The benefits of wireless fire detection are plentiful. Now that some of the barriers that were around in the early days have been overcome, the ease and speed of installation and its non-disruptive nature make wireless or hybrid fire detection well-suited to a vast range of applications from historic buildings to modern offices and everything else in between.
When designing and installing a suitable fire detection system for any application, cost is always a significant factor to consider. While wireless fire detection has always been the slightly more expensive option, the saving it provides in installation time and building disruption, compared to installing more traditional hardwired fire detection, often balances the initial costs.
However, wireless fire detection is about to become even more cost-effective… and it’s all down to the cost of copper.
Copper Prices
Copper prices rose dramatically in 2017 and are expected to continue to rise over the next few years. Increased demand, brought about by the development of electric cars and their charging stations and investment in renewable wind and solar energy, has put the price of copper on track for its best year since 2010.[1]
As demand increases, prices will continue to rise and copper cabling is, without doubt, going to become more expensive. This makes investing in wireless fire detection a wise and cost-effective choice for future developments.
Making the Transition
The rising costs of copper cabling could make switching to wireless fire detection for new installations even more cost-effective, but how will it affect existing installations?
Upgrading or extending an existing fire alarm system, whether it’s to provide additional protection, adhere to regulations, or to provide fire detection for a building extension, could be a costly exercise, especially if lengthy cable runs are required.
Enter Hybrid Fire Detection Technology
Hybrid fire detection allows hardwired and wireless fire detection technology to coexist seamlessly. Using a system like Wi-Fyre, wireless detectors, sounders, interfaces and manual call points can be used to upgrade or replace existing hardwired devices. In many situations, hybrid fire detection can eliminate the need for increasingly expensive cable runs, whether it is used to form part of a new system, or to upgrade or extend an existing hardwired system.
Wi-Fyre
Wi-Fyre can be integrated with most existing fire alarm systems by installing a Wi-Fyre transponder into the fire alarm wiring via a comparable interface module. Each transponder can then communicate with up to thirty mixed, field devices.
Wi-Fyre offers six modes of operation to cover a range of detection types and proved increased compatibility:
- Conventional
- Addressable (Collective)
- ProFyre 2-Wire Addressable
- ProFyre Addressable
- Standalone
- Reflective
With copper prices continuing to rise, Wi-Fyre can reduce the amount of cabling required for new and existing installations to reduce costs and provide robust and reliable fire detection.
[1] ft.com
For more information about Wi-Fyre, please feel free to give us a call on +44 (0)1329 835024 or email info@eurofyre.co.uk where we would be happy to answer any questions.
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