Every office complex, commercial/retail business, and industrial facility should have a life-safety system to reduce the organization’s risk of property loss and harm to occupants. An integrated life and safety system includes layers of protection that work independently and collectively to protect life and property by seamlessly sharing data and communicating with each other.
Benefits of integrated fire protection systems
An integrated life/safety system includes fire detection and suppression, property access control and video surveillance systems, back-up power and lighting systems, protected emergency egress paths, and, depending on the facility, an active shooter mass notification system.
When you integrate smart fire protection and security systems, you gain enhanced protection that is both preemptive and preventative. Preemptive protection means a signal is dispatched if conditions exist where an emergency is probable (heat detectors, door breach), while preventative protection is those passive, in-place systems that will reduce the likelihood of major loss (fire rated walls, smoke detectors, fire doors).
Life and safety system integration is a cost-effective way to protect both employees and facilities. It puts the control and monitoring of building protective systems in the hands of a single point of contact, a life-safety systems and security system company like APC. A single point of oversight has proven to be a more efficient way of protecting property and personnel, allowing your in-house teams to focus on duties related to your core operations.
Trends in Fire Alarm System Technology
Today, facility owners can take advantage of smart fire alarm system technologies that include early warning smoke, heat, and flame detectors that will trigger new suppressive technologies to extinguish a fire that has already started. Valuable assets can be protected by Smart Aspiration Detection systems that will continuously sample indoor air quality that signal smoke, carbon monoxide, or other toxic fumes.
Fire alarm systems with voice evacuation not only help those with sight challenges, but clear instructions on using stairwells, avoiding elevators, and broadcasting of shelter-in-place locations can save valuable time and save many lives.
And lastly, fire detectors that feature Internet of Things (IoT) sensors can communicate possible hazards directly to the smartphones of all building occupants. Much more is expected with the marriage of wireless technology and fire alarm systems. Chunky, ceiling smoke and fire detectors are being replaced by more streamlined and compact, wireless versions that contribute to a more appealing environment. And there is no need for wiring, which means historical buildings or finished rooms will not be negatively altered.
Total Life-Safety Management Systems
The time to consider advanced life/safety technologies is during new construction, renovation or retrofit projects. But APC can provide expert life systems for existing infrastructures using our project management team that will work to make sure your facility is equipped with the latest in NFPA code-compliant fire alarm system products.
Our life/safety design experts will lay out a complete life/safety system and manage the project installation and commissioning. Our goal is to meet the requirements of your facility’s square footage and occupancy levels to ensure that every room and every person will be alerted to an emergency event and provided a safe path for egress.
APC can also review and re-evaluate your existing technologies to examine if new industry best practices should be put in place and determine if recent governmental regulations or policies require that improvements to your facility’s fire/safety system is necessary.
For more information on commercial and residential property protection, visit APC Life-Safety System online to learn more. We are the preferred fire alarm system and security system providers for many industries, including corporate headquarters, retail and restaurants, small businesses, and schools and universities.
