FIRE ALARM SYSTEM https://youtu.

be/gGj6-6Btjwk

Fire alarms are prime necessities in modern buildings and architectures, especially in
banks, data centers and gas stations. They detects the fire in ambiance at very early
stage by sensing smoke or/and heat and raise an alarm which warns people about the
fire and furnish sufficient time to take preventive measures. It not only prevents a big
losses caused by deadly fire but sometimes proves to be life savers. Here we are
building one simple fire alarm system with the help of 555 Timer IC, which will sense
the fire (temperature rise in surrounding), and trigger the alarm.

The key component of the circuit is Thermistor, which has been used as fire
detector or fire sensor. Thermistor is temperature sensitive resistor, whose
resistance changes according to the temperature, its resistance decreases with
the increase in temperature and vice versa.
We have built the circuit using, mainly three components that is, Thermistor, NPN
transistor and 555 Timer IC. You can find more such simple circuits here in this
electronic circuits section.

Working Concept

Here the 555 timer IC has been configured in Astable mode so that Alarm (Buzzer)
can produce an oscillating sound. In Astable mode, capacitor C charges though
resistance R1 and R2, till 2/3 Vcc and discharges through R2 till it reaches to
1/3Vcc. During the charging time OUT PIN 3 of 555 IC remains HIGH and during
discharging it remains LOW, thats how it oscillate. We have connected a Buzzer
to OUT pin, so that it produce beep sound, when 555 is high. We can control the
oscillation frequency of the alarm by adjusting the value of R2 and/or capacitor C.

Components

555 Timer IC
NPN Transistor BC547
Thermistor (10K)
Resistors (1K, 100K, 4.7K)
Variable resistor (1M)
Capacitor (10uF)
Buzzer and Battery (9v)

Circuit Diagram and Explanation

When there is no FIRE, thermistor remains at 10k ohm. And transistor remains at ON
state because there is sufficient voltage across the base-emitter of transistor, which
makes it ON. When the Transistor is ON, Pin 4 (RESET) is connected to the Ground,
and when Reset pin is Grounded, 555 IC doesn't operate.

Now when we start heating the Thermistor through Fire, its resistance starts to
decrease, and when its resistance decreases, the voltage at the base of Transistor
starts to decrease and when the voltage becomes less than the operating voltage
(base-emitter voltage VBE) of transistor, then transistor becomes OFF. And when
transistor becomes OFF, Reset pin of 555 timer IC, gets positive voltage through R3,
and 555 IC starts to work and buzzer beeps.

In transistor, usually 0.7v voltage is required across the Base and Emitter, to turn it ON.
So we have to carefully adjust the value of Variable resistance RV1 and Thermistor, to
make the circuit work properly. To do this remove the thermistor and let RV1 be the
grounded, now adjust the value of RV1 to that point, where even slight turning of the
RV1 starts the Buzzer. Means from this point, if we decrease the resistance, even very
little, Buzzer starts to beep. Now at this point, connect the thermistor again.

We should also note that we can also build a Fire alarm circuit, using DR25
germanium diode, as it works as heat sensor. When DR25 germanium diode is
connected in reverse bias, it has a very high reverse resistance and it only conducts at
more than 70 degree of room temperature.
 FIRE ALARMS
In this fire alarm circuit project, a thermistor works as the heat sensor. When
temperature increases, its resistance decreases, and vice versa. At normal
temperature, the resistance of the thermistor (TH1) is approximately 10 kilo-ohms,
which reduces to a few ohms as the temperature ncreases beyond 100°C. The circuit
uses readily available components and can be easily constructed on any general
purpose PCB. Check out the fire sensor circuit.
Simple Fire Alarm Circuits at Low
Cost
AUGUST 14, 2017 BY ADMINISTRATOR 14 COMMENTS

Fire Alarm Circuit is a simple circuit that detects the fire and activates the Siren Sound
or Buzzer. Fire Alarm Circuits are very important devices to detect fire in the right time
and prevent any damage to people or property.

Fire Alarm Circuits and Smoke Sensors are a part of the security systems which help in
detecting or preventing damage. Installing Fire Alarm Systems and Smoke Sensors in
commercial buildings like offices, movie theatres, shopping malls and other public
places is compulsory.

There are many expensive and sophisticated Fire Alarm Circuit in the form of stand-
alone devices, but we have designed five very simple Fire Alarm Circuits using common
components like Thermistor, LM358, Germanium Diode, LM341 and NE555.

We will see all these circuit, their circuit diagrams, components required for each circuit
and the working of the individual circuit in the following sections.
 Table of Contents
 Circuit 1 Simple Fire Alarm Circuit
o Circuit Diagram
o Components Required
o Component Description
o Circuit Design
o Working of the Simple Fire Alarm Circuit
 Circuit 2 Simple Fire Alarm Circuit using Thermistor
o Circuit Diagram
o Components of Fire Alarm Circuit
o Circuit Working
 Circuit 3 Fire Alarm with Siren Sound
o Circuit Diagram
o Components Required
o Working
 Circuit 4 Fire Alarm Circuit Using LM741
o Block Diagram of Fire Alarm Circuit Using LM741
o Circuit Diagram of Fire Alarm Using LM741
o Circuit working
 Circuit 5 Fire Alarm Circuit Using Germanium Diode
o Block Diagram of Fire Alarm Circuit Using Germanium Diode
o Circuit Diagram of Fire Alarm Using Germanium Diode
o Circuit Working
 Applications
Circuit 1 Simple Fire Alarm Circuit
This is a very simple alarm circuit using Thermistor, LM358 Operational – Amplifier and
a Buzzer.

Circuit Diagram
The circuit diagram of this simple Fire Alarm Project is shown in the following image.

Components Required

 1 x 10 K Thermistor
 1 x LM358 Operational Amplifier (Op – Amp)
 1 x 4.7 KΩ Resistor (1/4 Watt)
 1 x 10 KΩ Potentiometer
 1 x Small Buzzer (5V Buzzer)
 Connecting Wires
 Mini Breadboard
 5V Power Supply

Component Description
10K Thermistor
Thermistors are Temperature Dependent Resistors i.e. the resistance of a Thermistor
varies according to the ambient temperature. There are two types of Thermistors: PTC
Thermistor and NTC Thermistor. PTC stands for Positive Temperature Coefficient and
NTC stands for Negative Temperature Coefficient. In PTC Thermistor, the resistance is
directly proportional to the temperature and in NTC Thermistor, the resistance is
inversely proportional to the temperature.

In this project we have used a 10 KΩ Thermistor with NTC. At 25 0C, the resistance of
the 10 KΩ Thermistor is 10 KΩ. The following image shows the 10K Thermistor used in
this project.

LM358 Operational Amplifier

LM358 is a Dual Operational Amplifier (Op – Amp) IC. All the functional modes of the
typical operational amplifier can be implemented using LM358 IC. In this project though,
we will be using the LM358 Operational Amplifier in the Comparator Mode where the
input signals on inverting and non – inverting terminals are compared and
corresponding output is produced.

Circuit Design
The design of the Fire Alarm Circuit with Siren Sound is very simple. First, connect the
10 KΩ Potentiometer to the inverting terminal of the LM358 Op – Amp. One end of the
POT is connected to +5V, other end is connected to GND and the wiper terminal is
connected to Pin 2 of Op – Amp.

We will now make a potential divider using 10 K Thermistor and 10 KΩ Resistor. The
output of this potential divider i.e. the junction point is connected to the non – inverting
input of the LM358 Operational Amplifier.

We have chosen a small, 5V buzzer in this project to make the alarm or siren sound.
So, connect the output of the LM358 Op – amp to the 5V Buzzer directly.

Pins 8 and 4 of the LM358 IC i.e. V+ and GND are connected to +5V and GND
respectively.

Working of the Simple Fire Alarm Circuit

We will now see the working of the simple Fire Alarm Circuit. First thing to know is that
the main component in detecting the fire is the 10 K Thermistor. As we mentioned in the
component description, the 10 K Thermistor used here is a NTC type Thermistor. If the
temperature increases, the resistance of the Thermistor decreases.

In case of fire, the temperature increases. This increase in temperature will reduce the
resistance of the 10 K Thermistor. As the resistance decreases, the output of the
voltage divider will increase. Since the output of the voltage divider is given to the non –
inverting input of the LM358 Op – Amp, its value will become more than that of the
inverting input. As a result, the output of the Op – Amp becomes high and it activates
the buzzer.

Circuit 2 Simple Fire Alarm Circuit using Thermistor

Circuit Diagram

Components of Fire Alarm Circuit

 Thermistor
 Variable resistor(POT)
 Diode
 Capacitor
 Resistor
 BC547 Transistor
  Speaker

Circuit Working

 The circuit consists of a 10k ohm thermistor. This is an NTC thermistor, which decreases
its resistance with increase in the temperature.
 At room temperature it had a resistance of 10kohms.
 Another resistance is connected to the thermistor to form voltage divider circuit and this is
connected to the transistor through a diode.
 Buzzer switches on only when the transistor is grounded. As the temperature increase the
buzzer sound also increases

Also read this interesting post: Panic Alarm Circuit

Circuit 3 Fire Alarm with Siren Sound

This circuit alerts us when there is a fire accident at home by ringing a siren sound. You
might have seen fire alarms earlier but this is quite different as it generates a siren
sound instead of a buzzer and also it uses basic components to generate that siren
sound.

We are aware that there are many integrated circuits which can be used to generate the
siren effect but we preferred to use basic electronics components like resistors,
capacitors and transistors to generate it so that you will clearly understand the internal
working of it and it will be much useful for you as you will gain more knowledge by
analyzing it instead of simply going for pre designed integrated circuits.

Circuit Diagram
Components Required

 1 x 10K Thermistor
 2 x BC547 NPN Transistor
 1 x BC107 NPN Transistor
 1 x 2N2222 NPN Transistor
 1 x 2N2907 PNP Transistor
 3 x 4.7KΩ Resistor (1/4 Watt)
 1 x 470KΩ Resistor (1/4 Watt)
 1 x 56KΩ Resistor (1/4 Watt)
 1 x 47KΩ Resistor (1/4 Watt)
 1 x 39KΩ Resistor (1/4 Watt)
 1 x 22KΩ Resistor (1/4 Watt)
 1 x 1KΩ Resistor (1/4 Watt)
 1 x 470Ω Resistor (1/4 Watt)
 1 x 120Ω Resistor (1/4 Watt)
 1 x 10KΩ Potentiometer
 1 x 22µF Capacitor (Polarized)
 1 x 470nF (0.47µF) Ceramic Capacitor
 1 x Buzzer

Working
This circuit uses a thermistor to sense the temperature. When it senses that the
temperature of the environment is increasing above a given threshold, then it gives a
signal. The temperature at which the circuit detects fire can be adjusted by using the
potentiometer arrangement at VR1.

Get an idea about Thermistor Temperature Sensing Alarm if you are interested.

When the temperature increases above the set value, the potentiometer arrangement
produces a high voltage. This voltage is then given to BC547 transistor in common
emitter mode. It is an NPN general purpose transistor. When the base is given a high
input, it gets turned on. When the transistor is turned on, its collector voltage is reduced
to low as the collector to emitter voltage decreases. The collector output voltage of the
first transistor is given to the base as an input to the second BC 547 NPN transistor.
This transistor too is in common emitter mode and as the input is low when the
temperature threshold is reached, the output at the collector will rise high. In this state, it
will turn on the next transistor, i.e. BC107. This transistor will now act as a switch for the
siren circuit. This transistor can bear power quite larger than the BC547 and it is also
equipped with a heat sink for that purpose.

When the BC107 transistor turns on, it allows current to pass from power supply to
ground through collector thereby acting as an electronically controlled switch. When the
current is passing, the siren circuit which is assembled as the load to the circuit is
turned ON. Then you can hear the siren sound through the buzzer. The capacitors used
in the circuit are the main components in producing the siren effect. The principle
involved in generating the siren effect is to make an oscillator with an envelope which
periodically increases and decreases so as to generate that effect.

Related Post: Pull Pin Security Alarm Circuit

Circuit 4 Fire Alarm Circuit Using LM741

Here is another small project on fire alarm. When a fire accident is happened in home or
office, it will detect the fire and give the alarm.

Block Diagram of Fire Alarm Circuit Using LM741

The thermistor is the main component which detects the fire by sudden change in the
room temperature because of the heat generated by the fire. The thermistor will detect
the heat and give the information to the LM741 OP-AMP. The op-amp will make the
NE555 to generate pulse which has been given to a buzzer to buzz.

LM741: LM741 is an operational amplifier which will work according to the difference in
the input voltages. LM741 has following features like high current driving, voltage gain,
noise amplification and also provide low output impedance. LM741 can also use as a
short circuit protection.
Circuit Diagram of Fire Alarm Using LM741

Circuit working

 Circuit principle is similar to the first circuit i.e. Thermistor is used to sense the raise in
temperature. But it rises only after a fixed temperature.
 Here op amp acts as non-inverting comparator i.e. Vout is positive only if Vin (voltage at
pin 2) < VRef (voltage at pin3).
 When there is no any fire, voltage at pin 2 of the comparator is greater than the voltage at
pin3.
 When there is no fire resistance of thermistor is 10k. So 10K and 4.7k forms voltage
divider circuit.
 Voltage at pin2 is calculate using formula. V= (100*12) / (100+4.7) =11.4
 Voltage at pin 3 =50*12/100=6v (Variable pin of the pot is at 50% of total resistance.)
 When there is any fire thermistor temperature raises and its resistance decreases. So
voltage at pin2 starts decreasing. Thus Vout is goes to positive i.e. it is equal to Vcc.
 Here reference voltage selected is 6v.Fire alarm starts only if the input voltage is less than
6v.To increase the reference voltage decrease the resistance of pot.

Also read this interesting post: Remote Operated Alarm Circuit

Circuit 5 Fire Alarm Circuit Using Germanium Diode

This is a simple fire alarm circuit using Germanium Diode and 555 timer. In this circuit
Germanium Diode play very important role in detecting the fire. This circuit is very easy
to construct, cost effective and implementable.
Block Diagram of Fire Alarm Circuit Using Germanium Diode

Here is the simple fire alarm circuit which costs less than 100 rupees. The key
component in the circuit is DR25 (germanium diode) whose resistance will decrease
with increase in temperature. The conduction of germanium diode will start at 70
degrees. So we may use germanium diode as a heat sensor. When the temperature is
more than 70 degree, the germanium diode will conduct and trigger the NE555 timer
through a transistor. The NE555 is configured in astable Multivibrator and make the
buzzer to alarm when germanium diode conducts. So that we can get alert and act
according to the alarm.

Circuit Diagram of Fire Alarm Using Germanium Diode

Circuit Working

 The DR25 germanium diode is heat sensor which will conduct when temperature is
increased at certain point. The DR25 is made reverse biased in the circuit. It will conduct
only when it is more than 70degree of room temperature.
  The DR25 is connected to the transistor in reverse bias, which has high reverse
resistance (more than 10K ohm) and does not make the transistor to turn off which is
connected to the reset pin of 555 timer. The reset pin of 555timer will be in ground level
when the transistor is turned off. Here, the 555 timer is configured as astable
Multivibrator.
 When more than 70degrees in room temperature occurred, the resistance of DR25 diode
drops to 1k ohm which will make the transistor to turn off and make the reset pin to go
high. This will generate the output at pin3 and make the sound through the alarm.
 We can use 3 or more diodes in reverse bias connected in parallel and placed in different
room. If there is fire accident, it will sense and make the alarm.

Note


 If DR25 germanium diode is available, you can still use AC128, AC188 or 2N360
germanium transistors. Use base and emitter junctions in place of cathode and
anode.
 Diode must be connected to the circuit in reverse bias.

Applications
 Fire Alarm Circuits are very useful in homes, offices, schools, labs, etc. to detect and
prevent any disasters due to fire.
 Fire Alarm Systems can work as a stand – alone devices or be a part of a complex home
security system with other security features like smoke detection, intruder alert, motion
detection, etc.
Schematic of the Fire Alarm Circuit

Timer IC NE555 (IC1) is wired as an astable multivibrator oscillating in audio frequency

band. Switching transistors T1 and T2 drive multivibrator NE555 (IC1). The output of
IC1 is connected to npn transistor T3, which drives the loudspeaker (LS1) to generate
sound. The frequency of IC1 depends on the values of resistors R5 and R6 and
capacitor C2. To prevent the thermistor from melting, wrap it up in mica tape.
The home fire alarm system works off a 6V-12V regulated power supply. LED1 is used
to indicate that power to the circuit is switched on.
We have not tested this fire alarm systems project.