Wireless fire alarm systems

Please read  below to find out if a wireless fire alarm system is the right fire alarm system for your business premises.

Wireless fire alarm systems might sound a bit new to you but they actually first appeared over 20 years ago.

Because the early technology experienced  issues (mainly with battery life and radio transmission), wireless fire alarm systems did  gain  a reputation in Ireland  for not been reliable. However, this is no longer true today.

In the same way that  mobile phones and computers are light years ahead of their 1990's ancestors, so are wireless fire alarms in Ireland. 

Today’s systems are  fully compliant to Irish  Standard I.S. 3218:2013 + A1:2019  and European Standards for fire alarms, and there are many amazing  wireless fire alarm systems  to choose from.

If you decide that a wireless fire alarm system is right for your business, our expert fire team will be able to supply, install,  test and commission all types of wireless fire alarm systems, in the greater Dublin area, and nationwide.

How do wireless fire alarm systems work?

Yes you would be right for guessing that a wireless fire alarm system has no wires. Instead, a radio signal is transmitted from break glass detectors and smoke and  heat detectors to the wireless  fire alarm control panel (the break glass  is the box on the wall where you can raise the alarm if you spot a fire).

From the point of view of anyone using a building fitted with a wireless system, it works in exactly the same way as the wired system – you spot a fire, you break a call point; a call point breaks, the alarm sounds.

There’s no special training required than you would receive on a wired fire alarm and you will be protected in exactly the same way.

Should I get a wireless fire alarm system?

There are many benefits to installing a wireless fire alarm system, but there are some downsides too. It’s important to always  weigh these up with some consideration. 

The benefits of wireless fire alarm systems:

• They are  reliable as a wired system and tested to Irish  and European standards
• 5 time quicker to  install and can be fitted with minimum disruption to your business
• No need to shut down areas of the building or be open out of hours for the installation to take place
• No  cables can be seen  or damage to your walls – the only cable will be  from the wireless control panel to the mains power
• Can be easily installed in buildings where there is limited access e.g. due to high ceilings
• Layout is easily modified if something in your building changes e.g. you extend
• Will save you money on labour, saving you on  decorating costs
• Will still work even if the power goes out as they are battery operated
• Wireless fire alarms can be used as a temporary system in locations where a wired one can’t be installed e.g. building sites
• Wireless fire alarms Can be used to extend existing wired systems

The downsides of wireless fire alarm systems:

• Even though you save money on labour & making good with a wireless alarm, the cost of the hardware is higher than a wired system so the initial set-up may cost more.
• Wireless fire alarms run on batteries which need to be replaced over time.
• Some wireless fire alarm systems use bespoke batteries which are more expensive.

So, should you get a wireless fire alarm?

Basically, what you’re getting with a wireless fire alarm system form us  is a fast, hassle-free installation that is easy on the eye and gives you a lot of  flexibility in the future, but with a slightly higher initial set-up cost and the slight inconvenience and expense of ongoing,  battery replacement.

On this basis, we would  recommend a wireless fire alarm instillation for any of the following reasons : – For anyone who wants a fire alarm fitted quickly, with a minimum time on site and disruption.

• For businesses where aesthetics are important, such as high-end retail outlets
• For businesses which would suffer disruption if they had to shut off areas of the building, example would be  hotels, large 24/retail premises, apartment blocks.
• For historic or listed buildings, or with building restrictions.
• For buildings which are to be renovated or extended in the future
• For buildings with difficult points of access such as narrow stairwells or high ceilings
• For complex sites with multiple buildings such as schools or colleges, hospitals,Hotels, apartment blocks.