Protection of lives, property and business operations are among the most crucial factors to protect in the event of fire. When the time of a fire emergency comes, the need for the appropriate fire protection system can make a huge difference in the risk of loss, whether you are managing a commercial office, industrial plant, warehouse or residential building. But many people are often confused between a fire alarm system and a fire detection system. These systems function in conjunction, but have different functions.

Knowing the difference will aid you in selecting the appropriate solution for your facility. East Wind Safety, one of the trusted suppliers of safety equipment in UAE, offers high-tech fire gas detection solutions to ensure safety in different industries.

Fire Detection System – What is it?

A common question asked by many business owners is, What is a fire detection system?

A fire detection system is a system that is designed to detect the onset of fire as early as possible before it has the potential to cause significant damage. Continually scans the environment for smoke, heat, flames and combustible gases with multiple sensors and detectors.

The elements of a modern fire detection system generally consist of:

• Smoke detectors
• Heat detectors
• Flame detectors
• Gas detectors
• Control panels
• Manual call points
• Communication interfaces

All these components are used to monitor abnormal situations and relay data to the control panel. There are many industrial applications that also use gas detection as part of the fire detection system to detect gas leaks in advance of a fire.

This is the critical area where fire gas detection systems can prove to be extremely useful. They offer an extra safety feature as they detect both fire and hazardous gases, and can prevent potential accidents from worsening.

What is a Fire Alarm System?

An additional often asked query is what’s a fire alarm system?

When a fire is detected a fire alarm system will alert people. Its main purpose is to warn the occupants to evacuate and follow the instructions of the emergency services.

The typical fire alarm system consists of:

• Alarms or sirens that can be heard.
• Flashing strobe lights
• Manual pull stations
• Fire alarm controller.
• Emergency communication devices

A fire alarm is triggered if smoke, heat or fire is detected, and notifies everyone in the building. Such as some of the most recent systems can send automatic alarms to fire services, building management or monitoring centres as well.

A reliable fire alarm system for commercial buildings is essential for businesses, as it can help to ensure a quick response time and help them meet fire safety codes.

Fire Alarm vs Fire Detection System: Key Difference

These systems are close cousins, but have different uses.

Fire detection is a system laid out to detect the potential fire hazard early with a sensor or detector. A fire alarm system is about alerting the occupants if a fire hazard is sensed.

Think of it as if…

• The detection system is able to “discover” the threat. 
• The alarm “announces” the danger.

These systems are integrated in most modern buildings for a comprehensive fire protection system. Early detection and prompt notification provides more time for evacuation and enables emergency operations to respond rapidly.

Industrial Buildings require advanced fire detection systems

The industrial sector has additional fire hazards, such as flammable gases, high-temperature operations, and chemicals, as well as machinery. This is a much more advanced fire detection system for an industrial building than it is for a residential building.

There are a number of components within an industrial fire detection system, such as:

• Flame detection
• Toxic gas monitoring
• Combustible gas detection
• Heat sensing technologies
• System for integrated emergency shutdown.

They are sophisticated systems that can help reduce downtime, protect costly equipment and most importantly, ensure that employees operating in hazardous conditions are protected.

Selecting the appropriate fire protection solution

The fire safety needs of each building are unique. Different types of businesses, such as offices, shopping malls, hospitals, warehouses, manufacturing and oil & gas facilities, have unique security needs that must be addressed by custom protection.

When choosing the type of fire protection system to install, take into account:

• The type of building
• Occupancy levels
• Fire hazards present
• Local safety regulations
• Future expansion requirements
• The ability to integrate with pre-existing safety systems.

When you have a professional work with you, you can be confident that your fire detection and alarm systems will be designed, installed and maintained correctly so that they are as reliable as possible.

Why go with East Wind Safety?

East Wind Safety has established a solid reputation as a trusted provider of safety equipment in the UAE for its reliable fire protection solutions. The company supplies top quality fire gas detection systems that can help businesses create safer work environments and meet international industry standards.

They are solutions that can be used in commercial buildings, industrial facilities, warehouses, oil & gas operations and other high-risk areas. Advanced detection capabilities paired with a secure, reliable fire alarm integration allows East Wind Safety to assist organizations in early detection and prompt response in the event of a fire emergency.

Conclusion

It is important to differentiate between a fire detection system and fire alarm system in order to make a safer work environment. This detects smoke, heat, flames or dangerous gases, the alarm system alerts people and initiates emergency responses.The combination is at their best, reducing risk and providing security.  If you are worried about fire in your commercial building, or fire detection in your industrial building, you need a high-quality system and a trusted provider such as East Wind Safety to help keep people, property and business continuity safe from fire.