from detectors, controls the alarms and relays information.
2. Detectors and Sensors: The detectors sense the changes associated with fires—such as smoke, heat, and toxins—and convey these changes to the control panel.
3. Alarm Indicating Devices: These are typically loud sirens or flashing lights that activate to warn occupants of the imminent danger.
4. Power Supplies: Most systems use a combination of a simplistic power supply (from the grid) and a sophisticated, battery-operated backup system for emergencies.

Fire Detection – Linking Sensors and Technology

The sophistication of a fire alarm system lies in its ability to detect fire-related hazards quickly and accurately. This detection is facilitated by two primary types of detectors: smoke detectors and heat detectors.

Smoke Detectors

Smoke detectors, as the name suggests, are devices that sense smoke as an indicator of fire. The two types of smoke detectors are ionization smoke detectors and photoelectric smoke detectors.

Ionization smoke detectors contain a tiny amount of radioactive material between two electrically charged plates, which spans an ionization chamber. This results in the production of a current between the plates. When smoke enters this chamber, it disturbs the ions, disrupting this current flow, and consequently, activating the alarm.

In contrast, photoelectric smoke detectors operate using a light beam within a light-sensitive sensor. When there is no smoke, the light is transmitted at an angle away from the sensor. But, when smoke is present, it scatters the light, some of which hits the sensor and triggers the alarm.

Heat Detectors

Heat detectors are another primary component of fire alarm systems. Less sensitive than smoke detectors, they are usually installed in places where false alarms could be triggered due to dust, steam, or cooking smoke. The primary types are thermocouple detectors and electro-pneumatic detectors.

Thermocouple detectors measure the heat rate of rise. Changes in temperature cause an electrical output that activates the alarm.

Whereas, electro-pneumatic detectors contain air-filled chambers. If the air's temperature rises, it expands and triggers the alarm system.

How Fire Alarm System Alerts Occupants

The sensors and detectors are just one part of the puzzle. Once a possible danger is identified, the system still needs to alert the people inside the building. This task is accomplished via various indicating devices like bells, horns, speaker strobes, and other audible or visual technologies.

Once the detectors have sensed a threat, the information is sent to the FACP, which then triggers these alarm indicating devices. Depending on the nature and the scale of the fire, various alert levels can be activated. Furthermore, more advanced systems also provide instructions for evacuation, ensuring a fast and orderly exit from the building.

Conclusion

Fire alarm systems constitute an essential facet of fire safety, effectively balancing the power of cutting-edge technology and our rudimentary understanding of fire. By using an intricate network of detection, control, and alert systems, these devices offer us a crucial head-start in the event of a fire, potentially saving countless lives. Understanding how these systems work is critical to appreciate their significance and to ensure their proper installation, maintenance, and operation for optimal effectiveness.