Fire accidents can result in fatalities, injuries, and irreversible damages. As a result, it is essential to take every possible precaution to prevent these accidents. A fire control panel is an excellent way to gain control over fire accidents. Five things that you should check in a panel before buying are mentioned in this post.
Commercial and residential spaces are highly prone to fire accidents. Right from cooking gas to electrical systems, a lot of things can go wrong and result in a fatal accident, which can cost lives and cause life-threatening injuries and damages. A fire control panel is an ideal way to prevent such fire-related anomalies.
A fire alarm panel is a component through which you can control the fire alarm system. The panel is connected to sensors that are installed throughout the building, and whenever a sensor detects fire, it sends a signal to the panel. While a fire control panel is a much-needed fire prevention solution for every residential and commercial building, it is equally important to buy the right panel.
Five things that you should check in the alarm panel before buying are mentioned below-
- Number of Zones and Detectors in Every Zone
A fire alarm system divides the structure into multiple zones. The fire detectors are installed in these zones, and when a detector detects fire, the alarm system notifies the zone in which the fire has occurred. A 2-zone panel is sufficient for smaller areas while 4-zone panels or higher are recommended for larger areas. Even the maximum number of sensors that can be installed in every zone should be as per your requirements.
- Status Indicator
The alarm panel should not just notify fire but also any fault in the system. Faulty systems might not be able to detect fire or notify the same to you. The panel should indicate the status of the entire fire-protection system at all times for maximum safety. Many of the models also feature relay outputs to install actuators for fault and fire conditions.
- Low Battery Warning
Most conventional alarm panels are powered by batteries which you need to replace when the current ones drain out. But rather than you manually checking the status of the battery, the alarm panel should notify the status. Apart from a visual notification of low battery, there should also be an audible notification as you might not always check the visual warning.
- User-friendliness
Needless to say, the panel should be easy to use. It should have a tactile keypad with clearly labelled buttons to ensure that it can be used by a person who has never used one such panel in the past can use it during emergencies. It should also come with a detailed manual explaining all the different features of the panel.
- Warranty and After Sales Support
Apart from the fire alarm panel, it’s built and quality, it is also important to check the warranty on the panel. The company should also offer maintenance service with regular inspections by technicians to ensure that the panel is working exactly as it should. Moreover, the company should also have an extensive support network with the ability to resolve complaints as quickly as possible.
Residential and commercial building owners and management authorities can gain invaluable benefits by installing a fire alarm system. They can notify existing or impending fire and can save people from fatalities and injuries, and protect the property from severe damages. Keep the points mentioned above in mind when selecting, and you are sure to make the right decision.
