Conventional vs Addressable Fire Alarms: Which Do You Need?

Conventional systems

A conventional system divides the building into zones, each wired back to the panel on its own circuit. When a detector or call point operates, the panel shows which zone it is in, and someone has to go and find the device. In a small shop, office or surgery with a few zones, that is quick and the system is simple, reliable and economical.

Addressable systems

In an addressable system every device has its own address on a wiring loop, and the panel shows exactly which detector, call point or sounder has operated, usually with a text description such as the room name. Analogue addressable detectors also report their readings, so the panel can warn when a detector is getting dirty before it causes a false alarm.

How to choose

As a rough guide:

• Small premises with a handful of zones: conventional is usually the sensible choice.
• Buildings over several floors, blocks of flats, schools, hotels, care homes and warehouses: addressable is usually worth it.
• Buildings where people sleep or need help to leave: addressable, because finding the exact room quickly matters most there.
• Sites with complex cause and effect, such as door releases, smoke vents or phased evacuation: addressable.

Cost

Addressable devices cost more each, but loop wiring can be quicker to install in a large building, and faster fault finding saves time on every service and repair. New systems of either kind start from £1,200 + VAT for a small building, and larger buildings are priced per device after a survey. Servicing is from £180 + VAT a visit for conventional and £240 + VAT for addressable.

Upgrading

Moving from conventional to addressable usually means a new panel and new devices, often on the existing cable if it is the right type and tests sound. It can be staged across budgets. Our fire alarm upgrade page explains how we approach it, and a free survey tells you which option suits your building.