Choosing a good fire alarm system can be a life or death matter. Fires can spread very quickly, rendering escape impossible for those still in the building. Although it's a good idea to have other systems to help fight the fire, having a system that can alert those in the building as quickly as possible is just as important.

There are many different fire alarm systems on the market. How can you know which one is right for your building?

Consider the Area to Be Covered

Choosing a fire suppression system for a small office or restaurant is not the same as choosing a system for a high-rise building. In a small building with simple space, you can get away with installing the simplest systems with detectors in different parts of the building. These are quite inexpensive so there's no need to go for the pricier option if you don't have to.

Remember the Need to Respond Quickly

A fire alarm system isn't just supposed to tell the building's occupant to evacuate, it should also tell those fighting the fire where the fire is. Knowing the exact location of a fire can reduce the time it takes to fight it. In a large factory, for example, being able to identify the fire source quickly can save you a lot of losses. Therefore, pick a system that identifies the location of the fire accurately.

Don't Bother with Wires

One of the main issues with many safety systems is that they can be an eyesore in a building. This may not be a big deal in certain places by having a lot of wires running around, but in a historical or heritage site it can definitely take some of the beauty away. Luckily you can easily solve this issue by choosing wireless alarm systems instead.

Remember that False Alarms Can Be Costly

A false alarm can cost you a lot of money. Imagine the resources that will be spent evacuating people, the time it will take to get them back in the building, and the time that will be lost throughout the process. In a business environment, this is not acceptable.

If there is a potential for false alarms to happen e.g. from a kitchen in the building, ensure that the system you get has false alarm protection. This will save you a lot of trouble the next time somebody leaves their bread in the toaster for too long.

Fire suppression is a key part of maintaining safety in a public building. If you need help assessing these factors and figuring out how to build your fire safety system, a safety consultant can advise you on this and many other elements of safety in your building. Their role is to assess the building's safety holistically and advise building managers and owners about safety measures or infrastructure they can implement to improve safety in their buildings. 

For more information, contact local professionals like those found at Safety Management Training Solutions.

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