When it comes to protecting your home, no aspect is more important than fire safety. Fires can be extremely dangerous and even lead to death if not handled properly. Luckily, modern homes are equipped with fire alarm systems (control panels and accessories) that can detect a fire and sound an alert before it spreads.
There are many types of fire alarms, but the most common ones in homes are fire alarm control panels. They’re compact devices that connect all of the fire alarms in your home and activate them when necessary.
There are many kinds of control panel systems on the market today, so it may be somewhat overwhelming to choose the best one for you and your home.
To get started, read on to learn about different types of control panel systems, as well as some helpful tips for choosing the best system for you!
What is a Fire Alarm Control Panel?
A fire alarm control panel is a device that coordinates and controls the various fire protection systems in a home, once a fire outbreak is spotted it helps to activate and activates them when necessary.
It also allows you to adjust certain settings on your alarms, including the type of alarm sound they make, the volume, and more. You can also use a control panel to silence your alarms manually in case of a false alarm.
It’s important to note that while most control panels can shut off just the sound of an alarm, some are designed to also shut off the power to the alarm. This is a crucial component of a fire alarm system and an important feature to look out for when shopping for a new control panel.
Fire alarm control panels come with a variety of features built in. For example, some allow you to connect and control your home’s other security features, like home automation systems and security cameras.
Some control panels also include a built-in voice-guided system that walks you through the process of setting up your alarms. This is a very useful feature that can make installation easy even for beginners!
Types of Fire Alarm Control Panels
There are many different types of fire alarm control panels on the market today. Each one will have its own set of benefits and disadvantages, so it’s important to do your research before deciding which one to go with. Here are some of the most common types:
Hardwired control panels
These are the most basic varieties of control panels, and the most common. They are wired directly into your home’s electrical system, and the fire alarm control panel itself is the source of the electricity. They are easy to install but are only suitable for new construction. Hardwired control panels are broken down into
Conventional fire alarm
This is a system that has existed since the development of electronics, highly economical for small apartments, schools, offices etc. It employs the connection of one or more circuits to sensors wired in parallel. Each device is connected to the control panel with its own wire. You will find one end of the wire connected to the device and another connected to the control panel.
Addressable fire alarm
This panel is more intelligent than the conventional fire alarm due to its ability to allow the user to assign and address each detector and device installed on the system. Unlike conventional systems that indicate the zone, addressable fire alarm panels identify the exact detector or device that has been activated, helping to save valuable time in the event of a fire or suspected false alarm.
Wireless Fire Alarm
These control panels are hardwired into your home just like their hardwired counterparts. The difference lies in how they connect to the alarms. Wireless control panels plug into the wall and use a radio frequency (RF) to communicate with the alarms. This makes them easy to install and allows you to add new alarms at any point in the future, even after the control panel has been installed.
Hybrid control panels
These are a combination of both hardwired and wireless control panels. They are hardwired into your home at first but come with a plug-in RF extender device that you can use to connect any new alarms. While this makes them easy to install, it also means that you have to buy an extender for every new alarm you add in the future.
Why Choose a Fire Alarm Control Panel?
There are many reasons why you might want to choose a fire alarm control panel, including
- Ease of installation: While you can always find ways to connect your fire alarms without a control panel, a control panel will make the process much easier. Some control panels are even designed to simplify installation and walk you through the process from start to finish.
- Easy updating: If you choose a wireless control panel, you can easily add new alarms to your system in the future. This is not the case with hardwired control panels, as you would have to rewire your home to connect new alarms.
- Greater integration: Some control panels allow you to connect and control your home’s other security features, like home automation systems and security cameras. This allows you to use one device to manage all of your home’s security needs.
What to Look for When Choosing a Fire Alarm Control Panel?
There are many different factors you should consider when choosing a fire alarm control panel. To get the most out of your system, it’s important to choose one that meets your unique needs and goals. Some of the most important considerations include:
a. System capacity
This refers to the number of alarms a control panel can support. If you’re just installing new alarms, it is important you factor in the issue of upgrade in the near future which could arise as a result of the expansion of more rooms in the building structure, This helps to avoid running into issues. For example, selecting a conventional 2-zone fire alarm is quite different when you select a conventional 32zone fire alarm
b. Installation type
You should also decide which type of installation you want for your control panel. While this isn’t always an issue, it can make a difference if you live in an older home or if you’re installing the system in new construction. For example, a hardwired control panel is most suitable for new construction, while a wireless system is designed for both situations.
Top 5 Fire Alarm Brands in Nigeria
There are several fire alarm brands in Nigeria but amongst the majority of these brands, Here are the top 5 brands of fire alarm which fit the necessary qualifications.
- Gent
- C-Tech
- Zeta
- Alienware
- Generic
This is a company that is driven to continually improve the state of the art in fire detection, emphasising the quality of our products and the trusted partnerships we forge. Founded in 1872 by John Thomas Gent
The alarming rate by which buildings and valuables are been destroyed by fire was what was born out of the necessity of Honeywell Gent fire detection systems which developed the highest possible standards to deliver the most advanced fire detection and alarm systems available in the market today. Our diverse technologies and brands enable us to create holistic solutions, improving virtually every aspect of your building’s environment and experience.
This company produced its first heat detector, call system, wireless set & telephones, life safety and detection system in its first 10 years, before producing S-Quad Sensor, CO, Voice Sounder in 2005 and later acquired by Honeywell same year
This year 2022 makes its 150years since its existence
2. C-Tech
C-TEC is the UK’s largest independent manufacturer of quality life safety electronic equipment with a portfolio of products that includes conventional and addressable fire alarm systems, automatic extinguisher panels, power supplies, disabled refuge systems, call systems and audio-frequency induction loop equipment.
Established in 1981 and currently trading in over 70 countries worldwide, Here is a video about our Company
3. Zeta
Zeta Alarm Systems was founded in 1985 and is a privately held UK manufacturer of early warning Fire Alarm Systems, Gas Detection and Emergency Systems. Our brand name Zeta Alarm Systems is well known throughout the industry and is acclaimed in over forty countries worldwide. We are currently represented in the UK, Europe, Africa, the Middle East, Southern Asia & South America and this list continues to grow
Do you know you can get the above brands here
How to Install a Fire Alarm Control Panel?
Installing a fire alarm control panel is a fairly straightforward process, but it’s important to follow the manufacturer’s instructions to avoid any issues. Generally, you’ll need to start by finding the best places to plug in your control panel and any extenders. Once you’ve got those locations, run the wires from the control panel to each of the alarms in your home.
After that, you’ll plug in the control panel and install the alarms. Once everything is installed, you can begin setting up your alarms. The process varies from brand to brand, Kindly patronise an expert for the installation process.
After you’ve got everything set up, you’ll simply use your new fire alarm control panel to keep your home protected.
Conclusion
Fire alarms are an essential part of protecting your home, but they can be challenging to install and manage on your own. A fire alarm control panel makes the process much easier by connecting all of the alarms in your home and managing them from one central location.
There are many types of control panel systems on the market today, so make sure to choose one that meets your unique needs and goals. Once installed, a fire alarm control panel will keep you and your loved ones safe from fire, helping you sleep better at night knowing you’ve done everything you can to protect your home.