Choosing the right fire alarm system for your building is a crucial decision to protect lives and assets and to ensure compliance with the UAE Civil Defence Code. Conventional systems differ from addressable fire detection systems in terms of accuracy and intelligence — so the question is: which one is the best for your building?
In this article, you will learn the key differences between the two systems, with practical examples and tables, to help you make a reliable choice and avoid fines or delays in obtaining government approvals.
Table of Contents
What is a conventional fire alarm system?
A conventional fire alarm system operates by dividing a building into specific zones, connecting detectors (heat detectors) and alarms within a closed electrical circuit. When a fire occurs, the system indicates only the zone in which the alarm was triggered (e.g., Zone 3 – Second Floor), without precisely identifying the specific device that was activated.
What is an addressable fire alarm system?
An addressable fire alarm system is a modern framework that assigns a unique address for each alarm. This enables the central control panel to identify the exact location of the fire, facilitating firefighting and evacuation operations by Civil Defence teams.
What is the difference between conventional and addressable fire alarm systems?
The main difference between conventional and addressable (smart) fire alarm systems is that a conventional system operates using general geographic zones (for example, Building 3 – Second Floor) and cannot pinpoint the specific device that has been triggered. In contrast, an addressable system assigns a unique address to each device on the network (e.g., Fourth Floor – Kitchen – Heat Detector), allowing precise identification of the exact location of a fire or a malfunctioning device. This reduces losses, and makes evacuation easier.
This operational difference means that the two systems also differ in:
- Accuracy
- Wiring method
- System intelligence
- Maintenance
- Cost
- Compliance with regulations
The following table shows the main differences:
Element | Conventional System | Addressable System |
Location Detection | General area | Precisely identified detector |
Installation | Simple closed circuit | Loop circuit |
Intelligence | Basic alarm only | Detailed data |
Malfunction Detection | Requires manual inspection | malfunction appears directly on system |
Initial Cost | Low | High |
Long-Term Cost | Higher | More cost-effective |
Usage | Allowed for small buildings | For high fire-risk buildings |
🟡 Both systems share the same goal, which is to extinguish the fire, but the addressable system is more advanced in detection, monitoring, and disaster management, whereas the conventional system is a suitable solution for smaller projects.
To ensure your systems comply with UAE Civil Defence requirements, you can rely on the integrated fire protection solutions and services provided by Daem Contracting.
1-Which Fire Alarm System Is More Accurate In Detecting The Fire Location: Conventional Or Addressable?
The addressable systems is more accurate in pinpointing the location of fire compared to a conventional one, as it provides detailed information about the exact detector that sensed the fire (for example, a smoke detector with an accuracy of ±3 metres). This helps identify the exact location of fire.
While the non-addressable fire alarm system only indicates a general area (for example, the third floor, which could include 10 rooms), causing delays in identifying the location of fire.
Each device in the addressable fire alarm system, including smoke detectors, has its own unique ID, which appears on the control panel. In contrast, the conventional system relies on electrical circuits and cannot distinguish between devices within the same zone.
2- What Is The Difference In Wiring Between Conventional And Addressable Systems?
Conventional systems’ fire alarms are wired using a radial electrical circuit (Class B configuration: single path), while modern addressable systems use a dual loop circuit (Class A configuration: dual path).
In a radial circuit, all devices such as detectors and manual call points are connected in a single loop covering the area as one zone. As a result, a technical malfunction can shut down the entire section.
In contrast, a loop circuit provides an alternative path so if one cable is damaged, the signal continues through the second path without a complete shutdown, maintaining operation and increasing reliability.
🟡 According to the UAE Fire and Life Safety Code of Practice 2018:
An addressable system is legally required in the UAE for buildings with more than five floors, as it ensures continuous operation during emergencies.
3- Why Is an Addressable Fire Alarm System Considered More Intelligent Than a Conventional One?
Addressable devices are more advanced than conventional ones ,as each unit has its own unique address (IP) stored in the control panel.
If a fault occurs, the addressable systems transmit digital data that includes the type of fire (heat, smoke, flame), battery status, contamination level, and the exact location of the device[NFPA 72: 23.8.1.2.4]. These systems also feature built-in self-diagnosis capabilities, which reduces maintenance time by up to 70%.
On the other hand, conventional systems are limited to a simple alarm/no alarm signal [NFPA 72: 17.7.1] and can only indicate a general zone (e.g., second floor) without specifying the exact detector.
Moreover, any malfunction requires manual inspection of the entire circuit, which increases maintenance time and higher cost.
The table below highlights the differences in intelligence level based on UAE standards:
4- Why Does Fault Detection Take Longer In Conventional Systems Compared to Addressable Systems?
In conventional fire alarm systems, identifying the location of a malfunction often requires manual inspection of all points connected to the same circuit. For instance, a fault in circuit 7 — which may include more than 20 devices — can take between 2 to 5 hours to diagnose.
By contrast, the advanced (addressable) system displays the location of fault directly on the screen (e.g., faulty detector in room 7) and isolates the damaged detector from the network without shutting down the entire system. This reduces maintenance time from hours to minutes
5- What Is The Cost Difference Between Conventional And Addressable Fire Alarm Systems In The UAE?
Conventional systems are less expensive initially because they rely on simple circuits (alarm units and detectors). However, they may lead to higher long-term costs due to the time required for manual inspections.
On the other hand, addressable systems require a higher upfront investment but reduce operational effort over time.
The table below shows where to choose each system:
6-Which Fire Alarm System Offers Better Compliance with the UAE Fire Prevention Code: Conventional or Addressable?
The addressable system offers better compliance with UAE requirements, particularly in large buildings (skyscrapers, shopping centers, warehouses storing hazardous materials), to identify the location of fire precisely and protect both lives and property.
The conventional systems, on the other hand, are used in facilities not classified as high-risk under local building codes, such as residential homes or warehouses that do not store flammable substances. However, installation of such systems in any facility classified as hazardous by the Civil Defense, even if the area was small, is not permitted, and non-compliance penalties can reach up to AED 100,000.
Stay Compliant, Stay Protected!
Get certified with the UAE Civil Defense Certificate and guarantee your building’s fire safety meets all legal standards.
How to Choose Between Conventional and Addressable Fire Alarm Systems for Your Building in the UAE?
The appropriate choice between conventional and addressable systems depends on three key criteria outlined in the UAE Fire and Life Safety Code: building size, nature, and legal requirements.
If the building is medium to large-sized (over 500 m²), such as tall buildings (over 5 floors) or warehouses storing flammable materials, installing an addressable system is mandatory. This is because its precise fire location detection helps civil defense teams respond quickly and save lives and property.
However, if the building is small, like a small villa (two floors and under 500 m²) or a retail store, a conventional system can be installed since it is less costly and can be manually inspected in such smaller spaces.
📛 To obtain civil defense approval for medium or large projects, it is essential to comply with installing certified fire alarm and suppression systems designed according to the standards. You can rely on daem contracting to provide integrated solutions and professional implementation to secure the required approvals without delays.
Summary:
While the conventional system may be sound suitable for small or low-risk buildings, addressable systems remain the safer and more compliant choice with the UAE code, especially for large or complex projects.
💡 Planning to install a fire alarm system compliant with the UAE Civil Defense code? Contact DAEM contracting Dubai now for a consultation and tailored solutions—from supply to installation and official certification.
Frequently Asked Questions:
1- What are the components of fire alarm systems?
Fire alarm systems consist of a control panel, detection devices (smoke detector – heat detector), alarm devices, and a primary and backup power source.
2- What is the difference between a smoke detector and a heat detector?
A smoke detector senses smoke particles in the air, while a heat detector senses a rise in temperature above the normal level and converts this increase into an electrical signal that triggers the alarm.
3.What is the difference between a conventional and an addressable fire alarm system؟
The main difference between a conventional and an addressable fire alarm system lies in how accurately they identify the location of a fire.
A conventional system only indicates the general zone where the alarm was triggered, while an addressable system pinpoints the exact location by assigning a unique address to each device.
4.Can modern fire systems prevent high-rise fires like Dubai's 2015 hotel incident?
Absolutely. Projects like SAAS Business Bay Tower demonstrate how addressable systems with real-time monitoring can identify threats before ignition, achieving 100% fire-free operation since 2022.
