Conventional fire alarm systems.
The most established type of fire alarm. Reliable, well understood and often the most economical choice for smaller premises.
How it works
The building is divided into zones, usually by floor or by area. Every detector and call point in a zone is wired on the same circuit back to the control panel. When a device activates, the panel lights the zone it belongs to.
That is its main characteristic: the panel tells you which zone the alarm is in, not which individual detector. In a small building that is often all anyone needs. In a large one, it can mean someone walking a whole zone to find the cause.
What it suits
- Small and medium shops, offices and workshops
- Pubs and restaurants with a straightforward layout
- Small blocks of flats, HMOs and care or guest accommodation
- Premises where the budget matters and the layout is simple
Strengths and limits
Strengths: lower equipment cost, simple to understand, straightforward for most engineers to maintain, and a wide choice of compatible devices.
Limits: less information when something happens, more cable than a wireless system and, in bigger buildings, more cabling than an addressable loop. Fault finding is slower, because a fault shows as a zone rather than a device.
Zoning matters
How a building is zoned affects how quickly a fire is located. Zone plans are normally displayed next to the panel so that anyone, including the fire and rescue service, can see which area each zone covers. A well-designed zone plan is part of a good installation, not an extra.
When to look at addressable insteadIf the building has several floors, several tenants or large areas, an addressable system may be worth the extra cost.
Common questions.
Is a conventional fire alarm still acceptable?
Yes. Conventional systems are widely installed and, when designed and installed to the relevant standard, are suitable for many premises. The question is whether the layout and risk justify more detailed information from the panel.
What does a zone mean on a fire alarm?
A zone is an area of the building covered by a group of detectors that share one circuit. The panel shows which zone has activated.
Can a conventional system be upgraded later?
Often, yes, but it depends on the existing panel and wiring. We can survey the system and advise. See upgrades and alterations.
Speak to a fire engineer.
Call, message or send the form. We reply the same working day wherever we can.
