Fire accidents are one of the scariest and most dangerous hazards ones might ever encounter. To reduce this risk, there is nothing better than a fire alarm. Fire alarm comes in different types like interconnected fire alarm or stand-alone fire alarm.
But the widely asked question is Are Fire Alarms in Apartments Connected?
Fire alarms are connected in apartments. If your building was made in the last 10 years the fire alarms are interconnected for sure. The interconnection is a prerequisite as per building codes to ensure the safety of residential buildings with multi-units. However, some older buildings can have stand-alone fire alarms installed.
Undoubtedly a very important discussion is waiting ahead. So if you are interested and concerned about your safety, then without any delay just give the following article a read.
Are Fire Alarms in Apartments Interconnected?
Usually, the fire alarms within an apartment are connected. In fact, in some places, it is mentioned in the building code that an interconnected fire alarm is required. These alarms are not working as an individual but rather work as an interlinked network in terms of fire accidents at home.
There are two types of fire alarm systems available for apartments. One is standalone and the other one is interconnected. If your apartment is having interconnected fire alarm system, then the fire alarm in your apartment is connected.
If you are envisioning covering your whole house, then an interconnected fire alarm is recommended for your apartment. On the other hand, if you are having a temporary place and a wired fire alarm system is impossible to install, then SFD or a stand-alone fire detector is the best option.
How do I know if my fire alarm is interconnected?
After installing your fire alarm, all you need to do is to examine your system to determine whether the system is interconnected or not. Most fire alarm contains a test push button for checking the system. Press and hold the test push button for 5 seconds.
You should hear the fire alarm after five seconds. If your detectors are interlinked properly, all of those will make the alarm noise at the same time. If you notice any alarm is not making the sound, that must be an issue, and you must check that immediately.
If you still fail to fix the issue, you need to take the help of a qualified tradesperson for fixing the issue and maintenance.
Advantages of Interconnected Fire Alarms
Regarding apartment and house fire alarm systems, the interconnected fire alarm is the best option and is recommended by all the experts. There are a few advantages of interconnected fire alarm that makes it, more convenient behind using this at home.
Coverage in the Entire House:
Usually, during a home fire, you would only get a couple of minutes to escape from the home. Moreover, in most houses, there is no emergency exit kind of facility. So it is very important to let all the members of the house know that a fire accident has taken place so that they can ensure their safety.
Other than that, if you are having a two-storied house, and the fire is on the top floor while you are in the basement, you might not be able to hear the alarm off. So if you are having an interconnected fire alarm, it will alert you with the alarm when the alarm on the top floor goes off.
No matter where you are in the house, you would be able to hear the fire alarm.
Wired or Wireless Alarm Connection:
The traditional fire alarm comes hardwired into each other and so the wiring is all over the house. Lately, the fire alarm system came with wireless setup facilities. So now you do not need to connect the alarms with any kind of hardware.
These are quite easy to install and they are operated by batteries. So the biggest advantage is, your family will still get the fire alert while there is no source of electricity or power.
Remote Monitoring:
Interconnected fire alarms can be remotely monitored by fire safety professionals, providing an additional layer of protection and ensuring that any issues are identified and addressed quickly.
Faster Response Time:
Interconnected fire alarms provide faster response times by detecting fires earlier and sounding alarms throughout the building simultaneously. This can help minimize property damage and reduce the risk of injuries or fatalities
Compliance:
Interconnected fire alarms are often required by building codes and regulations for multi-unit residential and commercial buildings. Installing an interconnected system can help ensure compliance with these regulations and avoid potential fines or penalties.
Disadvantages of Interconnected Fire Alarm
There are a few disadvantages to having an interconnected fire alarm system installed in your apartment. However, if you are a tenant these issues won’t affect you that much.
Cost:
Interconnected fire alarm systems are typically more expensive to install than standalone systems. The cost can vary depending on the size of the building, the type of system, and the complexity of the installation.
Maintenance:
Interconnected fire alarm systems require regular testing and maintenance to ensure that all components are functioning properly. This can be time-consuming and expensive, particularly for larger buildings.
False Alarms:
Interconnected fire alarm systems can be more prone to false alarms than standalone systems, as a single malfunctioning detector can trigger the entire system. This can be disruptive to occupants and can lead to complacency in responding to actual emergencies.
Compatibility:
Another potential disadvantage of interconnected fire alarm systems is compatibility issues. If a building has an existing standalone system, it may not be compatible with an interconnected system, and upgrading to a new system can be costly and complex.
Technical Expertise:
Interconnected fire alarm systems require specialized technical expertise to install, test, and maintain. This can be a challenge for smaller building owners or those without in-house maintenance staff, as they may need to hire outside contractors to perform these tasks.
Misconceptions About Connected Fire Alarms
There is some misconception that can be seen among fire alarm users. Since this is a very useful and life-saving tool, the misconceptions need to be solved as soon as possible. Here are a few common misconceptions about fire alarms in the following-
- The alarm doesn’t ring before the fire starts. It always starts when the fire began
- People think they might smell the smoke so they don’t need any fire alarms. Which is wrong.
- A fire alarm system doesn’t need inspection or regular follow up which is again a myth
- Only setting a few fire alarm settings would be enough to protect the building, which is a massive wrong concept
- Fire alarm system requires high maintenance and inspection which is costly, this is a lie.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):
How to stop the fire alarm from constantly beeping?
You can check these few steps like removing the smoke alarm battery pull tab, cleaning the dirty sensing chamber, or replacing the outdated battery. Other than these, getting newer smoke detectors or closing the fire alarm battery drawer also helps in stopping the beeping noise.
What happens when you unplug a fire alarm?
If your fire alarm is unplugged while having a fire accident premises, it might be counted as a criminal act. Though it is not illegal or forbidden to turn off your fire alarm, to avoid any kind of risks the device needs to connect all the time. Not only for others but also for your safety, you need to always keep your fire alarm plugged in.
Why the fire alarm goes off frequently?
The main reason of fire alarm goes off frequently is the battery issue. If the battery of the fire alarm is not charged from time to time, then the fire alarm going off is not something very uncommon. Sometimes you also need to replace the batteries that have gone bad and keep the fire alarm clean.
Final Words
That was everything from our end regarding are fire alarms in apartments connected. Hope this article was informative enough to help you with enough necessary information.
It is needless to say how important role a fire alarm has to play. So if you still don’t have one, just do not make any further delay.
See you soon in no time. Till then, stay safe!
