Are you a home or company owner looking to install a fire alarm system? Knowing the difference between addressable and conventional fire alarms is essential to choose the best system for your needs. In this blog post, we’ll explain what makes each type of fire alarm different and help you determine which type might be right for your property. Keep reading – we’ve got all the details!
What Is An Addressable Fire Alarm System?
An addressable fire alarm system is a type of fire alarm system that uses an addressing mechanism to identify devices connected within the system. Each device within the system, including detectors, manual call points, and sounders, has its unique address. This allows for easy monitoring and control of all the components connected to the network from a single central point or multiple remote points in real time. This also makes it easier to keep track of live events occurring within any area covered by the alarm system. Additionally, addressable fire alarm systems can be customized easily compared to other types.
What Is A Conventional Fire Alarm System?
A conventional fire alarm system is a network of interconnected components that detect and alert building occupants to smoke or carbon monoxide, allowing them to evacuate promptly in an emergency. The main components of a conventional fire alarm system include detectors, control panels, manual call points, notification appliances (e.g., bells or horns), and power supplies. The detectors can range from single-station smoke/heat alarms to sophisticated multi-criteria devices with integral sounders for additional protection against false alarms.
Difference Between Addressable and Conventional Fire Alarm System
Addressable & Conventional alarm systems are beneficial in detecting fire. However, there is some structural and elementary difference in this system. The following table shows some essential differences between addressable and conventional fire alarms.
Addressable Fire Alarm |
Conventional Fire Alarm |
| Fire alarm system where detectors are connected using a single loop of wire to the main control panel. | Fire alarm system where each detector is connected using a separate parallel circuit to control panel. |
| Only one circuit to maintain the system. | 1 or more than 1 circuit to maintain the system. |
| Having only one circuit less wires is required. | Having multiple circuit, it required more wires than addressable fire alarm. |
| Detectors are assigned with unique binary address. | Detectors in a circuit can’t be distinguished from each other. |
| Can detect the exact location of fire. | Can’t detect the exact location of fire. |
| Signal is sent in a digital binary form. | Signal is send using analog electrical signal. |
| RTC (Real Time Clock) chip offer a event log for analysis. | No RTC chip. |
| More reliable than conventional system. | Conventional alarm system is less reliable. |
| More expensive than conventional system. | Equipment used in conventional system is very cheap. |
What Are The Benefits Of Each Type Of System?
Conventional Fire Alarm System
Conventional fire alarm systems have many benefits, such as easy installation and maintenance, faster response times in the event of a fire alarm activation, reliable operation with minimal false alarms, compatibility with existing wiring infrastructure, lower costs compared to other types of systems due to their simplicity and scalability for large buildings. It also helps in remote monitoring via its advanced communication capabilities. These features make conventional fire alarm systems ideal for commercial and residential applications.
Addressable Fire Alarm
Addressable fire alarm systems provide fast, accurate identification of an exact location of a problem and send relevant information about the incident. They allow for quick response to possible fires and can save lives by providing earlier detection and alerting occupants quickly. Additionally, addressable systems are more cost effective than traditional ones because they require less communication wiring while providing excellent coverage. Testing smoke detectors remotely is another benefit of addressable fire alarms.
Conclusion
When it comes to fire safety, choosing the right fire alarm system for your needs is essential – and understanding the difference between addressable and conventional systems can help you ensure you get the best solution for your business or organization.