A Guide to Choosing the Right Fire Alarm Protection System for Your Business

The right fire alarm protection system can often mean the difference between life and death. Not to mention, it can also help you save thousands of dollars in damages. Of course, it is important to choose a system that makes the most sense for your organization. Here are the top guidelines for doing just this: 

Speak to a Professional 

It is always a good idea to speak to a professional before you choose or install a protection system. Now, you don’t have to choose a representative for a particular company or brand if you are afraid of bias. Instead, have your local fire department come and take a look. 

These individuals have the knowledge and experience to show you what type of system will work best. They can also give you an idea of where to install detectors and what hazards and issues to watch out for. This can be an excellent starting point for you. 

Consider the Specifics of Your Business  

Each business has its own layout, requirements, and fire hazards. As such, any system that you choose should address these directly. 

For instance, if your business is set up in a smaller building then a notifier conventional panel is the perfect option for you. This system uses various indicators to determine which part of the building the fire has broken out. This makes it a lot easier for first responders to target the appropriate areas. 

In case you are working with electronics or similar hazards, then you may want to consider a suppression system that doesn’t use water. By choosing a tailored system, you will have a more effective line of protection

Select Between Manual and Automatic Systems 

Automatic systems are where alarms are triggered automatically when smoke or temperature changes are detected. With manual systems, someone has to personally trigger the alarms. 

Now, manual systems may have their place in smaller establishments with a relatively simple layout. However, you are leaving a lot to chance with such a setup. After all, someone has to realize that there is a fire before anything is done. 

An automatic system may be able to afford you a greater level of safety. These do come with a higher price tag and may take more time to be installed, though. You will need to weigh the pros and cons of each option before making a decision. 

One-Stage vs. Two-Way Alarms 

One-stage alarms are where the entire building is alerted to a fire at the same time. With two-way alarms, though, only authorized individuals are informed. They will then decide which alarms to trigger. 

Two-way alarms may seem a little odd but these are placed in facilities with a larger workforce where panic can be just as deadly as the fire. Thus, you need to consider your own employees when determining which option may work best for you. 

 These are the main guidelines to follow when choosing the right fire alarm protection system for your business. Follow these and your decision should be a lot easier for you to make.