Fire Alarm
Fire detection and alarm systems consist of interconnected devices that serve to detect fire/smoke and inform occupants of emergency situations. The systems are composed of initiating devices such as pull stations, heat/smoke detectors and notification appliances like flashing lights, horn, speakers and sirens. Depending on facility needs there are many different types of detector technologies that can be utilized such as beam, photoelectric and ionization. Benefits of installing a fire alarm system include:
- Fire alarms save lives. A combination of smoke and heat detectors, sirens and bells, and strobe lights detect and alert building occupants of a fire, giving them ample time to evacuate in an orderly fashion.
- Fire alarms reduce property loss: Monitored fire alarm systems automatically notify emergency responders and fire trucks to dispatch to your location. The faster these responses happen, the sooner the fire is extinguished and the less damage your building sustains.
- Fire alarms shorten your recovery time. Less building damage means shorter downtime until you can reopen for business.
- Fire alarms may qualify you for insurance discounts. Most insurance carriers offer discounted rates on business insurance policy premiums if you have a code-compliant fire alarm system.
- Fire alarms keep you code compliant. One way to maintain code compliance is to install a fire alarm in your building.
Clean Agent Suppression
Clean agent suppression systems are used in situations where water could do irreparable harm such as critical IT infrastructure, art museums, specialized equipment or record storage. Instead of using water or mist to put out a fire, clean agent systems utilize inert gases or chemicals agents such as Aragonite, Novec 1230, CO2, or others depending on the nature of the facility. The agents are used to extinguish a fire in its initial stage by reducing heat and oxygen or by stopping the chain of reaction caused by fuel, heat and oxygen.
A clean agent fire suppression system is commonly made up of three parts: smoke detectors, the control panel, and notification devices. The smoke detectors work as usual and will detect a fire before it has time to escalate into an uncontrollable event. The smoke detector will send a signal to the control panel, which then alerts the notification devices and activates the release device to suppress the fire. The notification devices are there to warn occupants of the fire, and alert people in the area when the clean agent is about to be released. A careful review of equipment, space use and safety precautions is essential to a successful clean agent suppression installation. Speak with an ATS FS expert to determine what type of protection is ideal for your facility and equipment.
