How Does an Addressable Fire Alarm System Work?

An addressable fire alarm system works by having every detection and notification device connected to each other and to the addressable fire alarm control panel. An addressable system sends digital signals in binary code, as opposed to a conventional fire alarm system which operates through electrical currents.  Addressable systems operate like a computer and convert variations in voltage to binary code, various combinations of zeros and ones. 

This allows for an addressable fire alarm system to transfer critical information to the control panel with a broader range of information. An addressable system can pinpoint the exact location of smoke or fire, providing an increased level of safety and reliability.

Customization of Addressable Fire Alarm Systems

Because an addressable fire alarm system consists of several devices all individually identified and connected, advanced configuration allows for greater flexibility. Various protocols can be established for any mix of detection devices, input, or output modules. Addressable fire alarm control panels employ Signaling Line Currents, commonly referred to as SLC loops or just loops, allowing monitoring of just a few devices to several hundred.  More complex fire alarm systems could employ multiple Signaling Line Currents.

Addressable systems can be customized with devices in specific areas programmed with different thresholds depending on their location. The addressable control panel recognizes the individual address of each device on the SLC. Typical initiating devices on an addressable system include:

• Heat detectors
• Smoke detectors
• Manual pull stations
• Sprinkler system inputs
• Standard pressure and flow control switches

Output devices on an addressable system include:

• Audible warning relays
• Door control relays
• Auxiliary function control

These components of an addressable fire alarm system control a range of functions including:

• Opening or closing doors
• Turning fans off or on
• Activating notification appliances
• Initiating fire suppression systems
• Elevator recall to the designated floor
• activating or communicating with additional fire alarm control panels

Benefits of Addressable Fire Alarms

Quick recognition of detection location provides many benefits such as helping first responders know exactly where to go and providing quick evacuation in the most jeopardized and adjacent areas. This quicker response to saving lives has to be the greatest benefit of addressable fire alarm systems. Additional benefits of addressable fire alarm systems over conventional systems include improved reliability and reduced false alarms.

Addressable systems also help to diagnose any component malfunction with self-monitoring capabilities for quicker repairs and consistent protection.  While a conventional system may cost less up front, an addressable system could be less costly to install with less expenses for wiring, and can provide for easier, less expensive upgrades and maintenance in the future.  With the flexibility and scalability of addressable systems, you can easily add new zones without disrupting operation.

HRSS Assists in Evaluating Addressable Alarm Systems

High Rise Security Systems assists business owners, property managers and contractors in evaluating the best type of commercial fire alarm system. We offer more than 30 years of experience in fire alarm system design, fire and life safety system consulting, providing quality UL listed fire alarm system equipment and ensuring code compliance. We are NICET certified and experienced in all building regulations including the International Building Code (IBC), National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) standards, Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA), and the city of Chicago Building Code regulations.

HRSS is recognized as a leading provider of fire alarm and life safety systems to businesses in commercial properties in and around Chicago. We offer comprehensive fire and life safety services including CAD design, UL listed equipment, inspections, testing, maintenance, repair, and monitoring 24/7/365. Contact us to learn more about the benefits and value provided with a commercial addressable fire alarm system.

This article was originally published at: https://hrsschicago.com/fire-alarm-systems/how-does-an-addressable-fire-alarm-system-work/

Notifier Mass Notification Panels Protect Schools and Campuses

College campuses and large, sprawling universities provide an expansive environment for students and faculty to study and work.  Large school campuses aim to provide a pleasant environment for students, although these areas require careful planning and oversight by school officials to mitigate risks and offset potential safety issues. 

NOTIFIER® Mass Notification Connects Campuses

Any number of natural and manmade disasters threaten campus safety and security such as fires, storms, floods, earthquakes, chemical accidents, or malicious intruders.  While such incidents are rare, they can be devastating when a university is not properly prepared. The best way to respond to an emergency on campus is to be prepared for it before it occurs.  The U.S. government offers Ready Campus, with information and resources to help facilitators develop emergency operation plans.

NOTIFIER® by Honeywell provides flexible and integrated life safety solutions with powerful, reliable, and expandable systems.  NOTIFIER® mass notification panels protect schools and campuses with the ability to detect and react immediately in critical situations.  Mass Notification Systems started with military roots, detailed in United Facilities Criteria, UFC, by the Department of Defense, DoD, and sets the guidelines required on military basses and properties. 

Schools and universities have adopted the same technology to be implemented on campuses as well as large commercial properties and are commonly referred to as Emergency Communication Systems, ECS, in these applications.

Networked solutions by NOTIFIER® deliver complete control of life safety systems to campuses with Notifier Mass Notification Panels ONYXWorks and FirstVision, allowing for quick identification of exact emergency locations and flexibility with expandable and modular products.  NOTIFIER® solutions increase operational efficiency and protect lives and property with a fully connected ECS tailored to facilities across sprawling campuses, cities, states or worldwide.

Mass Notification and Emergency Communication Code Regulations

The criteria for Mass Notification Systems is outlined by the U.S. Department of Defense in UFC section 4-021-01, which states among other things that an MNS must be able to deliver real-time information to all personnel and occupants of a building and in the immediate vicinity of all emergency situations.  Real-time information and notifications must provide occupants with instructions on what to do while notifying of an immediate threat.  Pre-recorded messages along with the ability to deliver live audible messages is also required. 

The National Fire Protection Association, NFPA, details requirements for Emergency Communication Systems, ECS, as outlined in NFPA 72 2010, Chapter 24.  Both NFPA 72 and UFC 4-021-01 provide details on installation and functional criteria for an MNS and ECS. 

HRSS for Mass Notification and Emergency Communication Protection

Many factors will impact the type of MNS or ECS system that campuses choose to employ, although every institution must be aware of and comply with all fire and life safety codes required by law.  High Rise Security Systems, HRSS, offers solutions to offices, schools, hospitals, and sprawling campuses in need of Emergency Communication Systems, with in-depth knowledge of all required codes and regulations.

We design your fire and life safety system to meet your specific and unique needs.  Combining your commercial fire alarm system with mass notification technology brings many benefits for improved, reliable performance.  When your fire alarm system is connected with your Mass Notification System, regular testing and inspections help to keep you fully protected and connected.  MNS and ECS systems connected with your fire alarm system allow for enhanced visual notifications and the ability to provide various audible instructions which have a greater impact on occupants.

HRSS offers experience in designing and maintaining commercial fire alarm systems with vast expertise in the latest technology and fire protection equipment.  Our fire and life safety technicians possess in-depth knowledge of all code regulations including the state of Illinois, City of Chicago and all national code requirements.  Contact us to learn more about implementing reliable emergency communication systems with NOTIFIER® mass notification panels to protect schools and campuses.

This article was originally published at:

Notifier Mass Notification Panels Protect Schools and Campuses

The Difference Between Addressable and Conventional Fire Alarm System

When installing or upgrading a commercial fire alarm system, it is important to understand the difference between the two main types of systems available, Conventional and Addressable alarm systems.  Choosing the right system for your business can impact your company’s bottom line, along with life safety and protection of property.  The main difference between these two types of systems is how the connected devices signal and communicate with the main control panel. 

Understanding how these differences impact your upfront costs and ongoing costs over the lifetime of your fire alarm system along with the level of life safety protection and reliability they provide will help to drive your decision.  High Rise Security Systems offers expertise in helping business and property managers evaluate the total costs of your fire alarm system while ensuring reliable life safety protection.

Conventional Fire Alarm System

Conventional fire alarm systems communicate with the main control panel through analog technology, with multiple devices including detection and notification devices making up ‘zones’.  Analog systems rely on electrical currents to send signals to the control panel.  Devices are designed to increase the electrical current in the circuit to trigger an alarm when exceeding predetermined levels.

Conventional fire alarm panels are limited in the information they provide.  They can signal an alarm but will not reveal which device was activated or from what location. This might be adequate for small businesses or for single story, simple building layouts, whereas an addressable fire alarm system would be the only choice for other complex building layouts.

Consulting with a commercial fire and life safety system specialist will help you to consider all factors such as system and installation expenses, reliability, and functionality.

Commercial Addressable Fire Alarm Systems

An addressable fire alarm system uses digital technology to transfer information from networked devices to the main control panel, instead of the analog signals relying on changes in electrical current.  Addressable systems transfer information to the control panel with binary code, various combinations of zeros and ones. Addressable systems are an absolute necessity for high-rise buildings, large or complex campuses.

Benefits of an Addressable System

An addressable commercial fire alarm system provides many benefits over a conventional system, with customization, less ongoing costs, and increased safety.

Customization

Addressable fire alarm systems can be customized with different devices having different thresholds to activate alarms, based on their location.  You can also customize zones with scalable networks. 

Less Ongoing Costs

While an addressable system may be a greater expense up front, it could cost less in the long run with installation, maintenance and upgrade expenses figured in.

Increased Safety

Since an addressable system lets fire fighters know exactly where the fire is, safety is improved over a conventional system where emergency responders are guessing exactly what area to target first.  

Less False Alarms

Addressable fire alarm systems provide an increased level of safety over conventional systems with improved reliability.  This also means less false alarms which saves time and money as many municipalities charge a fine for companies with multiple false alarms.

Commercial Fire Alarm Consulting

High Rise Security Systems provides commercial fire alarm system consulting, with decades of expertise in evaluating and choosing the best fire alarm system for businesses.  We provide skilled fire alarm system design, with CAD software and an in-depth knowledge of fire and life safety code regulations.  Our fire alarm technicians provide support, inspections, maintenance, and repairs. 

HRSS offers vast experience in commercial fire and life safety systems.  We help businesses in and around Chicago to protect what matters most with reliable fire alarm technology.  Contact us to learn more about choosing the right type of fire alarm system for your business and learn the difference between a conventional and addressable fire alarm system.

This article was originally published at: https://hrsschicago.com/fire-alarm-systems/the-difference-between-addressable-and-conventional-fire-alarm-system/

Fire Detection and Alarm System Preventive Maintenance Checklist

Installing a sophisticated, state-of-the-art fire detection and alarm system at your place of business whether a small business, medical facility, or high-rise building, is just the beginning. Fire alarm systems must work right the first time, there are no second chances in life safety performance. A commercial fire alarm system fulfills three basic objectives:

• Save lives
• Protect property
• Provide business continuation

The reliability of your fire alarm and life safety system is a product of the reliability of all individual components. System reliability prevents commercial fire alarm problems and is the driving force behind every fire alarm inspection, testing and maintenance program.  System reliability is a result of four key elements:

• Fire alarm system design
• System installation
• Life safety equipment
• Inspection and maintenance program

High Rise Security Systems is experienced in providing all key elements for maximum system reliability and life safety of commercial properties in and around Chicago.

Commercial Fire Alarm Inspection Checklist

Every city and state has code regulations regarding commercial fire alarm system maintenance and inspections, with the City of Chicago adopting specific code regulations for commercial properties.  Companies can perform some inspection checkpoints such as checking and replacing batteries, but professional fire alarm inspections are required for code compliance and to ensure life safety performance.

An annual testing and inspection is required by local and national authorities to maintain the reliability of your commercial fire alarm panels, all components and life safety system. Fire alarm inspection technicians first visually examine the physical condition of commercial fire alarm control panels, smoke detection and warning devices, any sprinkler systems, and related systems such as HVAC shutdown, elevator recall and access control to identify excessive dirt build up, loose wiring or physical damage.

HRSS provides full fire alarm system inspections and maintenance to prevent commercial fire alarm problems with a complete, detailed fire alarm inspection checklist:

1. Commercial fire alarm control panels – the heart of any fire alarm system, the control panel connects all components and devices to a central monitoring location and notifies the fire department.
2. Electrical circuitry and wiring – the entire network depends on sound electrical connections. Technicians inspect for possible disconnections, wear, and tear.
3. Detection devices – the first line of defense against a fire, technicians inspect and test all detection devices such as photoelectric or infrared smoke detectors and make sure they are thoroughly cleaned for maximum sensitivity. Heat detectors are also inspected, cleaned, and tested.
4. Manual pull stations – any manual pull systems are tested to ensure they respond correctly and are either verified to be working properly or replaced.
5. Notification devices – includes visual strobes and audible alarms such as alarm bells, horns, and prerecorded evacuation instructions guiding people to safe evacuation zones. All notification devices are inspected to be in proper working order.
6. Inspect all power sources – testing of all batteries and backup electrical sources. Batteries and battery chargers should be tested regularly.
7. Door release and damper control – doors should unlock automatically for safe evacuation and HVAC dampers should close to help reduce the expansion of danger.
8. Inspect annunciators – this is critical to ensure accurate location information is portrayed to emergency personnel.
9. Secondary areas and elevator shafts – all areas must be tested for smoke and heat detection devices such as in storage rooms and elevator shafts.
10. Test central monitoring – fast response is critical to minimize life safety risks. Inspection technicians will test to see how quickly the signal is received from the alarm system to the central emergency department.

HRSS performs these basic inspection checklists and more, from field trained, NICET certified and licensed commercial fire alarm inspection technicians. We test and inspect all commercial fire alarm panels and life safety system components to prevent fire alarm problems.  Contact us for all your commercial fire alarm and life safety system needs.

This article was originally published at: https://hrsschicago.com/fire-alarm-inspection/fire-detection-and-alarm-system-preventive-maintenance-checklist/