Fire Alarm Systems

Equipping a building with a suitable fire alarm system is essential for any type of construction. Fires and explosions can happen at any time, anywhere—from small apartments and office spaces to large-scale factories. When an incident occurs, just a few initial seconds without a timely warning can lead to severe consequences.

Today’s market offers a wide range of fire alarm systems, each with different structures, operating methods, and applications. Understanding each type will help you make the right choice, saving costs while ensuring maximum safety for both people and property. That’s exactly why Bảo Tín Steel has created this article: to help you gain a comprehensive understanding of the most common fire alarm systems available today.

What Is a Fire Alarm System? Basic Structure and Operating Principle

What is a fire alarm system?

A fire alarm system is a collection of electrical and electronic devices designed to detect early signs of fire and then issue warnings to minimise loss of life and property. It is a critical component of any fire prevention and protection strategy, whether in residential, commercial, or industrial buildings.

To help you visualise better, Bao Tin Steel will review with you the structure and operation of a standard fire alarm system.

Structure of a fire alarm system

A complete fire alarm system usually consists of 3 main groups of equipment:

Fire Alarm Control Unit (FACU)

This is essentially the “brain” of the system. The FACU is responsible for receiving signals from detectors, processing the information, and triggering alarm signals. A typical control panel usually includes:

• Main Processing Circuit Board

• Power Supply and Backup Battery

• Display Screen and Status LEDs

Input devices

Include:

• Automatic Fire Detectors: Detect smoke, heat, flames, or gas.

• Manual Call Points (Emergency Push Buttons): Allow you to manually activate the alarm when a fire is detected.

TOutput devices

Serves to alert people in the event of an emergency.

• Fire Alarm Sirens and Bells

• Flashing Lights and Indicator Lamps

• Auxiliary Devices such as relays, interfaces with fire suppression systems, elevators, emergency exit doors, and more.

General Operating Principle

When a detector senses signs of fire (such as smoke or high temperature), the signal is transmitted to the FACU control panel. There, the processing circuit analyses the information and, if conditions are met, activates the alarm system: ringing bells, flashing lights, and sirens. If connected remotely, the system can also automatically send signals to the fire protection authorities.

The system can operate automatically or be combined with manual activation via push buttons.

So, what types of fire alarm systems exist in practice, how do they differ, and which are suitable for different buildings? Let’s explore these questions with Bảo Tín Steel in the next section!

Common Types of Fire Alarm Systems

Not all fire alarm systems are the same — each type is designed to suit specific scales, environments, and purposes. Below, Bảo Tín Steel will help you explore how to classify the most common fire alarm systems available today.

Manual fire alarm system

This is the simplest form of system, relying on humans to detect and manually activate the alarm via an emergency push button or fire alarm lever.

• Structure: No automatic sensors. Consists only of manual call points (push buttons) and the control panel.
• Operation: When a fire occurs, a person presses the button → the control panel receives the signal → activates sirens and lights.
• Advantages: Low cost, easy to install.
• Disadvantages: Completely dependent on human intervention.
• Applications: Schools, homes, residential areas — places where people are frequently present.

Automatic Fire Alarm System

This type of system uses sensor devices to automatically detect signs of fire, such as smoke, heat, flames, or gas, allowing fire detection without human intervention. It mainly includes four types:

Conventional Fire Alarm System (Zone-Based)

The building is divided into multiple “zones,” with each zone connected to a group of detectors and manual call points. When an alarm is triggered, the control panel displays the affected zone but does not specify which device was activated.

• Advantages: Easy to implement, low cost.
• Disadvantages: Cannot precisely identify the fire location; only the zone is known.
• Applications: Residential houses, small offices, medium-sized hotels.

Addressable Fire Alarm System (Point-Based)

Each device (detector, manual call point) has a unique address. When an incident occurs, the control panel displays the exact device that triggered the alarm.

• Advantages: Precise location identification, convenient for inspection and maintenance.
• Disadvantages: Higher cost and more technical requirements.
• Applications: Apartment buildings, shopping malls, hospitals.

Intelligent Fire Alarm System

Based on advanced processing algorithms and intelligent sensors, this system can analyse smoke, heat, and gases to make more accurate decisions about triggering the alarm.

• Advantages: In-depth analysis, reduces false alarms.
• Disadvantages: High cost, requires specialised installation.
• Applications: Data centers, factories with high fire risk.

Wireless Fire Alarm System

The devices connect to the control panel via radio waves, eliminating the need for wiring.

• Advantages: Quick installation, maintains aesthetic value.
• Disadvantages: Requires periodic battery replacement, signal can be prone to interference.
• Applications: Villas, showrooms, heritage buildings, or renovation projects.

Each type of fire alarm system has its advantages and disadvantages. The right choice of system depends on various factors. To ensure you make the right decision, let’s continue exploring in the next section.

Criteria for Choosing the Right Fire Alarm System

Choosing a fire alarm system is not just about cost or appearance. It requires careful consideration of various practical, technical factors and specific usage needs. Below are 6 important criteria that Bảo Tín Steel recommends you thoroughly evaluate before making a decision:

Size and Structure of the Building

• For small houses with few rooms (under 500m²): A conventional or localised fire alarm system is a reasonable choice, offering cost savings while meeting basic needs.
• For factories, high-rise buildings, or complex spaces, Priority should be given to addressable or intelligent fire alarm systems, which allow for precise location identification of the incident and easier management of multiple areas.
• For completed buildings or projects with high aesthetic requirements (villas, showrooms, restaurants): A wireless fire alarm system would be the optimal solution, reducing the need for complex wiring, shortening installation time, and still ensuring effective alarm functionality.

Investment Budget

• If the budget is limited, you can start with a conventional fire alarm system, combined with basic devices such as heat detectors and smoke detectors. This solution suits basic needs and is easy to implement.
• However, it’s important to consider long-term costs. Investing in an addressable or intelligent system should be considered. Although the initial cost is higher, these systems help reduce risks, save on long-term maintenance and repair costs, and enhance the overall alarm effectiveness and building management.

Fire and Explosion Risk Level of the Building

Each type of building has different characteristics in terms of fire and explosion risk, so it’s important to choose the appropriate fire alarm equipment to ensure effective warning.

• For buildings containing flammable materials (such as fabric, wood, chemicals, etc.): It is recommended to use flame detectors or multi-sensor detectors to detect quickly and accurately, shortening the response time in case of an emergency.
• For areas frequently exposed to smoke or gases (such as kitchens, garages, etc.): Priority should be given to heat detectors or gas detectors to minimise false alarms and maintain stable operation in these specific environments.

Legal Requirements and Safety Standards

• For certain types of buildings, such as apartment complexes, hotels, and factories, the installation of an addressable fire alarm system is mandatory under legal regulations, specifically TCVN 3890:2009 and QCVN 06:2022/BXD.
• If you are an investor or a construction contractor, it is advisable to consult the fire protection approval authority early to ensure the system is designed according to the standards, that the documentation is quickly approved, and to avoid unnecessary modification costs.

Integration with Other Systems

In modern buildings, fire alarm systems often need to integrate with other systems such as elevators, automatic fire suppression systems, central air conditioning, access control systems, etc. If you require centralised monitoring and control, it is advisable to invest in an addressable or intelligent fire alarm system from the beginning to ensure compatibility, ease of expansion, and efficient management in the future.

Aesthetics and Scalability

• For buildings where aesthetics are a priority, such as showrooms, restaurants, or villas, it is recommended to choose compactly designed devices or a wireless fire alarm system to preserve the beauty of the space and minimise complex installation.
• If you plan to expand the building in the future, Bảo Tín Steel recommends investing in an addressable system — a solution that allows for flexible expansion without the need to replace the entire system, saving both costs and time during upgrades.

Understanding these criteria will help you make an informed decision and ensure peace of mind throughout the long-term use of the system. If you still have any doubts, let Bảo Tín Steel accompany you and provide the best solution tailored for your building!

Considerations for Installing and Maintaining Fire Alarm Systems

Proper installation and regular maintenance not only help extend the lifespan of fire alarm systems but also play a critical role in protecting lives and property during the most crucial moments. Here are the key things you need to keep in mind

Adhering to fire safety standards

• The system must comply with technical standards such as TCVN 3890:2009 or QCVN 06:2022/BXD.
• Detectors, control panels, manual call points, and alarm bells must be installed in the correct positions, at appropriate heights and distances, as specified by regulations.
• Signal and power cables should be routed through fire-resistant conduits or metal pipes and should be kept away from damp areas.

Develop a detailed system layout plan before installation.

• Ensure that you have a comprehensive layout diagram that includes the control panel, detectors, alarm bells, strobe lights, and wiring routes.
• Having a diagram facilitates easier inspection, maintenance, troubleshooting, and fire safety training for end users in the future.

Regular inspection and maintenance

Whether the system is newly installed or has been in use for many years, you should still plan for regular inspections:

Also, remember to keep monthly inspection records for easy comparison in case of an incident or when authorities conduct an inspection.

Use professional construction and maintenance units

• Choose a company with a fire protection practice certificate, practical implementation experience, and the ability to support acceptance testing.
• After completing the installation, you should sign a periodic maintenance contract to ensure the system is always ready when needed.

The right choice – Long-term peace of mind with Bao Tin Steel

A fire alarm system is not just a technical device – it is a solution for protecting lives, property, and ensuring stable operation for your building. Don’t choose a system based solely on price or personal preference.

Conduct a thorough survey, assess risks, and seek advice from qualified professionals.

Unsure which system is right for you?

Don’t worry, Bao Tin Steel is always here to support you!

Contact us today for a free consultation – because your safety and the security of your property are our top priorities!