By submitting this form, you are consenting to receive marketing emails from: ASI Family of Companies, 10010 W. Schlinger Ave., Milwaukee, WI, 53214, http://www.atswi.com. You can revoke your consent to receive emails at any time by using the SafeUnsubscribe® link, found at the bottom of every email. Emails are serviced by Constant Contact

FOR A SECURITY EVALUATION CALL: 414-476-4200

How to Choose the Right Commercial Fire Alarm System

August 21, 2018/Security Blog/by

How to Choose the Right Commercial Fire Alarm System

Choosing a fire commercial fire alarm system is not as straightforward as it may seem.  Commercial fire alarm systems are more reliable and have more options and features than ever before, but not every choice is right for every application.

Fires are one of the greatest threats to any building in any industry, from government and healthcare to manufacturing and education. In order to protect the property, people, and its function you need to understand the options as well as your unique needs.

Types of Fire Alarms

Fire detection systems can be automatic, manual, or both. Each has advantages and drawbacks.

Manual Systems

Manual systems are triggered when someone notices a fire and manually pulls an alarm. The advantage is that the alarm is sounded as soon as someone pulls it without delay. The drawback is that if the building is empty, there is no one to pull the alarm switch.

Automatic Systems

Automatic systems are triggered automatically when sensors detect smoke, heat, or fire. The advantage to this system is that it is effective when no one is in the building. However, there is a danger of the system failing during a power outage. For this reason, it’s important to change the batteries regularly and use quality back up batteries.

Combination or Hybrid Systems

A hybrid system combines the best of both manual and hybrid systems. If a person sees a problem before the detectors sense trouble, they can trigger the alarm manually right away. However, the automatic system works well when no one is in the building and for areas of the building that are less frequented.

System Options

Once you determine what type of system you need, you can decide what options best address your needs. Here are just a few of the latest options available.

Aspiration Detection

Aspiration detection systems can determine the existence of a potentially dangerous environment and can detect the difference between smoke and dust. These are used in mission-critical spaces such as computer rooms and data centers.

Voice Evacuation Units

Emergency Voice Alarm Communication Systems deliver a pre-recorded or manual voice message during a fire.

Carbon Monoxide Detection

Carbon Monoxide (CO) is a colorless, odorless gas that can become lethal before it is naturally detected. The latest fire alarm solutions now include carbon monoxide detectors that can alert building occupants regarding unsafe CO levels.

Phone Apps

Many commercial fire alarm systems offer downloadable apps that deliver instant alerts when trouble arises.

Fire alarm systems have been around a long time, almost 70 years in fact. In that time technologies have changed and over the last decade, they have advanced so rapidly that it is important to evaluate your current technology and determine if it is time for an upgrade. If you have any questions about your current system or want to know more about a new system, give us a call today!

Previous

Next

Recent Posts

MARKET EXPERIENCE

HEALTH CARE

The healthcare industry is facing its share of challenges these days. Hospitals and other facilities are struggling to fully protect patients, doctors, nurses, staff members, and visitors from a diverse range of threats. ATS understands your industry and meets your needs with high-level life safety, access control, and video technologies.

FINANCE

Some of the most common issues associated with financial institutions include the monitoring high-risk areas, customer, and staff safety, and managing restricted access areas throughout the premises. Lowering these risk factors using them most appropriate security technology is essential in this environment.

MANUFACTURING/ DISTRIBUTION WAREHOUSES

The threats in manufacturing and distribution facilities face are real, and more serious than ever. ATS mitigates those threats with video surveillance systems, LPR (License Plate Reader) cameras, and access control of the highest level, people-counting systems, and visitor management. ATS also offers environmental monitoring (i.e.: Freezer and refrigeration temperature monitoring).

UTILITIES

The utilities sector is responsible for generating, transmitting, and distributing energy of all types. In every case, all of these systems and assets have one important thing in common: any gap in security can seriously threaten public health and safety, the environment and economy, as well as local, national, and global security. ATS provides high-level solutions for high-risk environments.

K-12/ HIGHER EDUCATION

According to the recent DOJ School Crime and Safety Report, one in four campuses are not prepared to deal with an active shooter situation. Security is an ever-growing necessity for all educational institutions. ATS has extensive experience in meeting the security needs of all levels of education with emergency communication platforms, video intercom, access control, video surveillance, command/control centers, and gun-shot detection systems.

GOVERNMENT

From intrusion detection, face-recognition systems, video surveillance, visitor management, public communication systems, and access control systems in accordance to FIPS-201. ATS has extensive experience in providing federal, state, and local government entities with advanced security solutions tailored to meet the unique needs of these facilities.

HEALTH CARE

HEALTH CARE

The healthcare industry is facing its share of challenges these days. Hospitals and other facilities are struggling to fully protect patients, doctors, nurses, staff members, and visitors from a diverse range of threats. ATS understands your industry and meets your needs with high-level life safety, access control, and video technologies.

FINANCE

FINANCE

Some of the most common issues associated with financial institutions include the monitoring high-risk areas, customer, and staff safety, and managing restricted access areas throughout the premises. Lowering these risk factors using them most appropriate security technology is essential in this environment.

MANUFACTURING/ DISTRIBUTION WAREHOUSES

MANUFACTURING/ DISTRIBUTION WAREHOUSES

The threats in manufacturing and distribution facilities face are real, and more serious than ever. ATS mitigates those threats with video surveillance systems, LPR (License Plate Reader) cameras, and access control of the highest level, people-counting systems, and visitor management. ATS also offers environmental monitoring (i.e.: Freezer and refrigeration temperature monitoring).

UTILITIES

UTILITIES

The utilities sector is responsible for generating, transmitting, and distributing energy of all types. In every case, all of these systems and assets have one important thing in common: any gap in security can seriously threaten public health and safety, the environment and economy, as well as local, national, and global security. ATS provides high-level solutions for high-risk environments.

K-12/ HIGHER EDUCATION

K-12/ HIGHER EDUCATION

According to the recent DOJ School Crime and Safety Report, one in four campuses are not prepared to deal with an active shooter situation. Security is an ever-growing necessity for all educational institutions. ATS has extensive experience in meeting the security needs of all levels of education with emergency communication platforms, video intercom, access control, video surveillance, command/control centers, and gun-shot detection systems.

GOVERNMENT

GOVERNMENT

From intrusion detection, face-recognition systems, video surveillance, visitor management, public communication systems, and access control systems in accordance to FIPS-201. ATS has extensive experience in providing federal, state, and local government entities with advanced security solutions tailored to meet the unique needs of these facilities.

MARKET EXPERIENCE

HEALTH CARE

The healthcare industry is facing its share of challenges these days. Hospitals and other facilities are struggling to fully protect patients, doctors, nurses, staff members, and visitors from a diverse range of threats. ATS understands your industry and meets your needs with high-level life safety, access control, and video technologies.

FINANCE

Some of the most common issues associated with financial institutions include the monitoring high-risk areas, customer, and staff safety, and managing restricted access areas throughout the premises. Lowering these risk factors using them most appropriate security technology is essential in this environment.

MANUFACTURING/DISTRIBUTION WAREHOUSES

The threats in manufacturing and distribution facilities face are real, and more serious than ever. ATS mitigates those threats with video surveillance systems, LPR (License Plate Reader) cameras, and access control of the highest level, people-counting systems, and visitor management. ATS also offers environmental monitoring (i.e.: Freezer and refrigeration temperature monitoring).

UTILITIES

The utilities sector is responsible for generating, transmitting, and distributing energy of all types. In every case, all of these systems and assets have one important thing in common: any gap in security can seriously threaten public health and safety, the environment and economy, as well as local, national, and global security. ATS provides high-level solutions for high-risk environments.

K-12/ HIGHER EDUCATION

According to the recent DOJ School Crime and Safety Report, one in four campuses are not prepared to deal with an active shooter situation. Security is an ever-growing necessity for all educational institutions. ATS has extensive experience in meeting the security needs of all levels of education with emergency communication platforms, video intercom, access control, video surveillance, command/control centers, and gun-shot detection systems.

GOVERNMENT

From intrusion detection, face-recognition systems, video surveillance, visitor management, public communication systems, and access control systems in accordance to FIPS-201. ATS has extensive experience in providing federal, state, and local government entities with advanced security solutions tailored to meet the unique needs of these facilities.

Address: 10010 W. Schlinger Ave., Milwaukee, WI 53214

Phone: 414.476.4200

Fax: 414.476.8417

Email: info@atswi.com

CONNECT WITH US

3 CORPORATE LOCATIONS SERVING NATIONWIDE

© 2023 Associated Technical Services | All Rights Reserved | Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions