SYSTEM DESCRIPTION AND ARRANGEMENT OF AUTOMATIC FIRE FIGHTING SYSTEMS

1. Introduction:
Fire detection and fire extinguishing system are basically controlled by two microprocessor based control systems called Simplex system and Minimax System respectively. Simplex system is usually utilized for Fire detection in various parts of the plant and provides logical software for Alarm and Fire states in its software and sends the outputs for local / remote alarm and to Minimax system to activate respective automatic fire extinguishing devices. As Simplex does not have any hardware outputs, it utilizes its sister system called Miniplex and Input / outputs are communicated through its Internal Bus system. Minimax system is a stand-alone system and needs hardware floating contacts for the input signals for the logical configuration to provide outputs for automatic operation of extinguishing systems. (System overview is attached below) The Miniplex system sends hardware output to Minimax system for activation of various extinguishing equipments e.g. Foam, Deluge, CO2, etc. and tripping of some critical running systems / machines and processes e.g. Electrical Generating plants (Gas Turbines, Steam Turbines), HVAC systems etc. When any fire extinguishing device activates, Minimax gets feedback signals through associated instruments and sends signal back to Simplex system through Miniplex system for alarms in local and remote areas e.g. CCR, Security gate and fire station.

FIELD FIRE DETECTORS

SIMPLEX SYSTEM

MINIPLEX SYSTEM

MINIMAX SYSTEM

Feedback signals From activated devices

Hooters, strobes Extinguishing systems: Protection systems: 1. CO2 2. Foam 3. Deluge 1. Gas Turbine trip 2. BPST trip 3. HVAC trip

Brief Description of The Fire Systems 1. Simplex system:

Simlex system is a 4100 model microprocessor based system. It comprises various types of modules installed. All modules are addressable type modules. 5 nos. of area panels installed at various area of the plant. Simplex system consists of fire detectors, Simplex system and Miniplex systems. Different types of filed detectors are connected with the system like Smoke detectors, Heat detectors, Linear heat detectors, Manual call points, Flame detectors etc. All detectors are addressable type detectors. 127 nos. of detectors can be connected with one loop. Max. 4 nos. of loops can be connected with one card called Mapnet card. Each panel has back up power supply facilities. In case of power failure, the back up batteries will feed the supply voltage to the panel. 2 nos. of 12 V DC batteries used for this application for each panel. Mimic Panel: 3 nos. of Mimic panels located in 1 st floor control room (UBA building), Fire station & Gatehouse. These panels are directly controlled from Central monitor panel. The mimic panel consists of a geographic layout of the site wise LEDs which indicate the activation of any fire detection and protection system. Visual display unit, Keyboard & Printer: Two VDUs along with two printers & keyboards are provided on the operation desk in the control room. This assembly provides the indication & printed copy of any change in condition of fire detection, fire protection & gas detection system. VDU No.# 1 covers - Area panels 1,2,3 VDU No.# 2 covers - Area panels 4 & 5

1.1 Functional descriptions of Simplex panel modules are as below:

1. Master controller: Panel main programme and user programme are stored in the ICs of the master controller. User programme is stored in the RAM. It has its own small 3 V DC backup battery. This module controls logical operation of the system and controls all other modules installed in the same panel. 2. Net work interface module: It is a 4100 slave card. It has two network ports. The ports are isolated each other. Each board provides half-duplex communication in RS485 format. Acts as a interface to communicate between one simplex panel to other area simplex panel. In control room Central monitor (2 nos.) time & date of historical alarm and events are updated by this module from simplex area panel#01. 3. Mapnet card: All field detectors such as Smoke, Heat, Manual call points, Pull stations etc. are connected with mapnet card. It provides 34 V DC supply to the field detectors. 127
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nos. of detectors can be connected to one loop and 4 loops can be connected to one mapnet card through line isolator. 4. Remote unit Interface module (RUI): Under one simplex area panel 4 to 5 Miniplex panels can be connected. Each miniplex panel communicates with Simplex panel via this interface card. It is a bi-directional communication. 5. Mapnet isolator (Spilitter): Mapnet isolator works together with mapnet card. Different zones of different loops are connected to one mapnet card via mapnet isolator module. It provides 34 V DC supply to the field detectors. 4 nos. of loops can be connected to this module and it communicates to respective mapnet module. 6. LED controller module: LED controller controls status of the display LED module. Field status like actuation of particular deluge system is processed and turn on the respective LED in the panel. It continuously monitors the switch status and can monitor up to 64 switches. depending on programming, the LEDs to turn on continuously, flash rapidly or flash slowly. 7. Signal card: Field sounders, alarm bells, Flashlights are connected with signal card. As per logic panel will generate 2 stages of alarms. Each alarm is differentiating from the main controller and particular area bells gets signal from this card. 8. Auxiliary relay card: It provides supply or shutdown equipments through its relay contacts. Building HVAC units get start / stop command through relay card miniature relays. Each card has 4 relay channels. 4 units can be independently start/ shutdown through relay card. 9. Graphic I/O card: It controls up to 24 external points, selectable as switch input or lamp / relay output. System ON demand status indication for both CO2 and Deluge system related to
this card. Outputs are supervised for open circuits.

10. Power supply module:

It provides power supply of 24 V DC supply to all the modules through their motherboard. Backup power supply battery also gets power supply from this module for charging 2 nos. of 12 V DC batteries. Fault LED glows when any fault occurs within the power module and the status update to master control for remote alarm purpose.

11. Dual RS232/2120 communication module:

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Dual communication module provides two RS232 outputs for remote printers or CRT Display units. In one panel 5 nos. of RS232 communication module can be mounted. All alarms and events of the filed devices are communicating through respective panel and display or print through this module in Central control room.

12. Display panel with key board:

It is a 2 line, 40-character LCD display board and a tone alert piezo on the master controller that sounds whenever any alarm persists. Operator can see all the status of modules and field devices. All kinds of detectors can enable or disable through display keypad. It is connected with panel master controller via a ribbon cable. 13. LED module: LED module display the status of field devices condition. System on demand, Actuation of deluge valves, CO2 lock off status displayed through its LEDs. 16 nos. of LED mounted in the PCB and it is connected with LED controller module by ribbon cable.

2. MINIPLEX SYSTEM:
Miniplex system receives & sends system status signals between Simplex (Fire detection) and MINIMAX (Fire extinguish) system. Each Miniplex panel is located adjacent to the corresponding MINIMAX panel. There are 19 nos. of Miniplex panels that covers G station fire detection & extinguish control system. Miniplex receives command from Simplex panel and convert hardware input to Minimax system as there is no bus communication between Simplex to Minimax. Miniplex system use same type of Simplex system modules and some of the extra modules used only in this system. Details of modules and their fuctnctional descriptions are mentioned below. 2.1 Remote interface module (Miniplex control module): This card provides 8 Volt supply for slave cards. Communication between Miniplex to Simplex panel via Miniplex control card through their serial communication bus system. A piezo mounted in this card which make audible signal when any fault occurs. Miniplex to Miniplex panel also communicate through this card. 2.2 Monitor/ Security card or Zone card:
System operated, system lock off, system fault for both CO2 & deluge system is related to this card. 8 nos. of lock off switches or pressure switches can be connected with zone card. It receives information from Minimax system and display the status in simplex panel. 2.3

8 point auxiliary relay card:

The auxiliary relay cards are capable of controlling up to 8 points and monitoring the status of up to 8 feedback points. It provides relay operation for plant shut down or HVAC shut down / startup.

3. MINIMAX SYSTEM:
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It is a microprocessor controlled and programmable fire fighting control system designed: To evaluate and monitor fire detector To protect plant equipment To release CO2, Deluge, Foam systems for extinguish purpose. Each Minimax system includes all necessary audible and visible alarm equipment to alert the personnel and to protect the areas / objects. 19 Nos. of Minimax, Model FMZ 4100 is used for the protection control system in G Station. Various cards that are involved in the Minimax panels and their Functional descriptions are listed below. 3.1 Central card (ZK):
It contains Main program and user program stored in the EPROM of the module. All modules and total logical operation of the panel is controlled by central card. Each panel has one Master CPU and 2 nos. of slave CPU if more nos. of slave cards mounted in the panel. Slave card communicate to main master controller module. Each row of the modules up date the data to master central card via slave central card. 3.2 Line card: Field inputs like Pressure switch, CO2 lock off switches, Manual release push buttons etc. are connected with this card through line connection card. Line connection card provides supply voltage to field inputs. Line card process all the inputs status and update to master interface card which is mounted on the same rack. Each line card can handle 8 nos. of inputs. 3.3 Master interface card: Master interface card facilitates communication of the sub modules with the master module. Each row has one master interface module and connected with subgroup card. It communicates with master controller bi directionally. 3.4 Subgroup card: The central card in the master module receives messages from the sub modules and sends commands to the sub modules through subgroup card. It makes connection with sub modules through master interface module. Max. 4 rack sub modules can be connected with one sub group card. 3.5 Line rack: Line rack is also called as motherboard. All modules are installed with slot of the motherboard. 24 V DC power supply connected to this module via isolator. Installed modules get power supply from board and communicate with other modules also. Max. 14 nos. of modules can

be installed in one motherboard. 3.6 LED control card:

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LED controller controls status of the LED display board. 2 nos. of LED display units can connect with LED driving card. Fire signal, Alarm signal are processed by Master
controller and activate the respective LED display card via LED control card.

3.7 Relay interface card: Relay interface card gets command from central card and actuate the particular interposing relay through its miniature relay contacts. Plant equipment shutdown, release of CO2 relays get command through relay interface card. 8 nos. of miniature relays with 2 changeover contacts mounted in the same card.

3.8 LED display board: LEDs for the line status indication are located on the front panel. Each channel has 3 indication bulbs. For 32 primary groups each is available for event indications and one LED each for fault indication and one for isolation. LED control card is connected with this board via a ribbon cable. Fire signal, Alarm signal are processed by master controller and activate the respective LED.

3.9 LCD display board with Key pad:

Status of field detectors and switches are displayed in the display board. Operator can enable/ disable particular zone or lines through display board. Buzzer mounted on the back side of display board. Any fault occurs which turn on the buzzer to make alarm in the panel. 3.10 Power supply modules: Three types of power supply modules 5V, 15 V and 24 V DC are installed in the panel. These modules provide power supply for various modules. 24 V DC power supply used for battery charging also.