All fire alarm systems include a control panel. This panel communicates with field devices like smoke detectors and pull stations. These devices alert building occupants in case of a fire. They also signal the sprinkler system to activate. The control panel serves as the system’s brain. It can trigger the sprinkler system when it detects a fire. However, how the detection devices communicate with the control panel varies by system type.
When installing a new fire alarm system or upgrading an existing one, it’s important to understand the two main types available: conventional and addressable. This knowledge can directly affect your company’s costs and long-term savings.
Conventional Systems
This systems are hardware-based and use analog technology. Conventional fire alarm systems are made up of zones. Multiple devices, both initiating and notification devices, make up a zone which connect to the main control panel. Conventional systems are analog in that they use electrical currents to communicate with the control panel. Initiating and notification devices increase the circuit’s current when triggered. This means more electricity flows through the wires. They activate when environmental conditions like heat or smoke go beyond a set limit. The device then sends this change in current to the control panel, which triggers the alarm.
A conventional system uses individual circuits to communicate with the control panel, so the panel only receives limited information based on the number of devices it supports. It also only knows whether a device has been activated or removed, without identifying the specific device or its location.
Addressable Systems
An addressable system uses digital technology to transfer information. It sends data from connected devices to the main control panel as binary code—combinations of ones and zeros. This is different from a conventional system, which relies on changes in the electrical current running through a circuit.
The binary code starts as an analog signal created by variations in voltage within the signaling device. With an addressable device, there is a “mini-computer” that converts these variations into binary code. Depending on the device and the types of information it is designed to convey, an addressable device transfers a wide variety of critical information to the control panel, unlike conventional systems that only send a single triggering signal.
Because they use digital technology, addressable systems offer a much broader range in the types of information that the control panel can receive from the devices. While all addressable systems provide the location of every device on the system to the control panel, newer, “analog addressable” systems provide even more information, such as how much smoke or heat the detector is sensing. This information allows the control panel to make “intelligent” decisions such as when or when not to go into alarm mode.
The most important type of information that addressable systems transmit is exactly where the fire is occurring in a building. Technicians program the exact location of each device in an addressable system. This lets firefighters know exactly where the fire is before they arrive. They can respond more quickly as a result. With a conventional system, firefighters must spread out to locate the fire unless the protected area is a single room.
Conventional vs. Addressable Fire Alarm Systems: What Is the Difference?
Wiring
Conventional systems have zones on them, which are basically just circuits. Conversely, the fire alarm panels of addressable systems actually communicate over a communication circuit with each individual field device. In other words, with addressable systems there is one wire that connects all devices to the fire alarm control panel. Whereas with conventional systems there is a different wire for each device and each wire connects to the fire alarm control panel.
Location
With this basic difference, there are also different locations that can utilize each system. Typically, for a larger location, an addressable system is best. This is because it can provide that specific direction of where a fire has been detected. Taking the guesswork out – an essential perk when working with a large location where a fire may not be immediately clear.
In fact, addressable alarm systems allow you to set a specific address on the field device which is usually a three-digit number. This makes for easy identification when it comes to locating the fire and alerts you of the type of device that triggered the alarm.
As you can imagine, this offers several advantages such as cutting down on the response time from the fire department and the customer. It also allows for devices that are programmed individually to give you information on what alarm went off.
In a conventional system, multiple devices are linked to the same zone which means smoke detectors in multiple locations could be tied to the same area. This makes it more difficult to pinpoint the exact location of the emergency, rather, it only lets you know what zone it’s occurring in. This means that fire safety specialists will have to walk around the zone to determine the specific location of the problem.
Cost
Conventional fire alarm systems cost less to purchase but actually cost more to install due to the extensive wiring involved with these systems. It takes more time and more wires to install conventional systems.
Addressable fire alarm systems are more advanced from a functionality standpoint but cost less to install. Addressable systems often save more money over time because their accurate fire detection helps prevent fire damage. These systems are also less likely to signal false alarms, a costly mistake.
Functionality
Another difference between these two systems is how they function. Conventional fire alarm systems use analog technology and they are hardware-based. There are various zones that make up part of the larger control panel that rely on individual circuits for communication. This means that how much information the panel can receive is limited by how many devices it supports.
Addressable fire alarm systems, on the other hand, rely on communication that’s transferred to the main control panel as binary code. This information is communicated through combinations of ones and zeros that’s computed by “mini computers.” These systems provide the exact location of fire in the building.
Possibility of False Alarms
False alarms can be expensive for fire departments and first responders as they utilize fuel, resources, time, and the potential for an injury to develop in the process.
In a conventional system, it is always picking up dust and contaminants that can trigger these alarms when there isn’t a real issue. Unfortunately, there is no way to determine if the conventional system is going off due to a real issue or because of a mishap until the first responders have arrived.
Addressable systems offer more reliability when it comes to false alarms because they can send the critical information directly to the control panel, helping to save time locating the fire in the building. The alarm panel is constantly monitoring the sensitivity level of the detectors to make sure devices aren’t triggered accidentally.
Scalability
Addressable systems provide a great deal of flexibility in comparison to conventional systems. While the number of devices either system can accommodate is determinant on the manufacturer of the alarm panels, every type of device added to a conventional system requires a new circuit.
Because they require less wire, an addressable alarm control panel can accommodate far more devices than a conventional system. They can have anywhere from one to 30 loops, commonly referred to as a signaling line circuit (SLC), each of which can monitor and control several hundred devices.
Conclusion
Both conventional and addressable fire alarms offer reliable fire detection, but their designs cater to different needs. While conventional systems are cost-effective and simpler for small installations, addressable systems provide more detailed monitoring and quicker response capabilities for complex environments. Assessing your building’s layout and safety requirements is essential when selecting the best system to protect lives and property.
