Do I Need A Fire Alarm System If I Have A Fire Sprinkler System Installed?

A fire alarm system and a fire sprinkler system are two different things, but people often wonder if they need both. The answer is…it depends. Each building is different, and each situation is unique. In this blog post, we will discuss some of the factors you should consider when deciding whether or not to install a fire alarm system in your building.

Fire Alarms vs. Fire Sprinklers

Your first line of defense are fire alarms. When the sensors connected to the alarm system (smoke detectors) detect smoke or fire-related substances, or when a manual pull station is pulled, visual and audible alarms are activated throughout the facility. They inform everyone in the building that there is danger and that they should flee.

Fire sprinklers do not activate simultaneously as water temperatures reach fire levels, while fire sprinklers only operate one sprinkler at a time when the temperature rises to hazardous levels. To put it another way, just the sprinkler near the fire will turn on after the temperatures are sufficient.

Importance of Fire Alarm Systems

Fire alarm systems remain essential because they:

Notify People Early

Detection systems for fire alarms are generally more sensitive than sprinkler systems. This indicates that an alarm can sound early, before something goes wrong and spreads out of control.

The fire sprinkler must be activated at a considerably higher temperature to work. This implies that the fire has already grown strong before it is suppressed by sprinklers, risking property damage and potential health and exit problems.

Notify Everyone

Fire alarms warn everyone in the building about a hazard, and also ensure that everyone is aware of the danger. They also notify local authorities.

While you can use sprinkler systems as a substitute for fire alarms in many cases, they can only do so much. This is because they only activate at the location of the flames and heat. Those located in the immediate area will undoubtedly take notice, but there could be persons in the structure who remain unaware of what is going on.

Options Are Plentiful

Finally, regardless of whether you must have both a fire sprinkler and a fire alarm system or not, you should seriously consider the consequences of not having one on your particular property.

There are several options for detecting fires and releasing water. These range from simple sprinklers to sophisticated fire alarms and smoke detectors. You can discover an appropriate system for your unique home while still cost-effective.

If you’re not sure if you need fire alarms and fire sprinklers or want to learn more about the most critical fire alarm choices for your home, then it’s best to contact some professionals. You don’t want to take any chances when it comes to something as important as fire safety!

Need fire extinguisher services as well? Contact Fire-Alert today to see how we can help!