Fire Detection and

Alarm System
Introduction
 History has proven that early detection of fire and the signaling of an appropriate
alarm remain significant factors in preventing large losses due to fire. Properly
installed and maintained fire detection and alarm systems can help to increase
the survivability of occupants and emergency responders while decreasing
properly losses.
 Together with automatic fire suppression system, fire detection and alarm
systems are part of the active fire protection systems found in many occupancies.
To this end, adopted building and/or fire codes may require the installation of
fire detection and alarm systems. These systems usually require installation and
maintenance by trained individuals.
Large loss fires can often be prevented when there is a little or no delay between
detection and alarm transmission.
Fire Alarm System Components
 Modern detection and signaling systems vary in complexity from those that are
simple to those that incorporate advanced detection and signaling equipment.
Such systems are typically designed and installed by qualified individuals as
determined by the AHJ. The design, installation, and approval of a fire detection
and alarm system may also require acceptance testing by regulatory agencies
before new buildings are occupied or the system is placed in service.
 The design and installation of the fire detection and alarm system should conform
to applicable provisions of NFPA® 70, National Electrical Code®, and NFPA®
72, National Fire Alarm and Signaling Code, and locally adopted codes and
ordinances. Other standards also apply to the installation of these systems and are
addressed later in this chapter within the discussions of the various types of
systems. Each of the following sections highlights a basic component of a fire
detection and alarm system.
Fire Alarm Control Unit

 Fire Alarm Control Unit (FACU), formerly called the fire alarm control panel
(FACP) contains the electronics that supervise and monitor the integrity of wiring
and the components of the fire alarm system. The FACU basically serves as the
brain for the alarm system. It receives signal from alarm initiating devices,
processes the signals, and produces output signals that activate audible and visual
appliances. The FACU also transmits signals to an off-site monitoring station
when provided. Power and fire alarm circuits are connected directly into this
panel. In addition, the remote auxiliary fire control units and notification
appliance panels are considered to be part of the fire alarm system and are
connected and controlled.
 Controls for the system are located in FACU. The FACU can also perform the
following functions such as:
1. Providing two-way firefighter communication
2. Providing remote annunciator integration
3. Controlling elevators, HVAC, fire doors, dampers, lock, or other fire protection
features.
 The FACU can also provide public address messages and mass notification alerts
through prerecorded evacuation messages or independent voice communications.
Components of FDAS
 Primary Power Supply - usually comes from the building’s main
power connection to the local utility provider. In rare instances
where electrical service is unavailable or unreliable, an engine-
driven generator can provide the primary power supply. If such a
generator is used, either a trained operator must be on duty 24 hours
a day or the system must contain multiple engine- driven generators.
One of these generators must always be set for automatic starting.
The FACU must supervise the primary power supply and signal an
alarm if the power supply is interrupted
 Secondary Power Supply - All fire alarm systems must have a secondary power
supply. This requirement is designed so that the system will be operational even if
the main power supply fails. The secondary power supply must be capable of
providing normal, (non-alarm) standby conditions capacity and power to fully
operate an alarm condition. The time period requirements for secondary power
operation capabilities vary and can be found in NFPA® 72. Secondary power
sources can consist of batteries with chargers, engine-driven generators with a
storage battery, or multiple engine-driven generators, of which one must be set for
automatic starting.
Initiating Devices

 A fire detection system consists of manual and automatic alarm-initiating devices

that are activated by the presence of fire, smoke, flame, or heat. The devices then
send a signal to the FACU using one of two methods: a hard wire system or a
generated signal conveyed by radio wave over a special frequency to a radio
receiver in the panel.
Notification Appliances
Audible notification signaling appliances are the most common types of alarm-
signaling systems used for signaling a fire alarm in a structure. Once an alarm-
initiating device is activated, it sends a signal to the FACU, which then processes the
signal and initiate actions. The primary action initiated is usually local notification,
which can take the form of;
 Bells
 Buzzers
 Horns
 Speakers
 Strobe lights
 Other warning appliances
Depending on the system’s design, the local alarm may either activate a single
notification appliance, notification appliances within a specific zone, designated
floors, or the entire facility. Notification appliances fall under the following
categories.
 Audible – approved sounding devices, such as horns, bells, or speakers that
indicate a fire or emergency condition.
 Visual – approved lighting devices such as strobes or flashing lights, that indicate
a fire or emergency condition.
 Textual – Visual text or symbols indicating a fire or emergency condition.
 Tactile – Indication of a fire emergency condition through sense of touch or
vibration.
Additional Alarm System Functions

 Turn off the heating, ventilating, and air conditioning (HVAC) system
 Close smoke dampers or fire doors.
 Pressurize stairwells and/or operate smoke control systems for evacuation
purposes
 Unlock doors along the path of egress.
 Provide elevator recall to the designated floor and prevent normal operations.
 Operate heat and smoke vents
 Activate special fire suppression systems, such as 6 deluge sprinklers systems or a
variety of special-agent fire extinguishing systems.
Alarm Signaling Systems

Fire detection and alarm systems are designed to receive certain types o signal from
devices an perform an action based upon the type o signal received Some signals may
indicate a fire condition, while others may indicate that a device of the system need to
be serviced. The FACU should be programmed to respond to different signal types in
an appropriate manner. Fire detection and alarm systems are equipped with tree types
of specialty signals s, depending on the type and nature of the alarm they are
reporting.
 An alarm signal is a warning of a fire emergency or dangerous condition that
demands immediate attention. Locally adopted codes may require fire alarm
signals from systems monitored by a supervising station to notify the responding
fire department. Activation of smoke detectors, manual pull stations, water flow
switches and other fire extinguishing systems are all initiating devices that
send fire alarm signals
 A supervisory signal indicates an off-normal condition of a complete fire
protection system. Supervisory signals also include a returned-to-normal signal,
meaning that the condition has been resolved. These signals are used to monitor
the integrity of the fire protection features of the system.
 A trouble signal indicates a problem with a monitored circuit or component of
the fire alarm system or the system’s power supply. Each signal must be audible
and visually displayed at the FACU in a distinct manner that differentiates one
type of signal from another.