Wireless fire detection has many different uses. It can be used for temporary installations, commercial or domestic installations, as part of a hybrid fire alarm system, and is suitable for a wide variety of environments and applications.
However, while wireless technology offers considerable advantages in the world of fire detection, there are still many arguments for and against using it to form a complete fire detection solution.
The Pros of Wireless Fire Detection
It’s Wireless
Wireless fire detection is precisely that, wireless. Therefore, it eliminates the need for lengthy cable runs which can be unsightly or damaging to the aesthetics of a property. This also means that in situations where fire detection is required in a separate building such as an outhouse or toilet block, detectors, call points, sounders and other field devices can connect wirelessly to the main building.
Easy to Install
No wires means reduced installation time and minimal disruption to a property during installation, ultimately leading to a financial saving.
Battery Powered
As most wireless devices are battery powered, they will work during a power cut or blackout. This ensures that reliable fire detection is always available and offers increased protection, especially if the building is occupied by people, such as sleeping residents, who may be unaware that there is an issue with the power supply.
The Cons of Wireless Fire Detection
Costly
On its own, wireless fire detection can be costly, especially if it is used to protect a large building from fire. Although installation time will likely be reduced, the overall cost of the hardware required for large areas will still be much higher than that of installing a traditional hardwired system.
Maintenance
Wireless devices require more maintenance than hardwired devices. As well as the usual tests and servicing, wireless devices include batteries that need to be regularly tested and replaced.
Reliability
There still some reliability concerns around wireless fire detection systems. Some users are concerned that signal quality may not be sufficient to provide reliable detection, while others feel that they may be let down by battery life.
Wi-Fyre’s Hybrid Solution
Wi-Fyre offers the best of both worlds, pairing hardwired detection with wireless technology to help not only fully protect environments from fire but also give system designers the flexibility to use wireless detection technology where necessary.
Wi-Fyre wireless detection technology can be used to form part of a new fire alarm system or can be used to extend an existing hardwired installation.
- Hardwired devices can be installed where possible, saving costs and improving reliability, and;
- wireless devices can be used in areas where cabling is impossible, unsightly or will cause too much disruption to a building’s operation.
How Does Wi-Fyre Work?
At the heart of any Wi-Fyre system is the wireless transponder. The transponder connects to the fire alarm wiring via a compatible interface module and can communicate with up to 30 field devices such as detectors, sounders and manual call points. If more devices are required, more transponders can be added to the system.
A Wi-Fyre survey head is used to test the signal strength between the transponder and the device to be installed, to ensure that the signal is high enough for the system to operate efficiently.
Wi-Fyre’s hybrid fire detection solution not only offers all of the advantages of wireless fire detection, it also alleviates many of the negatives, providing a cost-effective and reliable wireless fire detection solution.
Find out more about our hybrid solution
For more information or to learn about the benefits of Wi-Fyre, please feel free to give us a call on +44 (0)1329 835024 or email [email protected] where we would be happy to answer any questions.
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