Helpful Hint

Computer-based fire alarm systems must have an uninterruptible power supply. Many fire alarm systems use microprocessors to function. If the fire alarm system annunciates every signal individually by assigning a separate  "address" to every system component, it uses a computer as its operating element. Older systems, and some smaller systems, may not be computer-based and may operate on simple relays or other similar electric components.

NOTE: This is an unformatted excerpt from our online fire protection training library.