Open Protocol & Closed Protocol under Fire Alarms
Thanks to all of my viewr to promote me and thanks for nice name is given to me as "Fire Ka Doctor". Below Article is quite different then others. In fire industry verious miscommunication / mishandling / wrong concept is going on. This open protocol & Close protocol is one of them. Yes after reading this article set your mindset and ask your perchaser. Dont beleave blindly any OEM or nominated persons.
We are
often asked about “Open Protocol” or “Open Architecture” systems or “Closed
Protocol” or “proprietary”. Although this is quite a technical question, it
is one of the fundamental issues to be addressed when specifying a fire
detection and alarm system. Fire alarm industry creates a misunderstanding of
what an Open Protocol System or Closed.
·
Some
of OEM said we have Over 1000 of Distribution globally and we believe Open
protocol business strategy.
·
Another
OEM said our Fire alarm product is Open Protocol, it is unlocked, and any
third-party company is then available to maintain the system.
·
We
are believing one of best open protocol product we supply globally that any one
can do programming commissioning from our panel Keypad. All manuals are easily
available in online search engines. No need training no software not mandatory.
· We have Open Protocol Interfaces such as BACNet, Modbus and OPC Server, that can be easily handshake with any Third Party system.
Lots of
OEM is there globally, each and every one is correct in terms of their
“strategy – thinking”. These terms primarily relate to fire alarm systems'
communication and compatibility aspects.
All fire detection and alarm systems are technically similar. In very simple terms, they consist of numerous fire detection devices, including smoke detectors and “break glass” call points for example, which are connected to a central control panel. When a smoke detector detects smoke, it informs the control panel, which then turns on circuits of alarm sounders. Smoke detector operates, alarm sounders ring. (if you want to be really simple about it!). The connection between the detection devices, alarm sounders and the control panel is either cabling or wireless. For simplicity, we will focus on systems where the devices are connected to the control panel by cabling, commonly called in the industry a “hard wired” system.
What is a Protocol?
Each
component uses a particular protocol, which is essentially the language
that electronic products use to communicate with each other. So a protocol is a
fire alarm system's language for communicating between loop devices.
There are two types of protocol for fire systems: open or closed.
BS EN
54-13-2017 stated
“The components forming a FDAS are designed to provide a system with a particular aspect of its overall functionality. Only when all the components are connected together is the system likely to perform in the desired manner and then only if the components intercommunicate effectively.
For the purposes of this document, the CIE is the focal point of the system and all other components are required to communicate effectively with the CIE. Communication requires the consideration of communication protocols along with other aspects such as power supply requirements and data transmission characteristics.
A separate voice alarm system can be assessed for
compatibility and connectability independently of the fire detection and alarm
system.”
In general you can say Open Protocol fire alarm is Conventional type & Close protocol Fire Alarm is Addressable type or Intelligent type.
Open Protocol Fire Alarm System
In an Open Protocol System, the panel and devices manufactured by different companies – as long as they are compatible. Open Protocol System designed to be more flexible and open to communication with a wider range of devices and components. This flexibility can make it easier to expand, upgrade, and maintain the fire alarm system, as components from various manufacturers can be integrated into the system more easily. Open protocol systems often offer more choices and competitive pricing for replacement parts and devices.
A
conventional system employs one or more initiating circuits called zone’s,
connected to sensors (initiating devices) wired in parallel. These sensors are
devised to decrease the circuits resistance when the environmental influence on
any sensor exceeds a predetermined threshold. No programming needs to be done,
just plug & Play. The conventional fire panel range comes in 2, 4 or 8
zones or more versions.
NFPA 72
Standard says
1) Each
zone has a maximum area of 2000 square meters.
2) The
maximum length of each zone is 3000 meters.
3) The
maximum number of elements in each zone (including fire alarms, sirens, mcp,
detectors, etc.) is 24, and it is better to have a maximum of 20 elements.
4) Each
residential floor can be placed in one zone.
5) It is
suggested that each escape staircase should be included in a zone and a fire
alarm should be installed on the escape route.
6) False
ceilings and ceilings with a height of more than 80 cm need a detector.
7) If the
partition distance is less than 30 cm, the detector is considered separate.
8) If the
height of the ceiling is more than 50 cm, a separate detector is considered for
each space.
9) The
maximum coverage area for the smoke detector is 100 square meters and for the
heat detector is 60 square meters.
10) The maximum height of the detector is 12 meters for the detector and 8 meters for the thermal detector.
The Gent 3260 is a conventional fire alarm system support up to 32 devices per zone.
Ravel Conventional panel can support 28nos elements/detectors in each zone if Ravel brand conventional elements, It supports 20 or 18nos if other then Ravel conventional elements. It depends on Current consumption. Yes it supports other brand elements.
GST
conventional Fire panel each zone can be connected with 15 conventional
fire detectors in same brand or other brand conventional detectors.
Agni Protection conventional fire panel support Maximum 20 nos. detectors in each zone. If other brand detectors, then also same.
AGNI Devices conventional fire panel support Maximum 25 nos. detectors in each zone. If other brand detectors, then also same.
EATON conventional fire panel support maximum loading is 32 detectors and manual call points per zone,
System Sensor Fire Alarm Control Panel support maximum 600m cable connectivity per zone, typically 20 Detectors per zone+ 5 MCP's. Other brand Detector can be connected with respect to Max 2mA current per Detector Circuit.
Apollo conventional ranges including Series 65, Orbis and Series 65A support any brand Conventional Fire Panel. Any series cover 10-year warranty policy. Apollo Fire Detectors Limited is a Halma Company.
In case of
Addressable or Intelligent system, only apollo brand field elements (including
modules, Strobe, MCP, detectors, etc. Apollo is manufactures smoke detectors,
call points, VADs, and more recently, pull stations and magnetic door holders.)
are compatible with
1.
Mtech
Fire Detection Systems Ltd
2.
Labor
Strauss Sicherungsanlagenbau GmbH (LST)
3.
NIBBLE
- Engenharia Lda
4.
Ampac
Europe Limited
5.
Safetec
SRL
6.
Paradox
Hellas (SmartX)
7.
Haes
Technologies Ltd (Esprit)
8.
Kentec
Electronics Ltd (Syncro, Taktis)
9.
NSC
Sicherheitstechnik GmbH
10.Teledata SRL
11.VES LLC
12.C-TEC (Apollo & Hochiki)
13.Advanced Electronics Ltd (MxPro)
So there are two different OEM involve in Fire Detection & Alarm system. You can Design for small to Enterprise customers, in any sector. Apollo products are certified in a global arena to meet the highest standards set by both our customers and the dynamic and challenging environments in which they operate. We meet global type approval standards including EN, UL, CCC as well as specific approvals for specialist or extreme applications such as Marine or explosive environments. The compliance to these standards can be denoted by a third-party marking on the product including LPCB, VdS, BOSEC and AFNOR.
You able
to add any of above brand Fire Panel for your design, free to select as per
your customers / end users need. Apollo is single brand who offer open protocol
field element compatible with lots of Fire alarm control Panel.
Advantages of Open Protocol
·
Offers
the building owner more freedom when it comes to sourcing products or an
installation company as there is the ability to choose between numerous
compatible manufacturers.
·
Allows
the installer to choose whichever products are suitable for the project.
·
The
building owner is able to choose whichever company they want for ongoing
maintenance or adding to the system, enabling them to shop around for the best
price
·
When
innovative products are released, and the building owner would prefer this
solution to protect their building (like our flush mounted Soteria Dimension)
having an open protocol system makes it easier to change manufacturer. Meaning
they have more flexibility to choose the solution they want, not the ones they
are tied into.
·
open
protocol systems can sometimes offer more competitive pricing and long-term
cost savings.
· Different manufacturers for panels & devices – when things do go wrong, more than one company may have to be involved to find a solution, software, etc.
Disadvantages of Open Protocol:
·
No
training required, so no proof of competence. Installer, Customers need to find
out actual competent person who can make healthy system.
·
Easy
access to software can lead to untrained engineers working on systems. No
license / Dongle is required.
· open protocol systems offer flexibility but may require careful selection and integration of components to ensure seamless operation.
Closed Protocol Fire Alarm System
With a Closed Protocol system a single manufacturer produces a range of devices AND control panels that all utilise its own specific protocol. This manufacturer does not provide general access to the technical details of its protocol and restricts the use of it to trained approved installation companies only. The equipment produced will not be compatible with devices from different manufacturers of closed protocol fire systems. Once you choose one closed protocol you are, in effect, locked into one company for the manufacture, supply and maintenance (and in some instances the installation) of the complete system. which can lead to higher costs and potential limitations in system flexibility.
Conventional system with close protocol is not
possible, due to conventional system is plug & play. On the other hand
analog addressable or intelligent addressable system is with close protocol.
|
Close Protocol Communicate with Same Brand
Field Element & Fire Panel Only |
|||||
|
Fire
Brand Name |
Main
Company |
Protocol
Name |
Compatible
Panel |
|
Remarks |
|
Notifier |
Honeywell |
Flashscan |
NFS 320 |
UL & FM |
Detector, Devices can be program through auto program Panel |
|
ESSER |
Honeywell |
Profi BUS |
ESSER 8xxx |
EN54, Vds, BOSEC, Ex, CCC, CNBOP, AFNOR & DIBt |
Programming through Tools8000 software only. |
|
Farenhyt |
Honeywell |
IDP |
IFP-2100ECS (RED) |
UL |
Auto Programming through Fire Panel. |
|
Silent Knight & Farenhyt |
Honeywell |
IDP |
IFP-2000 |
UL |
Auto Programming through Fire Panel. |
|
Silent Knigh |
Honeywell |
IDP |
6820 EVS |
UL & FM |
Auto Programming through Fire Panel. |
|
FireLite |
Honeywell |
CLIP |
ES-1000XC |
UL |
Auto Programming through Fire Panel. |
|
Gamewell-FCI |
Honeywell |
Velocity protocol |
GWF-7075 |
UL & OSHPD (CA) |
Auto Programming through Fire Panel. |
|
GENT |
Honeywell |
|
COMPACT-PLUS |
EN54 |
Commision Tool Gent, VigInSite Tool, Loop Diagnostic Tool &
NanoTool are license-based software is open for Distributor Trained Person
Only. |
|
MORLEY IAS |
Honeywell |
CLIP |
DxC MA-2000 MA-8000 |
EN54 & LPCB |
Auto Programming through Fire Panel. |
|
Simplex |
JCI |
IDNet or MAPNET II |
4100ES |
UL |
License Based ES Programmer Software is for programming, only for
distributor trained person. |
|
FireClass |
JCI |
|
FC 700 |
|
Hand-held programmer is required for Detector / Devices Programming. |
|
ZETTLER |
JCI |
|
PROFILE |
UL |
Hand-held programmer is required for Detector / Devices Programming. |
|
PROTEC |
PROTEC |
Algo-Te 6000PLUS |
6100 |
EN54 |
Protec X600 for panels / Commisioning tool for protec 6100 Full
licensed software availlable with distributor trained person only. |
|
EATON / COOPER |
EATON |
|
CF1000 |
EN54 & Vds |
Auto Programming through Fire Panel. |
|
EDWARDS |
Carrier |
SIGA |
iO 64 |
UL & FM |
Programming through License software (IO-CU, 3-SDU, 4-CU) only. |
|
GST |
Carrier |
|
GST100 |
EN54 & LPCB |
Hand-held programmer is required for Detector / Devices Programming. |
|
Kidde |
Carrier |
|
VM series |
|
VMS CU License is required for Detector / Devices Programming. |
|
BOSCH |
BOSCH |
LSN |
FPA 1000 |
EN54 & Vds |
Programming through License software (FSP 5000 RPS) only. |
Advantages of Closed Protocol
·
Because each and every device
in the system, including the control panel, is provided by
the one manufacturer there is a common design and production
plan, meaning compatibility is assured.
·
When
individual devices do need upgrading they are tested alongside the rest
of the manufacturer’s product range to ensure the system’s compatibility before the new products are brought
to market.
· System failure due to unauthorised tampering is reduced as access to the system is restricted by the manufacturer to approved installation and maintenance companies.
Disadvantages of Closed Protocol:
·
Upgrades
to the system could be restricted to the technology currently available
from the chosen manufacturer/supplier, potentially affecting your choice of brand
new or innovative solutions available
elsewhere in the marketplace.
·
Closed protocol manufacturers can lack competition
for maintenance services
and this can encourage
lapse service, slow call-out
responses and expensive maintenance contracts which are impossible to get
out of
·
As a building owner you are wholly dependent
on one manufacturer for access to new
equipment, upgrades, spares and maintenance. Without
direct competition this tends
to allow manufacturers to charge you
a premium rate for these services.
·
If
you do decide to upgrade or change the system, it can be an expensive and
disruptive exercise as the majority of the original supplier’s system would
have to be removed from the premises and replaced. In some circumstances, this
might involve multiple risk assessments and a complicated series of temporary
closures of the building to the public and staff for the duration of some of the
work (to comply with local legislation).
·
There
is a complete dependency on one manufacturer for spare parts, and access to the
protocol for servicing, modification, and upgrades. All of this may put a
premium on ongoing maintenance.
· Some of well-known OEM directly stated to End user that, do purchased from only our authorised distributor and commissioning through them only, otherwise we not able to provide warranty support. Some of them told if you commissioned system through another agency then you will not get any warranty support in case any product not in working condition.
Making the right choice
The question you need to ask yourself and your installer at this point is “What is the best investment option for me and my building, considering the whole lifetime of the fire detection system”. This “whole lifetime” investment is sometimes referred to as the Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) and is an important long-term consideration.
If you decide to choose a fire detection system provided by a Closed Protocol manufacturer you will have access to devices and panels specifically designed to operate together with complete compatibility. This solution will then be installed and maintained by an approved supplier who has been trained in that specific system.
You need to be
aware of some potential issues
here, for example
·
Does
the manufacturer have a strict upgrade policy restricting you to one upgrade
per year or 5 year.
·
Do
they guarantee complete backwards compatibility for their new products or will
you be forced to replace some other components that don’t quite fit with the
new devices? Without upgrading Firmware Versions. Some of Well known OEM
discontinued old detector series and immediate effect new detector series, not
End user mandatory to upgrade firmware on chargeable basis, otherwise new
detector & old detector can not work jointly under loops.
·
Are
there other solutions on the market that despite being more cost-effective
cannot be utilised as they are not part of the manufacturer’s system offering?
·
Check
there product commissioning process, does need license / dongle for every
addition or deletion or modification. If yes then how many certified or
non-certified technical person there in market ?
· Do the market survey – take suggestion from experienced field person.
Potentially
you might be tied-in to a lengthy maintenance contract so consider whether the
manufacturer has a good reputation within the industry for the provision of
equipment and services.
Opting to choose an Open Protocol system allows you and your installation company the freedom to make decisions about the precise equipment needed based upon the exact requirements of the building rather than being restricted to one manufacturer’s product range. Make sure your chosen installation company has the experience and expertise in many different manufacturer’s product ranges so that you can be sure they will offer accurate and impartial advice on the system design. It is also recommended that you check their fire industry accreditations such as BAFE or LPS1014.
Choosing the correct fire detection protocol system is dependent upon circumstance. Open protocols offer a greater degree of freedom, choice and long term value for money; however if cost is not a primary concern you may prefer the closed protocol system which can offer a straightforward alternative.
Open Protocol Systems - An Explanation. Generally Open Protocol systems allow fire detection equipment and control panels to be compatible between a greater selection of manufacturers, offering you more freedom of choice when sourcing products and installation companies.
Bearing in mind the TCO as mentioned previously, it is always important to understand the levels and restrictions of your fire alarm system maintenance contract, regardless of who is supplying or installing. You need to be able to calculate upfront the expected costs of future maintenance to properly evaluate the TCO of the intended system.
Reference:
·
https://www.chrislewis.co.uk/blog/fire/open-v-closed-protocol-fire-systems
·
https://www.apollo-fire.co.uk/products/system-types/communication-protocol/
·
https://blazequel.com/blog/open-protocol-vs-closed-protocol-fire-alarms/#:~:text=Open%20protocol%20systems%20are%20generally,features%20and%20technology%20are%20preferred.
·
http://firealarmengineers.com/forum/showthread.php?tid=2665&pid=17208
·
https://www.hochikieurope.com/whitepapers/Open-Closed-Protocols.pdf