Wireless (or radio) technology is now an indispensable part of our lives. Mobile (cellular) phones used radio signals, as does Wi-Fi – the most widely used type of computer network in the world – and Bluetooth for connecting closely located devices.
As technology has improved, wireless fire detection and alarm systems – which have come a long way since they were first introduced in the 1990s – are more commonly being specified and installed.
Wireless fire detection and alarm systems free you up from the hassle and inflexibility of cables, without losing any of the features and functions normally associated with a hard wired system.
The benefits of wireless technology
Wireless gives designers the freedom to place devices precisely where they want to create a system with optimum performance. In addition, it saves the inconvenience of cabling – such as drilling and chasing plasterwork and boxing cables – while reducing the labour and time required on site. In fact, a wireless fire detection and alarm system can be installed and commissioned in a matter of hours rather than days or weeks. After installation, the system is easily modified if you want to change the layout of a building or extend it. So wireless systems are ideal for buildings likely to be extended or renovated in the near future.
In addition, the lack of substantial lengths of cabling contribute to an installation’s lower carbon footprint, as does a reduced requirement for engineers to be on site.
Let’s take a look at SmartNet
The SmartNet wireless fire detection and alarm system from Cygnus runs on Lithium-ion battery powered devices. The self-healing mesh network architecture provides a minimum of two communication paths which – together with innovative channel-hopping technology – ensures optimum network reliability and resilience. In addition, optimum siting of devices can be achieved due to their long radio range of up to 350m (unobstructed) using an omnidirectional antenna.
SmartNet’s configuration software – which runs on any Windows device and communicates to remote devices through a hard-wired or wireless connection – includes system design and full cause-and-effect functionality. There is no need for wired boosters, translators or any other wired element, which eliminates the often stressful first fix stage of an installation. To speed up installation still further, the wireless mesh network system also requires no gateway expanders or loop-powered translating devices.