Having a fire alarm security system is an excellent way to keep yourself and your property safe. The system acts out as a safety feature that will give you an early warning of the threat and allows for enough time to evacuate the premises and call the fire brigade before it gets any bigger than it already is.
Fire alarm systems should be a necessity for any homeowner or business and there are even laws in place explaining why every business owner must have a fire alarm in place.
How Does Fire Detector and Alarm System Work?
A fire alarm system is used to detect fires and alert house members from a centralised, monitored location. There are several fire detector variables to determine whether a fire exists or not, these include:
- Development of the fire flames
- How much smoke is being generated in the room
- The temperature of the room itself and how warm it gets
What Are The Different Types of Fire Alarm Systems Available?
- Heat Alarms: Heat alarms will be able to detect the increase in temperature from a fire and are insensitive to smoke. Ideally, they are suited for relatively smaller rooms and therefore can be suitable for use in kitchens as long as several heat alarms are placed throughout the kitchen area.
- Optical: Optical alarms are generally more expensive, but much more effective at detecting larger areas of smoke produced by slower burning fires. Optical alarms can be installed near kitchens, and are less likely than ionisation alarms to set off when compared to other alarms.
- Ionisation: Ionisation alarms are the cheapest out of all options to fit and cost very little to purchase. They are more sensitive to smoke produced by fast flaming fires and will detect this type of fire before the smoke gets too thick.
- Combined Optical Smoke and Heat Alarms: When there is a combination of both alarms (Optical and Smoke) in one unit, it reduces the chance of false alarms, while also increasing the overall speed of detection.
Benefits of Installing Fire Alarm Systems to Your Home?
Whether your home is big or small, it’s worth investing in a good fire alarm system that is in place. A fire can cause significant property damage and can cause devastation to the lives of the people it affects.
Listed below are some of the benefits of a fitted fire alarm system for your home:
- Early Fire Detection: The earlier that a fire is detected, the faster it will be for the fire brigade to respond. Earlier detection of threats such as fires can make a greater difference in the final outcome and avoid serious damage.
- Prevent Smoke Inhaling: Did you know that smoke inhalation is the primary cause of fire-related deaths? This is often the case when homeowners are sleeping and there’s no way of detecting there is a fire in the building. Having a fire alarm system in place gives you that added peace of mind and security.
- 24/7 Monitoring: A home fire alarm system gives homeowners protection 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Your home will be monitored when you are away & at night when asleep. You can feel secure knowing your house is being monitored continuously.
- Long-Term Cost Saving: Fire alarm systems can seem costly at first, but when you consider the benefits that they do provide, you’ll realise that an effective system can reduce your cost. In the event of a fire, fire alarm systems can speed up response time and protect your assets from a fire.
Common Reasons for House Fires
- Faulty electrical equipment: Faulty electrical equipment is another leading cause of fires in homes. This is the first sign to look for and is usually best to spot earlier than later. Blown fuses, flickering lights and sparks from electrical outlets are common signs that the wiring in a home may be faulty.
- Cooking equipment: The kitchen is probably the one place in homes where fires are more vulnerable. Unattended cooking is the main cause of kitchen fires & fire injuries. Kitchen fires are fairly easy to prevent: Always be safe around the stove, oven and other appliances like toaster ovens and keep the area clear when using these items.
- Heating: Getting into the habit of having all appliances in the house cleaned regularly, and having the chimney cleaned and inspected annually. Also worth noting that heaters shouldn’t be used to dry shoes or clothes.
- Electrical Systems and Devices: With the different types of electrical equipment available, could you please ensure the following to maximise safety:
- All electrical appliances don’t have loose cords and plugs
- All electrical outlets aren’t overloaded with plugs
- Avoid any electrical wires under rugs, lighting or heavy items.
- Do not overuse an extension cord or adaptor
- Smoking: Smoking is the primary source of many house fires. Cigarettes accidentally dropped on any type of household items can quickly become large fires. Smoking outside will reduce this risk quite significantly.
- Candles: Candles should never be left unattended & should be extinguished before leaving any room or going to bed. Candles should be avoided at home, consider other options like battery-powered flashlights and battery-powered LED candles as good alternative choices.
- Lighting: Lamps, light bulbs and general lighting around the house are common reasons for electrical fires. Installing bulbs with higher wattage for the lamps and light fixtures is a common cause of electrical fires. Double-check the maximum recommended bulb wattage on any lighting fixture/bulb and never go over the amount.
Get in touch with us today
We hope that this blog post will assist you with some of the benefits of having a fire alarm system in place in your home and how fitted fire alarm systems can prevent a fire. If you would like to find out more about the services that we have got to offer please don’t hesitate to contact us, or give us a call on 01296 713 010 to find out more.
