A fire alarm system is a building system designed to detect, alert occupants, and alert emergency forces of the presence of fire, smoke, carbon monoxide, or other fire-related emergencies. Fire alarm systems are required in most commercial buildings. They may include smoke detectors, heat detectors, and manual fire alarm activation devices (pull stations). All components of a fire alarm system are connected to a fire alarm control panel. Fire alarm control panels are usually found in an electrical or panel room. Fire alarm systems generally use visual and audio signalization to warn the occupants of the building. Some fire alarm systems may also disable elevators, which are unsafe to use during a fire under most circumstances. Fire alarm systems are designed after fire protection requirements in a location are established, which is usually done by referencing the minimum levels of security mandated by the appropriate model building code, insurance agencies, and other authorities. A fire alarm designer will detail specific components, arrangements, and interfaces necessary to accomplish these requirements. Equipment specifically manufactured for these purposes is selected, and standardized installation methods are anticipated during the design. There are several commonly referenced standards for fire protection requirements, including: ISO 7240-14, the international standard for the design, installation, commissioning, and service of fire detection and fire alarm systems in and around a building. This standard was published in August 2013. NFPA 72, The National Fire Alarm Code, an established and widely used installation standard from the United States. In Canada, the Underwriters' Laboratories of Canada or ULC provides fire system installation standards. TS 54 -14 is a technical specification (CEN/TS) for fire detection and fire alarm systems (Part 14: Guidelines for planning, design, installation, commissioning, use, and maintenance). Technical Committee CEN/TC72 has prepared this document as part of the EN 54 series of standards. This standard was published in October 2018. There are national codes in each European country for planning, design, installation, commissioning, use, and maintenance of fire detection systems with additional requirements that are mentioned on TS 54 -14: Germany, Vds 2095 Italy, UNI 9795 France, NF S61-936 Spain, UNE 23007-14 United Kingdom, BS 5839 Part 1 Across Oceania, the following standards outline the requirements, test methods, and performance criteria for fire detection control and indicating equipment utilised in building fire detection and fire alarm systems: Australia AS 1603.4 (superseded), AS 4428.1 (superseded) and AS 7240.2:2018. Fire alarm systems are composed of several distinct parts: Fire alarm control panel (FACP), or fire alarm control unit (FACU): This component, the hub of the system, monitors inputs and system integrity, controls outputs, and transmits information. Remote annunciator: a device that connects directly to the panel; the annunciator's main purpose is to allow emergency personnel to view the system status and take command from outside the electrical room the panel is located in. Usually, annunciators are installed by the front door, the door the fire department responds by, or in a fire command center. Annunciators typically have the same commands as those available from the panel's LCD screen, although some annunciators allow for full system control. Primary power supply: Commonly, a commercial power utility supplies a non-switched 120 or 240-volt alternating current source. A dedicated branch circuit is connected to the fire alarm system and its constituents in non-residential applications. "Dedicated branch circuits" should not be confused with "Individual branch circuits" which supply energy to a single appliance. Secondary (backup) power supplies: Sealed lead-acid storage batteries or other emergency sources, including generators, are used to supply energy during a primary power failure. The batteries can be either inside the bottom of the panel or inside a separate battery box installed near the panel. Initiating devices: These components act as inputs to the fire alarm control unit and are manually or automatically activated. Examples include pull stations, heat detectors, duct detectors, and smoke detectors. Fire alarm notification appliance: This component uses energy supplied from the fire alarm system or other stored energy source to inform the proximate persons of the need to take action, usually to evacuate. This is done using a variety of audio and visual means, ranging from pulsing incandescent lights, flashing strobe lights, horns, sirens, chimes, bells, loudspeakers, or a combination of these devices. Building safety interfaces: This interface allows the fire alarm system to control aspects of the built environment, prepare the building for fire, and control the spread of smoke fumes by influencing air movement, lighting
