In the world of commercial integration, speakers and screens often get in the spotlight. A huge video wall can transform an ordinary conference room into a room in which the brand of a company is defined and visitors are required. The crystal sound forms the stage for an immersive experience in a museum or flagship retail.
However, addressable fire alarms work behind the scenes to protect the inmates of a building and to ensure compliance with the local building and fire regulations.
Brian Creech, Senior Technical Sales Specialist at ADI, admits that, in contrast to many other security elements, AV and building operations, the technology did not continue very quickly. However, it has developed over the years, especially in its skills and how it integrates into other building systems.
“If an addressable fire alarm system makes its part, nobody pays attention to it,” he says.
Still integrators should Pay attention to this source of income, as it is usually every new construction project. If you work with ADI and the organization system design group, you may have experts in local regions that are familiar with local fire brigade codes and can lead them.
This is the key, says Creech. Architects often create design plans without knowledge of local laws.
“Code is not necessarily a nationally powered thing,” says Creech. “Although there is a feature in the national fire brigade code, it will be introduced completely differently by different jurisdiction. If you are based in New York City and then make a project on Long Island, it can be completely different from what you prescribe in the city.”
He adds: “The integrators want to research this page as far as possible, speak to their local fireman or AHJ, which” has authority that is responsible for this area “.
Addressable against conventional fire alarms
A standard in most jurisdiction focuses on the need for addressable systems about conventional fire alarms, says AJ Shaw, technical sales support manager at ADI. Conventional systems are slowly switched off, and if a building requires retrofitting, a conventional system will probably be replaced by an addressable system.
“I would say that 95 to 98% of what we do is addressable,” says Shaw. A conventional system uses the same devices, but it would not be on a loop with which users can specifically track which device has triggered an alarm.
“Conventional panels really diluted,” says Shaw. “Manufacturers have just started to decide addressable systems. I have heard that some jurisdiction now only accepts addressable systems. This is probably another nail in the coffin for conventional systems.”
Development of addressable fire alarm systems
In recent decades, addressable systems have developed with expanded skills that have often been driven by code changes and mandates of the National Fire Protection Association, a non -profit organization dedicated to fire protection and fire security.
“NFPA typically drives what the manufacturers do,” says Creech. “You are the ones who prescribe how the products are made with regard to the requirements.”
Shaw recommends that AV integrators encourage customers to make their systems future-proof. Even if codes have not yet been adopted in a certain region, the inclusion of the latest progress ensures a safer building. The integration of state -of -the -art fire systems may not receive a awards, but it is an important aspect of a successful construction project. “This is the fire brigade industry,” says Creech. “It only does his job and nobody thinks about it until you need it.”
In this sense, experts recommend implementing the following functions in the next fire protection system.
Intelligent systems with several notification zones
Today's newer addressable fire alarm systems are intelligent and enable programmers to create different zones with different functions and route notifications where they are needed.
“With recent technology, detectors in all rooms of an apartment building can be part of the brand alarm. “But this detector can also be part of the building system if necessary.”
Carbon monoxid recognition
According to FIRSTART.com, a requirement for carbon monoxid recognition in national fire brigade codes has been written since 2011. But the technology has only recently been implemented to a large extent, emphasizes Creech. “This gives you an example of the glacier movement of the fire protection industry,” he says. “It was written in the fire brigade code around 2012, but it has really been recorded lately. Orders at the local level have driven it.”
Superstorm Sandy has sharpened more awareness of the problem of carbon monoxide poisoning, which can occur if gas devices, propane room heating, motor vehicles, fireplaces and other fuel burning sources can release CO2 In the air that can build up. Carbon monoxide is colorless and odorless, which makes the detectors an important aspect of the security of the structure.
Carbon monoxid recognition is now a frequent part of addressable fire alarms, but that was not always the case. “When Superstorm Sandy Hit hit, many people used grills in their houses to cook, and there were some deaths by Co.2“, Says Creech.
Ada compliance
Compliance with the law on Americans with disabilities also comes into play when designing and installing fire alarm systems. These standards include visual ads or lightning lights as well as an audible alarm system.
Low frequency notifications
Creech indicates another relatively recent trend of fire alarm functions: low -frequency tones to build the residents of a problem. “The industry leaned over for years to this loud, screaming tone to get people out,” he says. “But studies have found that people who are difficult to awaken or are drunk react more easily to low -frequency tones, around 520 Hz.”
In the past, the installers should have placed low -frequency sounds on walls in bedrooms individually. “Due to the intelligence that is there, we can now connect these basics to these intelligent detectors. They are specially intelligent for this detector, so that you can create zones with a low frequency notification, where you may not need them in other areas,” explains Shaw.
Creech points out that these systems probably have a unique electricity requirement, which may require additional building upgrades. As a rule, however, it is worth investing a building in the future, even if local codes currently do not require certain functions.
Integration with building management systems
Today's intelligent systems not only allow the system to communicate with each of the individual components, but also with building construction and management systems that control HLK, sprinkler and other systems such as lights and digital locks.
These systems enable mutual communication. Fire detection systems can send messages to addressable alarms and trigger them. At the same time, the fire panel sends notifications to the systems of the building. For example, the lighting can turn on to enable a smooth evacuation process. Doors can be activated automatically so that firefighters can easily enter the building. And emergency lighting can show the way to the construction of exits.
HLK: An important ability associated with the connection of the addressable fire panel with the creation of the control are the option of controlling smoke by checking the HLK systems. The systems can set the ventilation and close the ventilation slots to prevent smoke from spreading.
“These systems use addressable sewer detectors who go into the HLK channel,” says Shaw. “They assemble aside and monitor smoke in the systems. If you recognize smoke, you will shut down the air traders to reduce the river.”
You can also open ventilation slots and switch on the fans to blow the smoke in the desired direction, away from humans.
“The building control system would interpret the entries and take the necessary measures,” says Creech.
Elevator control: Likewise, these addressable systems can work with elevators in a building to bring the drivers to safety in the event of a fire. Creech explains: “If a smoke detector runs into the fourth floor near the elevator landing, the system sends the car to the first floor. If there is smoke on both, it can signal a relay in the elevator cars; this is called a fireman. This hat is illuminated and tells that [firefighters] And building residents to use the stairs. “
The elevator recall feature is switched off all elevators in the event of a fire.
Integration of sprinkler systems: Addressable fire systems also integrate into the sprinkler system of a building. An elevator shunt trip that recognizes a fire sprinkler in a elevator shaft brings the recall to the next stage. “If a sprinkler runs out in the elevator shaft, the power supply is basically broken down,” says Creech. “You don't want firefighters or others to be caught in this elevator if something is out of the water from the water.”
Audiovisual systems: As when switching off lifts for safety reasons, addressable fire brigade boards can communicate with amplifiers that are part of the audiovisual systems of a building. By adding an addressable relay to the amplifiers, you can download audio video systems to prevent a short circuit.
If the building usually plays music via loudspeakers, they can be switched off or a mass emergency notification system triggered in order to guide instructions or warnings by the loudspeakers.
Advantages of addressable fire alarm systems
With addressable fire alarm systems, detectors can communicate with building management systems by adding relays, which can then send instructions to the various building systems, including AV, HLK and elevators. This enables a faster effect to prevent the fire or smoke from spreading and creates a safer building environment.
Creech suggests that integrators encourage customers to look into the future and create the safest system, regardless of what local fire brigade codes are required. After all, landlords and construction owners want their tenants, employees and customers as safe as possible, although the addition of such systems has no direct ROI. You can help minimize the loss in an emergency situation, and that can be just as important.
“It is really the benefit and health of the people who stay there,” says Creech. “I would encourage everyone to install at least low -frequency notifications and carbon monoxide detectors in the right places. It will definitely be an advantage for everyone.”
Image with the kind permission of Adi and Snap One