Can You Upgrade a Conventional Fire Alarm to Addressable Without Rewiring?

For many organisations operating from older or larger buildings, upgrading an ageing conventional fire alarm system can sound like a major undertaking.

New cables, disrupted ceilings, redecorating, restricted areas and potentially significant downtime can all make building managers understandably reluctant to consider an upgrade unless it becomes absolutely necessary.

But what if much of the existing fire alarm cabling could remain in place?

Developments in fire alarm technology mean that, for some existing conventional systems, it may now be possible to upgrade to a modern addressable fire alarm system without completely rewiring the premises.

For schools, care homes, offices and other occupied commercial buildings, this could make upgrading significantly less disruptive than many people assume.

What Is the Difference Between a Conventional and Addressable Fire Alarm?

A conventional fire alarm divides a building into a number of detection zones.

If a detector or manual call point operates, the fire alarm control panel identifies the affected zone, but it does not normally identify the exact individual device that has activated.

For example, the panel may indicate:

FIRE – ZONE 4 – FIRST FLOOR

Staff would then need to investigate that zone to establish the precise location of the activation.

An addressable fire alarm system operates differently.

Each detector, call point, interface or other addressable device has its own individual electronic address. When a device activates or develops a fault, the fire alarm control panel can identify the individual device and its programmed location.

For example:

FIRE – ROOM 18 – FIRST FLOOR – SMOKE DETECTOR

In larger or more complex premises, having that additional information can make identifying an activation or fault considerably quicker and easier.

Why Are Some Organisations Reluctant to Upgrade Older Fire Alarm Systems?

The issue is often not the new fire alarm equipment itself.

It is the perceived disruption involved in replacing the system.

A conventional installation may have been fitted many years ago, with fire alarm cables running:

• Above suspended or fixed ceilings
• Through corridors and communal areas
• Inside trunking
• Within walls and inaccessible voids
• Across several floors or separate areas
• Through rooms that are occupied throughout the working day

In a school, that could mean classrooms and corridors.

In a care home, it could involve bedrooms, communal areas and spaces occupied by vulnerable residents.

In an office or commercial building, installation work may interfere with employees and normal business operations.

As a result, organisations sometimes continue operating ageing conventional equipment simply because they believe upgrading to addressable technology will automatically involve completely rewiring the building.

That isn't necessarily the case.

Upgrading Conventional Fire Alarms Using Existing Wiring

Kings Fire works with C-TEC fire alarm equipment, including its CAST addressable fire alarm technology.

C-TEC has developed its CA740 FastConvert Conventional Zone Converter, which is specifically designed to facilitate the upgrade of a multi-zone conventional fire alarm system to a CAST addressable system while utilising pre-existing fire alarm wiring.

In suitable installations, this means the existing conventional zonal cabling can potentially be retained rather than installing entirely new cable routes throughout the premises.

The existing conventional control equipment and devices are upgraded to compatible addressable equipment, with the converter technology allowing the existing cable infrastructure to form part of the new addressable system.

The result can be a modern addressable fire alarm installation with considerably less disruption than a complete conventional system replacement and rewire.

What Are the Potential Benefits?

Where an existing installation is suitable for conversion, retaining fire alarm cabling can offer several advantages.

Reduced disruption

Avoiding a complete rewire can significantly reduce the amount of work required within occupied areas.

This can be particularly beneficial in environments such as schools, care homes, offices, hotels and other premises where major installation work can be difficult to accommodate.

Less damage to finished areas

Installing new cabling can sometimes require access through ceilings, walls, decorative finishes and existing building fabric.

Using suitable existing wiring can reduce the amount of intrusive installation work required.

Faster installation

Reducing the need for new cable installation can shorten the overall installation programme.

The exact timescale will always depend on the building and system, but retaining existing wiring can remove a substantial part of the work associated with a traditional system replacement.

Potentially lower installation costs

Cabling is only one element of a fire alarm installation, but the labour associated with installing new cable routes can represent a significant part of an upgrade.

Where existing wiring can safely and correctly be retained, this may reduce the overall cost of moving to an addressable system.

Improved system information

Moving from conventional to addressable technology provides much more detailed information at the fire alarm control panel.

Individual devices can be identified by their programmed location, helping staff and engineers locate activations and faults much more quickly.

Easier fault diagnosis

Addressable technology provides engineers with considerably greater information about the condition of the system and individual devices.

This can assist with fault finding, servicing and ongoing maintenance.

Is an Addressable Fire Alarm Better Than a Conventional System?

Not every building needs an addressable fire alarm system.

A correctly designed and maintained conventional system can still be entirely appropriate for many smaller and simpler premises.

However, addressable technology can become particularly beneficial as buildings increase in size, complexity or occupancy.

Typical premises where an addressable system may offer significant operational advantages include:

• Schools and colleges
• Care homes and residential care facilities
• Hotels
• Larger office buildings
• Warehouses and distribution facilities
• Multi-storey buildings
• Large commercial premises
• Multi-building sites
• Premises containing numerous detection devices

Being able to identify the exact detector, call point or device involved in an activation can be extremely valuable in these environments.

The correct type and category of fire alarm system should always be determined according to the building, its fire risk assessment, fire strategy and the applicable requirements of BS 5839-1.

Does Every Conventional Fire Alarm System Qualify?

No.

This is an important point.

The fact that technology exists to retain conventional fire alarm wiring does not mean that every existing installation can automatically be converted.

Before recommending this type of upgrade, Kings Fire would need to carry out a site survey and assess the existing system.

This may include consideration of:

• Existing cable type and condition
• Cable routes
• Circuit lengths
• Number of devices
• Existing zone configuration
• Current fire alarm panel
• Detector and call point locations
• Sounder arrangements
• Interfaces with other building systems
• Existing faults or modifications
• Fire alarm category and system design requirements
• Requirements identified within the fire risk assessment or fire strategy

The system would then need to be properly designed to ensure the proposed installation is suitable for the premises and complies with the relevant requirements.

A Particularly Useful Option for Schools and Care Homes

Schools and care homes are good examples of buildings where this technology could be particularly useful.

Both can contain extensive fire alarm systems across numerous rooms, corridors and floors.

They are also environments where carrying out disruptive installation works can be difficult.

A school may need work programmed around lessons, examinations and term dates.

A care home operates continuously and major works need careful planning around residents, staff and everyday care activities.

Where the existing fire alarm cable infrastructure is suitable, being able to retain much of that wiring while upgrading the system could substantially reduce the disruption associated with moving to addressable technology.

Don't Assume an Addressable Upgrade Means a Complete Rewire

If your premises currently has an ageing conventional fire alarm system, it is worth investigating the available options before assuming that upgrading will require completely rewiring the building.

Technology such as the C-TEC CAST FastConvert system means that some conventional installations can potentially be converted to modern addressable fire alarm technology while retaining existing fire alarm wiring.

It will not be appropriate for every building or every existing installation, but where the system is suitable, it can offer a very practical upgrade route.

Fire Alarm Upgrade Surveys from Kings Fire

Kings Fire provides fire alarm servicing, fault finding, system upgrades and new fire alarm installations across Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire and the surrounding Home Counties.

If you operate an older conventional fire alarm system and would like to understand whether an addressable upgrade is possible, our fire alarm engineers can assess the existing installation and discuss the available options.

Rather than simply assuming that a complete rewire is required, we can look at:

• What equipment needs replacing
• Whether existing cabling may be retained
• The most suitable replacement system
• Any existing system deficiencies
• The likely level of disruption
• The practical options for carrying out the upgrade

Considering Upgrading an Older Conventional Fire Alarm?

Talk to Kings Fire before assuming you need a complete rewire.

We can survey your existing fire alarm system and advise whether the existing wiring may be suitable for an upgrade to modern addressable technology.

Call Kings Fire on 01462 337037 or use our online enquiry form to arrange a fire alarm system survey.