Intro to Basic Fire Alarm
Technology
Leaders in Life. Safety. Technology.
Course Description
 This two-hour introductory course is for individuals with
little or no experience in the fire alarm industry. The
course covers the basic building blocks of modern
conventional and addressable fire alarm systems.
 It covers the primary and secondary functions of a fire
alarm control panel, various initiating and notification
devices, digital communicators, waterflow alarm and
sprinkler monitoring.
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Accreditation
 Approved for 0.2 NTS CEUs by National
Burglar and Fire Alarm Association.
Course Name: Intro to Basic Fire Alarm
Technology - Course Number: 04-1216
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Course Contents
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Basic Elements of a Fire Alarm System
Supplementary Functions
Physical Elements of Fire
Initiating Devices
Notification Appliances
Water Flow and Sprinkler Monitoring
The Conventional Fire Alarm System
Notification Appliance Circuit (NACs)
Supplementary Circuit Wiring
The Addressable Fire Alarm System
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Terminology
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FACP - Fire Alarm Control Panel.
FACU - Fire Alarm Control Unit.
FCC - Federal Communications Commission
UL - Underwriters Laboratories
NFPA - National Fire Protection Agency.
AHJ, LAHJ - 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 Appliance Circuit
ELR, EOL - End of Line Resistor
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Terminology
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NEC - National Electrical Code (NFPA 70)
NEMA - National Electrical Manufacturing Association
EIA - Electronics Industry Association
Cd - Candela
dB, dBA - Decibels
FWR - Full Wave Rectified
ANSI - American National Standards Institute
PIV - Post Indicator Valve
OS&Y - Outside Stem and Yoke Valves
SFPE - Society for Fire Protection Engineers
Shall - Indicates a mandatory requirement
Should - Indicates a recommendation or advisement
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What is the Purpose
of a Fire Alarm System?
Detect, Alert and Evacuate.
Life Safety!
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Basic Fire
Let’s examine the
components that make
a basic Fire Alarm
Control System.
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Main Controller
 The brains of the system.
 Provides power to the
system, monitors inputs
and controls outputs
through various circuits.
 Performs other functions
as required by the
appropriate code.
NFS-640
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Elements of a Control Panel
Main Controller, Power, Inputs, and Outputs
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Elements of a Control Panel
Primary (AC)
Secondary (DC)
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Elements of a Control Panel
Inputs
A fire alarm
system can have
a variety of input
devices.
Smoke Detector
Manual Pull Station
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Inputs
 Initiating Device A system component
that originates transmission of a change
of state condition, such as a 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.
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Elements of a Control Panel
Outputs
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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.
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The Basic System
Main Controller
Inputs
Primary AC )
Secondary (DC)
Outputs
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Supplementary Operations
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Elevator Capture
Equipment Shutdown
Air Handling Shutdown
Damper Control
Extinguishing System
Interface
 Event Printing
 Display Monitor
Interface
 Door Holding Devices
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Supplementary Operations
 Remote Signal Annunciation - Provides critical
system status and basic control capability from a more
convenient location than where the control panel
might be located.
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Remote Annunciators
LCD-160 Liquid Crystal
Display
ACS LED
Annunciator
Custom Graphics
Annunciator
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DACTs
Integral Onboard DACT
UDACT Universal Digital
Communicator Transmitter
Dedicated DACT
"daughterboard"
411UD Slave/Stand
Alone DACT
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Basic Fire Alarm Technology
Signal Initiation & Initiating Devices
What is the
threat?
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The Makings of Fire
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The Fire Triangle
Fu
at
Solids - Coal, Wood,
Paper, Cloth, Wax,
Grease, Leather,
Plastic, Grain, Hay
He
Liquids - Gasoline,
Kerosene, Turpentine,
Alcohol, Paints, Varnish,
Lacquer
el
Gasses - Natural, Propane,
Butane, Hydrogen,
Acetylene, Carbon Monoxide.
Oxygen
Open Flame
The Sun
Hot Surfaces
Sparks and Arcs
Friction
Chemical Action
Electrical Energy
Compression of Gases
Fuel, heat and oxygen are all needed in the right combination to produce fire.
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The Stages of a Fire
1) Incipient: Products of
Combustion particles are
produced (<0.3 microns).
No visible smoke or detectable
heat. May occur for milliseconds
or days.
Ionization Detectors
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The Stages of a Fire
2) Smoldering: Visible
smoke particles are produced
(>0.3 microns). Little visible
flame or noticeable heat.
Photoelectric Detectors
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The Stages of a Fire
3) Flame: Rapid combustion
produces radiant energy in the
visible, and invisible (IR, UV)
spectrums. Heat begins to
buildup at this stage
Spark or Flame Detectors
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How do we detect
the threat?
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Automatic Fire Detectors
Spot Detectors provide 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.
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Automatic Fire Detectors
 Photoelectric
Light-Scattering (Reflective)
 Light-Obscuring (Beam)

 Ionization
 Thermal (heat)
 Duct
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Photoelectric Smoke Detectors
Light Scattering Type
 These detectors use a Light-Emitting
Diode (LED) that sends a beam of
light into a dark chamber. A photo diode
sits on the other side of a partition
within the chamber.
 Smoke particles entering the chamber deflect some of
the light rays into the photocell. The photo cell generates
a current when exposed to light, and if the current
reaches a certain level, the smoke detector alarms.
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Light Scattering Principle
Sensing Chamber
Light
Emitting
Diode
Photo
Diode
Partition
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Light Scattering Principle
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Photoelectric Smoke Detectors
Light Obscuration Type
 In a projected Beam Detector,
alarms are generated by diffusing
the projected light beam by a
specified percentage of obscuration.
Total beam blockage generally
results in a trouble signal.
 Wire the receiver unit as a 4-wire detector (separate
power and sensing connections to the control panel).
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Projected Beam Principle
Transmitter
Receiver
Smoke from the
fire in the protected
area diffuses the
intensity of the beam at the receiver
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Beam Detector
 System Sensor is offering a new single-unit Transmitter/Receiver
Beam Detector that works in conjunction with a reflector.
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Ionization Smoke Detectors
 These detectors contain a small


amount of radioactive material
encapsulated in a metal chamber.
Ionizing radiation develops a low,
but steady electrical current. Smoke
particles entering the chamber disrupt
the current and trigger the detector's alarm.
Ion detectors react more quickly to fast flaming fires
that give off little smoke.
Spot-type Detectors.
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Ionization Smoke Detectors
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Ionization Smoke Detector
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4 Wire Smoke Detectors
 4-wire Smoke Detectors are devices that receive
power from a source other than the Initiating
Device Circuit.
 They may be wired in
Style B or Style D, and
are supervised with an
end-of-line power
supervision relay for loss
of operating current.
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4 Wire Detectors
4-wire smoke detectors wired Style B
Initiating
Zone
IDC (+)
IDC (-)
+24VDC
4-Wire
Detector
Power
Common
UL Listed
Power
Supervisory
Relay
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Duct Detectors
 Photoelectric detector
mounted in housing
outside the ductwork
that has probes that
extend into the duct to
sample the air inside the duct.
 Primarily used as a smoke control device to
control the flow of air in ductwork.
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Advanced Detection Devices


Photoelectric smoke detectors
by System Sensor consists of
2- and 4-wire detectors, offered
with or without a fixed 135
temperature thermal sensor.
Plug-In Head/Base combination.

Smoothing algorithms

Drift compensation (automatically adjusts
for dust accumulation, reducing nuisance alarms)

Optional Sensitivity Reader
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Manual Initiating Devices
The Manual Fire Alarm Pull Station
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Initiating Devices
Manual Fire Alarm Pull Station
 Manually operated device used to initiate an alarm
signal.
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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).
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Initiating Devices
Manual Fire Alarm Stations
 Optional Features
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With and without key locks or hex key locks
Weatherproof models with special backboxes
With auxiliary contacts
Multiple languages, even dual languages.
With a pre-signal feature
With screw-terminal or pigtail connections
Conventional and Addressable
Metal or Polycarbonate
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Single-Action Manual Station
Spring-loaded
releasing
switch
Reset
Key
Actuation
Handle
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Dual-Action Manual Station
Initial
Pre-Actuator
Actuator
Change to Notifier
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Addressable Pull Stations
Addressable
Module
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Non-Alarm Pull Stations
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Heat Detectors
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.
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Heat Detectors
 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.
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Heat Detectors
Rate Compensation Type
 Detector responds when the temperature
of the surrounding air reaches a
predetermined level, regardless
of the rate of temperature rise.
 The system compensates for Thermal Lag.
 During a slow rate of temperature rise there is more time for heat
to penetrate the inner element, which inhibits contact closure until
the total device reaches the rated temperature level.
 During fast rate of increase, there is less time for heat to
penetrate the inner element, which exerts less inhibiting effect, so
contact closure is still obtained at the rated temperature.
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Heat Detectors
 DON’T Paint Heat Detectors!!!
 Why? Because “Thermal Lag” occurs when the physical
properties of the Heat detector cause it to lag behind the
alarm condition of the surrounding air.
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Heat Detectors
 Exhibit the lowest false alarm rate of all automatic fire
detector devices,
 Slowest-responding fire detection devices.
 Best used in applications where
 Fast-developing, large fires are expected.
 Environment won't allow the use of other fire detection
devices.
 The speed of detection is not a prime consideration.
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Heat Detector
Heat Sensitive Cable
 A line-type initiating device whose sensing element
comprises, in one type, two current-carrying wires
held separated by heat-sensitive insulation which
softens at the rated temperature, thus allowing the
wires to make electrical contact.
 Installed at the exact point of risk to provide rapid
localized detection of abnormal temperature rises
(overloaded or short-circuited high voltage power
wiring).
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Heat Detectors
Heat Sensitive Cable
Protective Tape
Actuators
Outer Insulation
Heat Sensitive
Material
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Notification Appliance Types
 Audible - Horns, Bells, Sounders,
Sirens, Chimes, Speakers.
 Visual - Strobes
 Physical - Bed shakers
 Olfactory - Smell
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Audible Devices
 Bells: Only used if they are
only for fire, or have a distinctive
sound from other bell signaling 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.
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Audible Devices
 Sounders: Electronic or
mechanical audible devices,
which are capable of producing
a variety of tones. Often, the
tone is selectable during installation
of the device.
 Chimes: Soft-toned appliances
used where loud noises could be
disruptive to other operations.
Generally used where qualified
personnel are continuously in attendance.
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Audible Devices
 Sirens: Extremely loud
devices generally limited
in use to outdoor or heavy
industrial areas.
 Speakers: Audible devices
used in conjunction with
voice evacuation messages.
Life-Safety speakers are not
generally associated with Muzak
systems.
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What other ways
can we evacuate
the facility?
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Directional Sound
What is it?
 Sound that generates at all
frequencies bands across the
human hearing range - Low, Mid and High
 Together, all three frequency bands
produce true broadband/directional sound
 True broadband is now
easily recognizable by
the human ear
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New Audible Exit Technology
 ONYX EXITPoint
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Reduced Evacuation time
Directional Sound Technology
Optimized Sound Patterns
by combining 3 broadband
frequencies for true
broadband/directional sound
Triggered by Fire Alarm Panel
Draws attention to exits and egress routes
Won’t conflict with traditional audible devices
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Audible Code
 Coded outputs are required in many
applications. This can be accomplished
by pulsing tones for different areas of the
building, or zoning the outputs
(floor above - floor below).
 General alarm codes commonly used are March
Time (110-120 ppm) or Temporal code (ANSI
Evacuation Code 3).
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Visual Signaling Appliances
Visual signaling appliances
are used in high-noise environments,
in areas occupied by hearing-impaired
individuals, or in areas where audible
devices may not be desired.
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Visual Devices
Speaker/Strobe
Strobe
Horn/Strobe
Chime/Strobe
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Selectable-Output Visual Devices
 Selectable Candela Output (15 - 30 - 60 -75 - 110)
 Selectable Operating Voltage (12 or 24 volts)
 Offered in Strobe and Horn/Strobe
combinations
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Types of Power
 For powering the various devices connected to a fire
alarm system, control panels supply auxiliary power.
There are two main types of power that you MUST be
aware of:


Full-Wave Rectified (Special Purpose) Power - Unregulated
output directly. High ripple voltage. Do not use for Smoke
Detectors! Only use NAC devices listed for use with this type of
power.
Filtered Regulated Power - Most stable output. Minimal ripple
voltage. Used for Smoke Detectors, and some remote
supplementary devices.
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Full-Wave Rectified Power
42v
24v
0v
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Filtered Regulated Power
24v
0v
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Secondary Power
 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!
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Relays and Contacts
 Form A - refers to a relay with contacts for common and
normally open ONLY.
 Form B - refers to a relay with contacts for common and
normally close ONLY.
 Form C - refers to a relay with contacts for common,
normally open, and normally closed.
 Dry Contacts -By magnetically controlling the state of
the contacts, the control panel is electrically isolated (and
thus protected) from power connected to the contacts..
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Relays and Contacts
Norma lly Closed
Common
Norma lly Open
When a relay is not
active, the contacts
are in their normal
position.
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Relays and Contacts
Normally Closed
When the relay is
Common
activated, current
passing through the
relay coil magnetically
influences the common
"wiper", moving it to the
opposite position.
Normally Open
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Relays and Contacts
"Fail-Safe" relays are
energized during
"normal" conditions. Common
The relay is activated
by deenergizing the
coil, guaranteeing
activation of the
desired signal during
loss of all power to the
system.
Norma lly Open
Norma lly Closed
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Initiating Devices
Sprinkler Systems Monitoring
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Fire Sprinkler Systems
 Wet-Pipe Sprinkler Systems
use a vane-activated Water
Flow Device (WFD) sized to
the piping. The device reacts
to a change in flow pressure of
10 psi, which is the equivalent
of one sprinkler head
activating. Retard devices
inhibit false activation due to
changes in water supply
pressure.
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Wet Pipe Sprinkler System
Water Flow Detector
Water Pressure Gages
Riser
Main Water Clapper
Supervisory Switch
Water Supply Pipe
Main Water Control Valve
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Fire Sprinkler Systems
Waterflow Detectors
Pressure Gauges
Tamper Switches
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Fire Sprinkler Systems
 Dry-Pipe Sprinkler: An automatic sprinkler system
where all piping contains air under pressure. When a
sprinkler head opens, the air is released and water flows
into the system and through any open sprinkler heads
into the fire. This type of system is used when freezing of
water in the pipes is a concern.
 Dry-Pipe Sprinkler Systems use
a pressure switch. The device
reacts to a change in pressure
due to water filling the system.
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Dry Pipe System
Air Pressure Gauge &
Alarm Switch
Riser
Main Air Clapper
Air Pressure
Main Water Clapper
Supervisory
Device
Water Pressure
Main Water Control
Valve
Main Drain Valve
Water Pressure
Gauge
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Sprinkler Monitoring
 Sprinkler Systems have water feed control valves.
These control valves shut off the water supply to the
sprinkler system and render it useless. A monitoring
device should be attached to every critical control valve
in the system, whether it's a gate valve, indicator valve,
or butterfly valve. Whenever the valve is shut off, a
supervisory alarm signal (as opposed to a Fire or
Waterflow alarm) is generated.
 The two most common types of Supervisory Tamper
Switches are OSY and PIV.
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Sprinkler Monitoring
OS&Y
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Sprinkler Monitoring
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Sprinkler Monitoring
A fire alarm control panel
could be used to monitor
a number of critical
sprinkler-related systems:




Air Pressure in a Dry
System
Room Temperature Devices
Pressure Tanks
Fire Pumps
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The Systems
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Types of Fire Alarm Control Panels
 Conventional (hard wired)
 Fixed
 Programmable
 Addressable (multiplexed)
 Intelligent (analog data transfer)
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Conventional “hard wired” system
 Simplest type of control unit.
 Generally, a single circuit board contains power supply,
control, initiating and notification circuitry.
 Some models use auxiliary circuit boards to perform
special functions.
 Input/output devices connect to dedicated circuits.
 Designated outputs occur when initiating signals are
received.
 Limited special functions and capabilities.
Examples: SFP-1024 & SFP 2404
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Conventional System Wiring
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Conventional “Programmable” System
 Basic “Designed System”
 Components selected by the designer to meet the direct
needs of the customer.
 Initiating circuits are programmable for fire, waterflow,
supervisory service, etc.
 Output circuits are programmable for code selection and
silenceability.
 On some systems, input-to-output CIRCUIT (not device)
mapping.
Example: System 500/5000
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Addressable System
 Each device (detector, pull station…)
has a unique number assigned
to it called the address for reporting
alarms and troubles.
 Employs a Signaling Line Circuit
(SLC) Loop along which all addressable
input and output devices are connected
to the fire alarm control panel.
 Addressable devices transmit an
electronic message back to the Control
Unit representing their state (Normal, Alarm, Trouble)
when polled by the Control Unit.
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Addressable Modules
These systems can also monitor conventional initiating
devices using addressable monitor modules. These
modules report to the control panel on the alarm or
trouble status of the conventional circuits they monitor.
SLC Loop
24 VDC
Power
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Typical SLC
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Input to Output Mapping
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Software Zoning
 Floor-Above/Floor Below
 Elevator Recall
 Smoke Control
 Ring-By-Zone
 Door Locks (Card Access)
 Cross Zoning
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Intelligent System
 Always an Addressable System.
 Processes detailed, analog data from detectors
about smoke levels.
 Can provide sensitivity data for each detector.
 Employs Drift Compensation (self calibration) in
it's detectors.
Examples: ONYX NFS-640 & ONYX NFS-3030
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Intelligent System Benefits
 Lower wiring costs
 Shortened installation schedule
 Greater device supervision
 Integrated Networkability
 Superior troubleshooting capability
 Rapid and direct identification
of fire threat
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Design and Application
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Design Issues
 Device Selection




Photo vs. Ion, line versus spot.
What is are the total costs of one type versus another?
How does the environment affect device selection?
Does the device meet code specifications and code?
 Placement of Devices (where do you place smoke
detectors, pull stations, notification appliances)?
 Calculations (how do you calculate battery size and
NAC voltage drops?).
 Programming (how will you accomplish your nongeneral alarm events?).
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Spot Detector Placement
 Total (complete) Coverage includes all rooms, halls,
storage areas, basements attics, lofts, spaces above
suspended ceilings, and other subdivisions and
accessible spaces as well as the inside of all closets,
elevator shafts, enclosed stairways, dumbwaiter
shafts and chutes.
NFPA 72 2002 Section 5.5.2.1
Exception - inaccessible areas that DO NOT contain combustible
materials do not require smoke detection
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Spot Detector Placement
 Partial
Coverage calls for smoke detection in all
common areas and work spaces, such as corridors,
lobbies, storage rooms, equipment rooms, and other
tenantless spaces.
CAUTION!
The building owner must understand that a fire alarm
system may not detect a fire that develops within any
area without smoke detection until that fire has
reached proportions that may seriously compromise
the safe evacuation of occupants and the timely
notification of fire responders.
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Spot Detector Placement
Typical area
of room protection
21’
’
30’
21
Spot detector
placement is
based on central
mounting of a
detector in a 30’
X 30’ room. No
area may be
more than 21’
from the
detector.
Maximum
radius of
protection
Smoke
Detector
30’
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Spot Detector Placement
Room
41’
Smoke
Detector
21’
Note that in this
application, two
detectors are not
required because
all areas within
the room are
within 21 feet of
the detector.
Maximum
radius of
protection
10’
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Spot Detector Placement
15’
15’
30’
30’
15’
15’
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Heat Detector Spacing
Ceiling Height
(feet)
0 -10
10-12
12-14
14-16
16-18
18-20
20-22
22-24
24-26
26-28
28-30
Percent (%) of
Listed Spacing
100
91
84
77
71
64
58
52
46
40
34
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Initiating Devices
Manual Fire Alarm Pull Stations
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Manual Fire Alarm Stations




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 a contrasting color
to the background on which they are mounted.
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Manual Fire Alarm Stations
 NFPA 72 - Mount pull station so that operable part is
42" to 54" from the floor.
 ADA Accessibility Guidelines
Forward reach: If access is only from a
forward approach, mount 15-48”.
 Side reach: If clear space allows a parallel
approach, mount 9-54”. If side reach is over
an obstruction, use forward reach rules.

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Manual Fire Alarm Stations
The height is measured from the floor to the
point of actuation.
48 Inches
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Designing with Notification appliances
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ADA vs. NFPA
 Conflicts exist between ADA
and NFPA guidelines regarding
requirements for notification
appliances in fire alarm systems.
 If the specifications call for ADA
compliance, it is a federal law which
must be obeyed.
 It is believed that newly-revised
ADA Accessibility Guidelines will
reference NFPA 72 2002.
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Ambient Noise
 Ambient Noise Level – the level of noise around us,
or encircling us. Often referred to as “background
noise”.
 Decibels (dB)– Sound pressure is rated in decibels,
which is a unit for measuring relative loudness.
 dBA - A dB scale referenced to the minimum
pressure that can be detected by the human ear.
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Ambient Noise
 1 dBA (faintest audible sound) – Remember
the hearing test?
 50 dBA Typical conversation
 80 dBA Alarm Clock
 130 dBA (painful – ear damage possible).
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Typical Ambient Noise Levels
Business Occupancies
Educational Occupancies
Industrial Occupancies
Institutional Occupancies
Mercantile Occupancies
Piers and Water-Surrounded Structures
Places of Assembly
Residential Occupancies
Storage Occupancies
Thoroughfares, High Density Urban
Thoroughfares, Medium Density Urban
Thoroughfares, Rural and Suburban
Tower Occupancies
Underground Structures and
Windowless Buildings
Vehicles and Vessels
55
45
80
50
40
40
55
35
30
70
55
40
35
40
dBA
dBA
dBA
dBA
dBA
dBA
dBA
dBA
dBA
dBA
dBA
dBA
dBA
dBA
50 dBA
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Operating Modes
 Public Mode – Audible or visible signaling to occupants
or inhabitants of the area protected by the fire alarm
system.
 Private Mode – Audible or visible
signaling only to those persons
directly concerned with the
implementation and direction of
emergency
action initiation and procedure in the area protected by
the fire alarm system.
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Audible Devices-Public Mode
 NFPA: 15 dB above average ambient sound level or
5 dB above maximum 60-second sound level,
whichever is greater (minimum of 75 dBA to a
maximum of 120 dBA).
 ADA: If provided, 15 dB above average ambient
sound level or 5 dB above maximum 60-second
sound level, whichever is greater (maximum of 120
dBA).
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Audible Devices – Private Mode
 NFPA: Minimum of 45 dBA, maximum of 120 dBA, at
least 10 dB above average ambient sound level or 5
dB above maximum 60-second sound level,
whichever is greater.
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Visual Signaling Appliance
 Above 105 dbA: When the average ambient sound
level is greater than 105 dbA, visual signaling
appliances are required.



Indoor concerts
Drop forge shops
Printing presses
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Audible Devices – Public Mode
 Where acceptable to the AHJ, reducing or shutting
down background noise is an acceptable alternative
to a high audio output.


Musical equipment
Machinery
 Audible signaling may be
reduced or eliminated by
visual signaling (with AHJ approval).
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Visual Signaling
ADA Requirements
 Americans with Disabilities Act sets provisions for visual
appliances:





Intensity minimum of 75 cd in non-sleeping areas, and
110 cd in sleeping areas.
Lamp shall be a Xenon strobe type or equivalent.
The color shall be clear or nominal white.
Pulse duration 0.2 sec. with a 40%
duty cycle.
Flash Rate 1 - 3 per second (1-3 Hz).
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Wall-Mounted Appliances
NFPA
ADA
 Wall mounted devices shall

have their bottoms at heights
above the finished floor of not
less than 80 inches, and not
greater than 96 inches.
 Maximum separation of
appliances shall not exceed
100 feet.
The appliance shall be placed
80 inches above the highest
floor level within the space, or
6 inches from the ceiling,
whichever is lower.
 Devices shall be no more than
50 ft. apart.
 In large areas without
obstructions 6 ft. above the
floor, devices may be spaced a
maximum of 100 feet apart.
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Visual Device Installation
ADA
ADA
96"
At
least
6"
96"
At
least
6"
80"
NFPA
At least 80"
80"
NFPA
At least 90"
At least 80"
Strobe
Horn/Strobe
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Synchronization
 Visual Synchronization reduces the effect on those who
are prone to suffer seizures from Epilepsy.
 Required when two or more appliances are in the same
field of view.
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Synchronization
 Audible Synchronization permits
the proper sounding of evacuation
coding.
 Synchronization is effected
via two means - a remote module
or circuitry built into the fire alarm
control panel.
 Built-in control panel circuitry is
highly desirable.
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Distributed NACs
 Use of a remote power supply can save previous
voltage in the run from the control panel to the
start of a Notification Appliance Circuit.
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Wiring Standards
 NFPA 72 establishes standards of performance for
various wiring styles for Initiation Circuits, Notification
Appliance Circuits and Signaling Line Circuit (SLC) Loop
wiring.
 For Initiating Device Circuits Styles B & D.
 For Notification Appliance Circuits Styles Y & Z.
 For SLC Loops Styles 4,6, & 7.
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Style B/Style Y/Style 4
Class-B type circuits
 2-wire circuit originates at the control unit, interconnects
all devices in parallel fashion and terminates with an EndOf-Line Resistor (excluding Style 4 SLC loops)
 A wire break results in a loss of all devices past the
break.
 No branch tapping allowed (excluding Style 4 SLC loops)
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Class B- Type Circuit
FACP
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Style 4.0 SLC
BRANCH
A
BRANCH
C
BRANCH
B
FACP
BRANCH A
+ BRANCH B
+ BRANCH C
 manufacturer’s
recommendation
Resistance to the end of any
branch cannot exceed
manufacturers recommendation.
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Style D/Style Z/Style 6
Class-A Type Circuits
 Wiring originates at the control unit, interconnects all
devices in parallel fashion and returns to the control unit.
 Return circuit monitors line voltage. If voltage missing,
return line will feed current to devices from its
connections.
 No branch tapping allowed.
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Class A Type Circuit
FACP
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Quick-Reference Chart
Style
Class
IDC
NAC
SLC
Class B
B
Y
4
Class A
D
Z
6, 7
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References







NFPA 70 - National Electrical Code
NFPA 72 - National Fire Alarm Code
NFPA 101 - Life Safety Code
National Electrical Code Handbook, NFPA
Life Safety Code Handbook, NFPA
Fire Protection Handbook, NFPA
Fire Alarm Signaling Systems, NFPA
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Additional References
 Guide for Proper Use of System Smoke Detectors,
System Sensor.
 Guide for Proper Use of Smoke Detectors in Duct
Applications, System Sensor.
 Guide for Proper Use of Projected Beam Smoke
Detectors, System Sensor.
 Strobe Compliance Reference Guide, System Sensor.
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New Fire Fighters Technology
How can we find the
fire?
ONYX FirstVision
TM
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New/Innovative Applications
For Voice Evacuation
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ONYX FirstVision
TM
 Revolutionary wayfinding navigation tool
for firefighters and other emergency
responders
 A touch screen PC, displays critical
information on the origin and spread of a
fire; allowing firefighters to quickly locate
and extinguish the fire.
 Wayfinding Technology




Where you are
Best route to destination
Recognizing the destination
Finding your way back
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ONYX FirstVision
TM
 What
 Touch screen PC
 Navigation tool during emergency
events
 Graphically displays active fire alarm
devices and potential hazards
 Why
 Speeds Scene Size-Up
 Quickly identify fire origin and
spread
 To make emergency operations
safer and more effective
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ONYX FirstVision Screen –HazMat Detail
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ONYX FirstVision Screen- Alarm List
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ONYX FirstVision Screen – Site Plan
TM
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Mass Notification Locally/Globally
 NOTIFY IP




Generates live, direct global
voice instructions via the
internet & PC
Paging Sites & Zones created
by Network/Network Control
Station (NCS)
Single Operation/Message confirmation
Continuously monitored & encrypted for message
security
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Addressable/Intelligent Systems Networks
 Client-Server technology an upward migration
 Ethernet, Uniguard, Unibadge, Unilogic (Boolean)
UniTour, IRM/IM and CCTV control
 Centralized Databases
 Local and Wide Area Networks
(LAN/WAN)
 Graphics for Fire/Life Safety
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Integrated fire/security network
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QUESTIONS?
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146
Thank You for Attending!
Leaders in Life. Safety. Technology.