FIRE SAFETY Making installation less risky Aston Bowles, marketing manager at fire systems leader Advanced, discusses what installers and end users should look for when considering performance and cost of installation & ownership pecifying a fire system can be a Scomplicated task, but the hardware itself is often a small part of the overall cost. Saving time on installation becomes important because a lower lifetime cost of ownership, allows more to be invested up-front in better quality, future-proofed systems. Advanced systems deliver a raft of features that make installation easier and more economical. Architecture System architecture can have a big impact on installation time and cabling costs. Addressable systems allow many devices to be connected on one loop instead of ‘pulling in’ many individual radial circuits, as in conventional systems, and detection devices, sounders, and VADs etc, can be connected on the same loop circuits. Built-in short circuit isolators also ensure that these systems continue to operate in the event of a wiring fault. Device choice can make installation simpler. Modern wireless detection and loop devices allow the fire system to quickly and easily go where it was difficult or impossible previously. Such systems can be stand-alone or more often, hybrid, working as part of a wired system. Panels should cater for design changes, as the building in practice may differ from that on the drawings. It’s important to allow sufficient spare capacity for future expansion as well and equipment should ideally be backwards compatible. Software Modern fire alarm panels are computers, and can require detailed cause-and-effect System Tools Once the boxes are on the wall and cables run, the priority is to have a working fire system as soon as possible. Loop devices can be addressed manually or via handheld programmers and the panel autolearn feature can quickly find and record them. This radically reduces configuration time and aids fault-finding. Fire systems can be complicated and it is rare, no matter how skilled the installers, that they are perfect first time. Advanced offers a unique ‘built-in’ oscilloscope & meters and other diagnostic tools, that help identify any cable faults or missing devices. Such features save engineers having to take expensive equipment to site, and also display information exactly as interpreted by the panel whilst avoiding having to isolate and disconnect wiring from the panel. programming. The options can be huge and are multiplied on multi-panel networks As such it’s important the system software allows cause-and-effect to be set up simply and quickly. Software is one of the areas of real choice in systems and the right choice saves time and money at installation and later during maintenance. For example, can programming be done off-site and uploaded and tested when required? On larger networked systems, each panel can be commissioned independently even without all panels being interconnected. Software can be used to simulate a network of panels and loops of devices, to aid testing and identify any problems at an early stage before final upload and verification testing. Service and configuration tools provide detailed and accurate reports for O&M manuals and can confirm the system has been fully tested along with providing detailed configuration etc. Advanced’s service tool can be used over the lifetime of the system to schedule regular maintenance of equipment and even identify when devices need cleaning or replacing. Remote diagnostics tools, via IP, LAN or other connection technology, allow the system to be continually monitored off-site during soak testing. Any problems can be identified before an engineer attends site ensuring he has all the necessary tools and equipment when he does arrive. Also, adding detailed false alarm management, touchscreen graphics and BMS integration at later stage is simple if the right system is chosen, simplifying installation and managing cash flow on large projects. Support Just one unplanned return to site will eat in to profits, so reliable and quality equipment and technical support is a must. EN54 Part 13 is a reliable badge of system performance and integrity and is worth looking for. Modern fire panels can make installation simpler, build trust between integrators and fire and building managers and essentially make for better, more profitable business relationships, that deliver safer environments for everyone. 60 www.psimagazine.co.uk
Evacuate everyone EN54-23 Approved Fire Beacons Seminars EN54-3 Sonders & Beacons Nexus 105/110/120 Sounders Sonos Sounder Beacon Tel: +44 (0)1706 233879