Fire Alarm
Fire Power
The ancient civilizations always believed in the power of Sun, in the sky, and that of the fire on Earth. Almost every tribe would have its own fire and sacrifice place. It was not uncommon to depute sentries to ensure symbolic fire would burn round the clock in many places.
It may be the power of destruction or the power to purify every object crossing its path that Fire is deeply rooted into our hearts and our lives. If it has gladdened our hearts with its ability to provide warmth during the chilling vagaries of nature, it also had the extreme non tolerance for anybody crossing the path. Thus Fire remained an all important aspect of our lives - admired for its abilities and feared for its properties.
The Truth About Fire
Fire is actually a dense collection of atoms. It is actually a side effect (other than carbon charcoal and soot) or the by product of chemical reaction between oxygen and fuel with an ignition temperature. These chemical reactions generate and expel lot of heat and that’s exactly what burns the fingers. The amazing part is that this heat is very helpful in sustaining the Fire itself. It’s the art of learning to control this fuelled fire (like controlling the burning of paraffin wax of a candle) that has placed the Human race on a high pedestal.
The Menace
The fire menace that has engulfed numerous human lives and properties has mostly been successful because we have been unsuccessful in timely detection and prevention. Are we prepared now? That’s what we are trying to learn below - How to detect fire effectively at the very initiation stage itself.
Sensing The Upsurge
Fire alarms are devices that work in tandem with the Fire detection system and raise a loud wailing noise to indicate a fire outbreak. This device is generally composed of electromechanical sub assemblies that are able to detect the fire and alert the occupants to initiate preventive actions using a fire alarm. So how does all this happen inside the fire alarm? The fire alarm in reality has been designed based upon all the wisdom we have gathered regarding Fire. Thus our knowledge about Fire and its composition has played a crucial role in providing fire alarm.
The Fire Alarm Device
The fire alarm is centrally regulated by the control device. This device is actually controlling the sensing and alarming devices by monitoring their inputs at regular intervals and providing them direct execution commands upon detection of any signal. The sensing device of a fire alarm makes use of a smoke and a heat detector. Smoke detectors are the considered the “Early Warning Systems” since they detect fire even before it breaks out. Heat detectors on the other hand, are activated when a sudden rise in temperature or reaching of temperature to a pre- programmed level.
The fact however remains that heat can only be sensed and fire alarm raised after fire has fully flared and temperatures have risen. The role of conveying the incident rests with the Fire Alarm devices. The Fire alarm can be conveyed through Audio signals (Wailing Sounds) or visual (Rapid Blinking/ Flashing of Lights). These Fire alarms can also be programmed to inform the Fire Department regarding the incident along with an area identification tag.
Fire Alarm Network
It is possible to connect a number of Sensors and Fire Alarms to a central controlling unit. Thus it is possible to cover (watch) every area of the house through a well placed sensor. This fire alarm network can be wired or wireless. As the name suggests, a wired network would have cables running to and from the sensor to the Fire Alarm and the Control Unit. A wireless network utilizes the Radio Frequency signals to convey the signal through air medium.
Many of us are aware or have even experienced the menace of a false fire alarm. Due to the loud and shrill noise generated by the fire alarm, the nuisance value is much higher. To prevent a false fire alarm, the components of the Fire Alarm System are to be maintained properly. The components viz. pull station, control panel, Ifre sensors and Fire alarms have to be kept in an operational state.
The fire alarm horns are positioned outdoors view their shrill noise and the damage that can be cause to the occupants. These horns produce fire alarm signals of around 100-115dB and alert the neighbors and police.
Advancements
The smart devices available are integrated for multipurpose activities such as Fire detection, raising fire alarm, informing the Fire Department, initiating the sprinkling system and also inform the Fire Department in case a Fire alarm Drill is in progress. The control unit can also be signaled manually by breaking the glass cover to set off the alarm. Last but not the least, the latest gadgets come as all-in-one combo where the home security system incorporates all other safeties along with the fire Alarm system.
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