Advantages:
One of the main advantages of wireless radio fire alarms is that they reduce the need for the installation of wiring to each individual device on the fire alarm system. Modern wireless fire alarm systems will only need cables to be installed to the control panel and signal booster to provide a mains supply. This benefit of wireless fire alarms means that have been ideally suited to:
Implications:
- Perfect for listed or historic buildings which which not allow wiring.
- Ideal for sites with multiple buildings.
- Can be utilised as a temporary system.
- A great solution for retrofit and refurbishment applications.
- Used more frequently on building sites with Timber frame construction.
- Ideal to install in buildings with concerns regarding Asbestos.
Another huge benefit to wireless fire alarm systems is the vastly reduced installation times. A single device could be installed in a room in around 30 minutes. A hard wired alternative system would in comparison take weeks or months to install, greatly increasing the installation time and the amount of disruption within the building. In a hotel for example installing a ‘hard wired' type system would take hours and if it is a fixed ceiling, building works or unsightly trucking would have to take place. It may be more cost effective to install a wireless fire alarm system when the amount of ‘down-time' is taken into account i.e. the hotel may lose much more revenue in shutting areas of the building while the installation of a fire alarm system is taking place.
Due to the flexibility and ease of installation, wireless fire alarm systems are also being used as temporary systems, especially on building site applications. Some building companies for example use wireless fire alarm systems on sites where fire detection is required whilst building work is on-going. These fire systems can be installed as the building work commences and be used on the project until the project is finished. The system can then be simply taken down ready to be used on their next project. The benefit of flexibility can also be seen when using wireless fire alarm systems on projects with phased construction works. The devices can be simply added and removed as work is on-going without having to add and remove cables and therefore speeding up the construction process.
Fire Systems Ltd, has recently installed such as system on the Parkway Newbury development project.
