
Where should a fire alarm control panel be located?
Where should a fire alarm control panel be sited? It should be located in an area common to all building users and where automatic detection is in use, the Control Panel should be in a protected area. An alarm sounder should be sited next to the Control Unit, but not too near the telephone position. Click to read full detail here.
How to choose the best fire alarm panel?
When looking for a fire alarm for your business, you should look for:
- Equipment warranty
- Addressability
- Cost
- Function
- Monitoring fee
Is it required to have a fire alarm panel?
You are unlikely to need a fire alarm system if all of the following statements are true: You don’t store any high-risk substances, such as chemicals You don’t undertake any high-risk activities, such as cooking You don’t have any vulnerable occupants, such as the very young, elderly or disabled
How to troubleshoot a Simplex fire alarm control panel?
How to Troubleshoot a Simplex Fire Alarm Control Panel
- Verify the panel is getting power. Multiple green or yellow lights should be lit on the panel and an active LCD display should show the current date and ...
- Check the panel itself for any signs of damage or tampering. ...
- Examine the LCD screen on the panel for any error codes. ...
- Reset the panel by hitting the "reset" button. ...

Where do you put fire alarm control panel?
This question typically comes in as someone asking if NFPA 72, Fire Alarm and Signaling Code specifies the location of where these need to be located. The short answer is that no, NFPA 72 does not specify where a fire alarm control unit needs to be installed.
Where is an alarm panel usually located?
It should be located in an area common to all building users and where automatic detection is in use, the Control Panel should be in a protected area. An alarm sounder should be sited next to the Control Unit, but not too near the telephone position.
What is control panel in fire alarm system?
A fire control panel is a component that offers control through a fire alarm or notification system. Throughout the building, sensors are installed. These sensors redirect information to this control panel. They include environmental changes that could detect the presence of a fire.
How high should a fire alarm panel be mounted?
The operable part of the manual stations shall be installed not less than 3 ½ ft. (42") and not more than 4 ft. (46”) to center above finished floor. All pull stations shall be installed at the same height throughout the facility.
Is a smoke detector required above the fire alarm control panel?
If the component is UL listed as a fire alarm control unit, then a smoke detector is required above it. If the component is UL listed as an annunciator panel (even if the system can be reset from it), then a smoke detector will not be required above it.
At what location is it preferable to install smoke alarms?
So the ceiling is the best place that is higher enough to place the alarm. Heat sensors are present in the fire alarms, so when fire and smoke is detected, it warns.
Do you need a fire alarm panel?
Current UK fire alarm regulations state that all business premises must have 'an appropriate fire detection system'. That means that if there's a fire, there needs to be a way for that fire to be easily detected and occupants can be warned easily.
What are the 4 basic types of alarm panels?
Types of Fire Alarm Detectors Typically divided into four main categories - ionization, photoelectric, heat, and combined ionization/photoelectric - each one detects fires differently. Below, we are sharing some key insights into each of the four types of fire alarm detector options. Check it out!
What is a fire alarm panel called?
The fire alarm control panel (FACP) is the central hub of operations for a fire alarm system. It tells each component what to do and when to do it.
What are the NFPA 72 requirements?
NFPA 72 only provides requirements for the installation, performance, testing, inspection, and maintenance of the fire alarm system. NFPA 101®, Life Safety Code® and other codes determine whether a fire alarm system is required in a given occupancy.
What is the minimum distance between a ceiling mounted smoke alarm and a wall?
Smoke detectors shall be a minimum of four inches away from a wall. f. The maximum allowable distance from a hallway smoke detector to a bedroom is twenty feet on an unobstructed ceiling.
How much clearance is in front of electrical panel?
For equipment operating at 600 volts, nominal or less to ground, electrical panels must have a minimum of three feet of clearance in front of the panel and a minimum clearance width of 2.5 feet or the width of the equipment, whichever is greater.
How do I use the fire control panel?
How to Operate the Fire Alarm Control Panel / Operator Panel.In the Event of a.ALARM indicator: blinking. Fire Brig. ... Investigate the scene(s) and. ... In the Event of a.The internal buzzer is activated. ... Investigate the scene(s) and. ... Fault indicator: Blinking light when unaccepted fault warnings exist.More items...
What are the main components of a fire alarm system?
Components of an Alarm SystemFire alarm control panel.Initiation devices.Pull stations.Smoke detectors.Duct detectors.Heat detectors.Beam detectors.Air aspirating or air sampling smoke detectors.More items...•
What are the two types of fire alarm systems?
There are two types of fire alarm initiating devices: manual and automatic.
What is the most important part of a fire alarm system?
Notification devices are arguably the most important parts of your fire alarm system. Notification devices can use audible, visible, tactile, textual and even smell-based stimuli to alert the people in your building of fire.
How far from the floor should a fire alarm be?
A fire alarm pull station also needs to be placed between 42 and 48 inches from the floor, keeping it accessible to those who use wheelchairs. Additionally, a fire alarm pull station needs to be red and in a location ...
What is a fire pull station?
While they generally go unnoticed until a moment of need, a fire alarm pull station is an integral part of a business or large residential building’s fire alarm system.
Why are fire stations important?
This is an important element of any fire safety system because it provides a manual way for occupants to trigger an alarm if the smoke or heat detectors malfunction.
Why are power panels accessible?
The reasons for the accessibility of power panels is obviously for safety reasons. You need to be able to get to the panels immediately if there is a problem or someone could be severely injured or killed. If you can't get to the alarm panel, nobody is going to suffer injury or death because of it. JMHO.
Do fire alarms have to be accessible?
I work where there are a lot of Fire Marshall inspections and the fire alarm panels have to be readily accessible for rutine maintenance. If there is a fire alarm the fire fighters and fire techs will have no problems with access to the panels. I know I have different circumstances than most. But it safety first for everyone.
Where is the FACP located?
But under normal conditions, the FACP should be located within or along the designated entrance corridor or lobby, as approved by AHJ. Area in front of FACP should remain clear of obstructions. Remote Anunciators may be required by AHJ, where multiple entrances exist.
Can a fire command center be combined with other building operations?
The fire command center shall be permitted to be physically combined with other building operations and security centers as permitted by the authority having jurisdiction. Operating controls for use by the fire department shall be clearly marked.".
