Fire Alarm Systems Chapter 7: Control Equipment - A Reference Manual Chapter 7: Control Equipment 7.1 Chapter Overview and Key Concepts The main purpose of a Fire Alarm System is to warn people of a fire condition; the overall design criteria are to ensure continuing reliability. ‘The use of approved /listed devices, with the proper installation methods and materials helps to ensure —— continuing reliability. Class B wiring helps to ensure that if any connected field device is disconnected, or any field wiring fault (ground, open, short) develops, the Control Unit will Dust on battery automatically respond with an appropriate message. ‘The provision of back-up power is of the utmost importance. Such back-up power usually comes from a rechargeable battery, however it may instead come from a generator and battery combination. Many systems today are based upon addressable- device technology, and serial data communications. The advantages include reduced system wiring costs, yet greater flexibility in the monitoring and control of Factory test field devices and ancillary systems. 7.2 Learning Objectives Upon successful completion of this chapter, the reader should be able to: © Draw a block diagram of a complete Fire Alarm System * Describe how a Class B circuit achieves device-placement supervision * Discuss the three levels of current flow in a Class B circuit + Describe the role of Supervisory device circuits * Understand how to size the back-up power capability * Explain how processor-based communications can help to reduce installation costs * Describe the possible negatives of a processor-based systemChapter 7: Control Equipment Fire Alarm Systems - A Reference Manual Language defined - Chapter Glossary (Also see Main Glossary) ‘Terms that are important to the understanding of this chapter are included below. For a complete listing of such words, expressions and terms, refer to the Main Glossary near the end of this manual. This glossary is not intended to replace or supercede any officially published glossary. It is simply our intent that these be used as a training aid in understanding the contents of this manual. Always refer to the specific code or standard, and to the Authority Having Jurisdiction for the applicable official interpretation. Term Definition Active Field A device that can be uniquely identified by the control unit to Device determine its presence and operating status, and which may be commanded to operate or to change its operating parameters independently of other field devices that share a common circuit Addressable ‘A device that can be individually and uniquely identified by a control Device unit. The address is set using binary/hexadecimal/decimal methods using dipswitches, rotary switches or solid-state memory Alarm Signal —_An audible signal transmitted throughout a zone or zones to advise ‘occupants that a fire emergency exists: also called an EVACUATION signal Alert Signal ‘An audible signal intended to advise designated persons of a fire emergency Ancillary Device A device that performs a life safety related function, but that is not part of the fire alarm system Control Unit A device with the necessary circuits or components needed to provide acceptable operating power for a fire alarm system, receive signals from alarm initiating devices, cause audible alarm signals to operate, and electrically monitor the installation wiring and device placement against certain faults and/or removal Conventional _A field device that is usually connected to a control unit and/or Field Device transponder on a common wiring circuit with other devices so that all devices on the circuit provide a common status change information (¢.g. fire alarm detection or signalling). Such devices cannot be uniquely identified by a control unit and/or transponder unless there is only one device on the circuit. (Refer to active field device) Electromagnetic A device used to hold doors in the open position, and to release the Door Release doors to close automatically when signaled to do so by a fire alarm system or other means 7-2 ©Fire Alarm Systems Chapter 7: Control Equipment - A Reference Manual Term Definition Exit A facility such as a door, stairs or ramp that leads from the floor area that it serves to an open public thoroughfare, or to a protected exterior open space that has access to an open public thoroughfare. Once in an exit facility, a person should have a continuous path leading to the building exterior Fire Alarm A system comprising both manually operated devices and automatic ‘System fire detectors, alarm signaling devices and a control unit, al electrically interconnected in order to detect fire conditions and to warn the occupants of the building Floor Area The space on any storey of a building between the exterior walls and required firewalls, including the space occupied by interior walls and partitions, but not including exits and vertical service spaces that pierce the storey Ground Fault A circuit impedance to ground sufficient to prevent normal operation Open-Circuit Means a circuit series resistance increase of 10 kOhm or more, Fault unless otherwise stated, resulting from an abnormal condition Short-Circuit A resistance shunt of 0.1 Ohm or less across a circuit, unless Fault otherwise stated, resulting from an abnormal condition Sprink' A method of electrically monitoring critical elements of an automatic Supervision sprinkler system to detect potentially disabling abnormal conditions, and provide a warning signal Supporting Field An active field device that monitors other field devices on a Device separate circuit and reports the status of that separate circuit to the control unit Trouble Signal A signal (usually a buzzer and an amber lamp) indicating a fault or an off-normal condition in a fire alarm system © 13Chapter 7: Control Equipment Fire Alarm Systems - AReference Manual 73 General ‘The basic purpose of a Fire Alarm System is to receive information or a command from an alarm-initiating device, and then translate that command into a recognizable, understandable signal (using audible, as well as visible devices), thus warning building occupants of the fire condition. ‘The alarm system may be designed to indicate the exact location within the building from which the alarm was initiated. It may be designed to indicate a preliminary alarm condition or a serious fire requiring evacuation of the building. It may be desirable to have the alarm system shut down the building air-handling systems, or automatically send an alarm report to the nearby fire department or other recognized monitoring centre. Smoke dampers may be operated, and fire doors closed in order to inhibit the movement of smoke-laden air from the fire zone to other sections of the building. Quite commonly, air-pressurization fans are used to maintain tenable conditions within stairwell shafts and elevator shafts. Fire Alarm Systems comprise many varied components such as manual stations, automatic heat detectors, sprinkler alarm and supervisory switches, smoke detectors, extinguishing system alarm and supervisory contacts, audible signal devices, electro-magnetic door-hold-open devices, annunciators, indicating lights, and a control unit. These items must always work together to perform the primary function of a Fire Alarm System - warn the occupants. Fire Alarm Systems are electrical systems, and therefore all components are connected together with electrical conductors. They are powered by building electrical power and have, as a standby or secondary source, either a battery, or both a battery and a generator. A solid understanding of a Fire Alarm System Control Unit is best developed by considering the many operational features as belonging to five distinct groupings: * Input section (initiating device circuits) + Output section (signaling device circuits) © Control section (ancillary functions) * Common Features section Common control = Power Supply section 7.3.1 Electrical Supervision Of Field Wiring — Conventional Circuits We have already stated that the primary operational function of a fire alarm system is to sound the alarm. At the same time the primary product design criteria is reliability. Individual components may be properly designed and manufactured, but will perform their functions 1-4 ©Fire Alarm Systems Chapter 7: Control Equipment ~ A Reference Manual only as long as they are properly installed and suitably maintained. In a conventional system, electrical supervision of conductors is used to ensure that the components remain properly connected to the circuit conductors, and that all wiring remains intact and properly connected to the Control Unit. All field devices must be connected to the field wiring in such a way that devices cannot be disconnected from the wiring without causing a ‘trouble’ condition to be initiated on the Control Unit. This feature is referred to as ‘placement supervision’ of the field devices. The purpose of electrical supervision is also to detect any abnormal condition in the Fire Alarm System field wiring that could compromise the integrity of the system. This includes detection of open-circuit faults, short-circuit faults and ground faults. Any such abnormal condition must initiate a trouble’ condition so that it will be brought to the attention of building maintenance and/or supervisory personnel. This result is known as a trouble condition on the Controi Unit. It is also characterized by an audible and visual ‘system trouble’ indication at the annunciator (at the main entrance or designated fire department response point). The Control Unit usually also has a trouble output to transmit a signal to a Fire Signal Receiving Centre. Class °B’ Circuits - Conventional ‘The vast majority of Fire Alarm Systems utilize ‘Class B’, two-wire circuits, terminating at an end-of-line device. ‘Class B’ circuits are two- wire circuits that electrically connect field devices to the Control Unit. ‘The two-wire circuit leaves the Control Unit and connects to the first field device. Two wires leave that device and connect to the next device that is to be part of the same circuit. When there are no more devices to be connected to that circuit, two wires leave the last initiating or signaling device and connect to the end-of-line device. Control Unit circuitry (and the associated end-of-line device) is designed to ensure that a relatively small amount of electrical current flows through the two conductors of the continuous two-wire circuit connecting the field initiating devices to the Control Unit. The current flows out over one conductor, through the end-of-line device, then back to the Control Unit over the second conductor. Under normal conditions this current flows continuously, and it is called the ‘circuit supervisory’ current. This is a typical ‘Class B’ circuit. All field devices are either ‘open-contact’ devices (such as manual stations and heat detectors), or they present a high impedance to supervisory current flow (such as smoke detectors), or they contain a supervisory-current blocking device such as in bells (diodes) and speakers (capacitors). The supervisory current therefore cannot easily pass through the individual field device, and the circuit supervisory current is therefore forced to flow to the end of the circuit, pass throughChapter 7: Control Equipment Fire Alarm Systems 1-6 A Reference Manual the end-of-line device and return via the second conductor to the Control Unit. In the event of an open-circuit condition on a Class ‘B' circuit, the Control Unit will sense that the supervisory current is too low (in the case of an open-circuit the current is zero) and it must initiate a trouble condition In the event of a short-circuit condition on a signal circuit, the Control Unit will detect that the supervisory circuit current is too high and it must initiate a trouble condition. Initiating-device circuits not only monitor for the presence of current but they also measure the relative value of current in order to make the following assessment: * Alarm Condition - a high level of current that exceeds the upper or maximum level of normal current. Normal Condition - a nominal current level. This is not a specific finite value but a range of current from a definite minimum to a definite maximum, defined as within normal operating parameters for that particular Control Unit. + Trouble Condition - a low level of current that is less than the lower or minimum level of normal current. BASIC CLASS 'B' INITIATING CIRCUIT [racu. | LEGEND ERIN ORNS TS] TROUDLESIONAL ACM 7 J LARA CURRENT MONITOR (COMMON ALR ooFire Alarm Systems Chapter 7: Control Equipment ~ A Reference Manual From the foregoing, we can see that an alarm condition will be initiated in the control unit module if the current flowing in the detection circuit increases beyond the upper level of the supervisory current. Because the equivalent circuit of a manual station, thermal detector or a sprinkler alarm or supervisory switch is a normally-open contact (usually referred to as a ‘shorting’ device), when one of these devices goes into alarm condition, it shorts across the circuit pair and the Control Unit recognizes the condition as the operation of a device. [Link] Denice CONTROL UNIT Obviously, this type of detection circuit cannot differentiate between the actual operation of a field device and an inadvertent electrical short- circuit condition across the pair. On the other hand, signaling circuits do not have shorting devices connected to them, and they are able to detect @ short-circuit condition as a trouble condition. Class ‘A’ Circuits The other classification of circuit is called a ‘Class A’ circuit and is available from most manufacturers as an option. In some Control Units, both types of circuits are available. 17Chapter 7: Control Equipment Fire Alarm Systems - A Reference Manual 73.2 78 conmeotunr ‘There is one important installation difference between a Class A circuit and a Class B circuit. There is no external end-of-line supervisory device on a Class A circuit, because it is part of the Control Unit. From the last connected device on a Class A circuit, two wires must be brought back, and connected to the designated terminals in the Control Unit. The return loop or pair of conductors must be run in a separate raceway, which must be mounted at least 300 mm from the outgoing raceway. From an operational point of view there is one major difference between the two types of circuits. In the traditional Class B circuit, an open- circuit condition in the field wiring may cause some, all or none of the connected devices to be non-operational, depending upon the location of the fault. However a Class A circuit guarantees that even with a single open-circuit condition in the field wiring, all connected devices will still be operational. This is achieved by feeding operating power from the Control Unit out to the Class A circuit from all four circuit terminals. Initiating-Device Circuits (Conventional) - Alarm, Supervisory, and Monitoring Alarm-Initiating-Device Circuits Commonly referred to as ‘box’ circuits or ‘zones’ or ‘detection circuits’ initiating-device circuits are used to convey information, via electrical wiring, from the alarm-initiating device to the system Control Unit. ‘These following components would be classified as alarm initiating devices: © automatic heat detectors «manual stationsFire Alarm Systems Chapter 7: Control Equipment ~ A Reference Manual + sprinkler system alarm switches * ionization products-of-combustion detectors * photoelectric smoke detectors + air-duct-mounted smoke detectors + flame detectors + beam detectors + alarm contacts on special extinguishing systems ‘These alarm-initiating devices, electrically interconnected on two-wire or four-wire circuits, are connected to the Control Unit. ‘The Control Units have historically provided two types of detection circuits: shorting- device circuits and smoke detector circuits. It is important to note that any alarm initiation from a field device, must cause the Control Unit to electronically latch into alarm condition until such time as the Control Unit is reset. ‘Shorting Device’ Alarm Initiating Circuits This type of circuit is designed with limited power conditioning but contains all design features of electrical supervision. It electrically locks into alarm condition from even a momentary operation of a field device. It can power an unlimited number of shorting devices. The maximum length of the circuit (to the end-of-line device) varies with the manufacturer, but in general should not exceed 1,000 metres. This circuit is intended for the connection of any initiating device that contains a normally-open initiating contact that reverses when the device goes into alarm condition. Smoke and flame detectors cannot properly function on this type of module. ‘Smoke Detector’ Alarm Initiating Circuits ‘This type of circuit is similar to the above except for one major design difference. It has the much greater power filtering and voltage-regulation that are needed by smoke detectors. Shorting devices will properly operate on this type of module. Four types of Raceway to FCP Smoke detectors require a low constant operating current (20 to 160 micro-amps) at all times in order that they can perform their detection capabilities. There is therefore a limit to the quantity of smoke detectors that can be connected to a circuit. Since each smoke detector requires a small amount of power in its normal quiescent condition, the connection of 25 - 50 devices on one circuit draws an amount of current that