Module 7

FIRE ALARM AND DETECTION

SYSTEM (FDAS)

CODES, STANDARDS AND LEGISLATION

FDAS PRINCIPLE

BASIC SYSTEM COMPONENTS

BASIC DESIGN AND SPACING

CIRCUITS AND PATHWAYS

The early detection of a fire and the signaling of an
appropriate alarm remain the most significant factors
in preventing loss of life and property
Standards, Codes and Legislation

• Component tests by nationally recognized labs

a. Underwriters Laboratories
b. Factory Mutual
• Codes
a. NFPA 70, National Electrical Code
b. NPFA 72, The National Fire Alarm Code
c. NFPA 101: Life Safety Code
• Local Legislation
a. Revised Fire Code of the Philippines, RA 9514
b. National Building Code
c. National Electrical Code
d. Philippine Mechanical Engineering Code (?)
 Your FDAS must not be an early casualty of a fire

NFPA 72 define FDAS as a combination of system that is arrange to

monitor and annunciate the status of fire alarm or supervisory signal-
initiating devices and to initiate appropriate response to those
signals.
 FDAS Principle

A Life Safety principle that provides Early Warning to building

occupants when the fire is in its incipient or early stage.
FDAS must be able to provide building occupants with
proper notification at all stages of fire
 The Stages of a Fire

Stage One
– Incipient: Products of combustion particles are produced (<0.3
microns). No visible smoke or detectable heat. May occur for
milliseconds or days.
• Applicable detector: Ionization Smoke detectors

Stage Two
– Smoldering: Visible smoke particles are produced (>0.3
microns). Little visible flame or noticeable heat.
• Applicable detector: Photoelectric Smoke Detectors

Stage Three
– Flame: Rapid combustion produces radiant energy in the visible,
and invisible (IR, UV) spectrums. Heat begins to buildup at this
stage
• Applicable detector: Flame Detectors
Stage Four
– High Heat: Uncontrolled combustion is caused by
the heating of nearby combustibles to their ignition
point.
• Applicable detector: Heat Detectors

NOTE: Major disadvantages of using thermal or heat

energy for fire identification are:
1. Takes a while for a fire to be recognized
2. The toxic gases that are produced before an
alarm point is reached
CLASSIFICATION OF SYSTEM COMPONENTS

CONTROL PANEL

INITIATING NOTIFICATION
DEVICES APPLIANCES
➢Manual pull stations
➢Heat detectors ➢Bells, buzzers and
➢Smoke detectors horns
➢Flame detectors ➢Strobe lights
➢Waterflow devices ➢Speakers
➢Tamper switches ➢Recorded Voice
➢Combination Messages
detectors

AUXILLIARY SERVICES
➢Fire Telephone System
➢Gas Extinguishing System
➢Voice Alarm System
 BASIC SYSTEM COMPONENTS

Fire Alarm Control Panel

➢ Brain of system
➢ Manages and monitors the proper
operation of the system
➢ Processes alarm signals from actuating
devices and transmits them to the local or
other alerting system
➢ Indicate the source of an alarm
➢ Also manages primary power supply and
provides backup power supply for the
system
➢ May perform additional functions, and may
interface with other systems and facilities
➢ Used to silence the alarm and reset the
system
➢ A battery in the fire alarm control panel will
automatically activate when the external
power is interrupted.
 NFPA 72 requires that FACP should have two Power Sources

MAIN SUPPLY, 220 OR 230 VAC

1. Use unswitched outlet close to
the panel
2. Plut a signboard “SUPPLY FOR
FIRE ALARM PANEL, DO NOT
TAMPER

BACKUP BATTERY Primary

1. Backup source in case of power (AC)
loss/failure
2. Fire systems require specifc
amount of available backup time
NFPA – 24 hours standby + 5
minutes full alarm
Secondary
BS5839-1 – 24 hour standby +
(DC)
30 minutes full alarm
3. Supplies current for both
detection and initiation devices
and alarm/notification devices
 Automatic Alarm-Initiating Devices

Components or devices that monitor coverage area 24/7 and activate a fire
alarm system designed to function without human intervention.

Four basic types

1. Heat detectors 3. Smoke detectors
2. Fire-gas detectors 4. Flame detectors

Smoke Detectors
• Designed to sense the
presence of smoke
• Commonly found in
school, hospital,
business, and
commercial occupancies
with fire alarm systems
• Most common are
ionization and
photoelectric detectors.
 Limitations of Smoke Detectors

– May not provide early warning of a fire developing

on another level of a building

– May not detect fire developing on the other side of

a closed door

– May not be effective when fire is caused by

explosions resulting from careless housekeeping
Smoke Detection: Ionization principle

➢Small amount of radioactive material (Americium 241) ionizes chamber

➢Current flows in the chamber due to ionized air particles
➢Smoke decreases conductivity, causing ALARM

Photoelectric detectors are triggered by the visible products of combustion.

Smoke Detection: Photo-electric principle

➢Works with light scattering principle

➢Contains light transmitter and photosensitive receiver
➢During normal operation, light does not fall on receiver
➢Smoke ingress causes light reflection onto the receiver, causing ALARM

Ionization detectors are triggered by the invisible products of combustion.

 FRONT VIEW OF PHOTOELECTRIC SMOKE DETECTOR

LED STATUS
INDICATOR LIGHT.

Blinks RED when

Normal

Stay solid RED

when in alarm.
 BACK VIEW OF PHOTOELECTRIC SMOKE DETECTOR

COMMON TERMINAL

TRANSMITTER
COLLECTOR
TERMINAL
TERMINAL
 INSIDE VIEW OF PHOTOELECTRIC SMOKE DETECTOR

COLLECTOR

TRANSMITTER: Emits
a Infrared (IR) beam
INSIDE VIEW OF PHOTOELECTRIC SMOKE DETECTOR

COLLECTOR NOTICE: When no

smoke is present the
IR beam does not hit
the collector

Infrared (IR) beam

Once the IR beam hits the smoke the beam disperses. When the IR beam
is displaced enough it will be picked up by the collector. This will cause the
smoke detector to go into alarm.

COLLECTOR
Smoke Detection: Projected Beam Detector Light Obscuration
principle

➢Use for large areas like theater, auditorium, warehouses, halls

➢Requires a transmitter and a receiver (single pass type)
➢Reflector at the other side of transmitter is preferred (double pass type)
➢Direct sunlight on receiver is a NO
➢Power supply is needed for transmitter and receiver

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.
 Projected Beam Smoke Detector

• A slow loss of light is interpreted as a

smoke signal while an abrupt
complete loss is treated as a trouble
signal (beam break)

• There is a maximum and minimum

separation distance for each make
and model.

• In other words, a projected beam

detector will respond much faster to a
real fire than would a row of spot type
detectors.

• Projected beam smoke detectors can be set to respond at 20% to 70% total
obscuration. Over a path of 100 m, a ceiling layer of smoke that up skewers 20%
of the beam will have much less obscuration per foot than what is needed to set
off a spot-type detector.
 Smoke Detection: High sensitivity aspirating smoke detector

➢Pipes with aspirating holes that collect gas sample

➢Each hole is considered a point detector (equivalent to a single detector)
➢Used in very clean environment like IT labs or Power Plant Control Room
➢Can be up to 100 times more sensitive than a standard smoke detector

Air Sampling Detector contains sampling tubes with sampling ports along its length, a
super-sensitive central sensor, a smoke transport fan, electronics to interface with a FACU
for alarm and trouble conditions, and a power supply.
Video Image Smoke Detector

Video image smoke

detection uses cameras to
monitor the space to be
protected.

The computer uses

proprietary image analysis
software to detect optical
effects of smoke.

Some use special cameras,

while others use the same
camera you might already
have for security.
 Duct Smoke Detectors

Duct smoke detectors usually consist of a spot-type smoke

detector and mounting housing with sampling tube.

Photoelectric spot-
type detector mounted
in housing outside the
ductwork that has
probes that extend
into the duct to
sample the air inside
the duct.

NOTE: Smoke inside the duct will be diluted, inducing a delay in

response time for detection of an alarm.
 Heat Detector Types

Fixed Type
Temperature Rate-of-Rise

Rate Electronic
Compensation Addressable/
Analog
 Heat Detectors

• Can provide property protection,

but cannot provide reliable life
safety protection

• Generally used in situations

where smoke alarms cannot be
used

• Often installed in unheated areas

• Generally very reliable and less

prone to false alarms than
smoke alarms
 Fixed Temperature

• Fixed Temperature operates at a predetermined temperature.

 Rate of Rise/Fixed Temperature

• The rate-of-rise portion of this unit

has an air chamber vented to the
atmosphere to allow the detector
to compensate for the changes in
barometric pressure and long-term
changes in air temperature.

• When a fire causes the air in the

chamber to expand faster than it
can escape out the vent, the
increase in pressure forces the
diaphragm to close the contacts
and initiate an alarm signal.

• The fixed temperature portion consists of a spring-loaded plunger held in

place by solder that melts at a specific temperature.
• When the fire melts the solder, the plunger releases and strikes the metal
diaphragm, forcing it to close across the contacts.
• The fixed temperature portion is nonrestorable.
• All rate-of-rise heat detectors have a fixed temperature element as a backup.
Rate Compensation

• In a slowly developing fire,

the outer case expands at
about the same rate as the
inner struts.
• When they reach the set
point of the detectors the
contacts close, initiating
the alarm.
• In a rapidly developing fire,
the outer case expands
faster than the inner struts.
• This forces the contacts to
close “in anticipation” of
the normal operating
temperature.
• Thus, this detector has
virtually no thermal lag.
Electronic

• The microprocessor
measures the resistance of
the thermistor, which varies
with the temperature.

• Response criteria can be

adjusted at the FACU.

• Can be fixed temperature or

ROR or can look for a
specific heat profile.

• Note that the detector look

very similar to a smoke
detector.
Heat Detection: Temperature measurement principle

Fixed Temperature type

1. Designed to operate at a preset temperature and
an alarm signal will trigger when the sensing
element reaches a certain set point.
2. Usually use a metal alloy that will melt at the
preset temperature.
3. Fixed element is generally a non-restorable type,
and when activated, must be replaced.

Rate of Rise type

1. Will activate when the rate of temperature
increase is greater than an allowable limit (15
degrees in 60 secs.)
2. Ideal to be used in an environment where there is
heat generation like ovens, heating vents, etc.).
3. The Rate-of-Rise element is restorable when
conditions return to normal.

Heat Detectors are commonly used in high steam or dusty environment, example
garage, kitchens, pantry and the like.
 Types of Heat Detectors in the market

• Fixed temperature heat detectors

– Fusible links/frangible bulbs
– Continuous line detector
– Bimetallic detector

• Rate-of-rise heat detector

– Pneumatic rate-of-rise spot detector
– Pneumatic rate-of-rise line detector
– Rate compensated detector
– Thermoelectric detector
 Linear Heat Detectors

1. Use wires or a sealed tube to sense heat

2. One type has two wires inside, separated by an insulating material.
3. Another type measures changes in the electrical resistance of a single
wire as it heats up.
4. The tube-type line heat detector has a sealed metal tube filled with air
or a nonflammable gas
 Flame Detectors

• Specialized devices that detect the

electromagnetic light waves
produced by a flame

• Types
– Ultraviolet (UV) Fig. (2.42a)
– Infrared (IR) Fig. (2.42b)
• Fast to respond

• Frequent false alarms

• Typically found in places where

early detection and rapid reaction to
a fire is critical

• Complicated and expensive

 Air Sampling or Fire Gas Detectors

• Continuously capture air samples

and measure the concentrations of
specific gases or products of
combustion
– Carbon dioxide
– Carbon monoxide

• Calibrated to detect the presence of

a specific gas

• Need regular calibration

• Faster than heat detectors but
slower than smoke detectors

• Usually found only in specific

commercial or industrial
applications
 Alarm Initiation by Fire Suppression Systems

• System alerts building

occupants and the fire
department to a
possible fire.

• Ensures that someone

is aware water is
flowing, in case of an
accidental discharge.
Water Flow Switch

Any flow of water from a sprinkler system due to opening of sprinkler

head will result in activation of flow switch and subsequently indicate an
alarm condition.
 Manual Initiating Devices

1. Manually-operated device used to initiate an alarm signal.

2. Designed so that building occupants can activate the fire alarm
system

• Single Action Stations

require a single operation to
activate it.
• Double-action pull-station is
designed to prevent
malicious false alarms, is
covered with a piece of clear
plastic
• Primary manual initiation
device is the manual fire
alarm box, or manual pull-
station.
• Once activated, should stay
in the “activated” position
until it is reset.
 Fire Box or Manual Pull Station or Break Glass Unit

➢ When activated, it trips an alarm

➢ Installed in exit paths, stairwells, lift lobbies

TYPES OF MPS
Single Action
Pull handle once
Break the glass – glass rod or plate is broken

Double Action
Lifting of a cover or opening a door
Break the glass then push activation button
 False, Unwanted, and Nuisance Alarms

• Malicious False Alarms

– Caused by individuals who deliberately activate a fire alarm
when there is no fire

• Unwanted Alarms
– Occur when an alarm system is activated by a condition that
is not really an emergency

• Nuisance Alarms
– Caused by improper functioning of an alarm system or one
of its components
 Alarm Notification Appliances

• Audible - Horns, Bells, Sounders, Sirens, Chimes, Speakers

• Visual - Strobes
• Physical - Bed shakers
• Olfactory - Smell

Audible automatic alarm

 Audible Devices

• BELLS
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.

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.

Often called Life-Safety

speakers, not connected
with paging systems.
 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.

Chime/Strobe
Strobe

Speaker/Strobe
Horn/Strobe
Remote Annunciators
 Types of Wiring for Fire Alarm System

Control Panels and devices are selected and installed

according to their programmability, addressability and
intelligence.

• Conventional (hard wired)

• Addressable (multiplexed)
• Intelligent (analog data transfer)
 Conventional “Hard Wired” System

• Simplest type of Fire Alarm control unit.

• Generally, a single circuit board contains power supply, control, initiating and
notification circuitry.
• Input/output devices connect to dedicated circuits.
• Designated outputs occur when initiating signals are received.
• Limited special functions and capabilities.
• Basic “Designed System”
• Components selected by the designer to meet the minimum needs of the
customer but BFP requires addressable system.
• Initiating circuits are programmable for fire, waterflow, supervisory service, etc.
 Addressable System

• Each device (detector, pull station, tamper switch, flow switch, horn,
strobe, etc.) 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.
CLASS A CIRCUIT
CLASS A CIRCUIT WITH LOOP SHORT CIRCUIT ISOLATOR
CLASS B CIRCUIT
T-TAP CONNECTION IS NOT PERMITTED PER NFPA 72
T-tap connection with return is permitted
Class B wiring with Class A riser
Source: 360 Services Corp, USA
 Basic Design Guide: Spacing Vs. Radius of Coverage

• For large rooms, place detectors so that the coverage circles overlap.
Common Spacing Rules: Spacing Vs. Radius of Coverage

• In irregular rooms, • Sometimes best design is not in the

sometimes one middle of the room. Working
detector is suffice. backward, you select a detector
with a certain listed or nominal
spacing. The radius is 0.7 X S.
Common Spacing Rules: Spacing Vs. Radius of Coverage

• That sometimes an additional detector is necessary. Since the

area at the top left is outside of the radius of protection you would
use another detector.
 Corridor Spacing

• The above image shows a nominal 9.1 m spacing in the

corridor. Note the overlap of the coverage circles, which have a
6.4m radius; the corridor is 2.43m wide.
Common Spacing Rules: Other Specific Locations

Partitions extending to within 15% of H area treated as if

they are solid walls.
 Heat Detection Design

Heat Detectors on High Ceilings Heat Detectors on Beams

Where:
H > 3 meters
Line Type Heat Detector Coverage

• Line-type Detectors follow

similar rules in smooth
ceilings.
• The lower part shows a line-
type heat detector that might
have to be located within 1/4S
of the end walls because it is
integrating type detector, it
requires some length to be
heated at a low level or a
shorter length at a higher
level.
• Check the manufacturer’s
published instructions and
listing documents.
 Smoke Detection Design
Stratification

As heat from the fire drives the hot gases upward, the further they rise above
the fire the more the column of hot gases cools.
When the temperature of the rising gases reaches equilibrium with the ambient
temperature, the column stops rising and the gases spread out horizontally.
Projected Beam Smoke Detector

• A Projected beam smoke

detector can replace a row of
spot-type detectors for both
level and sloped ceilings.

• The code does not address

what to do if you have a
beamed ceiling that would
otherwise require detectors in
the beam bays.

• It is suggested that the hazard

survey, risk assessment and
engineering analysis be made
when considering the use of
projected beam smoke
detectors, particularly in
situations with non-smooth
ceilings.
 Reasonable Adjustment

• A nominal 9.1 m spacing has a coverage radius of 6.4 m. In the last

example, the design spacing was adjusted to more evenly distribute
the required number of detectors and resulted in a design spacing of
7.6.
• By adjusting the design spacing in one direction to result in more
detectors per row, the plan was able to decrease from three rows down
to two. Ten detectors are required instead of the original 12.
 Reasonable Adjustment

• Following strict perspective • Making some reasonable adjustments

spacing requirements can result results in a more effective layout. The
in a technically correct yet design spacing of 7.6m is not
lopsided installation. exceeded an all points are within 0.7 x
7.6 = 5.32 m
 Acceptance Testing
• Should be observe by representatives of
building owner, fire department, system
installer, and system manufacturer.
• All functions of the fire detection and
signaling system should be operated:
– All alarm-indicating and alarm-initiating
devices
– Restorable heat detectors
– Response of outside entities responsible for
monitoring the system
 General Inspections
• Fire department participation
• Checkpoints
– Condition of wiring and batteries
– All equipment free of foreign materials
– Adequate clearance around system control units,
recording instruments, and other devices
 Inspecting and Service Testing
Initiating Devices (cont.)

• Manual alarm-initiating devices

• Automatic alarm-initiating devices
– Detectors must not be damaged or painted.
– Replace or send the following detectors to a
recognized testing laboratory for testing:
• Detectors on systems that are being restored to
service after a period of disuse
• Detectors that are obviously corroded
(Continued)

Fire Detection and Signaling

2-79
Systems
 Inspecting and Service Testing
Initiating Devices (cont.)

• Automatic alarm-initiating devices

– Replace or send the following detectors to a
recognized testing laboratory for testing (cont.):
• Detectors that have been painted over, even if attempts
were made to clean them
• Detectors that have been mechanically damaged or
abused
• Detectors on circuits that were subjected to current
surges, overvoltages, or lightning strikes
(Continued)

Fire Detection and Signaling

2-80
Systems
 Inspecting and Service Testing
Initiating Devices (cont.)

• Automatic alarm-initiating devices

– Replace or send the following detectors to a
recognized testing laboratory for testing
(cont.):
• Detectors subjected to foreign substances that
might affect their operation
• Detectors subjected to either direct flame,
excessive heat, or smoke damage
– Testing
• Nonrestorable
• Restorable
Fire Detection and Signaling
2-81
Systems
 Inspecting System Control Units
• Control panel switches and functions
• Auxiliary devices
• Receiving signals
 System Testing Timetables
• Local systems: local guidelines
• Central station systems: monthly
• Auxiliary systems: monthly (noncoded fire alarm boxes:
monthly)
• Remote station and proprietary systems: authority having
jurisdiction
• Emergency voice/alarm systems: quarterly
• NOTE: In all cases, check the most current edition of NFPA
72, National Fire Alarm Code.
 Record Keeping
• Maintaining Files and Records
– Documents:
• Inspection reports, forms, and letters
• Violation notices
• Summonses
• Plans review comments, approvals, and drawings
• Fire reports
• Investigations
• Permits and certificates issued
 Record Keeping

• Maintaining Files and Records (cont.)

– Occupancies:
• Those that have been issued a permit, certificate, or
license
• Those that contain automatic fire suppression or
detection systems
• Those that conduct hazardous operations or routinely
house hazardous materials
– Duration: life of structure
– Public record
 Record Keeping (cont.)

• Written records
– File for each inspected property
– Cataloging and storage
• Electronic records
– Two primary methods of entering data:
• Inspectors use laptop computers or handheld electronic
data recording equipment during the inspection.
• Inspectors use written forms during the inspection and
then enter the information upon returning to the office.
 Record Keeping (cont.)

• Electronic records (cont.)

– Considerations in computer system management
• How will the information be filed?
• How can the information be retrieved?
• What portion of the information will be stored in a read-
only format?
• What personnel will be given access to retrieve
information from the system?
• What information can be released to the public?