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Fire Alarm Control Panel: Everything You Need to Know

Author: Quickship Fire
by Quickship Fire
Posted: Jun 26, 2022

A Fire Alarm Control Panel (FACP) is the core of your fire protection system. They connect devices that detect hazards with devices that alert people. Manual pull stations and smoke alarms transmit signals to your Fire Alarm Control Panel. A series of events occur as a result of these signals that alert the building's occupants of a possible fire. The panels then send out visual and audible alarms indicating a danger of fire; Fire Alarm Control Panels help occupants evacuate safely and allow emergency services to respond quickly to situations.

If you have a large building, you will need an addressable system. Smaller buildings can use conventional systems. Their difference is in their wiring. The conventional fire alarm panel has a lot of field devices in the same zone, so you cannot tell which device is triggering when there is a fire.

Nevertheless, addressing fire alarm panels provide greater accuracy when locating fires. Unlike conventional fire control panels, each field device has its own address. The pinpoint accuracy of this system makes firefighting safer and more cost-effective, enabling firefighters to spend less time looking for fires and extinguishing them.

Where should I place fire alarm control units?

There is no specific location for FACPs in the National Fire Protection Association's Fire Alarm and Signaling Code, merely that they should be within the authority's reach. Additional resources exist that offer guidance on fire alarm control panels placement. To learn more about your municipality's specific requirements, check your local building and fire safety codes.

Fire alarm control units must be located on the same floor firefighters use to enter the building, as firefighters need quick, easy access to the panels. This is why FACPs are often placed near the front entrance. In larger buildings, they'll be in an enclosed emergency control room - if that's the case, you'll have to install annunciators to ensure occupants can hear the panel's alarm signal.

What features do the latest commercial fire panels include?Commercial fire panels from the past were equipped with a number of basic features.Modern fire alarms perform a whole host of tasks to ensure the safety of a building and its occupants during an emergency. They can disable elevators, shut down electricity, and even unlock doors that might otherwise be locked during a fire. Many commercial building owners are updating their fire panels due to these new features.

Who handles annual fire alarm system testing?

Fire alarm systems require regular maintenance to ensure they work when you need them most. Each year, buildings with a high occupancy risk classification should have their systems inspected. On the other hand, moderate occupancy risk structures require biennial inspections. Low occupancy risk buildings only require triennial assessments. Inspection schedules for critical infrastructure facilities vary depending on AHJ directives.

Fire safety saves lives, property, and money, and every structure's fire alarm system is unique. Regardless of how different they are, most buildings require an effective fire system control panel to monitor the facility and alert occupants and firefighters to potential fires.Contact Quickshipfire today to learn how the right fire system control panel can increase your building's security, ensure occupant safety, and reduce potential damage.

When you need essential fire alarm equipment at affordable prices, Quickshipfire can help; Call (833)747-7845 or email info@quickshipfire.com with questions. See our contact page, here, for more info.

About the Author

QuickShipFire has been in business since 2017 assisting hundreds of customers with support and with the hard to find devices and components for existing and new Fire Alarm systems.

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Author: Quickship Fire

Quickship Fire

Member since: Jan 03, 2022
Published articles: 43

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