Electrical Pocket Guide to Fire Alarm Systems

The need for electricians to upgrade a fire alarm system (FAS) is becoming more and more commonplace due to progressions in its technology. A well-respected electrical contractor in Toronto, like the ones found at Astron Electric, will be familiar with the upkeep involved around these systems and how they function.  

To kick things off, let’s evaluate the scope behind what a FAS should accomplish:

Capacity of a Fire Alarm System

The goal of a FAS is simple: to be situated in a building so as to help alert, protect, and evacuate the people and equipment inside in the event of a fire.

A FAS can also provide further information surrounding the accident for any authorised persons to evaluate - this is accessible through the fire alarm control panel (FACP).

A FAS should be fully integrated into the various systems in place throughout a building, some of which include:

·        Elevators – it is typical for high and mid-rise buildings to be reliant upon the FAS to provide a signal to relocate elevators to the first floor or where the fire department have deemed most suitable.

·        Sprinkler System – the water pressure of a sprinkler system should be monitored and controlled via the FAS. It is pivotal this be completed during installation in order to meet the demands of a potential fire.

·        Emergency Power Supply – while it is typical for batteries to be used as a secondary power source, an emergency generator and its monitoring capabilities are also incorporated with the FAS.

·        HVAC Units – should smoke be detected inside ducts for any particular reason, the FAS can take control of HVAC units to circumvent its movement.  

With these fundamentals in mind, let’s turn our heads towards the conventional design behind a FAS.

How a Typical Fire Alarm System Operates

The crux of a FAS stems from the FACP; the origin of the supervision signal and alarm comes from the control panel. Upon the breakout of a fire, the triggering of the smoke and/or heat detectors in the building cause the control panel to produce a visual or auditory signal in the vicinity.

We can point towards two circuits that are the mainstay behind the functionality of a FACP:

1)  Initiating (Input) Circuits

2)  Notification (Output) Circuits

The compliance of these circuits are paramount in removing the possibility of defects, such as cut-off wiring, wire isolation, accidental circuit grounding, etc. Once such protocol an electrical contractor in Toronto might use to ensure this is through an ‘End of Line’ (EOL) resistor.

A licensed electrical contractor in Toronto can ensure these systems work as expected in situations of need and should have a history of preventing such defects; safeguarding your property and life, as well as those around you. The team as Astron Electric Ltd. put your safety on a pedestal; as a member of the Better Business Bureau, you can be sure any of our electrical contractors in Toronto will provide you with the quickest, safest, and most affordable solution.