Smart fire alarm system, outstanding advantages.

NGÀY ĐĂNG 05/12/2025

Võ Hồng Tiên

How can a system recognize, analyze and warn accurately without causing false alarms? And what makes modern buildings gradually switch to using smart fire alarm systems instead of traditional models? To better understand this system, let's find out with KPS in the article below!

Overview of smart fire alarm systems

What is a smart fire alarm system?

A smart fire alarm system (Smart Fire Alarm System) is a modern fire prevention and fighting solution that applies IoT (Internet of Things), AI and automation technology to detect early - accurately warn - quickly handle fire and explosion risks.

Unlike conventional fire alarm systems that only send signals when smoke or heat sensors reach the threshold, smart fire alarm systems continuously collect and analyze environmental data in real time, allowing early detection of abnormal signs such as a slight increase in temperature, CO gas or changes in smoke density in the air.

Through network connection, all information is sent to the control center or cloud management platform, helping operators to monitor, control and receive warnings right on their computers, phones or mobile applications, anywhere.

The importance of applying smart technology in fire prevention and fighting (PCCC)

The application of smart technology in the fire prevention and fighting system brings many values such as:

• Early detection and timely warning, helping to shorten response time.
• Minimize damage by automatically activating fire fighting procedures or evacuation instructions.
• Improve centralized management capabilities, especially for building complexes, industrial parks, or smart urban areas.
• Compliant with international standards (NFPA, EN, UL) and towards a smart - safe - sustainable building model.

Therefore, the smart fire alarm system is not only a safety device, but also an important part of the digital transformation strategy of the fire prevention and fighting industry, contributing to building a safer living and working environment for the community.

Differences from traditional fire alarm systems

Traditional fire alarm systems

Traditional fire alarm systems operate based on the principle of zoning. Smoke detectors, heat detectors, emergency buttons, sirens and fire alarm lights are connected in parallel in each separate zone. When an incident occurs, the fire alarm center only receives a warning signal by zone, meaning that it can determine the fire area, but cannot accurately locate the location or triggering device. With a simple operating mechanism, traditional fire alarm systems have the advantage of low investment costs, easy installation and operation, suitable for small buildings such as offices, shops, warehouses, or individual houses.

The system cannot customize the sensitivity separately for each area because all detectors in the same zone use the same trigger threshold. This causes false alarms to occur frequently, especially in environments with smoke, dust, steam or sudden temperature changes. In addition, when there is a fire alarm signal, the operator must manually check each area to determine the actual fire point, which wastes initial response and handling time.

Traditional systems also operate independently and cannot be integrated with other control systems in the building such as HVAC, CCTV, BMS or PA systems. In addition, equipment maintenance and inspection requires manual operations, making management difficult in large-scale projects.

Smart fire alarm system

Smart fire alarm system is a comprehensive upgrade of the traditional system, applying address technology, IoT and AI to improve accuracy, monitoring capabilities, and automation in fire prevention and fighting.

Each device in the system - from smoke detectors, heat detectors, emergency buttons to sirens and control modules - is assigned a separate identification address. Thanks to that, when an incident occurs, the control center can accurately identify which device is activated, display the specific location on the map or building floor plan, helping the operator quickly identify the fire point and respond promptly.

Not only stopping at the detection ability, the smart fire alarm system also analyzes sensor signals using AI algorithms, helping to distinguish between real and fake smoke, thereby minimizing false alarms - one of the biggest limitations of traditional technology.

In terms of management capabilities, the system can be monitored and controlled remotely via mobile applications, specialized software or cloud platforms. The person in charge can monitor the status of each device, fire alarm history, event logs, and receive instant notifications via SMS, email or app.

Another outstanding advantage is the extensive integration. The smart fire alarm system can be easily connected to the BMS system, Access Control, HVAC, CCTV, PA sound system and automatic fire extinguishing system, creating a chain reaction (Cause & Effect) such as: broadcasting evacuation instructions, opening the exhaust fan, cutting off the power to the fire area, or activating the fire sprinkler.

In addition, the system also has the ability to self-diagnose equipment errors, warn of periodic maintenance and store activity logs. This helps improve operational management efficiency, minimize maintenance costs and ensure the system is always ready.

Structure and operating principle of smart fire alarm system

Main components of the system

Smart fire alarm control center

• This is the brain of the entire system, responsible for collecting, processing and displaying data from all input and output devices. The smart control center is equipped with a powerful microprocessor, capable of analyzing sensor signals, accurately determining the location of the fire, and sending control commands to peripheral devices such as sirens, fire alarms, announcement sound systems, or automatic fire extinguishing equipment.
• The smart fire alarm center supports digital communication via Loop transmission lines, allowing hundreds of devices to be connected on a single loop, minimizing wiring and increasing system stability. In addition, the system can connect to a remote monitoring platform via IoT or Cloud, allowing managers to monitor fire alarm status, event logs and the status of each device directly on a computer or mobile phone.

Types of sensors

Depending on the characteristics of the protected area, the system will be equipped with many different types of sensors:

• Smoke detector: Detects smoke in the air through optical or ionization principles.
• Thermal detector: Operates based on changes in ambient temperature.
• Gas detector: Used to detect leaks of flammable or toxic gases.
• Multi-sensor detector: Combines two or more sensor technologies (smoke + heat + CO), capable of analyzing and comparing data according to AI algorithms, helping to minimize false alarms and improve accuracy in identifying fire risks.

Display and warning devices

• Fire alarms and sirens: Emit strong sound and light signals, helping people quickly recognize emergency situations.
• Auxiliary display panels (Repeater Panel / LCD Display): Installed on floors or separate areas, displaying detailed locations of fires, assisting quick response forces in determining the direction of movement.
• Public Address System (PA/VA): Automatically issue evacuation orders or voice instructions for escape.

Communication module, IoT gateway, cloud connection

• Communication module: Helps the fire alarm center exchange data with other systems such as BMS, CCTV, HVAC, elevators, or automatic fire extinguishing systems.
• IoT Gateway: Converts data from internal protocols (RS-485, Modbus, CANbus,...) to IP network protocols, allowing data transmission to the Cloud platform or central monitoring system.
• Cloud platform: Stores, analyzes and displays data in real time. Users can monitor hundreds of fire alarm systems at different locations, receive automatic alerts via email, SMS or mobile applications.

Operating principle

The smart fire alarm system operates based on the principle of collection - analysis - warning and response, combining modern sensors and advanced data processing technology to detect early signs of fire and explosion, minimize false alarms and optimize rescue capabilities.

When activated, smart detectors will continuously monitor the surrounding environment, until detecting abnormal changes in smoke, temperature or gas concentration, these detectors will transmit digital signals to the smart fire alarm control center. The center immediately analyzes the received data, determines the exact location of the signal transmitter and assesses the level of risk.

The system is capable of distinguishing real fire phenomena from interfering factors such as dust, steam, cigarette smoke, thereby automatically adjusting the sensitivity of the sensor and minimizing false alarms thanks to the application of AI and advanced data analysis algorithms.

When a fire is detected, the control center will activate a local warning through bells, sirens, flashing lights or loudspeakers, and display the specific location of the fire on the building map. This feature helps operators easily identify the area where the incident occurred and quickly deploy a response plan.

In particular, the system is also integrated with IoT and Cloud platforms, allowing remote monitoring and warning. Incident information will be automatically sent to the manager's smartphone, SMS, email or synchronized to the building management system (BMS) to coordinate immediate response. Thanks to that, monitoring and handling of fire and explosion situations becomes more proactive, accurate and safer than ever.

Outstanding advantages of smart fire alarm systems

Smart fire alarm systems bring many outstanding benefits thanks to the application of sensor technology and artificial intelligence in monitoring and troubleshooting.

• Earlier and more accurate detection thanks to multi-parameter sensors and AI algorithms, helping to minimize false alarms and respond quickly to abnormal signs such as smoke, heat or gas.
• Devices are identified by address, allowing visual display of fire locations on the building map, helping operators quickly identify and handle incidents.
• Support multi-channel warnings via bells, sirens, speakers, SMS, email or mobile applications, and can be integrated with BMS systems, air conditioning, smoke extraction and automatic fire fighting to create an overall response scenario.
• With the ability to connect to IoT and remote monitoring via the Cloud platform, managers can easily monitor device status in real time, maintain conveniently and expand flexibly when needed.

Practical applications

Thanks to the ability to continuously monitor, accurately analyze and quickly warn, smart fire alarm systems are widely used in many fields:

• High-rise buildings, apartments, commercial centers: Help manage hundreds of areas at the same time, quickly locate fire points and automatically coordinate with fire escape, smoke extraction and fire fighting systems.
• Factory, industrial park: Ensure early detection of fire and explosion risks in production areas, chemical warehouses, flammable materials.
• Hospitals, schools, hotels: Provide early warnings, escape instructions via loudspeaker systems and mobile announcements, ensuring safety for large numbers of people.
• Data centers, offices, banks: Combine remote monitoring and warnings via IoT to protect assets, electronic devices and important data.
• Smart infrastructure and urban areas: Integrating with BMS, CCTV systems, and operating platforms to build a safe, modern, and synchronous environment.

KPS | Leading provider of fire protection solutions in Vietnam

With 15 years of experience in the field of security - safety - fire protection, KPS is proud to be the leading distributor and provider of integrated solutions for smart fire alarm systems in Vietnam. We provide comprehensive solutions that meet international standards and strict regulations of the Fire Prevention and Fighting Department.

KPS is currently the official distributor of prestigious global brands such as: GST, Bosch, Simplex, Janus Fire Systems, ... ensuring the provision of high-quality equipment, absolute reliability and flexible integration capabilities for all scales of projects - from civil and commercial buildings to industrial factories and smart urban infrastructure.

With a team of highly specialized engineers, standardized implementation processes and professional after-sales services, KPS is committed to providing safe, smart and cost-effective fire alarm solutions for customers.

Contact now: Hotline - 0933 933 018