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Types of Fire Alarms

I have a need for an Automatic Fire Detection and Alarm System

There are several Types of Fire Systems and the are designated by Letters as follows:

M Fire Alarm systems

These  comprise Manual Call Points where recommended and raise the Alarm throughout the building, usually found on escape routes staircases etc. There is no Automatic Fire Detection built in and is operated by someone raising the alarm.

L Fire Alarm Systems

These are concerned primarily with preserving life, and enabling all occupants other than those immediately affected by the fire, to make good their escape from the building. There are several categories within the L system identified as L1 through to L5(lesser). The sub categories denote the type of Automatic sensors, sirens and beacons to be fitted and where.

As these systems are designed primarily to evacuate the building and prevent loss of life/injury then the system may not automatically call for the brigade and protection of property is dealt with by:

P Fire Alarm Systems

These denote an Automatic Fire Detection System installed to take on the additional task on not only preserving life but protecting the building and contents as well when the building is quite and unoccupied. The system should automatically dial out to the Brigade as a matter of course. Again there are various sub categories from P1 to P5, where the type of protection from the sensors used may be varied.

Fire Systems maybe configured by mixing and matching categories to produce an alarm fit for purpose in any particular premises. Also bear in mind that the construction of the building should be such that fire resistant materials are to be used which can slow down the spread of a major fire and its gases, thus giving people the time they need to escape once the alarm is raised. The object of the Automatic Fire Detection system is to raise the alarm at the earliest possible moment to allow an escape.

Radio Fire Alarms

Radio based wire-free Fire alarms offer a solution on premises where it is not practicable to disrupt a building whilst engineers cable in a conventional system.


Wire free systems offer unique benefits in that the sensors can be quickly put in place with very little damage caused to the building fabric. There are no expensive Fire resistant cables to consider and the system can easily be upgraded if the building is re-configured and even moved to another site should you wish.

Full analogue addressable systems are available and range from 4 to 96 zones in size. These systems are fully networkable with radio lan, and have a wide range of devices available.

The radio frequencies used are licence free and the equipment is fully approved. The technology is well tried and the UHF radio frequencies used have never been known to have had an interference triggered false alarm.