CHAPTER 2

OVERVIEW OF FIRE ALARM SYSTEM

2.1. Overview of Fire Alarm System
A fire alarm is a unit made of several devices, which uses visual and audio signaling to
warn people about a possible fire, smoke, or carbon monoxide occurrence in the area of
coverage. Fire alarms are usually set in fire alarm systems to provide zonal coverage for
residences and commercial buildings. The warning signal is either a loud siren/bell, a flashing
light, sending a voice message, making a phone call or it can include all of them.
Fire Alarm System is designed to alert us to an emergency so that we can take action to
protect ourselves, staff and the general public. Fire alarms are found in Offices, Factories, and
public buildings, they are a part of our everyday routine but are often overlooked until there is an
emergency at which point, they might just save our lives. The fire alarm system may also
incorporate a remote signal system which could then alert the fire brigade via a central station.
The “Brain” of the fire detector system is the Fire Alarm Control Panel. It is the central
hub for all of the detector signals to be wired to and provides a status indication to the users. The
unit can also be set up to simulate an alarm for use in routine Fire and evacuation drills, so all
staff knows what action to take in the event of a real fire.
Depending on the functionality and the integrated components, there are several
classifications of fire alarm systems.

2.2. History of Fire Alarm System

The fire alarms that are installed in many homes and businesses today are very complex.
They incorporate a series of sensors and the latest technology to detect fires quickly. They can
save lives, reduce property damage, and give peace of mind.
By the late 1800s, the electric fire alarm system was invented which was the first time a
thermostat could detect heat and trigger the sprinkler system to displace a fire. Samuel Morse
established the first fire alarm telegraph system between Baltimore and Washington D.C in 1844.
In 1852, the first ever fire alarm was designed. Two men named Dr William Channing and
Moses Farmer created two fire alarm boxes, both with a telegraphic key and handle. These boxes
work like that it would then release a key which sent out a message to the central alarm station.
Each fire alarm box had a number which represented a location. The telegrapher received the
message and sent the box place to the fire response team. In 1890, Francis Robbins Upton
invented the first electrical fire alarm system. Decades later, a more modern fire alarm system
was introduced. 1965 saw Duane Pearsall and Stanley Peterson invent the battery powered
smoke detector. The development of battery powered carbon monoxide detectors hit the market
in the 1990s followed by the combination smoke/carbon monoxide detectors in 1996.
Modern fire alarms were developed in the 21st century and use a range of different types
of modern technologies such as transmitters, and communicator systems. Even basic fire alarm
systems are designed to send an alert to a central alarm station, where an operator will quickly
check on your home. The entire process is much quicker than it used to be and modern fire
alarms have become a must-have for many people.

2.3. Different Types of Fire Alarm Systems

Fire Alarm Systems can be classified into four main types;

i. Conventional
ii. Addressable
iii. Intelligent
iv. Wireless

2.3.1. Conventional Fire Alarm System

A conventional fire alarm system is a fire alarm system wired using a radial method (single
legs of cable). These radials are wired from the main fire alarm panel and are either fire alarm
zones or sounder circuits. Fire alarm zones are the radial circuits that monitor the detectors and
manual call points. These zone circuits can accommodate multiple detectors and call points on
each radial circuit. Sounder circuits are the radial circuits that control the fire alarm sounders and
Visual Alarm Devices (VADS). These circuits can accommodate multiple sounders, but they are
generally limited to each sounder’s power consumption, along with how much output the panel
offers on each sounder circuit.
Call points and detectors are arranged in “Zones” to simplify locating the cause of the
alarm, this is important for both the fire brigade and general building management. Each zone is
indicated at the Fire Alarm Control Panel either with an indicator lamp, a text display or in some
cases both. It makes sense that the more we can divide a building into zones, the more accurate
locating the alarm trigger will be
The Control Panel is wired to a minimum of two sounder circuits which could contain
bells, electronic sounders or other audible fire alarm devices. It is these devices which sound the
alarm when triggered.

Figure 2.6 Conventional Fire Alarm System

2.3.2. Addressable Fire Alarm Systems

An addressable system utilizes a loop configuration containing all the fire alarm devices,
including sounders and beacons/VAD. A loop wired system uses less cable compared to that of a
more extensive conventional system. Each device on an addressable system utilizes a system-
wide protocol. A protocol is a language the fire alarm panel uses to talk to each fire alarm device.
The panel allocates each of the devices with its own unique number/code. This number is known
as the device address. When adding a device to the system, the commission engineer logs the
device address and then inputs the device’s real-world location into the fire alarm panel.
The fire alarm panel continually communicates with the devices on the system. It enables
the fire alarm panel to identify the exact device or manual call point in an alarm condition.
Therefore, reporting a fire’s location, system faults and false alarms in a matter of seconds.
 Figure 2.7 Addressable Fire Alarm System

2.3.3. Intelligent Fire Alarm Systems

Intelligent fire alarm systems are designed for flexibility through custom programming
specific to each application. Dedicated outputs are logically controlled by inputs based on the
programming matrix written. They are capable of supporting multiple Signal Line Circuits (SLC)
where each device on the SLC is assigned a unique identification called an address. In most
cases the number of devices on an SLC can range from one to several hundred and vary in
number of detectors and modules combined.
Each device constantly communicates with the control panel through microprocessor
technology to report its status on the SLC. Within seconds, alarms, supervisory and trouble
conditions are alerted to the control panel and a precise location of the event is displayed, which
is an Intelligent Fire Alarm system, each detector effectively incorporates its own computer
which evaluates the environment around it and communicates to the control panel whether there
is a fire, fault or the detector head needs cleaning. Essentially Intelligent Systems are far more
complex and incorporate far more facilities than conventional or addressable systems. Their
primary purpose is to help prevent the occurrence of false alarms. Intelligent fire alarm Systems
are available in 2, 4, and 8 loop versions which means large premises can be monitored from one
single panel.
 Figure 2.8 Intelligent Fire Alarm System

2.3.4. Wireless Fire Alarm Systems

A wireless alarm system operates via radio waves. Each alarm is interconnected with the
entire fire protection system, and connections can be made all throughout your entire facility.
These are an effective alternative to traditional wired fire alarm systems for all applications.
They utilize secure, license-free radio communications to interconnect the sensors and devices
with the controllers. It is a simple concept, which provides many unique benefits and is a full
intelligent fire detection system without the need for cabling.

Figure 2.9 Wireless Fire Alarm System

 Fire Alarm systems are fitted in many buildings we encounter every day and that they are
used to warn people within the building of an emergency fire-related situation. This includes
between buildings without any hard wiring at all. A traditional hard-wired alarm system requires
direct, physical connection to its wire network in order to operate correctly. This necessitates
trenching, drilling, and a substantial amount of effort in order to pull off.

2.4. Different Types of Fire Alarm Detectors

At the core of a fire alarm system are the detection devices, from sophisticated intelligent
smoke detectors to simple manually operated break glass units, there are a wide array of different
types, but we can divide them into groups including:

i. Heat detectors
ii. Smoke detectors
iii. Carbon Monoxide detectors
iv. Multi-sensor detectors

2.4.1. Heat Detector

A heat detector is a device that can sense heat in a room. Its purpose is to alert
homeowners and business owners that there is a fire before the fire becomes irreversible. Heat
detector can either work on a fixed temperature basis, where it will trigger an alarm if the
temperature exceeds a pre-set value or they can work on the rate of change in temperature. The
device responds to convicted thermal energy radiated from a fire. There are two main types of
heat detectors on the market: rate-of-rise heat detectors and fixed temperature detectors.

Figure 2.1 Heat Detector

2.4.1.1 Rate-of-Rise Heat Detector
Rate-of-rise heat detectors sense the heat in the room. The detectors register 70 degrees
as a baseline; when the heat in the room rises rapidly above 70 degrees, the alarm is activated.
This type of sensor is triggered by the “rate of change” rather than the temperature itself.
Usually, the alarm is triggered when the rate of change is a 15 degree increase in less than a
minute. When a house fire starts, the temperature in the room will rise rapidly in some cases, the
temperature will rise 30 degrees in 45 seconds.

2.4.1.2 Fixed Temperature Detector

The fixed temperature detector focuses on the actual heat in the room, rather than the
rate of change. When the temperature in the room surpasses a preset number, the alarm is
activated. Typically, the preset temperature that triggers the alarm is around 135 degrees. High
temperatures are a good indicator of fire (unless you have your heater set to 135 degrees).
Both the rate-of-rise detectors and the fixed temperature detectors are great for sensing
fires. However, heat detectors have drawbacks. Although they are great at heat detection, they
won’t be able to detect a smoldering fire quickly. They are best for detecting high-heat fires.

Figure 2.1 Fixed Temperature Detector

2.4.2. Smoke Detector

There are three basic types of smoke detectors used in fire alarm system. They are:

i. Ionization
ii. Light Scattering
iii. Light Obscuring
2.4.2.1 Ionization Smoke Detector
Ionization Smoke detector generally contains two chambers. The first is used as a
reference to compensate for changes in ambient temperature, humidity or pressure. The second
chamber contains a radioactive source, usually an alpha particle, which ionizes the air passing
through the chamber where a current flow between two electrodes. When smoke enters the
chamber the current flow decreases. This drop in current flow is used to initiate an alarm.

2.4.2.2 Light Scattering Smoke Detector

The light scattering smoke detector operates on the Tyndall effect; a photocell and light
source are separated from each other by a darkened chamber such that the light source does not
fall on the photocell. The passage of smoke into the chamber causes the light from the source to
be scattered and fall on the photocell. The photocell output is being used to initiate an alarm.

2.4.2.3 Light Obscuring Smoke Detector

In the Light obscuring smoke detector, smoke interferes with a light beam between a light
source and photocell. The photocell measures the amount of light it receives. The variation in
photocell output is being used to initiate an alarm. This type of fire detection equipment can be
used to protect large areas with the light source and photocell positioned some distance apart.

Figure 2.2 Smoke Detector

2.4.3. Carbon Monoxide Detector

Carbon monoxide detectors are known also as CO fire detectors are electronic detectors used
to indicate the outbreak of fire by sensing the level of carbon monoxide in the air. Carbon
monoxide is a poisonous gas produced by combustion. In this instance, these detectors are not
the same as Carbon monoxide detectors used in the home for protecting residents against carbon
monoxide produced by incomplete combustion in appliances such as gas fires or boilers. Carbon
Monoxide fire detectors use the same type of sensor as those in the home but are more sensitive
and respond more quickly. Carbon monoxide detectors have an electrochemical cell, which
senses carbon monoxide, but not smoke or any other combustion products.CO is a colorless,
tasteless and odorless gas produced by incomplete combustion of carbon-containing materials. It
is often referred to as the "silent killer" because it is virtually undetectable by humans.

Figure 2.3 Carbon Monoxide Detector

2.4.4. Multi-Sensor Detectors

A multi-sensor is a detector that uses a combination of sensors to make a final decision,
usually a combination of smoke, heat and/or carbon monoxide. Depending on the manufacturer
these can be as simple as two sensors both needing confirmed alarm condition to intelligent
models using involved algorithms making complex decisions. When polled by the control panel
the detector returns a value based on the combined responses from both the optical and heat
sensors. They are designed to be sensitive to a wide range of fires.
 Figure 2.4 Multi-Sensor Detectors

2.5. Manual Call Points

A manual call point ("MCP") is an electromechanical device that may form part of either
a fire detection and alarm system, emergency warning system or access control system in a
building or structure. Manual call points are used to initiate an alarm signal and operate using a
simple button press or when glass is broken revealing a button. They can form part of a manual
alarm system or an automatic alarm system. Manual call points may also be distributed
throughout a property (external to a building or structure). A manual call point is manually
activated by a person to initiate an alarm signal.

Figure 2.5 Manual Call Point

 A manual call point may be used for a variety purpose such as;

i. fire safety (red enclosure);

ii. emergency warning (white enclosure); and
iii. access control or emergency door release (white or green enclosure)

2.6. Advantages of Fire Alarm System

The main advantages of installing fire detection and alarm systems are the early warning
benefit. The fire detection and alarm systems can be installed just about anywhere in a building.
Early warning is essential to effective fire safety because fires can occur anytime and anyplace.
Subsequently are;
i. Faster response times from emergency services.
ii. Detection of fire in isolated areas.
iii. Better planning in case of a necessary evacuation.
iv. Keep essential operational assets safe.
v. Prevention of injuries and deaths.