How to Tell What Size Fire Alarm Control Panel Is Needed

Consult the fire department with jurisdiction over the area in which the building is located for specific regulations concerning fire alarm control panels. The type of building influences the nature of the fire alarm system. For example, hotels, apartment housing complexes, warehouses, office buildings and schools will have different fire safety needs, as will a library or warehouse containing a lot of paper or other flammable goods. When hundreds of people sleep on the premises or when there are more chances of fire because of the amount of flammable material on the site, you need a larger fire alarm control panel that you would need for an office with three workers and small amounts of flammable material.

Count the number of devices that need to connect to the fire alarm control panel. The number and types of devices vary for each particular situation. You may need to connect only smoke detectors, or you might also need to add heat detectors and water sprinkler controls. The more devices being used, the larger the panel you will need to provide status and alarm lights. For example, you need a larger fire alarm control panel when there are 100 smoke alarms compared to a building that has only 20 smoke alarms. A single-story building can use a smaller control panel compared to a 10-story building that requires the largest control panel.

Ask if the building’s occupants require a built-in communicator in the fire alarm control panel. A communicator enables someone to speak to people located in a different room or area of the building where fire sensors are located to give evacuation commands. Including a communicator adds to the size of the control panel, and communicators have variable sizes, depending on the model and configuration.

Tell the fire alarm control panel manufacturer the size of the building, how many floors it has, what type of building it is and whether people occupy it at all times or only during business hours. Note the number of devices, including heat and smoke detectors, alarms and fire suppression equipment that must connect to the fire alarm control panel. Explain whether people sleep on the premises, and note any other fire safety issues that are particular to the building. These factors all contribute to helping the manufacturer determine with you whether you need a small, medium or large fire alarm control panel.