FIRE ALARM SYSTEMS

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AR 4 2 0 E L E C T I V E A CE MARK CL API S ,

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C H R I S T I N E J O Y P . S A G A R I N O B S A R C H I T E C T U R E 4 X 2

INTRODUCTION
A fire alarm system is a device designed to alert people from visual and audio alarms when smoke/fire is present. These alarms may be activated from smoke detectors, heat detectors, or from a fire alarm pull station.
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PARTS OF A FIRE ALARM SYSTEM

Fire alarm control panel (FACP) Fire Alarm Control Unit (FACU) This component, the hub of the system, monitors inputs and system integrity, controls outputs and relays information.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fire_alarm_system

PARTS OF A FIRE ALARM SYSTEM

Secondary (Backup) Power Supplies This component, commonly consisting of sealed lead-acid storage batteries or other emergency sources including generators, is used to supply energy in the event of a primary power failure.

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PARTS OF A FIRE ALARM SYSTEM

Primary Power Supply Commonly the non-switched 120 or 240 Volt Alternating Current source supplied from a commercial power utility.

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PARTS OF A FIRE ALARM SYSTEM

Initiating Devices This component acts as an input to the fire alarm control unit and are either manually or automatically actuated.
E.g. device pull stations, heat detectors, or smoke detectors.

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PARTS OF A FIRE ALARM SYSTEM

Notification Appliances This component uses energy supplied from the fire alarm system or other stored energy source, to inform the proximate persons of the need to take action, usually to evacuate. This is done by means of a flashing light, strobe light, electromechanical horn, "beeper horn", chime, bell, speaker, or a combination of these devices.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fire_alarm_system

PARTS OF A FIRE ALARM SYSTEM

Building Safety Interfaces This interface allows the fire alarm system to control aspects of the built environment, to prepare the building for fire, and to control the spread of smoke fumes and fire by influencing air movement, lighting, process control, human transport and exit.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fire_alarm_system

COMPARTMENTATION
Compartmentation of a building is designed to prevent the spread of fire, smoke, and heat beyond a restricted area should a fire break out. In large buildings, compartmentation becomes increasingly important, both to protect the larger numbers of people inside and to prevent the unchecked spread of fire by hot combustion gases.
How Buildings Work, The Natural Order of Architecture by Edward Allen

COMPARTMENTATION
Stairways and corridors used as escape routes must be isolated from the rest of the building by fire-resistant walls (usually made of masonry, plaster, or concrete) and self-closing fire-resistant doors (usually composed of steel facings with an incombustible mineral core). Fire-resistant walls and doors also are required as separations between different types of functions taking place in the same building.

How Buildings Work, The Natural Order of Architecture by Edward Allen

How Buildings Work, The Natural Order of Architecture by Edward Allen

SMOKE ALARM
A smoke alarm is a fire-safety device that detects the products of combustion and gives off an audible and/or visual warning to building occupants. It is a smoke detector and alarm in one unit. They typically use an audible alarm signal to alert and warn building occupants of a fire.
A smoke detector in a finished ceiling of a commercial building. Mechanical and Electrical Systems in Arch. Engineering and Construction by J. Wujek

FIXED TEMPERATURE HEAT DETECTORS

Fixed-temperature heat detectors signal an alarm after the temperature at the detector reaches a set value. A number of fixedtemperature designs are available, including what follows: Fusible alloy detectors that employ metal alloys designed to rapidly melt at a desired temperature. Bimetallic detectors use sensing elements made of two strips of different metals, each having different thermal expansion coefficients. When the metallic strips are heated, the sensing element deflects, closing the contact and initiating an alarm.
Mechanical and Electrical Systems in Arch. Engineering and Construction by J. Wujek

FIXED TEMPERATURE HEAT DETECTORS

Electrical conductivity detectors have a sensing element in which resistance varies as a function of temperature. Heat-sensitive cable detectors consist of two current carrying wires separated by heat-sensitive insulation that softens at the rated temperature, thus allowing the wires to make electrical contact. Liquid expansion detectors have a sensing element comprising a liquid that expands with an increase in temperature.

Mechanical and Electrical Systems in Arch. Engineering and Construction by J. Wujek

FIXED TEMPERATURE HEAT DETECTORS

Fixed-temperature detectors are more suitable for property protection rather than life safety applications.
This is because, in many cases, spaces will be untenable from smoke prior the ceiling temperature reaching the alarm threshold.
Mechanical and Electrical Systems in Arch. Engineering and Construction by J. Wujek

PHOTOELECTRIC SMOKE DETECTORS

Photoelectric smoke detectors use a light scattering or light obscuration principle. They contain a light emitting diode (LED) that is adjusted to direct a narrow IR light across the units detection chamber. When smoke particles enter this chamber, they interfere with the beam and scatter the light.

Mechanical and Electrical Systems in Arch. Engineering and Construction by J. Wujek

AIR-SAMPLING SMOKE DETECTORS

Air-sampling smoke detectors use a similar approach to light obscuration detectors, however, a laser or xenon tube is typically used as a light source. Unlike conventional smoke detectors that passively wait for smoke to reach them, air samples are continuously drawn through a sampling pipe network to the detection chamber. A filter assembly screens out large airborne dust particles.
Mechanical and Electrical Systems in Arch. Engineering and Construction by J. Wujek

MANUAL PULL STATIONS

Manual pull stations are lever-like devices mounted on a wall or pole in strategic places in the building and that are connected to a building fire alarm control panel or directly to the municipal or district fire alarm system. When the pull station lever is pulled, an alarm is sounded. Some models are contained behind a glass cover that must be broken before the device can be operated. The need to break the glass cover reduces the frequency of false alarms.
A manual pull station.

Mechanical and Electrical Systems in Arch. Engineering and Construction by J. Wujek

ALARMS
The most common method of alerting occupants during a fire emergency is an audible evacuation signal delivered through bells, horns, chimes, buzzers, and sirens. Strobe lights are also used in combination with the audible signal to ensure that hearing-impaired occupants recognize the need to evacuate. Newer systems use voice commands to direct the occupants to evacuate the building.
Mechanical and Electrical Systems in Arch. Engineering and Construction by J. Wujek

EMERGENCY VOICE COMMUNICATION SYSTEM

An emergency voice communication system provides preprogrammed recorded messages that offer direction, instructions, and a calming voice in an emergency situation.
A fire alarm with emergency voice communication and warning (strobe) light capabilities.

Initial voice messages are preprogrammed and are automatically transmitted to speakers located throughout the building.
Mechanical and Electrical Systems in Arch. Engineering and Construction by J. Wujek

FIRE DETECTION AND ALARM SYSTEMS

In medium to large buildings and building complexes, a fire detection and alarm system includes all or some of the following:
A system control unit A primary or main electrical power supply, A secondary (stand-by) power supply, usually batteries or an emergency generator Alarm-initiating devices such as automatic fire detectors, manual pull stations, and/or sprinkler system flow devices, connected to initiating circuits of the system control unit Alarm-indicating devices, such as bells or lights, connected to initiating circuits of the system control unit Ancillary controls such as ventilation shutdown functions, connected to output circuits of the system control unit Remote alarm indication to an external response location, such as the fire department Control circuits to activate a fire protection system or smoke control system

Mechanical and Electrical Systems in Arch. Engineering and Construction by J. Wujek

FIRE SYSTEM CONTROL UNIT

The fire system control unit serves as the center of the fire alarm system. The fire alarm control panel is the central part of a fire detection/alarm network in schools, municipal buildings, nursing homes, hospitals, apartment buildings, warehouses, office buildings, retail malls, and department stores. In large buildings, there are several fire system control units.

Mechanical and Electrical Systems in Arch. Engineering and Construction by J. Wujek

FIRE COMMAND CENTER

A fire command center is a remote panel or set of panels connected to the fire system control panels.

A fire command center. A fire status panel

Mechanical and Electrical Systems in Arch. Engineering and Construction by J. Wujek

FIRE COMMAND CENTER

The command following:

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Voice fire alarm system panes and controls Fire department two-way communication service panels Telephone for outside communications Sprinkler valve and water flow status panels Smoke management controls Elevator location status panels and annunciators Fire pump status panels Emergency generator status panels

Mechanical and Electrical Systems in Arch. Engineering and Construction by J. Wujek

FIRE SYSTEM CONTROL UNIT

Fire alarm control systems can initiate fire suppression by closing of fire doors and dampers that may be otherwise held open to allow normal building function. Where permitted, a fire alarm control system may be combined with other automated building operations (e.g., energy managements and/or security stations. A security system can work together with a fire alarm system to enhance the fire alarm system goals. For example, a facility that has a security system is well covered with closed-circuit television surveillance equipment, which can be utilized during a fire incident to visually assess the situation (e.g., determine whether the incident is a small trash can fire or a room is totally engulfed in fire).

Mechanical and Electrical Systems in Arch. Engineering and Construction by J. Wujek