Fire Alarm ... Design, Components, Applications

A fire alarm system is a set of devices that detect and alert people to the presence of smoke, fire, carbon monoxide, or other fire-related emergencies. Fire alarms systems are required in most commercial buildings and are installed to protect life, and property. Examples include, schools, churches, restaurants, and corporate buildings. These devices may include smoke detectors, heat detectors, and manual fire alarm activation devices which are all connected to a Fire Alarm Control Panel (FACP) normally found in an electrical room. The purpose of a fire alarm system is to notify occupants, and emergency forces. They do this so that they can take action to protect themselves and others.

1. Fire Alarm Course
Eng. Mohamed Gamal

2. Course Content
1.Introduction.
2.PurposeofFireAlarmSystems.
3.Responsibilitiesofsystemdesigner&Installer.
4.TypesofFirealarmSystems.
5.ComponentsofFireAlarmsystems.
6.Typesofautomaticdetectors.
7.Selectionofsuitabletypeofdetectors.
8.ManualInitiatingDevices.
9.Modules.
10.AddressingMethods.
11.Commissioning.
12.Programming.
13.Test&AsBuilt.
14.FireAlarmScenario.
15.FalseAlarms.
16.ProblemsThroughCommissioning.
17.Power.
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3. Introduction
•Afirealarmsystemisintendedtoenableafiretobe
detectedatasufficientlyearlystagesothatpeople
whoareatriskcanbemadesafeeitherbyescaping
fromthefire,orbythefirebeingextinguished(alsoto
preventextensivepropertydamage).Neitherofthese
measurescanbeuseduntilpeoplearemadeawareof
fire.
•Theeffectivenessofthefiredetectionandalarm
systemdependsonthestageofthefireatwhichitis
operated.Inorderforalltheoccupantstoescape
withouttoomuchdifficulty,anearlyalarmshould
operatebeforetheescaperoutesbecomessmoke-
loggedtosuchanextentaswillcauseoccupantsto
havedifficultyfindingtheirwayoutofthebuilding.
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4. •Afirealarmisaunitmadeofseveraldevices,which
usesvisualandaudiosignalizationtowarnpeople
aboutapossiblefire,smoke,orcarbonmonoxide
occurrenceintheareaofcoverage.Firealarmsare
usuallysetinfirealarmsystemstoprovidezonal
coverageforresidencesandcommercialbuildings.
Thewarningsignaliseitheraloudsiren/bellora
flashinglight,oritcanincludeboth.Somefirealarm
systemsuseadditionalwarnings,suchassendinga
voicemessageormakingaphonecall.
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5. Purpose of Fire Alarm Systems
•To protect people.
•To minimize the damage and losses in
properties.
•To fight the fire early.
•Unlock doors along the path of egress.
•Operate heat and smoke vents .
•To operate some automatic fire fighting
systems.
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6. Responsibilities of system designer & Installer
Designer&Technical Office
•Thesystemdesignershallbe
identifiedonthesystemdesign
documents. Acceptable
evidenceofqualificationsor
certificationshallbeprovided
whenrequestedbytheauthority
havingjurisdiction.
• عقوملل ةمزلالا تاموسرلا لمع‘Shop
Drawing’
• تايمكلا رصح.
•ضورعلا زيهجتو ريعستلا.
•ةينفلا تافصاوملاو تامولعملاب معدلا.
Installer
•Installationpersonnelshallbe
qualifiedorshallbesupervised
bypersonswhoarequalifiedin
theinstallation,inspection,and
testingoffirealarmsystems.
•لمعلا عقوم ةنياعم.
•يبيرقت لكشب ةبولطملا ةزهجلأا ديدحت اقبط
عقوملل.
•تلاباكلا تاراسم ديدحت.
•ينفلا بتكملل ةنياعملا ميلست.
• اقبط تابيكرتلا لامعأ يلع فارشلإا
تاموسرلل.
•اظنلل ةمزلالا تارابتخلإاو ةجمربلا لامعأم.
•كلاملاو يراشتسلإل عقوملا ميلست.

7. Types of Fire alarm Systems
•Fire systems are classified as either conventional, addressable, Intelligent
addressable, or Wireless fire alarm systems, based on their capabilities.
1-Conventional Systems
Conventional fire alarm systems are comprised of initiating and notification zones.
Thepanelprovidesthezonewherethetroubleconditionhasoccurred.However,
onlygeneralinformationisprovided.
Whenthealarmconditionoccurs,thepanelshowswhichzoneisinalarm.
2-Addressable Systems:-
–Addressablefirealarmsystemsaremoreversatileandhavemorefeaturesthan
conventionalsystems.
–Onthesesystems,eachinitiatingdeviceisassignedauniqueidentificationor
address(i.e.,address=001,002,etc..).Plus,thesepanelsusuallyallowadeviceto
haveadescriptivename(i.e.Address1,FrontLobby,backdoor,hallway,etc.)that
helpstoquicklylocatewherethe"offnormal"condition(s)occurred.
–Addressabledevicesaresimilartoconventionaldevicessincetheyareeitherin
"alarm"ora"normal"condition.
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8. Addressable System
•Addressablesystemsusea
singlepairofwiresthat
connectstoallofthe
initiatingdevicesandcontrol
modules.
•Thepanelprovidesdetailed
informationtotheinstaller,
whichhelpsindetermining
thesourceoftheproblem.
•Whenanalarmcondition
occurs,panelshowswhich
deviceisinalarmandits
location.
•Highercostforaddressable
detectorsandmodules,but
reducedtimeandexpense
forinstallationandcabling.
Conventional System
•Thewiringforeachinitiating
zonemustreturntothe
panel.Anendoflineresistor
atthelastdeviceisinstalled
tomaintainsupervision.
•Thepanelprovidesthezone
wherethetroublecondition
hasoccurred.However,only
generalinformationis
provided.
•Whenthealarmcondition
occurs,thepanelshows
whichzoneisinalarm.
•Lowercostfordetectorsand
otherconventionaldevices.
Increasedtimeandexpense
forinstallationandcabling.
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9. Addressable System
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10. •3-IntelligentAddressableFireAlarmSystems
•Conventionalfirealarmsystemsprovideanadequateandcosteffective
firealarmsystemformanysmallbuildings.Inlarger,morecomplex
buildingshowever,moresophisticated‘intelligent’firealarmsystemstend
tobeused.Thesesystemsofferbenefitsinspeedofdetection,
identificationofthelocationofafireandeasiermaintenance.Intelligent
systemsalsooffertolerancetofaultsinthesystemwiring,whichallowsa
singlepairofwirestobeusedtoconnectupto198devicestothesystem,
allowingcostsavingsinthewiringoflargesystems.Inlargerinstallations,
thebenefitsofimprovedmaintenanceandreducedcablingcostare
overwhelming.
•Advantagesofintelligentsystems
–Thewiringcostofasystemcanbereducedbytheuseofasinglepair
ofwires.
–Theuseofa‘pre-alarm’featurealertsstafftocheckwhetherafire
conditionexistsbeforethealarmisRaised.
–DifferentdetectorsensitivitiescanbeusedfordiverseApplications.
–Theuseofloopedwiringallowsthesystemtofunctionnormallyeven
withanopencircuitintheloopwiring.
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11. Intelligent systems
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12. Communication protocol
•Intelligentsystemsusethesamepairofwiresbothtosupplypowertothe
loop,andtocommunicatewithdevicesontheloop.Thecommunication
language,orprotocolusedvariesfrommanufacturertomanufacturer,but
generallycomprisesswitchingofthe24Vsupplyvoltagetoothervoltage
levelstoachievecommunication.
•Atypicalbasicprotocolcomprisestwomainparts,Aqueryorpollofadevice
bythecontrolpanelincludingthedeviceaddressandcontrolinformation,
andaresponsefromthedevicegivingitsstatusandotherinformation.
Precisedetailsoftheinformationtransferredwilldependonthe
manufacturer,butnormallywillinclude:-
–Deviceaddress
–Controlofdeviceself-test
–Devicetype
–Remoteteststatus 12

13. •4-Wireless Fire Alarm System
•WirelessFireAlarmSystemsareidealforfirealarmsystemsrequiringaquickinstallation.
Thesefirealarmsrequirenocablesinstallingbetweenthepanelanddevices.Thisalso
meansthatthedecorationwithinthebuildingdoesnotneedtobeaffectedduringthe
installationprocess.
•There’snoprizesforguessingthatawirelessfirealarmsystemhasnowires.Instead,a
radiosignalistransmittedfromthecallpointsandsmokeorheatdetectorstothefire
alarmcontrolpanel.
•Fromthepointofviewofanyoneusingabuildingfittedwithawirelesssystem,itworksin
exactlythesamewayasa‘normal’hard-wiredsystem–youspotafire,youbreakacall
point;acallpointbreaks,thealarmsounds.
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14. •Advantages of Wireless Fire Alarm System
Minimize disruption.
Range greater than 1km in free air.
Eliminates cabling difficulties.
No uglycables or damage to yourwalls.
Layout is easily modified if something in your building changes e.g. you
extend.
•Disadvantages of Wireless Fire Alarm System
Wireless fire alarmsrun on batteries which need to be frequently checked
and replaced.
Some wireless fire alarm systems usebespoke batteries which are more
expensive.
•Applications of Wireless Fire Alarm System
Fast Installation Requirement: Time limited situations.
Heritage: Limited disturbance to priceless décor.
Temporary Systems: Building sites, temporary structures.
Frequent Reconfiguration: Flexible offices, small shops.
Difficult Cable Routes: Difficult or limited access.
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15. Main Components of Addressable
Fire Alarm systems
•InitiationDevices
–Automatic(SmokeDetector,HeatDetector,…)
–Manual(CallPoints,..)
•FireAlarmControlPanel(FACP)
•NotificationAppliances
–Audible:-Approvedsoundingdevices,suchashorns,bells,or
speakers.
–Visual:-Approvedlightingdevices,suchasstrobesor
flashinglights.
–Textual:-Visualtextorsymbolsindicatingafireor
emergencycondition.
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16. 3 January 2023 16

17. (A)Initiation Devices
•Automaticandmanualinitiatingdevicesshall
contributetolifesafety,fireprotection,andproperty
conservationbyprovidingareliablemeanstosignal
otherequipmentarrangedtomonitortheinitiating
devicesandtoinitiatearesponsetothosesignals.
•GeneralRequirements:-
–Initiatingdevicesshallnotbeinstalledininaccessibleareas,
Wheresubjecttomechanicaldamage,aninitiatingdevice
shallbeprotected.
–Initiating devices shall be installed in a manner that provides
accessibility for periodic maintenance.
–Initiating devices shall be supported independently of their
attachment to the circuit conductors.
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18. Types Of Automatic Detectors
•1-Smoke Detector
•A. Ionization Smoke Detector
–Theprincipleofusingasmallamountofradioactivematerialtoionizetheairbetween
twodifferentiallychargedelectrodestosensethepresenceofsmokeparticles.Smoke
ParticlesEnteringTheIonizationVolumeDecreaseTheconductanceoftheairby
reducingionmobility.Thereducedconductancesignalisprocessedandusedtoconvey
analarmconditionwhenitmeetspresetcriteria.
• ةيئيب لكاشم هل عونلا اذه“ Environmental Concerns” ةعشم ةدام يلع يوتحت اهنلأ كلذو
“Alpha Source” ساسحلا تحت سولجلاب صخش رمتسا ولو6 نأ نكمي ماع ةدمل ايموي تاعاس
ناطرسلاب باصي.
•ةعيرسلا قئارحلا عم مدختسي
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19. •B. Optical Smoke Detector
–UsesaLight-EmittingDiode(LED)thatsendsabeamoflightintoadark
chamber-aphotodiodesitsontheothersideofapartitionwithinthechamber
Smokeparticlesenteringthechamberdeflectsomeofthelightraysintothe
photocell.Thephotocellgeneratesacurrentwhenexposedtolight,andifthe
currentreachesacertainlevel,thedetectoralarms.
•ةئيطبلا قئارحلل .
• لا نكاملاا يف مدختسي يتلا ىلع يوتحت وأ رابغ ةلاحلا يف ناخدعلاةيدا.
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24. 3 January 2023 24

25. •2.HeatDetectors
•A.Fixed-TemperatureHeatDetectors
–Ifthetemperatureofthecenterdiskrisestothedetector’srated
temperature,thefixedtemperatureelementactivates.Thiscloses
contactsinthedetectorandtransmitsthealarmconditiontothefire
alarmcontrolpanel.Thefixedtemperatureelementisnon-restorable
and,whenactivated,thedetectormustbereplaced.Theneedfor
replacementisindicatedwhenthecenterdiskhasfallenfreefromthe
detector..
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26. •B. Rate-of-Rise Detectors
•Respondwhentherateoftemperatureincreaseisgreaterthanan
allowablelimit(15degreesin60secs.)(placementinastable
environment)(e.g..ovens,heatingvents,etc..)..TheRate-of-Rise
elementisrestorablewhenconditionsreturntonormal.Rate
Compensationwillrespondregardlessoftherateoftemperaturerise.
• وا ناخد وا ةرخبا دجاوت اهتعيبط نم يتلا نكاملاا يف مدختسيرابغ.
• ةجرد يف تاريغت ثودح اهتعيبط نم يتلا نكاملاا يف مدختسيارحلاةر.
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27. •Mechanism of Rate of Rise Heat Detector
Normal conditions
•Innormalconditions,airexpandedbyasmallamountofheatis
allowedtoescapefromthevent.
During fire 1
Heated up suddenly in a fire.
During fire 2conditions
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28. During fire 2
•Afteracertainriseintemperature,theexpandedairwillpushthe
diaphragmupandclosethecontact,sendingasignal.
•C.CombinationRR/FTHeatDetector
•ProvidebothfeaturesofRORandFTHeatDetector.
•Morereliable.
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32. •3.Multisensor“Sensetoheatandsmoke”
•Multisensorwithintegratedopticaldetectorandheatdetector.The
opticalmeasurementchamberisprovidedwithanewlydeveloped
sensortechnology,enablingthedetectionofopenfires,smouldering
firesandfireswithhighheatgeneration.Especiallyforopenfires.
• فصن ةحاسم عونلا اذه يطغي اهرطقR= 4 m
• لثم ةرارحو ناخد اهب ثدحي يتلا نكاملأا يف مدختسي
1- تلاوحملا فرغ2-ءابرهكلا فرغ
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33. •4.Gas Detector
•Put nearest to the source Places
–Gas production line
–Kitchen
–Gasoline
•زاغ بيرست اهب ثدحي نأ نكمي يتلا نكاملأا يف مدختسي.
•Carbon Dioxide
•A carbon monoxide detector or CO detector is a
device that detects the presence of the carbon
monoxide (CO) gas in order to prevent carbon
monoxide poisoning.
•تاجارجلا ىف مدختسي
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34. •5.Beam Detector
•Anopticalbeamsmokedetectorisadevicethatusesaprojectedbeamoflightto
detectsmokeacrosslargeareas,typicallyasanindicatoroffire.Theyareusedto
detectfiresinbuildingswherestandardpointsmokedetectorswouldeitherbe
uneconomicalorrestrictedforusebytheheightofthebuilding.Opticalbeam
smokedetectorsareofteninstalledinwarehousesasacosteffectivemeansof
protectinglargeopenspaces.
•Opticalbeamsmokedetectorsworkontheprincipleoflightobscuration,where
thepresenceofsmokeblockssomeofthelightfromthebeam,typicallythrough
eitherabsorbanceorlightscattering.Onceacertainpercentageofthetransmitted
lighthasbeenblockedbythesmoke,afireissignaled.Opticalbeamsmoke
detectorsaretypicallyusedtodetectfiresinlargecommercialandindustrial
buildings,ascomponentsinalargerfirealarmsystem.
• يف مدختسي:-
–تلاوملا.
–ةعفترملا تانولامجلا.
–فقسا اهل سيل يتلا نكاملاا.
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37. •6. Duct detector
•Photoelectricdetectormountedinhousingoutsidetheductworkthat
hasprobesthatextendintotheducttosampletheairinsidethe
duct.Primarilyusedasasmokecontroldevicetocontroltheflowof
airinductwork.
•نم جراخلا ءاوهلا ريساوم ىلع تبثيو فييكتلا ريساوم يف مدختسي ماظنلا
قيرح يأ نع فشكلل فرغلا لخادةفيكملا.
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38. •7.Flame Detector
•An infrared detector is effective in monitoring
large areas, such as an aircraft hangar or computer
room. While these types of detectors are among
the fastest to respond to fires, they are also easily
activated by such nonfire conditions as welding,
sunlight, and other bright light sources. They must
only be placed in areas where these triggers can be
avoided or limited. They must also be positioned
so that they have an unobstructed view of the
protected area. If they are blocked, they cannot
activate.
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39. •Flame Detector comprises one or more optical
sensors, sensitive to radiation emitted at various
wavelengths in different spectral bands.
•Most popular are UVand IRsolid state sensors used
alone or in various combinationsto combat false
alarms.
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40. •(A) IR Flame Detection
–Advantages
•Low Cost
–Disadvantages
•Subject to false alarms
•Poor detection performance for stable flames
•(B) UV Flame Detection
–Advantages
•Unaffected by solar radiation
•Unaffected by hot objects
•Low cost
–Disadvantages
•Subject to false alarms from UV sources (arc welding, electrical sparks, halogen
lamps).
•Blinded by thick smoke, vapors, grease and oil deposits on the detector’s window.
•(C) UV/IR Flame Detection
–Advantages
•Very low false alarm rate
•Unaffected by solar radiation
–Disadvantages
•Blinded by thick smoke, vapors, grease and oil deposits on the detector’s window.
•Moderate cost.
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41. IRUV-IRUVAPPLICATION
Aircraft hangars
Car, bus, tram and train parking's
Cold Storage
Diesel Engine Rooms
Electric power transformers
Gasoline / Gas Engine Rooms
Heating Rooms for chemicals

Radio amplifier rooms / Isolators for
antennas
Laboratories
Wind Turbines
Paint spray booths
Recycling and waste processing plants
41Note* : Suitable  Recommended

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43. 3 January 2023 43

44. Selection of Suitable type of
detectors
•According to the previous tables, there are two
main factors affecting in selection of suitable type
of detectors:-
•Nature of place,It’s Usage.
•It’s Height.
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45. Manual Initiating Devices
•Manually-operated device used to initiate an alarm
signal.
•Manual Alarm Station Types
Atleastonemanualpullstationisrequiredwheneithera
firealarmormonitoredsprinklersystemisinstalled.The
systemdesignerchoosestheappropriatetypeneededat
eachfacilitybasedonthelevelofprotectionthey
determineisneededtopreventaccidentaloperation.
–Pull station types are:
•Single Action
•Dual Action
•Break Glass Stations
•Key Operated
45

46. Single action Dual action
Break Glass Key Operated 46

47. Installation of Break Glass
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48. •Inordertoprovideeasyaccess,callpointsshouldbemountedbetween
1.2and1.6mfromthefloor,andshouldbeclearlyvisibleandidentifiable.
Themaximumdistanceanyoneshouldhavetotravelinordertoactivatea
manualcallpointis45m,unlessthebuildingisoccupiedbypeoplehaving
limitedmobility,orarapidfiredevelopmentislikely,inwhichcasethe
maximumtraveldistanceshouldbereducedto20m.Callpointsshould
alsobesitedincloseproximitytospecifichazards,forexamplekitchens
orpaintspraybooths.
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49. •يفةلاحةدهاشمدحأدارفلأاقيرحلالبقعامسراذنلإايموق
طغضلابيلعةدحوءادنلايكقلطنتةنيرسلاذحتللري.
•بجينأبكرترارزلأادنعمللاسبورهلاولخادملا
جراخملاووةيادبةياهنوتارمملاتاقرطلاوةريبكلا.
•ددحتةفاسملاةينيبلابرقلارارزراذنإيودياقبطلفورظ
عقوملاوطرشبلاأديزتنع30رتم.
•عضوتيلععافترإ120:160cm
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50. (C)Notification “Alarm” Devices
Bells “ينبملا لخاد” Horn “ينبملا جراخ”
50

51. 3 January 2023 51
Strobe Light [Flash] Speaker ( ( ثبل ةلاسرءلاخإ

52. •Thegeneralrequirementforthevolumeofaudiblealarmsignalsis
thattheyshouldprovideaSoundPressureLevel(SPL)ofatleast
65dB(A),butnotmorethan120dB(A)throughoutallaccessibleareas
ofabuildingbecauseVolumesgreaterthan120dB(A)willcausedamage
tohearing.
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53. •Where a continuous background noise level greater
than 60dB(A) is present the fire alarm signal should
be 5dB above the ambient, but not greater than
120dB(A).
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54. •ىعارينأدحلاىندلأالوبقملانمىوتسمةدشتوصلا
تاراشلإراذنلإانمقيرحلاوه65لبيسيدثيحونأنذلأا
ةيرشبلاداكلابكردتارىيغتيفىوتسمةدشتوصلارادقمب2
ىلإ3لبيسيدهنإفحمسيلوصوبدحلاىندلأاةدشلصلاتو
ىلإ60ليبسيديفضعبطاقنلاةدودحمىدملاوأطانملاق
ةطاحملالثمبتاكملاةحوتفملاوأمللاسلا.
•امدىنعنوكيىوتسمةدشتوصلاءاضوضللةيفلخلاأرثكنم
60لبيسيد"فرغتاىنيكاملاىلعليبسلاثملا"يفبجنأ
ديزيىوتسمةدشتوصلاتاراشلإةزهجأراذنلإانعتسمىو
ةدشتوصلاءاضوضللةيفلخلارادقمب5لبيسيد.
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55. Modules
Monitor
Module
Control
Module
Isolator
Module
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56. Monitor Module
•It’s used to monitor the state of :-
–Flow Switch
–Tamper Switch
•It’s also used with conventional devices like (Call
Points –Beam Detector –Flame Detector) in
addressable system.
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57. 57

58. Control Module
•It’s used to control some Process while fire
condition is activated such as:-
–Sound System
–Access control
–Elevator
–Chiller
–Smoke fan
–Shattering doors
•It’s also used to control the work of Siren and
Sounders.
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59. 3 January 2023 59

60. IsolatorModule
•It’susedtoisolatethefaultypartofloop,withoutanyeffecttothewholeloop.
•Automaticallyopenscircuitwhenthelinevoltagedropsbelowfourvolts.FaultIsolator
Modulesshouldbespacedbetweengroupsofaddressabledevices,inaloopto
protecttherestoftheloop.Ifashortoccursbetweenanytwoisolators,thenboth
isolatorsimmediatelyswitchtoanopencircuitstateandisolatethegroupsofsensors
betweenthem.Theremainingunitsontheloopcontinuetofullyoperate.
•TheLEDindicatorisoncontinuouslyduringashortcircuitcondition.
•TheFaultIsolatorModuleautomaticallyrestorestheshortedportionofthe
communicationslooptonormalconditionwhentheshortcircuitconditionis
removed.
•Usuallyinstalledbetweenevery10devices.
•ـلاBaseعاتبـلاSensorنكممنوكيIsolatorواSounderواNormalيلعوبسحعونهدعاقلاددحتب
تازيممساسحلا.
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61. 3 January 2023
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62. Operation of Addressable Systems
•Inanaddressablesystem,multiplexcommunicationtechniquesalloweachdetectorto
independentlysignalitsstatusbacktothecontrolpanel.
•eachdetectorhasitsownidentity(oraddress)thecontrolpanel,inadditionto
providingthenormaldetectionzone,mayalsobeconfiguredtogiveacustomerdefined
charactermessagetoeachdetector.
•Inoperation,thecontrolpanelsendsoutthefirstaddressandthenwaitsapre–set
timeforareply.Eachdetectorcomparestheaddresssentoutbythecontrolpanelwith
itsownpre–setaddressandtheonethatmatchestheaddresssendsbackitsstatus.
•Ifaparticulardetectoraddressisnotfoundwithinthepre–settimebecausethedevice
hasbeeneitherdisconnectedorremoved,thecontrolpanelindicatesafault.Similarly,
ifthedetectoraddressisfoundbutthedevicefailstooperatecorrectly(thatis,reply)
withinthepre–settimethenthecontrolpanelalsoindicatesafault.
•Thecontrolpanelthensendsoutthenextaddress,andsoonuntilalldeviceshavebeen
addressed,andthenitrepeatsthewholecycleagain.
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63. Addressing Methods
•Different manufacturers of intelligent systems use a
number of different methods of setting the address
of a device.
•1-Automatic, according to physical position on the
loop. ”Cooper”
•2-Adjusting two Decimal address switches (ones
and tens) in the back of devices . ”Mircom”
•3-Binary ‘address card’ fitted in the detector base.
•4-7-bit binary or hexadecimal DIL switch
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64. •Forthefirealarmsystem,thenumbersontheswitchesonthe
detectorsandmodulesrepresentanumberusedinidentification
(addressing).Thisissimilartoaphonenumber.
•A cell phone communicates with the phone company, and uses a
number to tell the phone company which phone is sending a
signal. A fire alarm detector or module communicates with the
control panel, and uses an address number to tell the control
panel which detector or module is sending a signal.
•All numbers, though, whether from a cell phone or a fire alarm
detector/module, have to be sent as a binary series of ones and
zeros. A cell phone does the conversion automatically, a fire alarm
detector/module does this semi-automatically using thumbwheels
or manually set binary switches.
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65. Thumbwheels -Decimal
•When thumbwheels are used for
addressing, the decimal thumbwheels
use the numbers 00 through 99. Each
of the two wheels has the numerical
position 0 through 9.
•In decimal, the numbers 0 through 9 mean:
0 = 0,1 = 1,2 = 2,3 = 3,4 = 4,5 = 5,6 = 6
7 = 7,8 = 8,9 = 9
•Decimal thumbwheels are easy for us as humans to understand; What-You-See-Is-What-You-
Get (Wysiwyg).
In detail, the numbers shown on the thumbwheels are being converted and sent to the
control panel. To send the number 43 using decimal thumbwheels, one of the thumbwheels
is set to 4 and the other is set to 3. The 4 represents 40 (4 times 10) and 3 represents 3 (3
times 1). When you add the number represented by the first thumbwheel (40) to the
number represented by the second thumbwheel (3) you have the number 43.
The module or detector then converts this digital number 43 to the binary number
00101011.
3 January 2023 65

66. Thumbwheels –Hexadecimal
•It's no longer quite so simple. When adding the letters A through F to the numbers 0 through
9 on the thumbwheels, we change from a Base 10 (Decimal) way of thinking to a Base 16
(Hexadecimal) way of thinking, which is a little more like what computers use.
•In Hexadecimal:
the numbers 0 through F mean:
0 = 0,1 = 1, 2 = 2, 3 = 3, 4 = 4, 5 = 5, 6 = 6
7 = 7, 8 = 8, 9 = 9,A = 10,B = 11,C = 12,D = 13,
E = 14,F = 15
•Manytimes,thenumbersshownonthediagramsthepanelsyouusewillshowthenumbers
ashexadecimal(0throughF)soyoudon'thavetoconvertthehexadecimalnumberstothe
normaldecimalnumbers(0through9),butwhengettingrightdowntoit,theconversions
arepartofthewholenumberingscheme.
•Togetthetruenumberof43,thehexadecimalthumbwheelsdon'tshow43.Theyshowthenumber
representedbythefirstthumbwheeladdedtothenumberrepresentedbythesecondthumbwheel.
•Tosendthetruenumber43,usinghexadecimalthumbwheels,thefirstthumbwheelissetto
2andthesecondthumbwheelissettoB.The2represents32(2times16)andtheB
represents11(Bor11times1).Whenyouaddthenumberrepresentedbythefirst
thumbwheel(32)tothenumberrepresentedbythesecondthumbwheel(11)youhavethe
number43.
•Themoduleordetectorthenconvertsthisdigitalnumber2Btothebinarynumber
00101011. 66

67. •DIP Switches –Binary
•TheDIP(DualIn-linePackage)Switchesarealittlesimplerthanthethumbwheels
(andthereforemorecumbersome).Aswitchhas2positions(0through1)rather
than10positions(0through9)or16positions(0throughF).Theswitchesworkin
Binary;eithertheyareoffortheyareon.Two-positionsmeansBinary,andBinaryis
thetypeofsignalsentoverthetwowiresoftheSignalingLineCircuit(SLC).
•Again, though, the switch positions represent numbers. Switch 1 = 0 or 1 (1)
Switch 2 = 0 or 2 (1 X 2)
Switch 3 = 0 or 4 (2 X 2)
Switch 4 = 0 or 8 (4 X 2)
Switch 5 = 0 or 16 (8 X 2)
Switch 6 = 0 or 32 (16 X 2)
Switch 7 = 0 or 64 (32 X 2)
Switch 8 = 0 or 128 (64 X 2)
•To get the true number 43, you add the numbers represented by the switches:
Switch-on #6 = 32
Switch-on #4 = 8
Switch-on #2 = 2
Switch-on #1 = 1
All other switches off
•You add the numbers represented by the turned-on switches and get a true total of
43.
The module or detector then uses the number on the switch, which is (Switch 8 to
Switch 1) 00101011.
3 January 2023 67

68. 3 January 2023 68

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70. 3 January 2023 70

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73. 3 January 2023 73

74. 3 January 2023 74

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76. 3 January 2023 76

77. 3 January 2023 77

78. Commissioning
3 January 2023
78

79. Pre-Commissioning
1.Checkallpanels,detectorsandindicatorsareinstalledintheir
properlocation.
2.Ensureworkaccessispermittedatallfireequipmentinstallation
locationsonsite.
3.Ensuretemporarymainssupplyfortheprogrammingcomputeris
madeavailableateachcontrolpanellocation.
4.Ensureinstallationtechnicians(preferablythoseinvolvedinthe
systeminstallationandcabling)arepresentonsitewithnecessary
tools.
5.Checkthirdpartyequipmenttechniciansareavailableforinterface
testing.
6.Ensurethebackupbatteriesarefullycharged.
3 January 2023 79

80. Loop Checking with a multimeter
–Thefirstquicktestthatshouldbedoneonalltheloopsistocheck
thecontinuityoftheloopsusingamultimeter.
–Theresistanceshouldbemeasuredstartpositivetoendpositive,
startnegativetoendnegative,andpositivetonegativeatthestart
andendofeachloop.
–TesttheloopswiththemultimetersettoACvolts–thisistocheck
thatthereisnoinducedvoltagewhichcouldbecausedbythe
cablesbeingruntoocloselytoahighvoltagesource.
–Thiswillshowifanythingdrasticiswrongwiththeloopdevices
wiredinbackwardsbreaksetc.Ifthereisashortattheendorstart
oftheloopthiswillneedtobefixedbeforepoweringthepanel.
3 January 2023 80

81. •1)TestingProcedure
•A)Continuity:
–Checktheloopinandloopoutcontinuity.
–Rectifybycheckingthedevicecontinuityforshortcircuitifthe
requiredcontinuityisnotachieved.
–TerminatetotheloopinandloopoutpointsoftheFireAlarm
ControlPanel.
•B)Detector&SupervisoryDevices
–Testingwillprecedeoneloopatatime.
–Allinitiatingdevicesincludingmanualpullstationswillbe
individuallyoperatedandtheindicationsatthefirepanel,PC
monitorarecheckedtoensurethattheinformationiscorrect.
–Supervisorydeviceswillbeoperatedindividuallyandchecks
madetoensurethatthedisplayedinformationatthepanel,PC
monitorandprinteriscorrect.
–Outputdevicestooperateexternalequipmentalsotobe
checked.
3 January 2023 81

82. •2)OperationofInitiatingDevices:
•A)Smoke&HeatDetectors
–CheckthatthegreenindicatorLEDispulsating.
–Activateperipheraldevicesrandomlyusingachemicalsmokeaerosol,
Heatgun(forHeatdetectors).
–AfteractivationcheckthattheredindicatorLEDissteady.
–Checkifthecorrectmessageisdisplayedonthepaneldisplay.
•B)DoubleActionAddressablePullStation
–Thesewillbeactivatedrandomly.Checkifthecorrectmessageis
displayedonthepaneldisplay.
•3)OperationofAudibleNotificationDevices.
–Thistesthastwodistinctpurposes.Toprovethecorrectmessagesare
beingreceivedonthefloorsandthattheaudibilityiscorrect.
–Initiateonefloorforaudiblealarmsatatimeandvisitthedevices
randomlytodeterminethattheyarealloperational.
–SetAudiolevels.
3 January 2023 82

83. •4)FireAlarmControlPanelCommissioning:
•VisuallycheckfortheLCDDisplay,LEDstatus,microphone,
wiringandbatteriesinthecontrolpanel.
•OntheLCDdisplaycheckfordate&time,normalstatedisplay,
alarmstatedisplay,troublestatedisplay,panelbuzzer,key
functionsandLEDdisplay.
•Batterytobesizedforrequiredbackupandchecktheoperation
bydisconnectingandconnectingthebatteries.Checkforstatus
indicationandchargeroperation.
•InspecttheFirephonedisplayandcheckforthe
communication&multiplecallsandresponsewithoffhook.
•Audiooperationstobecheckedasaudioinalarmcondition,
pre-recordedmessagesandcheckfortheFirephonepaging
andmanualpaging.
•Scheduleoperations,deviceresponsetime,networkoperation,
auxiliaryoutputsandalarmfromothernodestobechecked.
3 January 2023 83

84. Programming of intelligent fire alarm panels
•Mostsmallintelligentsystemscanbeprogrammedwitheasewithouttheneed
foranyspecializedequipment.Thecontrolpanelhasanalphanumerickeypad,
whichisusedtoenterdataintothesystem.Typicallyapasswordisrequiredto
setthepanelto‘engineeringmode’,allowingthepaneltobeprogrammed.Many
controlpanelshavean‘auto-learn’facility,wherebythecontrolpanelpollsevery
addressonthesystem,anddetectswhichaddresseshavebeenused,andwhat
typeofdetectorormodulehasbeenconnectedtoeachaddress.Asadefault,
thepanelwillusuallyprogrammeallthedevicesontheloopintothesamezone.
Theusercanthencustomizethesystembyenteringhowthezonesare
configured.Thepanelmaygivetheuseranoptionofhowmodulesaretobe
configured-forexamplewhetheraninputmoduleshouldtriggeranalarmora
faultwhenoperatedandwhetherthewiringistobemonitoredforopencircuit
faults.
•Otheroptionalfeaturesmayalsobeprogrammedusingthekeypad.The
sensitivityofeachdetectoronthesystemcanbeconfiguredforhighsensitivityif
thedetectorisinstalledinacleansmoke-freearea,orforlowsensitivityifthe
areaissubjecttocigarettesmoke,forexample.Thepre-alarmfacilitymaybe
enabledordisabled.
3 January 2023 84

85. •Complexintelligentsystemsoffermanyuser-programmablefeaturesthatcanbe
time-consumingtoentermanuallyusingthekeypad.Inthiscase,manypanels
havethefacilitytoconnectaportablePCbymeansofaserialdatalink.Theuser
issuppliedwithaspecializedpieceofsoftware,whichenablestheentire
configurationofthesystemtobeprogrammedintothePC,awayfromsiteif
necessary.ItisthenasimplematteroftemporarilyconnectingthePCtothe
controlpanelanddownloadingthesystemconfigurationtothepanel.Oncethe
informationhasbeendownloaded,itispermanentlystoredinthecontrolpanel,
andthePCcanberemoved.
•AutoLearn“Program”
•Thisistheprocessofaddressingthedevicesontheloop.Theprocessstarts
tellingeverydevicetoopenitsIsolator.Itthennumbersthefirstdeviceandtells
thistocloseitsisolator,thenextdeviceisinterrogatedandgiventhenext
numberthiscontinuesuntilalldevicesarenumberedinsequence.
3 January 2023 85

86. 3 January 2023 86

87. •FollowinganAutolearnalldevicesarebydefaultplacedintoZone1,
extrazonescanbeaddedanddevicescanbemovedintothecorrect
zone.Ifminorchangesarerequiredthenthiscanalsobecarriedout
directlyatthepanelusingtheconfigurezonesmenu.
3 January 2023 87

88. 3 January 2023 88

89. 3 January 2023 89
After Autolearn

90. •Integration test and Interface with other services
•The interface with Lifts, Jet Fans, LPG, Elevators, HVAC Equipment,
access Control etc. are achieved by activation of Control relay
module in Alarm condition. Check if the correct message is
displayed in sequence.
•The interface with Fire Fighting equipment, status monitoring of
flow control and supervisory valves and Inert Gas System status
monitoring is achieved by the dual input monitoring module.
Check if the correct message is displayed in sequence.
•Sprinkler flow switches will be activated individually by opening
the test valve at the zone control valve station and running water
to drain.
•Check if the correct message is displayed on the panel display and
PC monitor.
•BMS interfacing is achieved by software integration via BACnet.
Upon integrating to the BMS panel check whether the
communication is achieved and the required data is transferred.
3 January 2023 90

91. Test & As Built
91

92. Fire Alarm Scenario
•Adesignfirescenariodescribesthesequenceofafireeventwithregardto
theeffectofallparameterswhichinfluencethefireprocess.Structuraland
technicalfireprotectionaswellasusage-specificboundaryconditionsand
thebehaviorofpersonsareconsidered.Possibleinteractionsandkeyevents
shouldbeplacedinatemporalcontext.Theselectedfirescenariosaretobe
dimensionedinsuchawaythattheresultingfireeventsareonlytobe
exceededwithanextremelylowprobabilitybyarealfireevent.Thefire
sequenceshouldbequantifiedbythespecificationofvariousparameters,
suchastheheatreleaserateorsmokeyield,dependingonthefiresafety
goalstobeachieved.
•ـلاويرانيسFireAlarmدمتعيبيفريثكنمتلااحلايلعةدافتسلإانمماظنتاريماكقارملاةب
CCTVيفـلاDelayTimeدكأتللنمثودحFireيقيقحسيلوFalseAlarmنمللاخـلا
Operatorدوجوملايفعقوملا.
3 January 2023 92

93. “Delay” in Programming

94. 94
Programming of sounders

95. Download/Upload to/from PC
•Connect Laptop to the panel via the serial port.
3 January 2023 95

96. False alarms
•Falsealarmsfromfire-detectionandfire-alarmsystemscan
arisefrommanydifferentcauses,mostofwhichcanbe
dealtwithbycarefulplanning.
•Typicalcausesoffalsealarmsare:
–pollutantsintheairsettingoffsmokedetectors;
–extremelyhightemperaturessettingoffheatdetectors;
–vandalismormaliciousacts;
–mistakesinusingthesystem;
–theequipmentbeingfaultyornotbeingmaintainedproperly;
–firedetectorsorred‘breakglass’boxesbeinginthewrong
place;and
–thefire-detectionsystemnotbeingappropriateforthebuilding
orhowitisused.
•Falsealarmscancomefromthreemaindevices–smoke
detectors,heatdetectorsand‘breakglass’boxes.
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96

97. •Smokedetectors
•Smokedetectorsrespondtosmokeandanysimilarpollutantsintheair.Ifyou
havesmokedetectorsinyourbuilding,youmustmakesurethepeopleinthe
buildingknowaboutthem.
•Falsealarmstriggeredbysmokedetectorsareoftencausedby:
–cooking;
–makingtoast;
–insects,particularlyinthesummermonths;
–welding,solderingorsimilaractivities;
–steam,dust;
–maintenanceandcleaning.
•Heatdetectors
•Thesearegenerallyusedinkitchens,boilerroomsandsimilarareaswhere
smokedetectorsmaybetoosensitiveandcausefalsealarms.Theyaresetto
allowforexpectedtemperaturelevelsintheprotectedarea,andwilltriggeran
alarmifthetemperaturegoesabovetheexpectedlevel.Falsealarmsmaybe
causedbyhightemperaturesintheprotectedarea,orsuddenincreasesin
temperature.
•Breakglassboxes
•‘Breakglass’boxesdonotusuallycausefalsealarmsasaresultoffaulty
equipment.However,theglasscanbebrokendeliberatelyorbyaccident.Ifyou
thinkthereisahighriskofthisbecauseofvandalismorwheretheboxis,they
canbefittedwithatransparent
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98. Reducing false alarms
•Withfalsealarmsbecomingabigissueandsomefireandrescueservicesnot
attendingcommercialbuildings,unlesstheyhaveconfirmationofafire,many
commercialbuildingsareprogrammingtheiraddressablefirealarmsto
providethemwitha3-minutedelaytimeperiodbeforethebellsmaysound
orthefirebrigadecalled.
Thewayitusuallyworksisasfollows:
-Detector is activated.
-The location of the activated detector is registered on the fire alarm control
panel display.
-The local panel buzzer and any programmed strobes will activate.
-3 minute time has started.
-If the activate device is located and found the be a false alarm the fire alarm
system is silenced.
-If a second detector is operated within the 3 minutes, this will override the
timer and activate the sounders and any outputs such as calling the fire
brigade.
-Should a manual call point be activated at any time the sounders and
outputs would activate.
Usually, manual call points and heat detectors are not governed by any timer.
3 January 2023 98

99. Schematic for design against false alarms

101. Problems Through Commissioning
•dual address
•The dual address should be displayed on the screen the panel sees
this fault if two or more addresses are responding at the same
time.
•Other effects of the dual address could be the displaying of
devices that have not been installed, the results of which could be
a Beam detector, an SCU (sounder controller), a 4/20 mA interface
or the worst case a Repeater Panel which causes a continual
resetting of the main panel.
•The most likely causes would be:-
–Device wired incorrectly.
–Base continuity switch not opening. The switch on the base can
occasionally be pushed above the metal tab preventing the switch from
opening.
•If this is the case the switch may need to be clicked under the tab,
if this fails the base may need replacing.
3 January 2023 101

102. 3 January 2023 102
Correct Incorrect

103. “Open circuit” Positive/Negative.
•Thismeansaftertheauto-learnthepanel
hasdetectedabreakinthepositiveor
negativeline.Themostlikelycauseswouldbe:-
–Devicewiredincorrectly.
–Baseswitchopeningbutthedetectornot
makingcontact.Ensurethebasecontacts
arecorrectlyscreweddown,andnone
aredamaged.Thenensurethedetectoris
replacedcorrectly.
–Anegativebreakmayalsobecausedby
ashortatadeviceinthemiddleofthe
loopthattheloopdeviceisolatorshave
detectedanddealtwith.Seeshortcircuit
middlebelow.
3 January 2023 103

104. “Short Circuit” start or end of a loop.
•Thereisashortatthestartorendofthementioned
loop.Thefaultcanonlybeonthepanel.Thefirst/last
deviceorthewiringinbetweenthepanelandthe
device.Thispreventstheloopdriverfromfunctioning
andmustbefixedinordertoauto-learnthepanel.
Commoncauseswouldbe:-
–Eitherthefirstorlastdeviceiswiredincorrectly.
–Theloopconnectionsintothepanelarewrong.
–SomethingisshortingonthePCB.
•Measuretheresistanceacrosstheloopusingtheappropriate
terminals,IfthisisstillintheMohmregionchangetheloop
drivercard.Ifthisisshortcircuitrechecktheloopby
disconnectingtheloopandmeasuring.
•IfthisisMohmschangethemotherboard.
3 January 2023 104

105. “Short circuit middle”
•Device wired incorrectly.
•Device is drawing too much current. A
faulty device may draw too much current
and be detected as a short.
•Replace the device.
3 January 2023 105

106. •Charger Fault
•This will show if the charge current is too low. Possible causes for this
are:-
–The charger fuse has ruptured.
–The batteries are disconnected.
–The batteries are damaged.
•Battery Fault
•This will show if the charge voltage is too low. Measure the float
voltage at the battery terminals, it should be around 26V depending
on how charged the batteries are. This could be low if the batteries
are damaged, replacing the batteries should clear the fault.
3 January 2023 106

107. Power
•Primary(main)PowerSupplyThemostwidelyusedsourcefor
themainpowersupplyisonephaseofthecommercial240/120
voltacelectriclightandpowerserviceavailableinmost
buildings.Ifnecessary,aproperlyinstalledengine-driven
generatororequivalentmayreplacethecommercial240/120
voltacservice.
•Secondary(standby)PowerSupplyStandbypowersuppliesare
usedintwobasicforms.Inoneform,thestandbypowersupplyis
notdirectlyconnectedtothefirealarmsystembutisswitchedin
whenmainoperatingpowerfails.
•Intheotherform,themainpowersourceisanuninterruptible
powersource.Ineithercase,thestandbypowersupplymust:(1)
supplysufficientpowerforsoundingatroublesignalintheevent
ofmainpowersupplyinterruption.(2)operatethefirealarm
systemforaspecifiedstandbytimeperiod.
3 January 2023 107