6099159

Intro to Basic Fire Alarm
Technology
Leaders in Life. Safety. Technology.

Course Description
 This two-hour introductory course is for individuals with

little or no experience in the fire alarm industry. The
course covers the basic building blocks of modern
conventional and addressable fire alarm systems.
 It covers the primary and secondary functions of a fire
alarm control panel, various initiating and notification
devices, digital communicators, waterflow alarm and
sprinkler monitoring.
Leaders in Life. Safety. Technology. 2

Accreditation
 Approved for 0.2 NTS CEUs by National
Burglar and Fire Alarm Association.
Course Name: Intro to Basic Fire Alarm
Technology - Course Number: 04-1216

Course Contents
 Basic Elements of a Fire Alarm System

 Supplementary Functions
 Physical Elements of Fire
 Initiating Devices
 Notification Appliances
 Water Flow and Sprinkler Monitoring
 The Conventional Fire Alarm System
 Notification Appliance Circuit (NACs)
 Supplementary Circuit Wiring
 The Addressable Fire Alarm System

Terminology
 FACP - Fire Alarm Control Panel.
 FACU - Fire Alarm Control Unit.
 FCC - Federal Communications Commission
 UL - Underwriters Laboratories
 NFPA - National Fire Protection Agency.
 AHJ, LAHJ - Authority Having Jurisdiction, Local AHJ
 ADAAG - Americans with Disabilities Act Accessibility
Guidelines.
 PoC - Products of Combustion
 LED - Light Emitting Diode
 IDC - Initiating Device Circuit
 NAC - Notification Appliance Circuit
 ELR, EOL - End of Line Resistor

Terminology
 NEC - National Electrical Code (NFPA 70)
 NEMA - National Electrical Manufacturing Association
 EIA - Electronics Industry Association
 Cd - Candela
 dB, dBA - Decibels
 FWR - Full Wave Rectified
 ANSI - American National Standards Institute
 PIV - Post Indicator Valve
 OS&Y - Outside Stem and Yoke Valves
 SFPE - Society for Fire Protection Engineers
 Shall - Indicates a mandatory requirement
 Should - Indicates a recommendation or advisement

What is the Purpose
of a Fire Alarm System?
Detect, Alert and Evacuate.

Life Safety!

Basic Fire
Let’s examine the

components that make
a basic Fire Alarm
Control System.

Main Controller
 The brains of the system.
 Provides power to the

system, monitors inputs
and controls outputs
through various circuits.
 Performs other functions

as required by the
appropriate code.
NFS-640

Elements of a Control Panel
Main Controller, Power, Inputs, and Outputs

Primary (AC)
Secondary (DC)

Inputs
A fire alarm
Smoke Detector
system can have
a variety of input
devices.
Manual Pull Station

Inputs
 Initiating Device A system component

that originates transmission of a change
of state condition, such as a smoke
detector, manual fire alarm box,
supervisory switch, etc....
 Initiating Device Circuit (IDC) A circuit to which

automatic or manual initiating devices are connected
where the signal received does not identify the individual
device operated.

Outputs

Outputs
 Notification Appliance A fire

alarm system component such as
a bell, horn, speaker, light, or text
display that provides audible, tactile,
or visible output, or any combination thereof.
 Notification Appliance Circuit A circuit or path directly

connected to a notification appliance.

The Basic System
Main Controller
Inputs
Primary AC )
Secondary (DC) Outputs

Supplementary Operations
 Elevator Capture
 Equipment Shutdown
 Air Handling Shutdown
 Damper Control
 Extinguishing System
Interface
 Event Printing
 Display Monitor
Interface
 Door Holding Devices

Supplementary Operations
 Remote Signal Annunciation - Provides critical

system status and basic control capability from a more
convenient location than where the control panel
might be located.

Remote Annunciators
ACS LED Custom Graphics

LCD-160 Liquid Crystal
Annunciator Annunciator
Display

DACTs
Integral Onboard DACT
UDACT Universal Digital
Communicator Transmitter
Dedicated DACT
"daughterboard"
411UD Slave/Stand
Alone DACT

Basic Fire Alarm Technology
Signal Initiation & Initiating Devices
What is the
threat?

The Makings of Fire

The Fire Triangle
Gasses - Natural, Propane,
Butane, Hydrogen,
Acetylene, Carbon Monoxide.
Open Flame
The Sun
Liquids - Gasoline,
He
el
Hot Surfaces
Kerosene, Turpentine,
Fu
Sparks and Arcs
at
Alcohol, Paints, Varnish,
Friction
Lacquer
Chemical Action
Electrical Energy
Solids - Coal, Wood,
Paper, Cloth, Wax, Oxygen Compression of Gases
Grease, Leather,
Plastic, Grain, Hay
Fuel, heat and oxygen are all needed in the right combination to produce fire.

The Stages of a Fire
1) Incipient: Products of
Combustion particles are
produced (<0.3 microns).
No visible smoke or detectable
heat. May occur for milliseconds
or days.
Ionization Detectors

2) Smoldering: Visible
smoke particles are produced
(>0.3 microns). Little visible
flame or noticeable heat.
Photoelectric Detectors

3) Flame: Rapid combustion

produces radiant energy in the
visible, and invisible (IR, UV)
spectrums. Heat begins to
buildup at this stage
Spark or Flame Detectors

How do we detect
the threat?

Automatic Fire Detectors
Spot Detectors provide detection concentration in a

particular location - Heat & Smoke Detectors.
Line Detectors provide continuous detection along a

path - Thermal Cable & Beam Detectors.
Air Sampling Systems draw air through pipes to an

enclosed chamber for testing. - (VESDA & Duct
Detectors.

Automatic Fire Detectors
 Photoelectric
 Light-Scattering (Reflective)
 Light-Obscuring (Beam)
 Ionization
 Thermal (heat)
 Duct

Photoelectric Smoke Detectors
Light Scattering Type

 These detectors use a Light-Emitting
Diode (LED) that sends a beam of
light into a dark chamber. A photo diode
sits on the other side of a partition
within the chamber.
 Smoke particles entering the chamber deflect some of
the light rays into the photocell. The photo cell generates
a current when exposed to light, and if the current
reaches a certain level, the smoke detector alarms.

Light Scattering Principle
Sensing Chamber
Light Photo
Emitting Diode
Diode
Partition

Light Scattering Principle

Photoelectric Smoke Detectors
Light Obscuration Type

 In a projected Beam Detector,
alarms are generated by diffusing
the projected light beam by a
specified percentage of obscuration.
Total beam blockage generally
results in a trouble signal.
 Wire the receiver unit as a 4-wire detector (separate
power and sensing connections to the control panel).

Projected Beam Principle
Transmitter Receiver
Smoke from the

fire in the protected
area diffuses the
intensity of the beam at the receiver

Beam Detector
 System Sensor is offering a new single-unit Transmitter/Receiver

Beam Detector that works in conjunction with a reflector.

Ionization Smoke Detectors
 These detectors contain a small

amount of radioactive material
encapsulated in a metal chamber.
Ionizing radiation develops a low,
but steady electrical current. Smoke
particles entering the chamber disrupt
the current and trigger the detector's alarm.
 Ion detectors react more quickly to fast flaming fires
that give off little smoke.
 Spot-type Detectors.

Ionization Smoke Detectors

Ionization Smoke Detector

4 Wire Smoke Detectors
 4-wire Smoke Detectors are devices that receive

power from a source other than the Initiating
Device Circuit.
 They may be wired in
Style B or Style D, and
are supervised with an
end-of-line power
supervision relay for loss
of operating current.

4 Wire Detectors
4-wire smoke detectors wired Style B
IDC (+)
Initiating
Zone
IDC (-)
+24VDC
UL Listed
Power
4-Wire Supervisory
Detector Common
Relay
Power

Duct Detectors
 Photoelectric detector
mounted in housing
outside the ductwork
that has probes that
extend into the duct to
sample the air inside the duct.
 Primarily used as a smoke control device to
control the flow of air in ductwork.

Advanced Detection Devices
 Photoelectric smoke detectors

by System Sensor consists of
2- and 4-wire detectors, offered
with or without a fixed 135
temperature thermal sensor.
 Plug-In Head/Base combination.
 Smoothing algorithms
 Drift compensation (automatically adjusts
for dust accumulation, reducing nuisance alarms)
 Optional Sensitivity Reader

Manual Initiating Devices
The Manual Fire Alarm Pull Station

Initiating Devices
Manual Fire Alarm Pull Station

 Manually operated device used to initiate an alarm
signal.
 Single Action Stations require a single operation to
activate it. Generally a pulling down action.
 Dual Action Stations require two distinct operations. A
set-up and an activating action.
 Breakglass Stations have an inhibit device that must
be damaged to activate the station (non-ADA
compliant).

Initiating Devices
Manual Fire Alarm Stations
 Optional Features
 With and without key locks or hex key locks
 Weatherproof models with special backboxes
 With auxiliary contacts
 Multiple languages, even dual languages.
 With a pre-signal feature
 With screw-terminal or pigtail connections
 Conventional and Addressable
 Metal or Polycarbonate

Single-Action Manual Station
Spring-loaded
releasing
switch
Reset
Key
Actuation
Handle

Dual-Action Manual Station
Initial
Pre-Actuator
Actuator
Change to Notifier

Addressable Pull Stations
Addressable
Module

Non-Alarm Pull Stations

Heat Detectors
Heat detectors are the oldest type of automatic fire

detection device. Not considered direct Life Safety
devices, these detectors do contribute to the detection of
a fire.

Heat Detectors
 Fixed Detectors alarm when the sensing element
reaches a certain set point. Two common ones have
135 and 200-degrees F range. The Fixed element is
generally a non-restorable type, and when activated,
must be replaced.
 Rate-of-Rise Detectors respond when the rate of
temperature increase is greater than an allowable limit
(15 degrees in 60 secs.) (placement in a stable
environment) (e.g.. ovens, heating vents, etc.). The
Rate-of-Rise element is restorable when conditions
return to normal.
 Rate Compensation will respond regardless of the
rate of temperature rise.

Heat Detectors
Rate Compensation Type

 Detector responds when the temperature
of the surrounding air reaches a
predetermined level, regardless
of the rate of temperature rise.
 The system compensates for Thermal Lag.
 During a slow rate of temperature rise there is more time for heat
to penetrate the inner element, which inhibits contact closure until
the total device reaches the rated temperature level.
 During fast rate of increase, there is less time for heat to
penetrate the inner element, which exerts less inhibiting effect, so
contact closure is still obtained at the rated temperature.

Heat Detectors
 DON’T Paint Heat Detectors!!!
 Why? Because “Thermal Lag” occurs when the physical

properties of the Heat detector cause it to lag behind the
alarm condition of the surrounding air.

Heat Detectors
 Exhibit the lowest false alarm rate of all automatic fire

detector devices,
 Slowest-responding fire detection devices.
 Best used in applications where
 Fast-developing, large fires are expected.
 Environment won't allow the use of other fire detection
devices.
 The speed of detection is not a prime consideration.

Heat Detector
Heat Sensitive Cable
 A line-type initiating device whose sensing element
comprises, in one type, two current-carrying wires
held separated by heat-sensitive insulation which
softens at the rated temperature, thus allowing the
wires to make electrical contact.
 Installed at the exact point of risk to provide rapid

localized detection of abnormal temperature rises
(overloaded or short-circuited high voltage power
wiring).

Heat Detectors
Heat Sensitive Cable
Protective Tape Actuators
Heat Sensitive
Outer Insulation Material

Notification Appliance Types
 Audible - Horns, Bells, Sounders,

Sirens, Chimes, Speakers.
 Visual - Strobes
 Physical - Bed shakers
 Olfactory - Smell

Audible Devices
 Bells: Only used if they are

only for fire, or have a distinctive
sound from other bell signaling devices.
Often used as an external gong to
indicate the flow of water in the
sprinkler system.
 Horns: Loud and distinctive output.

Often used in high-noise environments,
such as manufacturing plants.

Audible Devices
 Sounders: Electronic or
mechanical audible devices,
which are capable of producing
a variety of tones. Often, the
tone is selectable during installation
of the device.
 Chimes: Soft-toned appliances

used where loud noises could be
disruptive to other operations.
Generally used where qualified
personnel are continuously in attendance.

Audible Devices
 Sirens: Extremely loud
devices generally limited
in use to outdoor or heavy
industrial areas.
 Speakers: Audible devices

used in conjunction with
voice evacuation messages.
Life-Safety speakers are not
generally associated with Muzak
systems.

What other ways
can we evacuate
the facility?

Directional Sound
What is it?
 Sound that generates at all
frequencies bands across the
human hearing range - Low, Mid and High
 Together, all three frequency bands
produce true broadband/directional sound
 True broadband is now
easily recognizable by
the human ear

New Audible Exit Technology
 ONYX EXITPoint
 Reduced Evacuation time
 Directional Sound Technology
 Optimized Sound Patterns
by combining 3 broadband
frequencies for true
broadband/directional sound
 Triggered by Fire Alarm Panel
 Draws attention to exits and egress routes
 Won’t conflict with traditional audible devices

Audible Code
 Coded outputs are required in many

applications. This can be accomplished
by pulsing tones for different areas of the
building, or zoning the outputs
(floor above - floor below).
 General alarm codes commonly used are March

Time (110-120 ppm) or Temporal code (ANSI
Evacuation Code 3).

Visual Signaling Appliances
Visual signaling appliances

are used in high-noise environments,
in areas occupied by hearing-impaired
individuals, or in areas where audible
devices may not be desired.

Visual Devices
Speaker/Strobe
Strobe
Horn/Strobe
Chime/Strobe

Selectable-Output Visual Devices
 Selectable Candela Output (15 - 30 - 60 -75 - 110)

 Selectable Operating Voltage (12 or 24 volts)
 Offered in Strobe and Horn/Strobe

combinations

Types of Power
 For powering the various devices connected to a fire

alarm system, control panels supply auxiliary power.
There are two main types of power that you MUST be
aware of:
 Full-Wave Rectified (Special Purpose) Power - Unregulated
output directly. High ripple voltage. Do not use for Smoke
Detectors! Only use NAC devices listed for use with this type of
power.
 Filtered Regulated Power - Most stable output. Minimal ripple
voltage. Used for Smoke Detectors, and some remote
supplementary devices.

Full-Wave Rectified Power
42v
24v
0v

Filtered Regulated Power
24v
0v

Secondary Power
 Direct Current - Clean, absolute filtered power

 Supplies the system with operating power under the
loss of primary (AC) for at least 24 hours of standby
(quiescence) followed by 5 minutes in alarm. Voice
systems require 15 minutes in alarm.
 Rated in AMP-HOURS (AH).
 Must be calculated!

Relays and Contacts
 Form A - refers to a relay with contacts for common and

normally open ONLY.
 Form B - refers to a relay with contacts for common and
normally close ONLY.
 Form C - refers to a relay with contacts for common,
normally open, and normally closed.
 Dry Contacts -By magnetically controlling the state of
the contacts, the control panel is electrically isolated (and
thus protected) from power connected to the contacts..

Relays and Contacts
Normally Closed
Common Normally Open

When a relay is not
active, the contacts
are in their normal
position.

Relays and Contacts
Normally Closed
When the relay is Common Normally Open

activated, current
passing through the
relay coil magnetically
influences the common
"wiper", moving it to the
opposite position.

Relays and Contacts
"Fail-Safe" relays are Normally Open
energized during
Normally Closed
"normal" conditions. Common
The relay is activated
by deenergizing the
coil, guaranteeing
activation of the
desired signal during
loss of all power to the
system.

Initiating Devices
Sprinkler Systems Monitoring

Fire Sprinkler Systems
 Wet-Pipe Sprinkler Systems

use a vane-activated Water
Flow Device (WFD) sized to
the piping. The device reacts
to a change in flow pressure of
10 psi, which is the equivalent
of one sprinkler head
activating. Retard devices
inhibit false activation due to
changes in water supply
pressure.

Wet Pipe Sprinkler System
Water Flow Detector Riser
Water Pressure Gages Main Water Clapper
Supervisory Switch
Water Supply Pipe

Main Water Control Valve

Waterflow Detectors
Pressure Gauges
Tamper Switches

 Dry-Pipe Sprinkler: An automatic sprinkler system

where all piping contains air under pressure. When a
sprinkler head opens, the air is released and water flows
into the system and through any open sprinkler heads
into the fire. This type of system is used when freezing of
water in the pipes is a concern.
 Dry-Pipe Sprinkler Systems use
a pressure switch. The device
reacts to a change in pressure
due to water filling the system.

Dry Pipe System
Air Pressure Gauge &
Alarm Switch Riser
Main Air Clapper

Air Pressure
Supervisory Main Water Clapper

Device
Water Pressure
Main Drain Valve

Main Water Control
Valve
Water Pressure
Gauge

Sprinkler Monitoring
 Sprinkler Systems have water feed control valves.

These control valves shut off the water supply to the
sprinkler system and render it useless. A monitoring
device should be attached to every critical control valve
in the system, whether it's a gate valve, indicator valve,
or butterfly valve. Whenever the valve is shut off, a
supervisory alarm signal (as opposed to a Fire or
Waterflow alarm) is generated.
 The two most common types of Supervisory Tamper
Switches are OSY and PIV.

OS&Y


A fire alarm control panel

could be used to monitor
a number of critical
sprinkler-related systems:
 Air Pressure in a Dry
System
 Room Temperature Devices
 Pressure Tanks
 Fire Pumps

The Systems

Types of Fire Alarm Control Panels
 Conventional (hard wired)

 Fixed
 Programmable
 Addressable (multiplexed)
 Intelligent (analog data transfer)

Conventional “hard wired” system
 Simplest type of control unit.

 Generally, a single circuit board contains power supply,
control, initiating and notification circuitry.
 Some models use auxiliary circuit boards to perform
special functions.
 Input/output devices connect to dedicated circuits.
 Designated outputs occur when initiating signals are
received.
 Limited special functions and capabilities.
Examples: SFP-1024 & SFP 2404

Conventional System Wiring

Conventional “Programmable” System
 Basic “Designed System”
 Components selected by the designer to meet the direct
needs of the customer.
 Initiating circuits are programmable for fire, waterflow,
supervisory service, etc.
 Output circuits are programmable for code selection and
silenceability.
 On some systems, input-to-output CIRCUIT (not device)
mapping.
Example: System 500/5000

Addressable System
 Each device (detector, pull station…)
has a unique number assigned
to it called the address for reporting
alarms and troubles.
 Employs a Signaling Line Circuit
(SLC) Loop along which all addressable
input and output devices are connected
to the fire alarm control panel.
 Addressable devices transmit an
electronic message back to the Control
Unit representing their state (Normal, Alarm, Trouble)
when polled by the Control Unit.

Addressable Modules
These systems can also monitor conventional initiating

devices using addressable monitor modules. These
modules report to the control panel on the alarm or
trouble status of the conventional circuits they monitor.
SLC Loop
24 VDC
Power

Typical SLC

Input to Output Mapping

Software Zoning
 Floor-Above/Floor Below
 Elevator Recall
 Smoke Control
 Ring-By-Zone
 Door Locks (Card Access)
 Cross Zoning

Intelligent System
 Always an Addressable System.

 Processes detailed, analog data from detectors
about smoke levels.
 Can provide sensitivity data for each detector.
 Employs Drift Compensation (self calibration) in
it's detectors.
Examples: ONYX NFS-640 & ONYX NFS-3030

Intelligent System Benefits
 Lower wiring costs

 Shortened installation schedule
 Greater device supervision
 Integrated Networkability
 Superior troubleshooting capability
 Rapid and direct identification
of fire threat

Design and Application

Design Issues
 Device Selection
 Photo vs. Ion, line versus spot.
 What is are the total costs of one type versus another?
 How does the environment affect device selection?
 Does the device meet code specifications and code?
 Placement of Devices (where do you place smoke
detectors, pull stations, notification appliances)?
 Calculations (how do you calculate battery size and
NAC voltage drops?).
 Programming (how will you accomplish your non-
general alarm events?).

Spot Detector Placement
 Total (complete) Coverage includes all rooms, halls,
storage areas, basements attics, lofts, spaces above
suspended ceilings, and other subdivisions and
accessible spaces as well as the inside of all closets,
elevator shafts, enclosed stairways, dumbwaiter
shafts and chutes.
NFPA 72 2002 Section 5.5.2.1

Exception - inaccessible areas that DO NOT contain combustible
materials do not require smoke detection

 Partial Coverage calls for smoke detection in all
common areas and work spaces, such as corridors,
lobbies, storage rooms, equipment rooms, and other
tenantless spaces.
CAUTION!
The building owner must understand that a fire alarm

system may not detect a fire that develops within any
area without smoke detection until that fire has
reached proportions that may seriously compromise
the safe evacuation of occupants and the timely
notification of fire responders.

Maximum
Spot detector radius of
Typical area
placement is protection
of room protection
based on central
mounting of a 21’
detector in a 30’ 30’
X 30’ room. No Smoke
Detector
area may be
’
more than 21’ 21
from the 30’
detector.

Room Maximum
Note that in this radius of
application, two protection
detectors are not Smoke
Detector
required because
41’
all areas within
the room are
within 21 feet of
21’
the detector.
10’

15’ 15’
30’
30’
15’ 15’

Heat Detector Spacing
Ceiling Height Percent (%) of
(feet) Listed Spacing
0 -10 100
10-12 91
12-14 84
14-16 77
16-18 71
18-20 64
20-22 58
22-24 52
24-26 46
26-28 40
28-30 34

Initiating Devices
Manual Fire Alarm Pull Stations

Mounting Locations
 Manual fire alarm stations shall be located within 5 feet of
the exit doorway opening of each floor.
 Grouped openings over 40 feet in width require pull
stations on either side of the opening.
 Additional pull station will be installed no more than 200
linear feet apart.
 Each manual fire alarm station shall be conspicuous,
unobstructed, and accessible, and of a contrasting color
to the background on which they are mounted.

 NFPA 72 - Mount pull station so that operable part is

42" to 54" from the floor.
 ADA Accessibility Guidelines
 Forward reach: If access is only from a
forward approach, mount 15-48”.
 Side reach: If clear space allows a parallel
approach, mount 9-54”. If side reach is over

an obstruction, use forward reach rules.

The height is measured from the floor to the

point of actuation.
48 Inches

Designing with Notification appliances

ADA vs. NFPA
 Conflicts exist between ADA
and NFPA guidelines regarding
requirements for notification
appliances in fire alarm systems.
 If the specifications call for ADA

compliance, it is a federal law which
must be obeyed.
 It is believed that newly-revised

ADA Accessibility Guidelines will
reference NFPA 72 2002.

Ambient Noise
 Ambient Noise Level – the level of noise around us,

or encircling us. Often referred to as “background
noise”.
 Decibels (dB)– Sound pressure is rated in decibels,

which is a unit for measuring relative loudness.
 dBA - A dB scale referenced to the minimum

pressure that can be detected by the human ear.

Ambient Noise
 1 dBA (faintest audible sound) – Remember

the hearing test?
 50 dBA Typical conversation
 80 dBA Alarm Clock
 130 dBA (painful – ear damage possible).

Typical Ambient Noise Levels
Business Occupancies 55 dBA
Educational Occupancies 45 dBA
Industrial Occupancies 80 dBA
Institutional Occupancies 50 dBA
Mercantile Occupancies 40 dBA
Piers and Water-Surrounded Structures 40 dBA
Places of Assembly 55 dBA
Residential Occupancies 35 dBA
Storage Occupancies 30 dBA
Thoroughfares, High Density Urban 70 dBA
Thoroughfares, Medium Density Urban 55 dBA
Thoroughfares, Rural and Suburban 40 dBA
Tower Occupancies 35 dBA
Underground Structures and 40 dBA
Windowless Buildings
Vehicles and Vessels 50 dBA

Operating Modes
 Public Mode – Audible or visible signaling to occupants

or inhabitants of the area protected by the fire alarm
system.
 Private Mode – Audible or visible
signaling only to those persons
directly concerned with the
implementation and direction of
emergency
action initiation and procedure in the area protected by
the fire alarm system.

Audible Devices-Public Mode
 NFPA: 15 dB above average ambient sound level or

5 dB above maximum 60-second sound level,
whichever is greater (minimum of 75 dBA to a
maximum of 120 dBA).
 ADA: If provided, 15 dB above average ambient

sound level or 5 dB above maximum 60-second
sound level, whichever is greater (maximum of 120
dBA).

Audible Devices – Private Mode
 NFPA: Minimum of 45 dBA, maximum of 120 dBA, at

least 10 dB above average ambient sound level or 5
dB above maximum 60-second sound level,
whichever is greater.

Visual Signaling Appliance
 Above 105 dbA: When the average ambient sound

level is greater than 105 dbA, visual signaling
appliances are required.
 Indoor concerts
 Drop forge shops
 Printing presses

Audible Devices – Public Mode
 Where acceptable to the AHJ, reducing or shutting

down background noise is an acceptable alternative
to a high audio output.
 Musical equipment
 Machinery
 Audible signaling may be

reduced or eliminated by
visual signaling (with AHJ approval).

Visual Signaling
ADA Requirements
 Americans with Disabilities Act sets provisions for visual
appliances:
 Intensity minimum of 75 cd in non-sleeping areas, and
110 cd in sleeping areas.
 Lamp shall be a Xenon strobe type or equivalent.
 The color shall be clear or nominal white.
 Pulse duration 0.2 sec. with a 40%
duty cycle.
 Flash Rate 1 - 3 per second (1-3 Hz).

Wall-Mounted Appliances
NFPA ADA
 Wall mounted devices shall  The appliance shall be placed
have their bottoms at heights 80 inches above the highest
above the finished floor of not floor level within the space, or
less than 80 inches, and not 6 inches from the ceiling,
greater than 96 inches. whichever is lower.
 Devices shall be no more than
 Maximum separation of 50 ft. apart.
appliances shall not exceed  In large areas without
100 feet. obstructions 6 ft. above the
floor, devices may be spaced a
maximum of 100 feet apart.

Visual Device Installation
ADA 96" ADA 96"
At At
least least
6" 6"
80" 80"
NFPA At least 90" NFPA
At least 80" At least 80"
Strobe Horn/Strobe

Synchronization
 Visual Synchronization reduces the effect on those who

are prone to suffer seizures from Epilepsy.
 Required when two or more appliances are in the same
field of view.

Synchronization
 Audible Synchronization permits

the proper sounding of evacuation
coding.
 Synchronization is effected
via two means - a remote module
or circuitry built into the fire alarm
control panel.
 Built-in control panel circuitry is
highly desirable.

Distributed NACs
 Use of a remote power supply can save previous

voltage in the run from the control panel to the
start of a Notification Appliance Circuit.

Wiring Standards
 NFPA 72 establishes standards of performance for

various wiring styles for Initiation Circuits, Notification
Appliance Circuits and Signaling Line Circuit (SLC) Loop
wiring.
 For Initiating Device Circuits Styles B & D.
 For Notification Appliance Circuits Styles Y & Z.
 For SLC Loops Styles 4,6, & 7.

Style B/Style Y/Style 4
Class-B type circuits
 2-wire circuit originates at the control unit, interconnects

all devices in parallel fashion and terminates with an End-
Of-Line Resistor (excluding Style 4 SLC loops)
 A wire break results in a loss of all devices past the
break.
 No branch tapping allowed (excluding Style 4 SLC loops)

Class B- Type Circuit
FACP

Style 4.0 SLC
BRANCH BRANCH BRANCH

A B C
BRANCH A
+ BRANCH B
+ BRANCH C
 manufacturer’s
recommendation
FACP
Resistance to the end of any
branch cannot exceed
manufacturers recommendation.

Style D/Style Z/Style 6
Class-A Type Circuits
 Wiring originates at the control unit, interconnects all

devices in parallel fashion and returns to the control unit.
 Return circuit monitors line voltage. If voltage missing,
return line will feed current to devices from its
connections.
 No branch tapping allowed.

Class A Type Circuit
FACP

Quick-Reference Chart
Style
Class IDC NAC SLC
Class B B Y 4
Class A D Z 6, 7

References
 NFPA 70 - National Electrical Code
 NFPA 72 - National Fire Alarm Code
 NFPA 101 - Life Safety Code
 National Electrical Code Handbook, NFPA
 Life Safety Code Handbook, NFPA
 Fire Protection Handbook, NFPA
 Fire Alarm Signaling Systems, NFPA

Additional References
 Guide for Proper Use of System Smoke Detectors,

System Sensor.
 Guide for Proper Use of Smoke Detectors in Duct

Applications, System Sensor.
 Guide for Proper Use of Projected Beam Smoke

Detectors, System Sensor.
 Strobe Compliance Reference Guide, System Sensor.

New Fire Fighters Technology
How can we find the

fire?
TM
ONYX FirstVision

New/Innovative Applications
For Voice Evacuation

ONYX FirstVision TM
 Revolutionary wayfinding navigation tool

for firefighters and other emergency
responders
 A touch screen PC, displays critical

information on the origin and spread of a
fire; allowing firefighters to quickly locate
and extinguish the fire.
 Wayfinding Technology
 Where you are
 Best route to destination
 Recognizing the destination
 Finding your way back

ONYX FirstVision TM
 What
 Touch screen PC
 Navigation tool during emergency
events
 Graphically displays active fire alarm
devices and potential hazards
 Why
 Speeds Scene Size-Up
 Quickly identify fire origin and
spread
 To make emergency operations
safer and more effective

ONYX FirstVision Screen –HazMat Detail

ONYX FirstVision Screen- Alarm List

ONYX FirstVision Screen – Site Plan
TM

Mass Notification Locally/Globally
 NOTIFY IP
 Generates live, direct global
voice instructions via the
internet & PC
 Paging Sites & Zones created
by Network/Network Control
Station (NCS)
 Single Operation/Message confirmation
 Continuously monitored & encrypted for message
security

Addressable/Intelligent Systems Networks
 Client-Server technology an upward migration

 Ethernet, Uniguard, Unibadge, Unilogic (Boolean)
UniTour, IRM/IM and CCTV control
 Centralized Databases
 Local and Wide Area Networks
(LAN/WAN)
 Graphics for Fire/Life Safety

Integrated fire/security network

QUESTIONS?

Thank You for Attending!
Leaders in Life. Safety. Technology.

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Intro to Basic Fire Alarm

Leaders in Life. Safety. Technology.

 This two-hour introductory course is for individuals with

Leaders in Life. Safety. Technology. 2

Leaders in Life. Safety. Technology. 3

 Basic Elements of a Fire Alarm System

Leaders in Life. Safety. Technology. 4

Leaders in Life. Safety. Technology. 5

Leaders in Life. Safety. Technology. 6

Detect, Alert and Evacuate.

Leaders in Life. Safety. Technology. 7

Let’s examine the

Leaders in Life. Safety. Technology. 8

 The brains of the system.

 Provides power to the

 Performs other functions

Leaders in Life. Safety. Technology. 9

Main Controller, Power, Inputs, and Outputs

Leaders in Life. Safety. Technology. 10

Leaders in Life. Safety. Technology. 11

Manual Pull Station

Leaders in Life. Safety. Technology. 12

 Initiating Device A system component

 Initiating Device Circuit (IDC) A circuit to which

Leaders in Life. Safety. Technology. 13

Leaders in Life. Safety. Technology. 14

 Notification Appliance A fire

 Notification Appliance Circuit A circuit or path directly

Leaders in Life. Safety. Technology. 15

Secondary (DC) Outputs

Leaders in Life. Safety. Technology. 16

Leaders in Life. Safety. Technology. 17

 Remote Signal Annunciation - Provides critical

Leaders in Life. Safety. Technology. 18

ACS LED Custom Graphics

Leaders in Life. Safety. Technology. 19

Leaders in Life. Safety. Technology. 20

Signal Initiation & Initiating Devices

Leaders in Life. Safety. Technology. 21

Leaders in Life. Safety. Technology. 22

Leaders in Life. Safety. Technology. 23

Leaders in Life. Safety. Technology. 24

Leaders in Life. Safety. Technology. 25

3) Flame: Rapid combustion

Spark or Flame Detectors

Leaders in Life. Safety. Technology. 26

Leaders in Life. Safety. Technology. 27

Spot Detectors provide detection concentration in a

Line Detectors provide continuous detection along a

Air Sampling Systems draw air through pipes to an

Leaders in Life. Safety. Technology. 28

Leaders in Life. Safety. Technology. 29

Light Scattering Type

Leaders in Life. Safety. Technology. 30

Leaders in Life. Safety. Technology. 31

Leaders in Life. Safety. Technology. 32

Light Obscuration Type

Leaders in Life. Safety. Technology. 33

Smoke from the

Leaders in Life. Safety. Technology. 34

 System Sensor is offering a new single-unit Transmitter/Receiver

Leaders in Life. Safety. Technology. 35

 These detectors contain a small