Fire Alarms

Buying guide for fire alarms and detectors – How to choose the right fire protection

Choosing the right fire alarm equipment depends on the size of the property, its area of use and applicable safety requirements. There are several different types of fire alarms and detectors that meet different needs in everything from private homes to offices, industries and public environments.

Different types of fire alarms and components

• Optical smoke detectors: Suitable for standard installations in homes and smaller premises. They quickly detect smoldering fires and visible smoke.
• Conventional and addressable fire control panels: Used in larger systems where several zones or specific detectors need to be centrally monitored for precise positioning in the event of an alarm.
• Optical and addressable smoke detectors: Components for professional alarm systems that provide early warning of smoke development.
• Heat detectors: Perfect in spaces where dust, steam or smoke naturally occur, such as kitchens, garages or workshops, to avoid false alarms.
• Accessories and mounting bases: Complementary bases, switching relays and replacement chambers for easy installation and maintenance of existing systems.

Important to consider before buying

• Property size and structure: For ordinary homes, interconnectable or stand-alone smoke detectors are often sufficient, while commercial properties require certified fire panels and sectionalized detectors.
• Environment and location: Place detectors in the ceiling and avoid placing smoke detectors in the immediate vicinity of moisture sources or areas with high dust content, where heat detectors are better suited.
• System compatibility: When supplementing existing fire alarm systems, it is important to check that detectors, bases and panels are compatible with each other (e.g. 2-wire or 4-wire installations).
• Maintenance and testing: Choose detectors with replaceable smoke dust chambers or simple test functions to ensure long-term and fault-free operation over time.