Instrumentation 2: Alarm Systems Overview

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Questions and Answers

What happens to the alarm when the current is blocked?

The alarm remains silent (correct)

The alarm activates intermittently

The alarm goes off

The alarm sounds continuously

What is a critical requirement regarding the wiring of power-limited and nonpower-limited circuits?

They can be joined at any point

They should be placed in the same conduit

They must remain separated in the cabinet (correct)

They must be twisted together for effectiveness

In Class A circuits, how many wires are allowed to be joined together?

Only one wire

Only two wires (correct)

Only four wires

Only three wires

What must be done with the End of Line (EOL) resistor when multiple notifying devices are used?

It must be placed in a separate termination box (B) Signup and view all the answers

Which wiring action is prohibited when connecting wires to terminal screws?

Looping a wire around a terminal screw (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary purpose of fire alarm systems?

Protect lives (D) Signup and view all the answers

Which system includes building components mandated by safety codes?

Passive systems (A) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a main component of fire alarm systems?

Heat detectors (C) Signup and view all the answers

What causes high-rise buildings to face unique fire safety issues?

The stack effect (B) Signup and view all the answers

Which is an example of a manual initiating device in fire alarm systems?

Pull station (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is a secondary purpose of fire alarm systems?

Protect property (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is not included in the main components of fire alarm systems?

Anunciators (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is an effect of the stack effect in high-rise buildings during a fire?

Smoke filling stairwells and corridors (C) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following devices is NOT classified as a detection device in fire alarm systems?

Speakers (D) Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of the Main Controller in a fire alarm system?

Provide power and monitor inputs (A) Signup and view all the answers

What do initiating devices in a fire alarm system do?

Transmit changes in state conditions (D) Signup and view all the answers

What is one example of a Notification Appliance in a fire alarm system?

Horns (A) Signup and view all the answers

Which statement accurately describes an Initiating Device Circuit (IDC)?

It transmits signals from multiple initiating devices without identifying them. (D) Signup and view all the answers

What is typically required for a control panel in a fire alarm system?

Two power sources (D) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is an example of an output device in a fire alarm system?

Strobes (A) Signup and view all the answers

Which component is essential for controlling the operation of a fire alarm system?

Control panel (D) Signup and view all the answers

What is the main function of a manual fire alarm station?

To initiate an alarm signal (A) Signup and view all the answers

Which statement best describes dual action manual fire alarm stations?

They require two distinct operations to activate. (D) Signup and view all the answers

What type of action does a single action manual fire alarm station require?

Single operation, usually pulling down (A) Signup and view all the answers

What is a characteristic of spot type detectors?

They contain detecting elements concentrated at a particular location. (B) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best defines a photoelectric smoke detector?

It relies on light scattering principles. (C) Signup and view all the answers

In comparison to ionization detectors, photoelectric detectors are generally better at detecting which type of smoke?

Slow-burning fires producing more smoke (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of the Hochiki SIJ-24 smoke detector?

It is an example of an ionization smoke detector. (C) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes an automatic smoke detector?

It detects smoke without any human intervention. (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of an air sampling-type detector?

To analyze air for fire products (D) Signup and view all the answers

Which device is described as a notifying device used specifically to alert the blind?

Thumper (D) Signup and view all the answers

What type of notification appliance alert relies on sound?

Audible Notification Appliance (B) Signup and view all the answers

Which statement about horns used in fire alarm systems is true?

Horns have a distinctive sound and can be used in high-noise environments. (B) Signup and view all the answers

Which type of device produces a variety of selectable tones during installation?

Sounders (A) Signup and view all the answers

For which environment are sirens primarily designed?

Outdoor or heavy industrial areas (D) Signup and view all the answers

Why are chimes typically used in specific situations during a fire alert?

They produce a soft tone suitable for environments where loud noises are disruptive. (D) Signup and view all the answers

What characteristic is common to all physical notification appliances?

They alert by employing tactile methods. (C) Signup and view all the answers

What kind of fire alarm notification appliance displays fire protection system modes, status, and alarms?

Annunciator (A) Signup and view all the answers

Visual signaling appliances are used in which of the following environments? (Select all that apply)

High-noise environments (B), Areas occupied by hearing-impaired individuals (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is a key feature of conventional "hard-wired" fire alarm systems?

Input/output devices connect to dedicated circuits (C) Signup and view all the answers

Which type of fire alarm control panel (FACP) relies on a signaling line circuit (SLC) loop for communication?

Addressable (B) Signup and view all the answers

What makes "Programmable" fire alarm systems unique?

They allow for the programming of initiating and output circuits (C) Signup and view all the answers

Which type of FACP is considered the simplest type of control unit?

Conventional (hard-wired) (A) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a type of visual signaling appliance?

Horn (A) Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary difference between conventional and addressable fire alarm systems?

The ability to communicate with the FACP (A) Signup and view all the answers

Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Course Information

Course Code: ECME-214
Course Title: Instrumentation 2 & Monitoring Systems
School: Engineering Technology & Applied Science (SETAS)
Week: 2
Topic: Alarm System Components and Operation

Objectives

Study of alarm systems and their components, including:
- Pull Stations
- Heat Detectors
- Smoke Detectors
- Bells
- Strobes
- Speakers
- Thumpers
- Ancillary relay circuits
- Annunciators

Purpose of Fire Alarm Systems

Primary purpose: Protect lives
Secondary purpose: Protect property and initiate fire fighting
Best way to fight fire: Prevent it by avoiding circumstances that start fires

Types of Systems

Passive systems:
- Include building components and design choices
- Mandated by building and fire safety codes, including:
  - Fire walls
  - Separation between hazardous locations
  - Fire resistance ratings
  - Flame spread ratings with smoke control and fire stops
- Approved exit systems for emergency egress from a building are necessary.
- High-rise buildings face challenges due to stack effect from wind and temperature differences, which can cause stairwells and corridors to fill with smoke during fires

Main Components of Fire Alarm Systems

3 main components:
- Manual and automatic initiating and detection devices
- Audible alarm signal devices
- Central control unit to process the incoming information

Detection/Signaling Systems (continued)

Detection devices (pull stations, heat, flame, and smoke detectors) detect fires and send a signal to the Fire Alarm Control Panel (FACP).
Visual signals include strobe lights.
Audible signals include bells, horns, sirens, and speakers.

Main Controller

Brains of the system
Provides power to the system
Monitors inputs and controls outputs through circuits
Performs other functions as required by the appropriate code

Elements of a Control Panel

Requires two power sources (electrical outlet and battery backup).
Inputs:
- Initiating Device: Originates transmission of a change of state condition (e.g., smoke detector).
- Initiating Device Circuit (IDC): Automatic or manual initiating devices are connected, where the signal received does not identify the individual device operated.
Outputs:
- Notification Appliance: A component (bell, horn, speaker, light, text display) that provides an audible, tactile, or visual output or any combination.
- Notification Appliance Circuit: The circuit directly connected to the notification appliance.

The Basic System

Diagram of the components (main controller, initiating devices, and notification appliances).

Initiating Devices (Manual Fire Alarm Stations)

Manually-operated devices to initiate an alarm.
Single action stations require a single operation (pulling down).
Dual action stations require two distinct operations (setup and activate).

Fire Lite BG-12

Dual action model with screw terminal connections and a hex lock reset.

Fire Detection Principles

Automatic Detectors: Detect smoke, heat, or flame, and are categorized as spot type.

Smoke Detectors

Photoelectric: Detects light scattering from smoke particles.
Ionization: Detects the ions created when smoke particles enter the ionization chamber.
Sensitivity differences: Photoelectric detectors are better at detecting light smoke, while ionization detectors detect early-stage smoke.

Heat Detectors

Detect fixed temperatures like 57°C or 90°C or rapid temperature changes (rate-of-rise).
Combination units are also available.

Flame Detectors

Used in high-hazard applications for rapid fire detection.
Must not be blocked by objects.
Infrared detectors have capabilities to detect radiation from walls.
Detection cone/viewing angle similar to the human eye.

Beam Detectors

Photoelectric light obscuration.
Light source and photosensitive sensor.
Smoke obstructing the light path reduces the light reaching the receiving sensor.
Alarm condition triggers when preset criteria are met.

Air Sampling/Duct Detectors

Piping/tubing connects the detector to the area to be monitored.
Aspirating fan draws air.
Air is analyzed for fire products.

Notification Appliances Types

Audible (horns, bells, sounders, sirens, chimes, speakers)
Visual (strobes)
Physical (bed shakers)
Olfactory (smell)
Thumper (alerts the blind)

Building Notification/Notification Appliances

Fire alarm system components (bell, horn, speaker, light, or text display) provide audible, tactile, or visible outputs.
Audible notification appliances alert by the sense of hearing.
Visible notification appliances alert by the sense of sight

Audible devices

Bells: Distinctive sound used in fire alarms or sprinkler systems.
Horns: Loud, often used in high-noise environments.
Sounders: Electronic or mechanical devices capable of different tones.
Chimes: Soft-toned devices used in areas where loud noises are disruptive.
Sirens: Extremely loud, typically used outdoors or heavy industry.
Speakers: Audible output used with evacuation messages.

Visual Signaling Appliances

Visual signaling appliances are used in high-noise environments, areas occupied by hearing-impaired individuals, or where audible devices are not desired.

Annunciators

Fire alarm notification appliance that displays system modes, status, and alarms.
Addressable fire alarm panels display configuration information in a floor plan.

Types of Fire Alarm Control Panels (FACP)

Conventional (hard-wired): Simplest design with a single circuit board containing power, control, initiation, and notification circuitry.
Programmable: Components are selected to meet specific customer needs; circuits are programmable.
Addressable (multiplexed): Each device has a unique address and data transmits along a signaling line circuit (SLC) loop.
Intelligent (analog data transfer): Addressable, detailed analog data is processed and sensitivity data can be provided.

Wiring Requirements

Power-limited and nonpower-limited circuits must be separated in the cabinet.
Special wiring considerations include:
- Maximum of two wires are joined together.
- Wires are not looped around terminal screws. Wires must be cut and placed under screw.
- End-of-line (EOL) resistors must be in separate boxes for more than one notification device.
Correct and incorrect wiring methods are visually demonstrated for two-wire detectors.

Terminology

List of terms and acronyms related to fire alarm systems (e.g., FACP, ULC, NFPA).

ULC Standards

Detailed list of ULC standards related to fire alarm systems.

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Description

This quiz focuses on alarm system components and their operation as taught in ECME-214. You'll explore various parts including pull stations, heat detectors, and the purpose of fire alarm systems in protecting lives and property. Gain insights into both active and passive fire prevention strategies.