BASICS of FIRE DETECTION

and ALARM SYSTEMS

Lecture 3
INTRODUCTION
One of the most challenging aspects of building
design is to provide protection against the
effects of fire.
Designers may enjoy considering how their
building can be made bearably cool on a hot,
humid day, but less pleasant to imagine a
building being eaten up by flames.
They also need to consider how, first the
building’s occupants, then its contents –
including the building itself, can be saved.
NOTES TO REMEMBER
• Fire is a special kind of oxidation known as
C________N.
• Oxidation is a process in which molecules of a
fuel are combined with the molecules of
oxygen, producing a mixture of gases and
energy. When this occurs rapidly, energy is
released as heat and light, and some gases
become visible as smoke.
• Fire has a triangle of needs; if deprived of any
of these needs, building fires will be
extinguished.
All fire fighting starts with the idea
of what is needed for FIRE
 All fire fighting breaks the triangle

Reduce
to less
REMOVAL Or than 10%
STOPPAGE Oxygen
NOTES TO REMEMBER
– Fuel is the building’s structure and its contents.
The designer controls the choice of structural and
finish material but rarely has a hand in the
building’s contents
– Temperature achieved in fires are well beyond the
ability of the building’s cooling systems to control,
so special water systems are often installed to
deprive fires of the high temperature they need
– Oxygen may be denied to fire partly by limiting
the ventilation, but these can have serious safety
consequences
SOURCES OF IGNITION
 Spontaneous combustion or chemical
combustion
 Electrical sources
 Arcing
 Lightning
 Mechanical
 Friction
 Others
 Intentional
 Cigarettes
THERMAL COMBUSTION THRESHOLDS
• Flash point – minimum temperature at which
sufficient vapors are released to form an
ignitable mixture
• Fire point – temperature at which sufficient
vapors are released to support continuous
combustion once ignited
• Ignition temperature – minimum temperature
at which self-sustained combustion occurs
without an external ignition source
PRODUCTS OF COMBUSTION
 Thermal
− Flame and heat
− Visible and tactile elements of fire that can cause
burns, shock, dehydration, heat exhaustion and fluid
blockage of the respiratory tract
 Non-thermal
− Smoke including gases
− Can be usually seen or smelled
− Made up of droplets of flammable tars and small
particles of carbon suspended in the air
− Gases are extremely dangerous because they displace
oxygen
FOUR STAGES OF FIRE DEVELOPMENT
Incipient stage
• The combustion products comprise a significant quantity of microscopic particles
which are best detected by ionization-type detectors.
• These detectors contain a small amount of radioactive material that serves to
ionize the air between 2 charged surfaces, causing a current to flow.
• Combustion particles entering the detection chamber reduce air ion mobility, thus
reducing current flow and increasing voltage. These changes are sensed and the
alarm is set off.
• The response time of this type of detector depends on how rapidly the
combustion particles can reach the detector – a factor that varies with room air
currents and with the type of material burning.
• Once the particles reach the detector, the response is essentially instantaneous.
• Ionization detectors are best applied indoors, in spaces with stagnant air or low air
velocity and in which little visible smoke is expected. They should not be applied
on warm or hot ceilings, or in any location where hot air concentrates because the
hot air prevents the combustion particles from reaching the detectors.
• They should not be applied to kitchens, bakeries, welding shops, and all other
areas with concentrated engine exhaust fumes.
Smoldering stage
• Characterized by particles, although small, are visible to the naked
eye as smoke and are best detected by photometric means.
• The simplest type of photoelectric smoke detector operates on the
principle of beam obscuration.
• A beam of light is directed onto a photosensor and a steady-state,
no-smoke circuit condition is established.
• The presence of smoke in sufficient concentration partially obscures
the beam, changing current flow in the photocell circuit and setting
off an alarm response.
• Beam-type photoelectric detectors consist of two separate units, a
beam transmitter and a beam receiver, normally wall-mounted on
opposite sides of a space, somewhat below the ceiling.
Flame stage
• The appearance of flame is followed almost instantaneously by heat
buildup and the rapid spread of flame, with an attendant large increase in
hazard.
• Detection of flame is no longer “early warning”, and the prime
requirement for a detector at this stage is speed.
• Flame detectors are of two types: those that detect ultraviolet radiation
and those that detect infrared radiation. Both types of radiation are
present at the beginning of the flame stage.
• UV detectors are long-range, very sensitive, react in milliseconds, and
respond to most types of fires. They are best applied in highly flammable
or explosive storage and work areas.
• Infrared radiation detectors have about half the distance range of UV
detectors, are sensitive (although not as sensitive as UV units), react in
seconds, and must be programmed for flicker response to avoid false
alarms.
Heat stage
• The last and the most hazardous because, by this time, the fire is burning
openly and producing great heat, incandescent air and smoke.
• Detectors intended for use at this stage respond to heat and are referred to
as heat-actuated, thermal, thermostatic, or simply temperature or thermal
detectors.
• They act much like the fusible link in a sprinkler head.
• Effective application is restricted to locations where the subsequent alarm
permits counter-measures to be taken in time to prevent injury and minimize
losses.
• Heat detectors have 2 designs: spot-type, where a set of contacts operates
when a preset temperature is reached (57oC or 85oC), and rate-of-rise, one
that operates when the rate of ambient temperature change exceeds a
predetermined amount, usually 15oF per minute), which is indicative of the
heat stage of a fire.
• Spot units are best applied in spaces that are separated from occupied areas
and are subject to rapid-temperature-rise fires.
 FIRE ISSUES
 Products of combustion – CO, CO2, other gases
 Fire quickly consumes oxygen
 Lack of oxygen
 Rapid deterioration of human capabilities
 Muscle control
 Thinking, consciousness, etc.
 Poor visibility
 Vertical shafts promote spread of smoke, heat
 Elevators
 Escalators
 Atriums
 HVAC systems can spread smoke
 Windowless buildings, while achieving controlled interior environment,
prevent entry of firefighters
 High rise buildings complicate firefighting and rescue operations
 Fire fighting equipment can ordinarily reach no higher than 7 floors
 Typically, only 2 exit stairways are provided
 Interior finishes can spread fire, give off smoke
 Materials, such as plastic and sythetics are a source of toxic gas and smoke
FUNDAMENTAL CRITERIA FOR FIRE
SAFETY DESIGN
 Fire-resistant construction
− The construction of the building envelope shall meet or exceed the fire
resistance ratings specified in the governing codes
 Smoke controls
− A building of any size must have proper smoke control by removal, dilution
and/or confinement of the smoke
 Length of travel
− All exits shall be located so that the maximum length of travel to access the
exit, measured from the most remote point to an approved exit along the
natural and unobstructed line of travel, shall not exceed the ones specified by
the governing code
 Means of egress
− There shall be 2 separate means of egress from any space, except where a
space is so small and arranged so that a 2nd exit would not provide an
appreciable increase in safety
 Exit enclosures
− Exit enclosures, such as stairways, shall be used solely for exit purposes, and
penetration by ducts, conduits, boxes, and pipes shall be limited and
protected
 Adequate lighting
− Egress passages should be illuminated to a minimum of 1 footcandle, and
preferably 3fc, with clearly identified and illuminated signs
 Vertical openings
− Vertical openings, other than elevator shafts, shall be sealed to limit fires to
single floor
 Vertical transportation
− Elevator shafts shall be vented or pressurized, depending on the HVAC system.
Elevators are not recognized as exits. Escalator floor openings shall be
protected with fire shutters, unless they are protected by water curtains as
part of the sprinkler system
 Coordination with electro/mechanical systems
− Electrical and mechanical systems shall be designed to meet the applicable
codes
 Compliance with code requirements for specific use groups
− Classification of building occupancies and the requirements of fire protection
systems are generally consistent with that of the other building codes
 Coordination with fire department
− The fire marshal must be consulted in regard to the required access to the
building and the locations of fire hoses, fire hydrants, electrical power panels,
and alarm systems . A fire command center must be designated in a building
where the status of detection, alarm communications and control systems is
displayed, and from which the systems can be manually controlled.
FIRE PROTECTION SYSTEM DESIGN STRATEGY
COMPREHENSIVE DESIGN STRATEGY
 Administrative – prevent fire form starting in the first
place
□ Design
□ Education
□ Procedures
□ Signage
□ Inspections
□ Safety programs
 Fire Detection and Alarm Systems
□ Detect fires early to initiate quick evacuation
 Design safe egress from buildings
□ Exits, stairwells and corridors
□ Emergency lighting and ventilation
 Fire suppression systems
□ Sprinklers
□ Standpipes and hoses
□ Chemical
 Smoke control systems
□ Remove smoke from exits
□ Provide fleeing occupants with breathable air
 Compartmentalization
□ Break a building into small compartments to contain fir
and smoke
 Fire separation
□ Fire-rated walls, floors, ceiling assemblies that impede the
spread of fire
 Use of non-combustible materials
 Use of low flame-spread-and-smoke developed
materials
 Supervise special systems
− Fire pump operation, power availability
− Sprinkler system status
 Unlock doors
 Automatically lock doors that are part of fire
separation
 Automatically release smoke relief hatches
 Control operation of HVAC supply and exhaust
fans
− Total shutdown
− Special smoke management systems
FUNCTIONS OF A FIRE DETECTION AND
ALARM SYSTEMS
 Initiate alarm
− manually
− automatically
 Notify occupants
− Audible alarms
− Visible alarms
 Automatically signal fire department or
central station and summon organized
assistance
 Recall elevators
WHAT IS A FIRE ALARM SYSTEM

A system or portion of a combination

system consisting of components and
circuits arranged to monitor and
annunciate the status of fire alarm or
supervisory signal-initiating devices and to
initiate the appropriate response to those
signals.
 FIRE DETECTION AND ALARM SYSTEMS
Planning for fire protection starts with architectural and engineering
design in all disciplines. Once the plan is formalized and implemented, a
well-planned fire protection system usually operates sequentially as
follows:
• Step 1, detection. The presence of a fire is detected manually or
automatically.
• Step 2, signaling. The building’s management, its occupants and the
fire department are notified of the presence of a fire. The occupants
are advised of the actions to take.
• Step 3, suppression. Manual or automatic fire suppression equipment
and systems are used to extinguish the fire and remove the smoke.
– 3A, initial effort. Portable and manual fire-fighting equipment, such as fire
extinguishers, fans and a first-aid fire hose, are used to put out the fire and to
remove smoke by dilution and exhaustion.
– 3B, main effort. Fire suppression systems, such as automatic sprinklers, fire
hoses, and other systems, are used to extinguish the fire, and smoke control
systems are activated to remove or contain the spread of smoke.
– 3C, last effort. The fire department takes over the fire-fighting effort when all all
previous efforts are ineffective.
 Components of Fire Alarm System
Component Description
Control panel Receives signals and monitors them. Control panel also provides
notifications in case of danger.
Power Supply Provides power supply to the system. Power supply is located at the
same place as the control panel.
Keypad Allows entering the password for setting or disengaging the device.
Zone feature Programmed to react to emergency situations For example, a zone
detecting heat may respond by activating the sprinkler system within
that zone, leaving all other zones unaffected.

Input devices Includes the smoke and heat detectors.

Output Includes audio aspects − vocal or Horn.
devices
FIRE DETECTION AND SIGNALING
DEVICES
When fire or smoke is detected by occupants of
the building or by the automatic detection
devices, the building management needs to
evaluate immediately the severity of the fire and
take appropriate action:
• Activate the building’s alarm system,
• Announce the partial or total evacuation of
the building, and
• Notify the fire department
FIRE DETECTION AND SIGNALING
DEVICES
Like other alarm systems, the building’s detection
and alarm devices has 3 basic parts:
• Signal initiation – can be manual (pull stations or
telephones) or automatic (fire and smoke
detectors and/or water flow switches)
• Signal processing – the signal is processed by a
control equipment
• Alarm indication – the control equipment
activates audible and visible alarms (in some
cases, alerts a central fire station or local
government authorities).
ALARM-INITIATING
DEVICES
 MANUAL ALARM-INITIATING DEVICES
 General requirements
− Placed within reach along paths of escape.
− An electrical switch that activates an alarm system
− Generally not required in fully sprinklered
structures
− Outmoded “broken glass” pull stations
− May be used for malicious alarm activations
 Coded versus non-coded pull stations
 Single-action and double-action pull stations
 Person must perform other preliminary
actions before the alarm can be operated
AUTOMATIC ALARM INITIATING DEVICES
 Thermal detectors – fixed temperature and
rate-of-rise
− Fixed temperature devices
− Oldest types in use
− Relatively inexpensive
− Least prone to false alarms
− Activation temperature slightly above highest ceiling
temperature; setting is generally designed for 57oC,
88oC or 94oC
− Detect heat by one of 3 primary principles of physics
 Expansion of heated material
 Melting of heated material
 Changes in resistance of heated material
− Most detectors are of the spot-type
− Designed to detect heat only in a relatively small area
surrounding the spot they are located
− May detect heat over a linear area parallel to the
detector (example: conveyors, electric cable trays, etc.)
− Fusible devices and frangible bulbs can be used but are
typically found in fire sprinklers (non-restoring design)
− May also find bimetallic detectors (restoring design)
 Uses 2 metals with different thermal expansion characteristics
 When heated, 1 metal expands faster than the other causing
the strip to bend or arch
 Deflection of strip makes or breaks alarm circuit, initiating an
alarm
 Bimetallic detectors will reset automatically when cooled (but
should be checked after a fire for damage)
− Rate-of-rise heat detectors
− Operate on the principle that room temperature will
rise faster from fire than from atmospheric
temperature
− Will in initiate an alarm when the rise in temperature
exceeds 7-8oC per minute
− Alarm can be initiated at a temperature far below that
required for a fixed temperature device
− Reliable devices, not subject to false activations
 If not properly installed, they an activated under non-fire
conditions (detector subjected to extreme temperature
fluctuations)
− Come in several types
 Pneumatic rate-of-rise spot detector
 Pneumatic rate-of-rise line detector
 Rate compensated detector
 Thermoelectric detector
 Smoke detectors – can initiate an alarm much
quicker than a heat detector because it
responds to smoke generated very early in a
fire’s development (incipient stage)
− 2 basic types
− Photoelectric
− Ionization
− Photoelectric smoke detector
− Uses a photocell coupled with a specific light source
− Basically, smoke entering the smoke detector chamber
disrupts the light beam causing an alarm signal to be
initiated
 − More sensitive to smoldering fires
− Ionization smoke detector
− Invisible products of combustion enter the chamber
decreasing the current between the +ve and –ve plates,
thereby initiating an alarm signal
− Generally responds faster to flaming fires than
smoldering fires
− Automatically resets when the atmosphere clears
− Independent of house power so they can operate
during power failures
 Flame detectors
− 4 basic types
− Ultraviolet
− Infrared
− Photoelectric
 Most sensitive to detect fires but also easily activated by non-
fire conditions (sunlight, welding, etc.)
− Flame flicker
− Must be positioned with an unobstructed view of
the protected area
− Will not activate if line-of-sight is blocked
− IR detectors are designed to require the flickering
motion of a flame
− UV detectors are insensitive to sunlight so they
can be used in areas not suitable for IR detectors
− Flame detectors are used chiefly in industrial
processes, in mining, and for the protection of
combustion equipment
 Fire-gas detectors
− Monitor levels of carbon monoxide and carbon
dioxide (common to all fires)
− More discriminating than other detectors
− Can be designed to be sensitive only to gases produced
by specific types of hostile fires and ignore gases
produced by friendly fires
− Not many in use – very specialized applications
 Flow detectors
− Indicate or initiate an alarm when water is flowing
in the fire suppression systems
− 2 basic types
− Sail-type switches that deflect under a flow of water or
− Pressure switches that sense the pressure differential
caused by a flow of water
− Operation depends on prior actuation of a
sprinkler head or the operation of a fire hose
− Provide a positive means of monitoring the fire
suppression system even when a building is
unoccupied
 Signal Devices (audio or video)
− Single-stroke bell is a device containing a bell that is truck
once each time electrical power is applied.
− Vibrating bell is a device containing a bell that rings
continuously as long as electrical power is applied.
− Buzzer is a device consisting of an electromagnetic coil
that, when electrical power is applied to it, will cause a
thin metal piece to vibrate.
− Chime is a device that produces a pleasing or musical tone
each time electrical power is applied to it.
− Horn is a device consisting of an electromagnetic coil that
causes a metal diaphragm to vibrate and produce a sound
that is amplified by a horn.
− Siren is a device consisting of an electric motor that
produces a continuous, high-pitched sound (100dB max);
can be used only in a place with normally high ambient
sound (assembly plants, factories, etc.)
 Visual Annunciation Devices
− Displays that may consist of single or multiple
lights with marked messages
− Lights may be of different colors and may flash or
be steadily lit
− Increasingly used in places of public assembly,
such as theaters, auditoriums, sports arenas,
airplanes, schools, etc.
− For hearing-impaired persons
− Strobe lights are required by most applicable fire
codes
FALSE ALARM MITIGATION
Smoke detectors of all types are subject to false alarms activated
by particulate matters in the air. Detectors are, by nature,
threshold devices; raising sensitivity increases false alarming,
and decreasing sensitivity shortens the crucial early-warning
period. A false fire alarm can result in serious disruption,
property loss, personal injury, and even death. To minimize this
annoying and dangerous occurrence, the following are some
basic guidelines:
• Select appropriate smoke detectors. Choosing an ionization type
where a photoelectric type is indicated or vice-versa, almost
guarantees false alarms.
• Use detectors that permit accommodation of dirt/high
temperature/humidity and air current ambient conditions, all of
which increase false alarming.
• Where necessary, use radio-frequency interference (RFI) filters on
detector circuits because line radio noise can cause alarms. This
factor should be investigated in any installation with a heavy solid-
state equipment load.
FALSE ALARM MITIGATION
• Use detector covers in areas where any type of construction work is
taking place. This prevents fouling of detectors.
• Establish a regular maintenance and testing program that includes
field testing and recalibration of all detectors.
• Avoid detector placement in areas where ambient conditions can
cause problems. Where such placement is unavoidable, use
compensating detectors, special maintenance, and appropriate
verification procedures in the event of an alarm signal. These areas
include:
– Kitchens, laundries, boiler rooms, shower rooms, and other spaces
with high humidity and steam
– Repair shops, laboratories, and other areas where open flames are
used in normal work
– Garage and engine test facilities where exhaust gases are present
– Smoking rooms and areas near spaces designated as smoking areas
– Areas in which heavy accumulation of dust and dirt can be expected
– Areas of high air movement, such as near loading docks and exit
doors, and near the discharge from diffusers and registers
TYPES OF FIRE ALARM SYSTEMS
Fire alarm systems can be classified according to several different
criteria, including location, application, connection, coding and the
degree of automation of the detection system. The Fire Code,
however, classifies fire alarm systems essentially by location and
function:
• Household fire warning systems
• Protected premises systems
• intended to sound an alarm only in the protected premises
• Action in response to an alarm must be taken locally either
manually or automatically
• Notification to the fire department must be manual, although fire
suppression systems can be set into automatic operation
• Applicable to privately-owned facilities
• When building is unoccupied, notification to the fire department
can come only incidentally
TYPES OF FIRE ALARM SYSTEMS
• Off- premises systems
Connections between local alarms and off-premises equipment
and systems
– Auxiliary fire alarm system
• A local system equipped with a direct connection to a
municipal/city fire alarm box
• The received alarm signal is identical to that from a manual alarm
at that city box
• This type of system is usually applied to public buildings, such as
schools, government offices, museums and the like
TYPES OF FIRE ALARM SYSTEMS
• Off- premises systems
– Remote-station protective signaling system
• Similar to auxiliary system, except that the alarm is transmitted
through a leased telephone line to a remote location (a police
facility or a telephone answering service) that is manned 24/7.
• The notice of the alarm is then telephoned to the fire department
• Used in private buildings that are unoccupied for considerable
periods and for which reliance on passersby to report a fire signal
is unacceptable
TYPES OF FIRE ALARM SYSTEMS
• Off- premises systems
– Proprietary fire alarm system
• Utilizes a dedicated central supervisory station to receive signals from all
buildings. This station is on the site and is manned by persons associated
with the facility.
• The station is ideally located in a guardhouse or similar supervisory
station, from which point alarms are sent manually to a fire department
and/or on-site fire brigades.
• Other actions that must be taken on the receipt of the alarm are
performed by facility personnel at the central supervisory facility.
• Information on the exact location or zone within each building at which an
alarm occurs is transmitted to the central supervisory location.
• These central supervisory locations are frequently multipurpose, covering
all aspects of facility security and control functions, such as energy
management.
• Applicable to large multi-building facilities such as universities,
manufacturing facilities, and the like.
TYPES OF FIRE ALARM SYSTEMS
• Off- premises systems
– Central station fire alarm system
• System supervision and normally all of its equipment are owned and
operated by a service company.
• In lieu of the multiple buildings of one facility, the central station system
supervises many individual unrelated local systems for a fee.
• Operators of the central supervisory installation receive all signals from
individual users and provide the required services, including alarm
verification, fire reporting, and repairs when trouble signals are received.
• As with proprietary systems, central station facilities often supervise
access control, intrusion alarms, and related systems
CONVENTIONAL SYSTEMS
Manufacturers classify fire alarm systems by the type of information transmitted
to the control panel by the detectors and the alarm devices.
• The simplest and the oldest system is the conventional system. A conventional
system is one that uses detectors and manual stations that transmit an alarm
signal only. When they are in standby or quiescent state, they do not transmit.
Such detectors and manual stations are called conventional units.
• The signals transmitted by all detectors, and by manual stations as well, are
identical and therefore indistinguishable from each other.
• In theory, the number of alarm-initiating devices, such as fire and smoke
detectors, that can be wired to a single detector circuit is unlimited. When an
alarm signal is received from such a multiple-device circuit, there is no way of
knowing which of the devices alarmed and whether the represents an actual
fire condition or whether it is a false alarm caused by dirt, moisture, a puff of
smoke, a short-circuit in the wiring, or a malfunction of a detector.
• As a result, conventional detectors in buildings require continual maintenance
and field sensitivity checks to minimize false alarms. These regular checkups
are rather an expensive and time-consuming procedure.
FIRE ALARM SYSTEM TYPES
• Manual or automatic system
A fire alarm system may simply consist of manual alarm stations
connected to sound bells or horns. Manual stations are operated
by hand and serve to spread the alarm that has already been
detected by other means, either human or automatic.
Manual stations are placed in the normal path of egress from a
building so that an alarm may be turned in by a person as he/she
exits. It is imperative, therefore, that manual stations be well-
marked and easily found.
For building use groups that involve the public and for
residential buildings over three stories in height, automatic
detection devices are usually mandatory. In automatic systems,
signals are initiated by automatic detection devices, as well as from
manual alarm stations.
FIRE ALARM SYSTEM TYPES
• Coded or non-coded
A fire alarm system may provide the alarm signal
continuously until the system is manually shut off. This is
known as a non-coded system. By contrast, if the signal
is intermittent in duration or frequency, then the system
is said to be coded. A coded system is usually designed
to produce four rounds of signals to identify the location
of fire or the initiating device. Other forms of coded
systems are master-coded, zone-coded, dual-coded,
selective-coded, pre-signaling (used to alert only key
personnel).
FIRE ALARM SYSTEM TYPES
• Supervised or non-supervised
This very common term refers to the circuit arrangements in
the fire alarm system that indicate a malfunction in the wiring of
alarm and other devices by sounding a trouble bell. The trouble
signal is separate and distinct from an alarm signal.
With a non-supervised system, accidental grounding or
breaking of the wiring or contacts will unknowingly disable the
system until the problem is discovered. In the meantime, the
system is inoperative and the building is unprotected.
In a supervised system, the signal notifies the building
management of the problem until it is fixed. Minimally, an open
circuit or a ground in any of the devices will cause a trouble signal.
In large, sophisticated systems, all of the wiring and circuitry is
supervised, or double-supervised, including the control panels,
alarm device circuits, and even annunciator wiring
FIRE ALARM SYSTEM TYPES
• Single or zoned system
In a single-zone system, all alarms are activated at
once; in contrast, a zoned system may divide the alarms
into two or more zones according to the locations of the
alarm devices.
For example, a building with east, center and west
wings may be divided into 3 zones, one for each wing. If
the building is 5 storeys high, then it may be grouped into
15 zones, one for each floor of each wing.
Caution must be exercised not to over-divide the
zones, as the signal may become too complicated to be
recognized.
FIRE ALARM SYSTEM TYPES
• Single-stage or two-stage system
With a single-stage system, all alarms within each
zone will be activated to signal that the building
should be evacuated. Two-stage systems may
provide a preliminary warning or alert to the
occupants during the first stage and a signal to
evacuate the building only when the second stage is
energized.
FIRE ALARM SYSTEM TYPES
• General alarm or pre-signal system
In buildings where a general alarm of a minor fire may
cause panic and the building is under full time
supervision by qualified personnel, a pre-signal system
may be desirable. With this system, detection devices or
manual alarm stations will send the signal only to limited
locations so that management can determine whether
and when a general alarm is to be activated.
Schools and stadiums are good candidates for such a
system. Note that the use of a pre-signal system in
hospitals is prohibited, unless specifically approved by
code officials.
FIRE ALARM SYSTEM TYPES
• Voice communication system
Modern fire-signaling systems can also include public-
address systems to provide instructions to the occupants
by the building management, and in later stages, by the
fire department.
The public address system may also be supplemented
by two-way communication devices, such as telephones,
intercoms, radio frequency modules, etc. Speakers may
be used to generate a tone in lieu of bells or horns. Voice
communication systems are required in all high-rise
buildings and public assembly use groups.
FIRE ALARM SYSTEM TYPES
• Addressable or non-addressable system
A system is addressable when each fire detection or
signaling device is assigned a unique coded frequency
(address). Because each device is identified by its address, an
alarm or a trouble signal from a detector can be quickly and
easily confirmed. The address may be adjustable to allow
reassignment in the field. With this capability, the fire
protection plan (zoning and staging), may easily be changed to
fit a building’s operational program. Addressability is
especially useful for a tenant-occupied building when the
tenants are frequently changing.
Non-addressable systems do not have this flexibility, but
are, more economical. A system may combine addressable
and non-addressable devices through an interfacing device.
FIRE ALARM SYSTEM TYPES
• Addressable or non-addressable system
Addressable fire alarm systems offer benefits in speed of
detection, identification of the location of the fire and easier
maintenance. The location of the fire alarm is automatically isolated
in the building control panel, which enhances the response time of
the system. Addressable building fire alarm systems also
incorporate intelligent field devices that are more sensitive and
accurate than most devices in place today. For example, intelligent
smoke detectors can distinguish between smoke and common
causes of false alarms, such as dust. Therefore, false alarms have
been reduced by more than 50 percent with the use of intelligent
addressable systems. Addressable fire alarm systems allow a single
pair of wires to be used to connect up to 200 devices, which
provides cost savings in the wiring of large systems.
FIRE ALARM SYSTEM TYPES
• Addressable or non-addressable system
A conventional non-addressable system usually includes a fire
alarm control panel (FACP). FACP receives information from devices
throughout the property, which is designed to detect changes
associated with a fire event, including water flow or detection of
smoke. A map of the building is often placed at a strategic location
with the defined zones and indicators that illuminate when a zone is
in an alarm condition. The main drawback is that the activated
device cannot be detected, and only zone can be identified. The fire
may be in only one small area, but the emergency indicators only
reveal that the larger zone is in alarm. This type of system is also
capable of dialling an offsite monitoring service, shutting down gas
supply, turning on smoke exhaust fans, and connecting to other fire
alarm panels.
FIRE ALARM SYSTEM TYPES
• Stand-alone or integrated system
The fire alarm system may be stand-alone or may
be interfaced with other building systems, such as an
automatic sprinkler, building management, life
safety, and vertical transportation systems. The
advantages of interfacing are many, including space
and cost savings and better coordination. The
primary disadvantages are the complexity of the
system and the mutual dependence among its
components.
FIRE ALARM SYSTEM TYPES
Thus a fire alarm system combination may be
system such as the following:
• A manual, single-zone, single-stage system
• A manual and automatic, multi-zone, non-coded,
single-stage system
• An automatic, multi-zone, two-stage with pre-
signal and voice communication system
BASIC DESIGN CONSIDERATIONS
• Residential fire alarm system
– A listed smoke detector, outside and adjacent to each sleeping area, in
each sleeping room, at the head of every stair, with at least one on
every level, including the basement. Combined smoke/heat detectors
should be installed in the boiler room, kitchen, garage, and attic.
Listed heat detectors in the attic, kitchen, and boiler room are
frequently set at 85oC because of high ambient temperatures. Other
units are set at 57oC.
– Ensure that an alarm in any detector produces an alarm in all audible
and visual units.
– Control unit annunciator to show the location of an alarmed device
and arranged to shut off oil and gas lines and the attic fan (to prevent
spread of smoke). Also, it should turn on lights both inside and out,
operate an automatic dialer to ring a neighbor’s phone or a
commercial central station, and give a distinctive alarm sound when
the phone is answered. An outside bell and some other device that
transmits an alarm outside the residence are important.
BASIC DESIGN CONSIDERATIONS
• Residential fire alarm system
– Back-up power for the system – a supervised storage battery with a
trickle charger
– Wiring of all devices connected to a system control unit to be on
supervised circuits that will sound a trouble alarm in the event of a
fault. The trouble alarm should be distinct from the fire alarm.
BASIC DESIGN CONSIDERATIONS
• Multiple-dwelling fire alarm system
– Audible/visual alarms must be positioned so that all sleeping persons,
including those with hearing and/or sight impairment, will be
wakened. Code requirements for audible levels are minimum and are
based on average spaces and furnishings. Unusually large or oddly
shaped spaces should be designed individually.
– Consider the possibility of living rooms being used as sleeping areas on
a regular basis.
– Provide smoke detection in corridors, service spaces, and utility and
storage rooms.
– Battery-powered detectors may not be used because, unlike
homeowners, apartment dwellers rely on the building’s management
for all building services, and periodic battery checks and replacement
might not be carried out.
BASIC DESIGN CONSIDERATIONS
• Multiple-dwelling fire alarm system
– Provide standby power to all fire alarm circuits.
– All alarms should be identifiable, either by addressing or by
annunciation. Annunciators should be located at the system control
panel in the building’s management office or at the lobby desk in the
case of hotels and dormitories. In all buildings, a lobby annunciator
for the use of fire fighters is advantageous.
– An alarm light over the door of each apartment or suite to indicate the
location of the alarm is desirable. This is particularly important if the
central panel only provides zone annunciation.
– In high-rise buildings, an emergency voice/alarm communications
system should be provided.
BASIC DESIGN CONSIDERATIONS
• Commercial and Institutional Building fire alarm system
– Pre-signaling, where permitted, is recommended for buildings that do
not readily tolerate an evacuation alarm.
– In schools, particularly of the elementary grades, rapid, orderly
evacuation of the building is the primary requirement. Consideration
must be given to the uniqueness of the sound of the fire alarm gongs
to allow no possibility of confusion with program gongs where the
latter are used. Also, because regular fire drills are mandatory in most
schools, the system must be arranged to provide this facility.
– Public buildings should have an auxiliary alarm connection to the fire
department.
– For medium-sized buildings, an accurate cost estimate frequently
indicates an advantage of addressable systems over non-addressable
systems because of high detector maintenance costs of the latter.
BASIC DESIGN CONSIDERATIONS
• High-rise Office Building fire alarm system
– Two-way active communications from the fire fighters’ control
command post (usually in the lobby) to at least one fire station per
floor, all mechanical rooms, elevator machine rooms, and air-handling
rooms.
– Distribution to selected areas of alert tones, signals and pre-recorded
messages on independent channels
– Communication with the fire department or central station
– In addition to communications functions, the fire command post
provides:
• Visual display (annunciation) of all fire alarm devices, including sprinkler valves and
water flow indicators
• Fire pump status indication
• Controls for any automatic stair door unlocking system (security access system)
• Emergency generator status
• Elevator location indicators plus operation and capture controls
• Control of smoke control devices (doors, dampers, etc.)
• Means for testing all circuits and devices
BASIC DESIGN CONSIDERATIONS
• Industrial facilities fire alarm system
– In addition to manual stations at points of egress, these buildings use:
• Temperature and smoke detectors in storage areas and laboratories
• Smoke and flame detectors in record rooms and continuous process laboratories
• Water flow switches on all sprinklers
– The annunciators, control panel, and alarm register are best placed in
the guardroom. If none is available, an auxiliary or remote-station
circuit should be added to allow remote monitoring.
– Because of high ambient noise levels in many plants, horns are
substituted in such areas for bells and gongs, as these might be
inaudible.