Fire Alarms: The Different Types of Systems

Fire. It can be useful, but it can also be highly destructive. When a fire breaks out in your home or business, it can not only cause extreme damage to your property, but can also cause lives to be lost. For these reasons, it’s highly important that no matter where your business is located, whether it’s Canton, Columbus or Akron, fire alarms need to be installed in order to warn you about any possible outbreak of fire.

While it’s best to have any type of fire alarm system in your Akron or other Ohio-based business or multi-residential property, you’ll find there are key differences between the two most common types, mainly in their applications. Commonly, fire alarms, also known to the mass populace as “smoke alarms,” can be broken into photoelectric alarms and ionization alarms.

Photoelectric Fire Alarms

Photoelectric fire alarms are alarms that “see” smoke. Photoelectric alarms are particularly responsive to fire that are smoldering or give out a lot of smoke, and are ideal for structures that have items like PVC, foam and other highly flammable materials. Normally, photoelectric fire alarms are a tad more expensive than their ionization brethren, and it also must be kept clean, as false alarms can be generated by dust and insects.

Ionization Fire Alarms

Ionization fire alarms detect the invisible particles created by combustion. Compared to photoelectric alarms, ionization alarms “feel” the smoke generated by a fire outbreak, and is great for detecting fires that have not created any visible smoke. However, it can be susceptible to false alarms, so it should not be placed in a kitchen or other area where a great deal of heat is generated. These alarms are less expensive than photoelectric fire alarms, but they also contain some radioactive materials, so caution is advised.

Not sure what fire alarms are right for your Akron business? Give Hard Fire a call now at 800-848-1301.

Comments

Minimum requirements for fire alarms in Ohio

It can be difficult to know what needs to go into installing fire alarms in your Ohio business if you don't understand the regulations involved. The Ohio fire code has basic code requirements, so you can avoid false alarms, costly fines and dangerous situations. The minimum requirements for keeping your fire alarms in good standing with Ohio regulations include: Having your fire alarm systems serviced and tested on an annual basis (although dirty/dusty locations might necessitate more frequent checks) Per OSHA requirements: Written evacuation policy Annual fire drills A way to notify occupants of problems like fire, hazardous weather or workplace violence Full supervision of the system Monthly testing The basic building code in Ohio requires fire alarm systems to be installed wherever large groups gather, like churches or theaters, and in structures where evacuations might prove difficult (nursing homes, etc.). If you have questions about fire alarm re...

Essential Fire Protection Safety Tips for Businesses

The proper protection of your residents or employees, property and assets is a legitimate concern for any business owner. At Hard Fire, our focus is on helping you protect them. When you’re ready to hire the professionals, we can design a system using the best fire suppression agents and fire protection system components for your specific business. We will develop all specs and drawings needed for your project and get set up with a great fire protection plan. Until then, as experts in fire protection for Canton and the surrounding areas, we’ve have put together a list of some safety tips we find essential for all businesses. Have a Plan – Put a fire emergency plan in place even before a fire emergency strikes. Be sure that you have a detailed plan that all of your employees or residents understand how to execute. It can even be a good idea to have a practice run just to ensure everyone is on the same page. Appliance Safety Instruction – Make sure all employees and re...

The Difference Between Fire Detection and Industrial Fire Suppression

In the world of fire safety, detection and suppression are two critical components of a complete protection strategy—especially in industrial environments. At Hard Fire, we often speak with facility managers and safety professionals who want to better understand how these systems differ and why both are essential. Knowing how detection and suppression work—individually and together—can help protect lives, safeguard assets and reduce downtime. When you need industrial fire suppression in Cleveland , trust the experts at Hard Fire. Fire Detection: The First Line of Defense Fire detection systems are designed to identify the earliest signs of a fire—smoke, heat or flames—and alert personnel and emergency responders immediately. These systems often include: Smoke detectors Heat detectors Flame detectors Air sampling systems Once activated, detection systems can trigger alarms, emergency lighting and communication tools to support a safe and swift evacuation. In industrial facilit...

Hard Fire Suppression Systems of Ohio

Search This Blog