Intro to Basic Fire
Alarm Technology
Terminology
⮚
FCAP – Fire Alarm Control Panel
⮚
FACU – Fire Alarm Control Unit
⮚
FCC – Federal Communications Commission
⮚
UL – Underwriter Laboratories
⮚
NFPA – National Fire Protection Agency
⮚
AHJ,LAH – Authority Having Jurisdiction, Local AHJ
⮚
ADAAG – Americans with Disabilities Act Accessibility Guidelines
⮚
PoC – Products of Combustion
⮚
LED – Light Emitting Diode
⮚
IDC – Initiating Device Circuit
⮚
NAC – Notification Appliances Circuit
⮚
ELR – End of Line Resister
Electronics Security System
⮚
NEC – National Electrical Code
⮚
NEMA – National Electrical Manufacturing Association
⮚
EIA – Electric Industry Association
⮚
Cd - Candela
⮚
Db, Dba – Decibels
⮚
FWR – Full Wave Rectified
⮚
ANSI - American National Standard Institute
⮚
PIV – Post Indicator Valve
⮚
OS&Y – Outside Stem and Yoke Valves
⮚
SFPE – Society for Fire Protection Engineers
What is the Purpose
Of a Fire Alarm System
Detect, Alarm and Evacuate.
Life Safety!
Main Controller
❑
The brains of the system
❑
Provides power to the system, monitor
inputs and controls outputs through
various circuits.
❑
Performs other functions as required by
the appropriate code.
Elements of a Control Panel
Main Controller, Power , inputs, and Outputs
Audio Output
AC Power
Input (Cable)
Visual Output
Inputs
A fire alarm
system can
have a variety
of input
devices.
Smoke Detector
Manual Pull
Station
Primary (AC)
Secondary (DC)
• Initiating Device A system
component that originates
transmission of a change of state
condition, such as smoke detector,
manual fire alarm box, supervisory
switch etc…
• Initiating Device Circuit (IDC) A circuit to which automatic or
manual initiating devices are connected where the signal
received does not identify the individual device operated.
Outputs
Main Controller
Primary (AC)
Secondary (DC)
Inputs
Outputs
• Notification Appliance A fire alarm
system component such as a bell, horn,
speaker, light, or text display that
provides audible, tactile, or visible output,
or any combination thereof.
• Notification Appliance Circuit A circuit or path directly connected
to a notification appliance.
Gasses – Natural, Propane,
Butane, Hydrogen,
Acetylene, Carbon
Monoxide
Liquids - Gasoline,
Kerosene,
Turpentine, Alcohol,
Paints, Varnish,
Lacquer
Solids – Coal, Wood,
Paper, Cloth, Wax,
Grease, Leather, Plastic,
Grain, Hay
Oxygen
Open Flame
The Sun
Hot Surfaces
Sparks and Arcs
Friction
Chemical Action
Electrical Energy
Compression of Gasse
Fuel, heat and oxygen are all needed in the right combination to
produce fire.
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Spot Detectors provides detection concentration in a particular
location – Heat & Smoke Detectors.
Line Detectors provide continuous detection along a path – Thermal
Cable & Beam Detectors.
Air Sampling Systems draw air through pipes to an enclosed
chamber for testing – VESDA & Duct Detectors.
Sensing
Chamber
Photo
Diode
Lighting
Emitting
Diode
Partition
Manual Fire Alarm Pull Station
• Manually operated device used to initiate an alarm signal.
❑ Single Action Stations require a single operation to activate
it. Generally a pulling down action.
❑ Dual Action Stations require two distinct operations. A set-up
and an activating action.
❑ Breakglass Stations have an inhibit device that must be
damaged to activate the station ( non-ADA compliant)
Transmitter
Smoke from the fire in the protected
area diffuses the intensity of the
beam at the receiver
Receiver
Initial
Pre-actuator
Actuator
• Fixed Detectors alarm when the sensing element reaches a
certain set point. Two common ones have 135 and 200 degrees
F range. The Fixed element is generally a non-restorable type,
and when activated, must be replaced.
• Rate-of- Rise Detectors respond when the rate of temperature
increase is greater than an allowable limit (15 degrees in 60
secs.) (placement in a stable environment) (e.g. ovens, heating
vents, etc.). The Rate-of-Rise element is restorable when
conditions return to normal.
• Rate Compensation will respond regardless of the rate of
temperature rise.
Heat Detectors are the oldest type of automatic fire detection
device. Not considered direct Life Safety Devices, these detectors
do contribute to the detection of a fire.
• Bells: Only used if they are only for fire, or have a
distinctive sound form other bell signalling
devices. Often used as an external gong to
indicate the flow of water in the sprinkler system.
• Horns: Loud and distinctive output. Often used in
high-noise environments, such as manufacturing
plants.
• Audible – Horns, Bells, Sounders, Sirens, Chimes,
Speakers.
• Visual - Strobes
• Physical – Bed shakers
• Olfactory - Smell
• Sounders: Electronic or mechanical
audible devices, which are capable of
producing variety of tones. Often, the
selectable during installation device.
• Chimes : Soft-toned appliances used
where loud noise could be disruptive to
other operations. Generally used where
qualified personnel are continuously in
attendance.
Audible Devices
•
•
Sirens: Extremely loud
generally limited
outdoor or heavy
areas.
Speakers: Audible devices in
conjunction with evacuation
messages. Life-Safety speakers
are not generally associated with
Muzak.
•
Types of Fire Alarm Control
Panels
Conventional (hard
wired)
❑ Fixed
❑ Programmable
•
Addressable (multiplexed)
•
Intelligent (analog data transfer)
•
Direct Current – Clean, absolute filtered power
❑ Supplies the system with operating power under the loss of
primary (AC) for at least 24 hours of standby (quiescence)
followed by 5 minutes in alarm. Voice systems require 15
minutes in alarm.
❑ Rated in AMP-HOURS (AH)
❑ Must be calculated!
Mounting Locations
• Manual fire alarm stations shall be located within 5 feet of the exit
doorway opening of each floor.
• Grouped openings over 40 feet in width require pull stations on
either side of the opening.
• Additional pull station will be installed no more than 200 linear feet
apart.
• Each manual fire alarm station shall be conspicuous, unobstructed,
and accessible, and of contrasting color to the background on
which they are mounted.