What makes sense for smaller facilities often may not translate to what’s needed for larger enterprises. This holds for fire panels. Let’s explore …
Improved Reliability
One of the drawbacks of systems that combine fire detection, burglar alarms, and access control on one panel is they reduce liability. If one component malfunctions, the failure could impact other systems including fire detection.
Dedicated fire panels, on the other hand, are specifically for fire detection as they use more robust components and electronic design. These systems meet rigorous standards, ensuring if one component fails, it affects only the fire system, leaving the other systems intact and operational.
Scalability
A dedicated fire system offers scalability that combination panels cannot match. Combination panels typically cap the number of sensors, as well as limit what connects to them.
In contrast, dedicated fire panels allow for seamless expansion. This is an important consideration as your building evolves because it’s easier to add more devices or integrate multiple panels, ensuring your fire system remains up to date. This scalability is particularly important in larger buildings or facilities with complex fire safety requirements, where the system must evolve with the structure’s needs.
Easier Compliance
Fire systems are subject to stringent regulations and local code compliance is crucial. Fire Marshals often prefer the fire system to be separate from other security and access control devices. This minimizes confusion and ensures the system is solely for fire safety.
These are reasons that installing a dedicated fire panel is more likely to meet the approval of local authorities, reducing the chances of pushback or complications during inspections. Combination panels may raise concerns regarding compliance with fire codes, especially in large or high-risk buildings.
Clear Separation of Ownership and Responsibility
When a building shares multiple tenants, separating the ownership and responsibility of different systems becomes imperative. Life safety, including fire detection, is typically the responsibility of the building owner. While tenants usually manage their burglar alarms and access control systems.
A dedicated fire panel allows building owners to keep the fire system separate from tenant-controlled security systems. This separation ensures clear ownership and responsibility for fire safety. This is especially important in multi-tenant buildings, where accountability can be more complex.
Building owners should carefully consider the long-term advantages of dedicated fire systems when designing or upgrading their fire safety infrastructure.
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