Why should I have a Fire alarm system?

            Having a security alarm system, may decreases the chances of risk due to fire. Even if the alarm system does not keep away the fire taking place, but it will surely save the precious life.
An automatic fire alarm system is designed to detect the unwanted presence of fire by monitoring environmental changes associated with combustion. We can also say that it is a control device which detects, reports as well as acts on hazardous fires in buildings it can be classified as automatic, manually activated, or both. Automatic fire alarm systems can be used to notify people to evacuate in the event of a fire or other emergency and to control the spread of fire and smoke.

 The panel will directly call the fire department via a transportation system, when a device connected to the panel is activated. The control panel receives information regarding smoke or heat problems in a building, via devices that are connected to the panel, such as smoke detectors, heat detectors or the alarm is set off manually. 
            These systems are often associated only with pull boxes and alarm bells. However, they are usually much more complex. They may include numerous components such as fire detectors, loudspeakers, telephones, control panels. In addition to the alarm function, fire detection systems can also actuate other fire safety measures in a building.
For the non-expert, it can be explained as given below
Functions: The main function of this alarm is to alert the occupants of a building to the presence of a fire. It may also perform other functions, such as, the system can be designed to simultaneously alert the fire department by means of a direct or relayed signal. This is important in certain industrial occupancies where a fire can develop rapidly and in high buildings, hospitals and nursing homes where evacuation assistance may be required. In other cases, because of the nature of the building occupancy, the alarm system may be designed to alert initially only the building staff before the general alarm is activated.
            It can be designed to control the operation of the building service equipment to minimize the spread of fire and smoke. It can also be designed to activate smoke exhaust systems to ventilate a fire and reduce heat build-up. Controls connected to the fire alarm system can recall elevators automatically to the ground floor and remove them from public use. These systems may also be designed to activate fire suppression systems, release hold-open devices on fire doors and indicate the location of the fire within the building.
Types of Systems: The basic types of fire alarm systems currently used in buildings are single and two-stage systems. A single-stage system is designed so that when activated the alarm signal is immediately transmitted throughout the building to warn the occupants that a fire emergency exists. In a two-stage alarm system, a distinct alert signal first advises the staff of the fire emergency. Usually this signal is coded so that its meaning is apparent only to designated building staff. The staff are expected to immediately investigate the source of the alarm and, if a fire exists, to activate the alarm signal. The alarm signal is automatically set off after a predetermined period of time. If, on the other hand, after investigation it is determined that the alert is a false alarm, staff can silence the coded alert signal and reset the system.