How Fire Panel Know my Detectors are OK?

How Fire Panel Know my Detectors are OK?

Wishing you a very Happy New Year 2022.

The exact design of a commercial fire alarm system is determined by the commercial space’s occupancy classification and the local codes mandated by the Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) for that specific occupancy classification. But regardless of the system design, all commercial fire alarm systems must have a Fire Alarm Control Panel (FACP).

An FACP is the “brain” of the fire alarm system to which all other devices are connected. When an initiating device (such as a smoke detector or a manual pull station) transmits an alarm signal to the FACP, it activates the notification devices to alert the occupants via audible and visual alarm devices.

An FACP also has a digital display that provides the current status of the fire alarm system. In modern “addressable” fire alarm systems, every device connected to the FACP has a unique address (for example: “57 - smoke detector basement electrical room”) which allows the FACP to display the specific device that initiated the signal. This level of detail allows the authorized personnel to quickly locate the source of the alarm. The building’s authorized personnel also use the FACP’s functional switches to acknowledge signals, silence alarms and reset the system once the alarm condition has been cleared by fire department personnel.

It's assumed that fire alarm systems have to work all the time because fires happen anytime... but, then again, this is the real world. Problems with the fire alarm system do occur, and that's when it may not go into alarm. To know when it needs to be fixed, the whole fire alarm system needs to be supervised. 

Smoke detectors look for the presence of smoke. The most common type used today are photoelectric smoke detectors. A photoelectric smoke detector operates by projecting a small beam of light across an internal chamber. If that beam of light becomes obscured beyond a preset threshold (a percentage of light obscuration) by smoke, dirt or other small particles, the detector will transmit an alarm signal to the

If there's trouble inside the fire alarm panel, the panel does its self-diagnostics and indicates trouble. However, when there's a problem in the wiring or devices outside the panel, that's another story. 

Addressable Supervision is the Fire Alarm Control Panel polling or asking a device "Are You OK?", and the device answers "I'm OK!"

Polling is an I'm OK Check

Conventional Class A and Class B wiring directly supervises only the wires; it does not really supervise the devices. The Signaling Line Circuit (SLC), on the other hand, is different; it supervises the devices. 

Unlike the conventional methods, the SLC is a kind of two way street. To supervise, the SLC uses Polling of the Devices. Polling is similar to an I'm OK survey of the entire fire alarm system outside the panel. 

To Poll the devices, the panel uses a signal to say 'device 27 report', and device 27 reports back with a signal that says essentially, 'I'm OK.' If device 27 doesn't report back, or if it does report back but says it isn't working correctly, the message on the fire alarm panel indicates trouble on device 27. 

Failure of the device to report back could be trouble with the device, or trouble with the wiring. However, because the panel specifies the device in trouble, the troubleshooting process of the fire alarm system is sped up. 

Supervising the Wire

With conventional Class A or Class B wiring methods, in order to directly supervise the wire, a current is passed through the entire wire loop. 

The devices connected to the loop aren't supervised; the panel never checks the devices to see if they work. Unless a detector in the field opens the loop, or a horn or strobe shorts (almost never happens), the fire alarm panel won't indicate trouble. 

On the other hand, with the exception of Styles 6 and 7 (equivalent to the conventional Class A), the wires in an addressable loop aren't directly supervised. 

Instead of passing a current through the wire, the SLC wiring is indirectly supervised. If, during the polling process, the returning I'm OK signal is received at the panel, the panel assumes that the wiring is complete. That's the indirect supervision of the wire in the loop. 

Alarm Signals -- Input and Output Device

For input devices, of course, if smoke detector 27 goes into alarm, the panel gets the signal from device 27, and using words on the display, identifies smoke detector 27 as the source of the alarm.

Then again, to turn on the horns or strobes is a specific area, the panel can also send signals along the same SLC to the specific output modules it needs to turn on. 

Addressable I'm OK Supervision -- It's All About Confidence

Using the "I'm OK" signals of the polling process, the addressable fire alarm system directly supervises the devices on the SLC. With this direct supervision of the devices, the fire alarm system has confidence the building wiring is intact.

According to NFPA 72, fire alarm initiating devices are defined as devices used to manually or automatically signal a fire alarm system to initiate responses from equipment and people. These devices connect to the alarm system’s control panel and are under the control panel’s surveillance. When triggered, the control panel identifies the location and then goes into the alarm stage, sounding alerts throughout the building and sending commands to emergency responders.

SSA Integrate offers NFPA inspection programs to our customers. Regular fire equipment inspections will ensure the ongoing reliability and safety of your fire protection systems. As part of the fire protection inspection process, detailed reports will be provided identifying any system deficiencies and recommended action to bring the system back up to applicable fire codes.
We provide a comprehensive selection of fire protection inspection services through our Preventive Maintenance Agreement (PMA). Your company can save valuable time and money by having your fire safety needs addressed with one PMA.

Maintenance of Smoke & Heat Detector

 Maintenance of Smoke & Heat Detector

Maintenance of Smoke Detector

Requirements for Maintenance of smoke detectors vary by country & OEM, the common need is for a functional maintenance and test where smoke, or simulated smoke, is introduced through the vents of the detector to the sensor.

If you have standalone smoke detector, test the alarm monthly. Replace the batteries at least once every year. Replace the entire smoke alarm every 10 years. Press and hold the test button on the smoke detector. It can take a few seconds to begin, but a loud, ear-piercing siren should emanate from the smoke detector while the button is pressed. If the sound is weak or non-existent, replace your batteries. Most of Standalone detectors have either a blinking or a solid light that glows to let you know that the alarm is getting power.

Before starting the Maintenance job for 2wire / 4wire smoke detector, take the proper work permit and inform to all the respective departments / local authority. Then do force the respective logics or interlocks if any (like fire suppression systems activation etc).

§  Prior to maintenance of Smoke detector see the LED status of the Smoke Detector it should be blinking green or red. Now open Detector from Base.

§  Check the voltage of the Smoke Detector, it should be within +30 Volts DC. This can be checked at the addressable base of the detector. This step applicable if detector not responding or gives false alarm.

§  Clean the Smoke Detectors outside dust by brush and vacuum cleaner. Without open the detector from base you may do it.

§  Open Smoke Detector as per manufacturer’s published instructions and clean internal chamber through slowly brush and put air blower diagonally. Do not use any chemical or liquid for cleaning. This step applicable if detector not responding or gives false alarm.

§  Fixed smoke detector in same base. Do not alter smoke detector with another one.

§  Now Smoke Detector is healthy and it is ready for testing.

§  Apply the aerosol spray to the Smoke Detector by solo Smoke detecting gun with the help of the Solo A10/A5 aerosol bottle. Do not use any incense sticks (Agarbatti) and pray to energised smoke detector. Some of manufacturer’s allow use of Magnet to activate / energised smoke detector.

§  Keep applying aerosol spray for 10 seconds.

§  After 10 seconds LED status of the Smoke detector will change from the steady blinking red to steady red and after that alarm appears and hooter is activated on the fire alarm panel.

§  To silence the hooter press silence / acknowledge key on the Fire Alarm Panel. As per manufacturer’s published instructions.

§  After alarm appears remove Smoke detecting test gun from Smoke Detector.

§  Note down the alarm tag and descriptions from the HMI or workstation. The alarm details must match with the smoke detector tag number and installed location.

§  Confirm the smoke detector activation status from the respective graphics page. You have to visually identify the colour change signals of the respective smoke detector on the graphics.

§  Reset the alarm of the Smoke detector from Fire Alarm Panel.

§  The Detector LED status will change from steady red to blinking red.

§  Smoke Detector is now working normally.

§  Repeat the above procedure for all the remaining smoke detectors.

§  Normalize the forced interlocks or logics if any.

§  Close the work permit.

Note: The mentioned voltages or LED colors sequence may change as per the vendor or model of the smoke detectors. Solo Smoke Aerosols is approved all over the world, its Non-toxic & Silicone free. Solo smoke aerosols (used with the Solo 330/332 dispensers) deliver smoke particles to the detector under test replicating the conditions of smoke from a fire. Our range of smoke aerosols has recently increased to allow continued use of our Solo 330/332 dispensers in full compliance with latest regulations.

Unique Formula Identifier (UFI), is a 16 character alphanumeric code which will soon be required to appear on the labelling of all products classified as hazardous by the ECHA. UFI codes will become mandatory on relevant products across Europe from January 2021.

Maintenance is required to be performed in accordance with the manufacturer’s published instructions, with an emphasis on cleaning. Cleaning should be in strict accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions and as frequently as the ambient conditions of the placement area demand. For example, the manufacturer of a smoke detector could recommend annual cleaning, but ambient conditions might dictate cleaning be conducted at 3-month intervals. Areas subject to accumulations of dust and dirt that require more frequent cleaning include elevator hoistways and machine rooms, HVAC ducts, and boiler rooms. Recommended at list 10% of total Smoke detector test as per above procedure if your Fire Detection System age is 1 – 5years. After 5 year recommended at list 25% of total Smoke detector test as per above procedure. In above snap we observe some Service person open Edwards SIGA PS detector and clean in front of washbasin. This is not recommended by Edwards. Actual process describe in second snap. SSA Integrate are doing lots of Edwards Product Maintenance and confirm you that SIGA-PS, SIGA-PHS detectors are upgraded to SIGA-PD and SIGA-PHD respectively and can be used along with our former model in the same loop as well.

One of the main concerns regarding NFPA 72 is testing frequency for sensitivity, or rather, is smoke detector sensitivity testing required? The simplest answer is that testing must be performed annually. However, frequency also depends on the dates and results of the latest test. Further, sensitivity testing will be required unless it’s monitored on a continuous basis on the fire panel and an alert goes out when sensitivity is not within the required range.

Also, the frequency will depend on the type of detectors and the capabilities of the fire alarm control panel.

It may even be possible to avoid costly sensitivity tests on each detector. To quote NFPA 72-2016 14.4.3.2-17 (h) (4), “Smoke detector/control unit arrangement whereby the detector causes a signal at the control unit when its sensitivity is outside its listed sensitivity range” is accepted as a means of ensuring that each smoke detector is working properly.

If you have a newer panel, it likely has this capability, but you can confirm this with the alarm contractor, and also determine its capabilities. Some newer systems may also be able to save sensitivity readings from fire panel software after the annual testing. That way, you have a record of the sensitivity at any particular time.

Required frequency will depend on the time and the results of two consecutive tests. Thus, smoke detector sensitivity should be inspected within a year after it is installed, then inspected each alternate year after that. After a second test that shows the device is within the appropriate sensitivity range, then the length of time between tests may be extended to a maximum of five years.

Maintenance of Heat Detector

Heat detector can be defined as an element or device that detects changes in heat or fire. If any heat (change in heat that exceeds the limits of heat sensor ratings) is sensed by the heat sensor, the heat sensor generates a signal for alerting or activating a security or protection system to extinguish or avoid the fire accidents. There are different types of heat sensors, which are classified based on different criteria such as the amount of heat withstanding capacity, nature of heat sensing capacity, and so on. Furthermore, the heat sensors are classified into different types that include analog heat sensors and digital heat sensors.

Heat detector can sense the heat (change in heat according to the features of heat detector used). But, a circuit is to be designed for activating an alarm system to indicate fire or heat change and for alerting the security or protection system. Heat detector circuit can be designed using heat sensor.

These heat detectors are mainly classified into two types based on their operation and they are “rate of rise heat detectors” and “fixed temperature heat detectors”. Above snap of Heat Detector from AUTRONICA. The most important point is “SelfVerify” function ensures the highest grade of reliability. All Autronica units comprising this function are automatically tested with a calibrated test once every 24 hours.

Before starting the job, take the proper work permit and inform to all the respective departments. Then do force the respective logics or interlocks if any (like fire suppression systems activation etc)

§  Prior to testing of Heat detector see the LED status of the Heat Detector it should be blinking green or red.

§  Open heat detector from Base. This step applicable if detector not responding or gives false alarm.

§  Check the voltage of the Heat Detector, it is within +30 Volts DC. This can be checked by the addressable base of the detector. This step applicable if detector not responding or gives false alarm.

§  Clean Heat detector body and thermistor stick through cotton cloth. Do not put pressure on thermistor stick or heat element stick. This step applicable if detector not responding or gives false alarm.

§  Fixed Heat detector in same base. Do not alter with another one.

§  Now Heat Detector is healthy and it is ready for testing.

§  Clean the Heat Detector’s outside dust by cotton cloth and air blower.

§  Apply the heat to the Heat Detector by solo heat-detecting gun.

§  Keep applying heat for 10 seconds.

§  After 10 seconds LED status of the Heat detector is changing from steady blinking red to steady red and after that alarm appears and the hooter is activated on the fire alarm panel.

§  To silence the hooter press the acknowledge key to the Fire Alarm Panel.

§  After the alarm appears remove the heat-detecting test gun from Heat Detector.

§  Note down the alarm tag and descriptions from the HMI or Graphic workstation. The alarm details must match with the heat detector tag number and installed location.

§  Confirm the heat detector activation status from the respective graphics page. You have to visually identify the colour change signals of the respective heat detector on the graphics.

§  Reset the alarm of the Heat detector from the Fire Alarm Panel.

§  The detector LED status is changing from steady red to blinking red.

§  Heat Detector is now working normally.

§  Repeat the above procedure for all the remaining Heat Detectors.

§  Normalize the forced interlocks or logics if any.

§  Close the work permit.

Note: The mentioned voltages, terminals, circuit module names may change as per the vendor or model of the Heat Detector. Available in both 110 / 120 and 220 / 240 volt versions the Solo 423 and 424 are the professionals’ choice where cables and leads are acceptable. Unconstrained by energy availability they provide the quickest of test times and are, perhaps, most suitable for the highest temperature detectors.

Maintenance is required to be performed in accordance with the manufacturer’s published instructions, with an emphasis on cleaning. Cleaning should be in strict accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions and as frequently as the ambient conditions of the placement area demand. For example, the manufacturer of a smoke detector could recommend annual cleaning, but ambient conditions might dictate cleaning be conducted at 3-month intervals. Areas subject to accumulations of dust and dirt that require more frequent cleaning include elevator hoistways and machine rooms, HVAC ducts, and boiler rooms. Recommended at list 20% of total heat detector test as per above procedure if your Fire Detection System age is 1 – 5years. After 5 year recommended at list 40% of total heat detector test as per above procedure. SSA Integrate is provide Maintenance service for AUTRONICA Fire Product.

The system owner is responsible for maintaining records retained for 1 year thereafter. The records shall be on a medium that will survive the retention period. Paper or electronic media shall be permitted. The owner is to be provided with and maintain a copy of the site-specific software so that it is available to determine how the system is programmed and to reprogram the system if the program in the control unit is corrupted or deleted.

This type of Maintenance Scope will increase Maintenance commercial value. Some of Maintenance Company quote low and do not doing this way. Always prefer certified person or Authorised Company to maintain properly of your Fire Detection & Alarm System. Do avoid utilised your friends for life safety product Maintenance. SSA Integrate will help you neutrally to get proper decision for your Fire Detection System.