What Should You Pay for an FACP in 2023?

The cost of fire panels varies significantly depending on the type, size and complexity of your system. Still, we can walk through the basic factors that influence price together here.

Generally speaking, a basic Fire Alarm Control Panel (FACP) costs between $500 to several thousand dollars. The exact price will depend on the size and sophistication of the panel.

---

FACP listings are easy to find online. Here are some current prices:

To give you a sense of what's out there, I've just performed some basic internet searching for FACP prices. Here are some of the many results I found to show you how much you might pay for a fire alarm control panel in 2023:

• (I've ignored listings on Amazon here, as they look to be fairly patchy and in limited quantities. Price data gathered here may not reflect the overall market. All that I viewed were sold by third-party sellers, which sometimes is part of an asset liquidation.)
• Grainger lists an Edwards Signaling Power Booster (6.5A current capacity) for $833.75. There is a similar model with a larger 10A current capacity for $971.
• Grainger also lists four "KIDDE Alarm Control Panel" models. These vary in price between $914.63 for an FACP with 5 input circuits and 2 output circuits (Class B inputs/outputs) and $1964.21 for one with 10 input circuits and 4 output circuits. The preview images of these panels appear identical, emphasizing how less expensive fire panels may simply have fewer cards/circuits populated than a more expensive model. Much of FACP pricing comes down to simple capacity.
• (I've also not focused heavily on eBay listings here, which similarly vary from $725 to $1450 and more - but are likely to fluctuate widely over time and include listings for just a single panel. If you're working on a large construction project, single-item listings aren't really viable)
• BuyFireAlarmParts.com certainly has a nicely chosen domain name, and they seem to have the FACP inventory to back it up. There are higher-priced panels and accessories here, including a $2500 Simplex 4007-9102 Hybrid FACP and a $4500 Simplex 4010-9402 Basic Control Unit (Platinum).
• BuyfireAlarmParts.com also has, you guessed it, spare and replacement parts for fire panels. There is a $300 Simplex LCD Display and a $900 CPU Replacement Board for the Simplex 4001-9403.

There is much more purchasing required beyond just your FACP

Additionally, there are other components that may need to be purchased, such as sensors, detectors, and wiring. The cost of these components can easily add up to several thousand dollars in addition to the cost of the FACP itself.

You need to consider whether you're simply replacing an existing FACP with a newer model or doing a "from the ground up" install. If this is an entirely new building, you're probably going to spend much more on sensing (initiating devices) per building than you are on the fire panel itself. The size of your buildings, the number of rooms, and the number of floors will determine this pricing balance.

Fortunately, most experts in fire alarms will be able to help you choose both an FACP and all of the systems that it will monitor. If nothing else, the company you work with will be able to recommend another company for you to contact.

Don't forget to account for installation labor

When purchasing an FACP, it is important to factor in installation costs as well. Professional installation can range from a few hundred dollars to several thousand depending on the size and complexity of the system. To ensure a safe and reliable system, it is important to hire trained and certified professionals to install your FACP.

At Digitize, we tell clients to roughly estimate about $1 in install cost for every $1 in purchasing expense. This can vary, of course, because some devices have higher wiring complexity and other devices cost more. Still, let me remind me that installation is always a significant expense in any fire protection system.

Fortunately, this "installation is expensive" fact means that you can save money by rolling multiple devices into one install. Your ability to do this will vary based on fire code requirements, but Digitize has the capability to modify, combine, or engineer totally new devices.

Do you have an idea about what you're trying to accomplish, but can't find the equipment to do the job? That's one great reason to give our engineers a call at 1-800-523-7232. We can likely combine two or more devices for you, giving you the solution you need while simultaneously reducing your install expense.

Consider all of your price & functionality options before making a purchase

In short, the cost of an FACP depends on the size and sophistication of the system as well as any additional components that need to be purchased. There are some at or around a $500 price, while others are $2000, $4000, $5000, or more.

With that in mind, price shopping is always a good practice. It's worth getting multiple quotes and comparing them to determine which one best matches your budget and needs.

In the end, price should not be the only consideration when purchasing fire alarm control panels and other systems. Quality, customer service, and reliability are also important parts of the equation.

You'll also likely be interested in installation services from whatever distributor/installer/manufacturer you choose, so always ask any potential seller about how they approach that. Is that included, or will you need to budget extra?

When comparing both price and functionality and your relevant obligations under NFPA fire codes, it is important to consider all of your options before making a purchase. With the right knowledge and research, you can find the best FACP for your needs at an affordable price.

Call Digitize at 1-800-523-7232 to get started

We can help you on your "fire alarm control panel purchase journey." We'll help you through the price, cost, and budgeting decisions with our expert advice.

There's much more to discuss about this topic than I could ever reasonably include here, so just call us and start a conversation.

Call Digitize today at 1-800-523-7232 to speak with an engineer now. You can also send us a quick email at info@digitize-inc.com