- A control panel is the brain of a fire alarm system.
- Addressable panels pinpoint fires while conventional ones alert zones.
- One should avoid overloading a single panel with too many devices.
- Regular maintenance of a control panel ensures it works properly during an emergency.
- The cost of a control panel varies with the building’s size & complexity.
A fire alarm control panel has alarms, detection devices, and fire suppression systems connected to it. It acts as the brain of the fire alarm system. Whenever there is an occurrence of fire, the detection devices send signals to the fire panel. It then processes the signal and decides whether it is a false alarm. If it is not, then it activates the alarms and the fire suppression systems, shuts down the HVAC units, and immediately sends an alert to the fire department that a fire has occurred in the building.
To maintain an effective fire safety system in a commercial building, business owners think of buying a fire alarm control panel but don’t know which model is compatible with the existing fire detection systems installed in their building. What if current codes require them to add additional features such as horns, strobe lights, or manual pull stations? Or, if it is a building with multiple floors, will deploying a high number of devices on a single panel be a good idea?
Before you search for the right fire alarm control panel (FACP) for your industry, let’s first define what a fire alarm panel is, its components, the types of FACPs, the specific signals they provide, the buttons you can control, whether you can deploy a large number of devices on a single panel, and how to maintain a fire panel.
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What Does A Fire Alarm System Control Panel Do?
All the fire-initiating devices, such as smoke detectors, flame detectors, heat detectors, manual pull stations, notification devices, fire sprinkler systems, the fire alarm annunciator panel, and ventilation systems, are connected to the fire alarm control panel. Whenever a fire occurs, it receives signals from the fire detection devices and processes the information to determine if a fire is present. If a fire has been detected, it activates notification devices such as alarms, horns, and strobe lights, as well as fire suppression systems like sprinklers. It sends an alert to emergency responders about the triggered fire alarms in the building.
Types Of Fire Alarm Control Panel
There are two main types of control panels: conventional fire alarm panels and addressable fire alarm panels.
In a conventional fire alarm panel, fire detection devices are divided into different zones. Each zone is a specific area of the building, such as the first floor, storeroom, or warehouse. When a fire detector in a particular zone is activated, the entire zone is triggered. The panel then activates the alarm sounders to alert occupants. Firefighters use the specific zone indicator light to locate the exact location of the fire. The conventional fire alarm system often has simple wiring and requires minimal programming to function properly. However, if one wants to add a new zone, more wiring and panel modifications are required.
Each fire detection device in addressable panels is connected in a single-loop circuit, and each one has its own address. This helps to find the exact location of the fire so that the emergency responders can act swiftly and reduce the spread of damage. Additionally, addressable panels can automatically adjust their settings, such as increasing sensitivity at night, and support remote monitoring.
Components Of A Fire Alarm Control Panel
The components of a fire panel vary based on its type – conventional panels or addressable panels. Consequently, the components may or may not include:
Control Unit
The central control unit processes signals from the fire detection devices.
Power Supply
The fire panel requires a power supply to operate. A backup battery is used to power the fire panel during power failures.
Initiating Device
The initiating devices primarily consist of smoke, heat, beam, duct smoke detectors, and manual pull stations.
Notification Devices
The notification devices alert occupants to the triggered fire. They primarily consist of alarm sounds, horns for audible alerts, and strobe lights for visual alerts. Most panels are also equipped with a voice evacuation system these days.
Annunciator Panel
It shows the real-time status of the fire alarm control panel. For more details, read our blog on What Is A Fire Alarm Annunciator Panel And Why It Matters.
Communication Module
A communication module transmits alerts to monitoring stations or emergency responders regarding the fire that was triggered in the building.
There are five types of communication modules integrated into the fire alarm control panel:
Digital Alarm Communicator Transmitter (DACT) transmits signals through telephone lines to the central monitoring system (CMS).
Cellular Communicators use a wireless cellular network to transmit signals. It is also known as a dialer communicator.
Internet Communicator uses an Ethernet or Wi-Fi connection to transmit signals and enables remote monitoring.
Radio Frequency Communicator uses radio waves to transmit signals and is most commonly used in industrial and remote areas.
Direct Alarm Reporting Signals (DARS) connects directly to the fire department and uses private fiber optic lines or dedicated circuits for real-time monitoring.
Relay Unit
A relay unit performs some auxiliary functions like moving the elevator to a safe floor, opening the emergency exits, and shutting down the HVAC units whenever a fire is triggered in the building.
Main Types of Alerts in Control Panels
A normal alert indicates that the detectors connected to the fire alarm control panel are functioning correctly.
An alarm alert signifies that a detector in a specific zone has been activated, and a response to the fire is necessary.
A trouble alert indicates a technical issue with the devices connected to the fire alarm system, which may directly affect life safety.
A supervisory signal means the fire alarm system has some non-emergency issues and requires maintenance.
Types of Buttons in Control Panels
The sound button allows all the alarms of the fire safety system to activate.
The silence button reduces unnecessary panic by allowing the authorized personnel to put off the alarm.
After the firefighters have managed the situation, the reset button lets users return the FACP to normal mode.
The test button prevents the FACP from entering full alarm mode during testing, avoiding unnecessary panic.
Should You Deploy a High Number Of Devices on a Single Panel?
Gamewell-FCI E3, which is said to handle up to 77,592 points, and Notifier’s NFS2-3030, which can manage up to 3,180 points, are some well-known control panels out there in the market. But are these configurations practical and reliable? This is the question many business owners have, as there is a risk of a single point of failure that can disrupt fire detection and delay response times. This makes sense because a single panel will be handling a large number of devices. Moreover, such a system is very complex to maintain and troubleshoot.
One solution is placing multiple panels in different areas of the building and then connecting them. It reduces the overall load of the entire fire alarm system and improves the response time.
How To Maintain A Fire Alarm Control Panel
A fire alarm control panel must be maintained regularly to function properly during an emergency. You should visually inspect the fire panel weekly and check that the indicator lights for each zone are operational and that no trouble alerts are activated. Confirm that the fire detection systems are sending the correct signals to the panel. Also, the entire fire alarm system should be inspected annually by a fire safety professional.
What Do You Need To Consider Before Buying A Fire Panel?
You need to decide which type of fire alarm control panel is suitable for your industry. Consult a fire safety contractor to discuss your building’s type and needs, and they will recommend a suitable fire panel along with cost estimates.
Consider whether you want to integrate only a smoke detector, a fire alarm, and a sprinkler system, or if you want to include a series of fire detection devices, notification devices, fire annunciators, and fire suppression systems. The cost increases with the complexity of your fire alarm system design, which must comply with the rules outlined by NFPA 72, UL 864, and AHJs.
Obtain several quotes (including extra charges) from different contractors to compare their pricing and services. Always ask for a detailed breakdown of costs, such as installation, labor, ongoing maintenance, etc.
Conclusion
A fire alarm control panel (FACP) is the backbone of a fire safety strategy. It detects fire and responds to it quickly, thus protecting building occupants and valuable assets. Choosing the right panel type helps you integrate the panel easily into your existing fire alarm system. The installation process should comply with the regulations outlined in NFPA 72.
With ZenFire, businesses can streamline inspections with customizable checklists and real-time compliance tracking. Get a free demo today and simplify your entire fire alarm system management, making it as easy as a walk in the park.
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