If you own or operate a business, chances are you'll need a fire alarm system to comply with national and local fire codes.
So, how much does a commercial fire alarm system cost?
Because every business has different needs, we can't really give a specific price. Overall cost will vary depending on different factors. For an exact price, you'll need to have a commercial security expert visit your business to provide a custom quote.
Generally speaking, the following factors can influence the overall cost of a commercial fire alarm system:
- The building's size and complexity
- The type of equipment needed
- The monthly monitoring fees
To give you more context of how price is determined, we'll go into each of those factors in more detail.
Ready to install a fire alarm system for your business? Call 800.552.1111 or get a free quote online today. Nothing beats the reliability of a professionally-installed and monitored fire alarm system.
Price Factor #1: Building size and complexity
The overall cost is greatly affected by the size of your building and the overall complexity of the installation.
Generally speaking, the bigger the building, the more expensive your installation will be. For example, a larger building with multiple floors and a higher square footage will require more equipment and sensors, which will cost more.
On average, fire alarm equipment is usually priced at $1 to $2 per square foot, but the price can go up to $3 to $6 per square foot depending on how complex the installation is.
In addition, the older the building, the more expensive your installation will be. That's because retrofitting a fire alarm system to an existing building typically requires reworking existing infrastructure.
On average, a retrofit commercial alarm system installation project may cost you between $4 and $12 per square foot of coverage.
Price Factor #2: Type of equipment
Commercial fire alarm systems are made up of different components, all which impact overall installation costs. The specific components you'll need for your business will largely be dictated by your local fire alarm codes.
Here's a quick breakdown of some common components:
- Carbon Monoxide Detectors help monitor the level of carbon monoxide in the air. Today, there are a variety of carbon monoxide detectors available ranging in price from $15 to $150 each.
- Smoke detectors monitor smoke levels in the building. Generally, they'll be installed on the ceiling and will have batteries. Smoke detectors come in a variety of makes and models, ranging in price from $10 to $65 each.
- Heat detectors are commonly found in warehouses, historic sites and other places where people aren't constantly around. They're designed mainly to protect physical property and stored merchandise and range in price from $11 to $150 on average.
- Flame detectors signal alerts when there is a large-scale fire or explosion (more commonly found on oil rigs, refineries, etc.). These range in price from $2,800 to $3,000.
- Sprinkler systems are the most important component when it comes to preventing property damage and death. You can expect to spend up to $2 per square foot to install a sprinkler system in a new construction and $4 to $10 per foot for retrofitting an existing facility.
Price Factor #3: Monitoring services
In addition to upfront installation costs, you'll also need to consider the cost of on-going alarm monitoring. Monitoring services add an additional layer of protection to your business' fire alarm system and typically range from $50 to $70 monthly.
Monitoring services will vary in price depending on your installer, the equipment you want monitored and the type of monitoring.
Having your business' fire alarm system professionally monitored means that if danger is detected, the fire department will be alerted automatically so emergency responders can be dispatched immediately. In most cases, your monitoring contract will also include annual inspections to make sure your system is operating properly.
At Ackerman, our trained specialists keep an eye on your home 24/7 and alert the authorities as soon as an emergency happens. In the unlikely event that you're burglarized under our monitoring, we'll continue to protect you—by paying you double your loss.
Want a quote to install a commercial fire alarm system for your business?
With the amount of equipment options available, we know installing a fire alarm system can feel overwhelming. With Ackerman, you can count on professional guidance and the best installation work in town. Our professionals will also walk you through all of our available monitoring services. Get the protection and security you deserve, call 800.552.1111 today.
