In a previous article, we stressed the importance of not only having fire alarm systems within your home or business, but also having the detectors properly placed. As mentioned in that article, fires can cause an enormous amount of damage to a business with the destruction of property and even human life. But what type of alarm system works best for your premises? There are typically two broad types of fire alarm systems for commercial residences: addressable and conventional. The illustration below (obtained here) gives a simple comparison of the two systems with regards to how they are wired.

     Given the extensive wiring of the conventional system, it can often be costly and time consuming to set up in larger buildings. Additionally, the system is only capable of communicating a general area that the fire is in rather than a specific location. And lastly, because each device (call point or smoke alarm) is only connected to the control panel at one point, if the line gets severed or damaged, it is unable to communicate with the panel.

     On the other hand, an addressable system works to counteract all of these issues despite the fact that it can potentially be more expensive than a conventional system when installed in a smaller building. By connecting to the control panel at two points (as demonstrated in the diagram), if one part of the line is severed, devices can still communicate with the panel. Also, each device possesses its own address, allowing the control panel to determine exactly where the fire signal is coming from, thus making the system safer, more effective and more reliable.

     It is evident that addressable systems get the job done far better than conventional systems. Users in relatively small buildings still find it more cost effective to install the conventional systems. These savings, however, can quickly be abolished by installation costs as the building size increases. The increased safety benefits provided by the addressable system can also act against the cost savings of the conventional system. One of our technicians can work with you to figure out the most affordable system that fits your needs.