Chapter 9
Alarms: The First Line of Defense
The Control
• The control is the heart & brains of the system.
• It receives information from the sensors.
• When it gets a signal from a sensor indicating
an abnormal condition it activates a reporting
device.
© 2001 National Burglar & Fire Alarm Association
9-1
Alarm System
Components
User Controls
Sensors
Control Panel
Annunciators
Communications
Power
© 2001 National Burglar & Fire Alarm Association
9-2
Programming Options
• The installer has a number of options
when they set up the control or
combination control-communicator.
• Options settings can significantly impact
false alarms.
• New SIA Control Standards “default”
settings to reduce false alarms.
© 2001 National Burglar & Fire Alarm Association
9-3
Connecting the Parts
 Hardwired Systems
– Concealed or exposed wiring used.
 Wireless Systems
– Radio frequencies used to connect sensors.
– Wired or wireless methods used to connect the
user controls & sounding devices.
• Line Carrier
– Existing electrical wiring used.
© 2001 National Burglar & Fire Alarm Association
9-4
Power Sources
• Primary
– Utility company supplied.
– Some projects generate all their own power.
• Secondary
– Batteries.
– An approved generator.
© 2001 National Burglar & Fire Alarm Association
9-5
Power Options
• AC power reporting.
• Dynamic low battery testing.
• Low battery reporting.
© 2001 National Burglar & Fire Alarm Association
9-6
Partitions
Sales
Admin.
Service
© 2001 National Burglar & Fire Alarm Association
9-7
Partitions
• Reasons for partitions:
– Different hours.
– Desire to restrict users from certain areas.
• Make sure to consider traffic
patterns when setting up
partitions.
© 2001 National Burglar & Fire Alarm Association
9-8
Zones
• A portion of the system that
responds in a specific manner to
sensed conditions.
• Usually separately annunciated at
the premises and / or remotely at a
central monitoring point.
© 2001 National Burglar & Fire Alarm Association
9-9
Why Zone
• Pinpoints the signal.
• Reduces service time.
• Allows flexible response.
© 2001 National Burglar & Fire Alarm Association
9-10
Recommendations For
Zoning
• Limit the number of devices on each
zone.
• Assign certain areas of the building to
each zone.
• Label zones in a way that makes sense
to the subscriber & the authorities.
© 2001 National Burglar & Fire Alarm Association
9-11
Cross Zoning
Suppress the alarm until 2 or
more zones register alarm
conditions.
© 2001 National Burglar & Fire Alarm Association
9-12
Swinger Shutdown:
Prevents more than a
programmable number of
alarms from a particular
zone until the system is
reset by the user.
© 2001 National Burglar & Fire Alarm Association
9-13
Annunciators
1.
2.
3.
4.
Bell
Siren
Strobe
Horn
© National Burglar & Fire Alarm Association
Visual Annunciators
• LED Display.
• Alphanumeric Display.
• Graphic Display.
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
*
0
#
1
Alphanumeric display
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
*
0
#
© 2001 National Burglar & Fire Alarm Association
9-15
Speakers & Voice Drivers
Electronic voice
announcements can tell
occupants what the
problem is or how to
evacuate.
© 2001 National Burglar & Fire Alarm Association
9-16
Annunciation
Requirements
• Indoor or outdoor sounder must
be clearly heard throughout
premises.
• Each alarm sound must be
distinct from other sounds.
© 2001 National Burglar & Fire Alarm Association
9-17
Communications
Systems are usually designed to
report alarm signals to central
station operators for subsequent
verification & request for
dispatch.
© National Burglar & Fire Alarm Association
Communications
Methods
Digital
Radio
Direct Wire
Multiplex
McCulloh
Loop
Tape
© 2001 National Burglar & Fire Alarm Association
9-19
Digital Communicators
Digital communicators communicate
information to a remote location over:
– 1. Standard Dial Tone Lines (P.O.T.S.)
• Plain Old Telephone Service
– 2. Cellular Service
– 3. DSL – New Service – Some Issues…
© 2001 National Burglar & Fire Alarm Association
9-20
Long Range Radio
• Communication via radio.
• Used for primary or backup.
© 2001 National Burglar & Fire Alarm Association
9-21
Communication Options
• Call waiting cancel programming.
• Cancel report.
• Transmission of an “exit alarm” if a
delayed zone is violated at the end of an
exit delay.
• Smoke detector verification.
• 15 second communicator delay option.
© 2001 National Burglar & Fire Alarm Association
9-22
User Control Options
• All burglar zones - delayed
– Minimum interior zone delay - 20 seconds
– Minimum entry zone delay - 40 seconds
– Audible signal during entry & exit delay period
• Goof proof disarming (code always
disarms)
• Remote annunciation of entry time in
multiple locations
© 2001 National Burglar & Fire Alarm Association
9-23
System Test Options
• An option to test all zones, the control, all
sounders & the communicator.
• An initiation report notifying the central
station of test status
• A termination report notifying the central
station that testing is completed
© 2001 National Burglar & Fire Alarm Association
9-24
Alarms: The First
Line of Defense
1- Introduction
2- What is an Alarm System
3- What is A False Dispatch
4- Impact of False Dispatches
5- Causes of False Dispatches
6- Preventing False Dispatches
7- User Controls
8- Sensors
5 Minute
Break
10 Minute
Break
9- The Control
10- The Central Station
11- How Authorities Respond
12- What to expect for Alarm
Co.s
13- The Alarm Ordinance
14- Sources of Information
15- Site Survey
30 Minute
Lunch
60 Minute
Lunch
Next
Chapter
© 2001 National Burglar & Fire Alarm Association
9-25