Like most building systems, fire alarm technology continues to evolve and improve each year. For large systems, networked fire fire alarm systems offer many user benefits, including improved performance, increased fire safety, and a lower total cost of ownership.
Here are 4 Benefits of a networked fire alarm system
1. Superior survivability for networked fire alarm system
A networked fire alarm system (distributed intelligence) provides superior survivability compared to a single fire control panel. Fire system control panels can function in a independent mode but also communicate intelligently with other fire panels, so no one component can take out the entire system – making them more resilient. The degree of performance and survivability is directly dependent upon both the design of the fire control panel itself, as well as the interconnect wiring classification
2. Network dashboard of networked fire alarm system
Having a centralized dashboard provides better system status, command, and control for large campuses and buildings. Administrators have the ability to check the status of any intelligent device on the entire system instantaneously. For example, administrators can enable and disable intelligent devices and adjust the sensitivity of intelligent smoke detectors, among other things.
3. Data and reports of networked fire alarm system
A networked fire alarm provides historical system logging, reports, and control of all connected devices. Administrators can pull historical reports, view previous adjustments to the fire system, and review historical alarm, trouble and supervisory logs. For example, this information can be helpful in seeing which fire detectors have historically gone into alarm and why; then the alarm’s sensitivity can be adjusted to minimize nuisance alarms. This can be done over the entire network.
4. Mass notification capabilities for networked fire alarm system
A networked fire alarm system which includes emergency communication has the capability to serve as or integrate with mass notification systems, which allow administrators to deliver critical messages to designated groups of people via in-building voice announcements, outside-building voice announcements, emails, text messages, on-screen computer pop-up displays, or other messaging platforms.