Basics of industrial fire alarm systems

An industrial fire alarm system is a required part of many companies' security systems. Some commercial insurance agencies will not insure a company if it doesn't have a good industrial fire alarm system installed. And if your business is open to the public or employs a minimum number of workers, you may be required by law to install a fire alarm system.

If you are in the market for a fire alarm system, it helps to know the role of monitoring services and the types of systems that are available.

The importance of monitoring services

Choosing the best industrial fire alarm system for your business is only the first step towards complete fire protection. The alarm system itself and the quality of the installation are important – but the monitoring service that you choose to respond to any problems is critical. Monitoring services continuously watch your industrial fire alarm system for signs of trouble. This 24-hour monitoring is critical to the safety and security of your business, because even when you are not there, someone is keeping a watchful eye on your assets.

Selecting an industrial fire alarm system

When selecting an industrial fire alarm system, there are two basic types to consider. The first option, conventional fire alarm systems, are hardwired directly into an overall security system. When it is activated, the monitoring service is notified immediately that there is a problem, but the system doesn't know exactly which sensor or alarm has been activated. This is the less expensive choice.

Your second option is to select an addressable, or "intelligent," fire alarm system. This type of system is installed on a loop circuit, with each detector or unit on the loop having its own address. When a unit is activated, the monitoring service knows exactly where the problem is in your building, allowing them to give the fire department specific locations. Addressable systems cost more but in the case of a fire, the extra information can make a big difference.

You may also need to select a system specifically designed for your industry. For example, school fire alarm systems are designed for the particular needs of academic settings.

Working without a net

The International Building Code requires monitored industrial fire alarm systems for larger commercial buildings, but not all businesses are required to have monitored alarm systems. If you operate a home business or have a small commercial space that is not a part of a larger building complex, or if your state doesn't enforce the IBC, you may not be required to have one.

However, you need to weigh the cost savings of using a cheap residential smoke alarm to the advantages of having your assets monitored 24 hours a day by a professional monitoring service. If price is a concern, many monitoring services offer small business packages that cost less than $100 a month for commercial fire alarm monitoring.

It's worth talking to several fire alarm system providers to see what they can offer your business. Start with our free fire alarm price quote request form. By answer a few simple questions about your business and fire protection needs, you'll be automatically matched to several dealers in your area who will contact you with detailed price quotes. Try it today!