When you enter a building, whether it’s a hospital, office block, shopping centre, library or even an apartment complex, you probably walk straight past the unassuming box fixed to the wall. Although you might not be aware of it, that box can be the difference between life and death in the event of a fire. The fire alarm panel, or fire control panel, is the brain of the fire alarm system, coordinating the detection and response to potential fire hazards.
In this article, we’ll cover:
- Understanding fire alarm systems: general overview of fire panel systems and their components
- What is a fire alarm system control panel: detailed explanation of the fire alarm panel and its type
- Key features of the fire alarm control panel: introduction to the basic and more advanced features you can expect to find on a fire panel
Now that we understand the importance of the fire panel, let’s dive into the specifics of the control panel, starting with a general overview of fire alarm systems.
Understanding fire alarm systems
What is a fire alarm system?
A fire alarm system is a network of devices designed to detect and alert occupants of a building to the presence of fire or smoke. Key components typically include smoke detectors, heat detectors, manual call points, alarms, and fire control panels. The primary goal is to ensure early detection and prompt evacuation to save lives and minimise property damage.
What is a fire alarm system control panel?
The fire alarm panel, or fire panel, is the central hub of a fire alarm system, responsible for monitoring and managing all connected devices. It receives signals from detectors, processes these signals, and initiates appropriate responses such as sounding alarms and notifying authorities. Typically housed in a secure enclosure, the fire alarm system control panel includes various interfaces for user interaction and system monitoring.
Types of fire alarm system control panels
Conventional fire alarm panel
Cconventional fire alarm control panels work by dividing the building into zones, with each zone connected to multiple detectors. They are cost-effective and simple to install, however are less precise at identifying the exact location of the fire as they can only narrow it down to the zone the device has activated in.
Addressable fire alarm panel
Unlike a conventional fire panel, with an addressable fire alarm control panel, each device in the system has a unique address, allowing precise identification of the fire’s location
Key features of fire alarm system control panels
User Interface
An LCD or LED screen provides real-time information about the system status, including alerts, faults, and operational messages. Displayed information typically includes alarm location, alarm type, and system status. Users can navigate through different menus and options using buttons or touchscreens.
Indicators
The fire control panel will also feature indicators to give the user further information about the fire panel system. The type of indicators used will depend on the functionality of the system as well as the legal requirements for the region, but can include:
- LED lights: different coloured lights indicate various status such as normal operation, alarm condition, or system fault
- Alarm sounds: different tones or patterns can indicate the type of alarm, for example a continuous sound for fire, or intermittent sound indicating a fault
- Voice alerts: some systems may include voice alerts providing specific instructions or information
Controls
The fire alarm panel is operated via a range of controls. Common controls include:
- Reset: used to reset the system after an alarm has been triggered and return it to normal operation
- Silence: temporarily silences the alarm sound, allowing for investigation or maintenance without continuous noise
- Test: activates a test mode to check the functionality of detectors, alarms and other system components
Enhanced fire panel features
In addition to the basic features outlined above, there are fire panels on the market with a range of enhanced features. There are numerous benefits to upgrading to a more advanced panel, including boosted safety and system reliability, ease of use for occupants and staff who may not be familiar with operating a fire alarm system, as well as being able to tailor the system to suit specific building requirements. Additional features can include:
- Programming: the option to customise system settings to suit the user’s needs, for example sensitivity levels, alarm thresholds and notification preferences
- Remote access: some fire alarm system control panels offer remote access or remote monitoring capabilities, enabling users to monitor and control the system from a distance
- Battery backup: ensures the system remains operational in the event of a power outage
- Event logging: records all system events including alarms, faults, and maintenance activities for later review and ease of compliance
- Integration: the ability to link the fire alarm system to other building management systems (BMS), such as heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC), security, and emergency lighting
- Network connectivity: allows the fire panel to connect to a network, for example for remote monitoring and management
- Diagnostic tools: built-in tools for diagnosing system issues and performing maintenance checks
- Open protocol: these types of fire control panels are able to support devices from multiple brands, allowing for greater system design flexibility
- Specialist software: the most advanced modern fire panels are supported by a range of different software programmes for maximum user flexibility and customisation, such as programmes to add business logos
- Hybrid device support: allows users to use a mixture of wired and wireless devices to suit their requirements
Conclusion
In this article, you have learnt what a fire alarm system control panel is and some of the features you can expect to see on both basic and enhanced fire panels.
Find more about our range of fire protection solutions, including our best-selling addressable fire panel, MxPro 5.