FIRE ALARM SYSTEM: HOW TO CHOOSE THE RIGHT ONE

Modern buildings are getting taller, smarter, and more crowded. That’s why choosing the right fire alarm system is crucial—not only to meet safety codes but also to protect lives. Whether you’re an engineer designing a small office or a high-rise developer, this guide will help you understand and select a system that fits your building’s unique needs.

Table of Contents

What is a fire alarm system?

A fire alarm system is an electronic safety network. It includes smoke detectors, control panels, alarm bells, and communication tools. These components work together to:

Detect fire or smoke quickly
Alert people inside the building
Automatically notify emergency services

Even a small issue can become a disaster without proper fire detection. That’s why choosing the right system for your space is important.

How does a fire alarm system work?

A fire alarm system generally works in four stages:

Detection: Sensors detect smoke, heat, and water flow from sprinklers, or a manual pull station is activated.
Decision: The control panel checks if it’s a real emergency.
Alert: Alarms sound, lights flash, and sometimes a voice message tells people to evacuate.
Notification: The system calls the fire department or monitoring center automatically.

Each part is essential. If one fails, the whole system could be compromised.

Common types of fire alarm systems

System Type	How It Works	Best For	Why Choose It
Conventional System	Devices in one zone share wires. The control panel only shows the zone of the alert.	Small shops, cafes, branch offices.	Affordable, quick to install.
Addressable System	Each device has a digital address. The control panel shows exactly which one is triggered.	Schools, mid-rise buildings, clinics.	Fast troubleshooting, and fewer false alarms.
Networked Peer-to-Peer	Multiple control panels share data via fiber or IP. One fails, and others take over.	Resorts, airports, campus, tall building clusters.	No single point of failure, scalable for big projects.
Voice Evacuation System	Uses 520 Hz speakers and pre-recorded or live messages instead of just alarms.	Hotels, arenas, hospitals, high-rises.	Reduces panic, speeds evacuation meets modern codes.
Wireless/Hybrid	Wireless smoke detectors connect to a wired central system.	Renovations, parking garages, spaces without ceiling access.	No need for new wiring, fast installation, still compliant.

When do you need a fire alarm system?

According to fire safety regulations, a fire alarm system is usually required when:

The building has many people (like hospitals or schools)
The building is large, tall, or has specific fire risks
Local authorities require it

Always check the latest local fire codes before approving your building plans.

Key factors to consider in a fire alarm system

When choosing a fire alarm system, keep in mind:

Building Use & Occupants: Sleeping areas (e.g. hotels, dorms) now need 520 Hz tone to wake people more effectively.
Local Regulations: Always follow local fire safety rules.
Future Expansion: Leave at least 20% of device addresses and power capacity for future upgrades.
Integration: Do you want your fire alarm system to control smoke fans or elevators? Use BACnet/IP or Modbus for easy integration.
Cybersecurity & Remote Services: If you want remote access via laptop or phone, add passwords and system logs.

Quick examples by building type

Project Type	Best Fire Alarm System	Reason
3-Story Dental Clinic	Small addressable system	Pinpoint devices, minimal wiring
150-Unit Apartment	Addressable + Voice System	Meets voice evacuation and ADA standards
5-Building Resort	Networked control panels	Independent operation, centralized alerts
90-Story Complex	Peer-to-peer network + smoke control	Handles thousands of devices and complex smoke rules

Real-World Examples

Central Park Tower, NYC

Challenge: Install a reliable fire alarm system in a 99-story skyscraper while complying with some of the world’s strictest life safety codes (FDNY).

Solution: Mircom provided 28 Flex-Net® control panels connected by a redundant fiber optic ring, complete with a graphical smoke control station and over 6,000 fire detection devices.

Find out more here!

Marriott Hotels, Global

Challenge: Meet Marriott’s high internal fire safety standard, “Module 14,” which is tougher than many local fire codes.

Solution: Mircom’s addressable fire alarm panels were integrated into existing fiber optic infrastructure. The system added clear 520 Hz voice evacuation alerts and passed a rigorous two-day fire inspection with zero issues—allowing hotels to reopen on schedule.

St. Michael’s Hospital, Canada

Challenge: Replace an old 1970s fire alarm panel in a busy trauma hospital without causing any downtime.

Solution: Mircom set up a temporary control room and gradually installed a new two-stage addressable fire alarm system. Inspection and testing were carefully scheduled so that emergency patient care could continue without interruption.

Learn more about how Mircom did it here!

Frequently asked questions

What’s the difference between zoning and addressing?

Zoning tells you “Something is wrong on the 3rd floor.” Addressing tells you “Smoke detector 3-East-Hallway is in alarm.”

Do I need voice alarms?

If your building is taller than 75 ft or holds over 1,000 people, yes. Voice alarms help people evacuate faster and safer.

How often should systems be tested?

Most devices should be tested yearly. Voice alarms must be tested for clarity during setup and then yearly.

Are wireless detectors reliable?

Yes, if certified and reporting status every few minutes. They’re great for hard-to-wire areas.

Why 520 Hz tone for alarms?

Low-frequency tones wake sleeping people faster. That’s why hotels and dorms now require them in sleeping areas.

About Servo Dynamics – Authorized distributor of Mircom in Vietnam

Looking for a high-quality and reliable fire alarm system in Vietnam? Servo Dynamics is the trusted partner you’ve been searching for. As the official and authorized direct distributor of Mircom in Vietnam, Servo Dynamics offers advanced fire alarm solutions designed and manufactured by Mircom—one of the world’s leading companies in fire safety and emergency systems.