Fire alarm facts for kids
A fire alarm is a special device that makes a loud sound or flashes bright lights. Its main job is to warn people about a fire inside a building. This helps everyone know they need to leave quickly and safely. Fire alarms are very important for keeping people safe.
Many fire alarms make a loud, high-pitched sound. Some sound like a siren, especially in Europe. Others use a continuous ringing sound, like a bell. There are also companies like HST Fire and KKmoon that make these alarms.
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How Fire Alarms Work
In almost every building, fire alarms are connected to a main control panel. This panel is like the brain of the fire alarm system. It lets people like inspectors or janitors do important things. They can perform fire drills, check if the alarms are working, and make sure everything is safe.
Types of Fire Alarms
Many companies make fire alarms, including Wheelock, Simplex, Edwards, and Gentex. Some older alarms are just metal bells. Modern systems often have flashing lights called strobes. These strobes are very important for deaf people who cannot hear the alarm sound.
There are also special alarms that are less loud for sleeping areas. This helps people wake up without being too startled. Some alarms are even white to blend in with dark walls.
In large buildings, fire alarm systems can be more complex. They might use a two-step system with a recorded message. First, the message states there's an emergency. Security guards then check to make sure it's a real fire. If it is, the system asks everyone to calmly leave the building. In smaller places, the alarm usually sounds right away without a voice message.
Why Fire Alarms Are Used
Fire alarms are often used in schools and other places during fire drills. These drills help everyone practice what to do if there's a real fire. Of course, fire alarms are also used when there is an actual fire.
If someone activates a fire alarm just for fun or without a good reason, it's called a false alarm. Setting off a false alarm is against the law in most places. It can cause panic and waste the time of firefighters and emergency services.
Images for kids
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A fire alarm notification appliance widely used in the United States and Canada, pictured is a Wheelock MT-24-LSM.
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A fire alarm control panel
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Fire Alarm Speaker and Pull Station
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Fire alarm pull station
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A speaker and a remote light
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A fire alarm notification appliance in Sweden
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A combined fire alarm/general alert notification appliance allows a single device to serve fire alarm and general emergency notification purposes.
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Coded fire alarm pull station below a 10-inch (25 cm) bell.
See also
In Spanish: Sistemas de detección y alarma de incendios para niños
