What’s New in the Fire Detection Industry

Alan Ang
 What’s New in Fire Detection Systems?
• Move towards utilizing Common System Communications Platform for key building facilities
system
– IT Influence and strong presence in all buildings - Ethernet/ IP Technology
• Different Fire Detection Supplier – Single Workstation Solution
– The long waited solution for end user to have a single workstation for the various brand of fire detection systems for different phases
of buildings
• New Design and Solution on Addressable Loop Card for Fire Detection Systems
– Flexiibilty
– Installability
– Serviceablity
• Upcoming New Standards in Fire Detection Control Interfaces to different related Vital
Building Systems
– Hardwired solution is no longer acceptable, software solution have difficult open Protocol to customize, protective supplier to open
up….etc

• Addressable Detectors but Incomplete without Addressable Notification Systems

– Needs the complete solution with minimum power burden on Fire Detection Panels.

• Flame Detector New Development

– Combination of IR Array with CCTV for pin point accuracy detection of Flames.

• New Extra Early Point Detection Technology

– Combination of Carbon Monoxide, Heat Detector and Smoke Detector – Acceptance by En54-7

• Conclusion
 Common
Commercial System Communications
Platform - Ethernet
 Fire Alarm System Control Panel Interface

• Typical Fire Detection Systems Network loop are proprietary and

needs to run on their own Class A Loop hardwire or Fiber Optic
Wiring.

Station A Station B Station C

FAP FAP FAP

Workstation
Workstation Workstation

Hardwired Cables or fiber Optics lines

 Fire Alarm System Control Panel Interface

• Next Generation of Fire Detection Panels and Workstation Network

communication platform.

Station A Station B Station C

FAP FAP FAP

Workstation
Workstation Workstation

Commercial Ethernet/Wan TCP/IP

Direct Connection

• Now with Tyco we are able to provide proven solution of Ethernet

connection for the Fire Alarm Panel
 Fire Alarm System Server & Client Workstation

• Now we are able to provide the first Fire Alarm Server and Client Solutions
XLGraphic
XLGraphic Redundant
Server 01 Server
Station 1 Station 2 Station 3 Station 4 Station 5 Station 6 Station 8

Client Client Client Client Client Client Client

Station 9
Control Centre Commercial Ethernet LAN/Wan IP Network
XLGraphic
Server 01
Station 1 Station 2 Station 3 Station 4 Station 5 Station 6 Station 8

Client Client Client Client Client Client Client

Break in Ethernet, Continue to work
with Redundant Server Station 9
Control Centre
Return to Summary Slides

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Different Fire Detection Supplier – Single Workstation Solution
 Different Fire Detection Supplier – Possible Single Workstation Solution

Minerva
Notifier
Notifier 1010 Morley
2020
RS232
Computer Simplex
Terminal
Port
RS232
Computer RS232
Terminal Blackbox Blackbox Computer
Port Blackbox Terminal
Edwards Blackbox Port
RS232
RS232
Computer Network of Different Brand Computer
Terminal Fire Detection Panels or
Blackbox Terminal
Port Network Port
Blackbox
 All different Brand information display and operates in Similar Manner

Historical
recording of
all brands
monitored
Notifier Siemens
Detector Pull
Station

Simplex Minerva
Detector
Detector

Silence
Reset
Notifier
Panel
UL Listing Pending
 Example: Central Control for Multiple Subway Line 1 , Line 2 , Line 3 , Line 4 & Line 5

• Subway Line 1
– Fire Detection– Simplex
– EMCS- CSI
• Subway Line 2
– Fire Detection: Honeywell XL1000
– EMCS- PLC
• Subway Line 3
– Fire Detection: Siemens XL11
– EMCS- PLC
• Subway Line 4
– Fire Detection: Nohmi System
– EMCS – PLC
• Subway Line 5
– Fire Detection: Simplex System
– EMCS - PLC
 Subway Line 1 Blackbox
Fire Detection – Simplex

Subway Line 1 Blackbox Example: Ideal Solution

EMCS – CSI

Subway Line 2 Blackbox

for Central Control
Fire Detection – Honeywell

Subway Line 2
EMCS – PLC
Blackbox

Subway Line 3 Blackbox

Fire Detection – Siemens

Subway Line 3
EMCS – PLC
Blackbox

Subway Line 4
Fire Detection – Nohmi
Blackbox
Ethernet/Wan TCP/IP
Subway Line 4
EMCS – PLC
Blackbox

Subway Line 5 Blackbox

Fire Detection – (Simplex?)

Subway Line 5
EMCS – PLC
Blackbox
 Example: Central Control Solution from Tyco

Subway Line 1
RS232 Port
Fire Detection – Simplex

Subway Line 1
EMCS – CSI OPC
OPC Client
Server
Subway Line 2
Fire Detection – Honeywell RS232 Port

Subway Line 2
EMCS – PLC Modbus
Interface

Subway Line 3
RS232 Port
Fire Detection – Siemens

Subway Line 3
EMCS – PLC Modbus
Interface Ethernet/Wan
TCP/IP
Subway Line 4
RS232 Port
Fire Detection – Nohmi

Subway Line 4 Modbus

EMCS – PLC Interface

Subway Line 5
RS232 Port
Fire Detection – (Simplex?)

Subway Line 5
EMCS – PLC Modbus
Interface
Return to Summary Slides

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 New Design for Addressable Loop Card

• Challenge face by end user:

• A. The Standard Market Addressable analog loop card has grown to a typical
capacity of 200 to 300 devices per addressable loop.
• Pros :
– Large capacity to reduce Cost for contractor and end user.
• Cons:
– Design Challenge: The consultant have to match the building to suit the
addressable loop capacity and sometimes have to link 3 to 4 floors at one go.(Poor
Safety aspect and inflexible and inpractical Issues)
– Installation Challenge: Installation is usually delay due to clearing of ground fault for
such long length of cabling. Difficulties to troubleshoot
– Commissioning Challenge: Difficult to partial commission as you will need to do a lot
of partial programming to avoid trouble report from yet to installed devices.
Difficulties to trouble shoot.
– Maintainance Challenge: Difficult to maintain as one loop down will leave a few
floors unprotected at one go and difficulties to trouble shoot.
 Solution from Tyco
•Able to split Single loop card into 4 addressable
Sub loop.
•The 4 Individual Sub loop is able to maximise the
total point count of the single addressable loop
card among the Sub Loop i.e.
•Loop 1A = 60 Devices
•Loop 1B= 20 Devices
•Loop 1C= 30 Devices
•Loop 1D= 05 Devices
•Total = 115 Device < 246 Devices

•Individual Subloops comes with built in Fault

Isolator for easy trouble shooting of ground,
missing, duplicate devices
•Able to run longer distance and no need for
screen or shielded cables
•Able to accept 14awg till 18awg wiring thickness.
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 Upcoming
New Standards
in Fire Detection Control Interfaces
 Upcoming New Standards in Fire Detection Control Interfaces

• RS232 Terminal Port Interface

– RS232 and other types of typical protocol takes too much time on getting releases and co operations from different supplier.

• Bacnet Ready Blackbox

– Only BAS supplier support such interface and not the security Systems supplier
• Modbus RTU(Slave) Industrial Standard Interface.
– This is a rising popular interface for low quantities point count and is common among many systems supplier.
– Standard Modbus Interface available.
 Modbus Protocol
Modbus Serial Line
Modbus TCP/IP

• Alternative the Rising preference for Windows Client and Server OPC( open
connectivity via open standards )
– This is a rising popular interface to extract or share large database of information thru Client and Server PC interface.
 EMCS – Energy Management Control Systems

• Due to the various different standards adopted by different BMS Supplier, the ideal
open systems for small point count project usage would be Industrial Standards
PLC(Program Logic Controller)
• The recommended ideal Modbus interface protocol would be: Modbus
RTU(Slave)
• Example:
Modbus
Modbus Master
Slave Signal
Response
PLC CPU

Signal
PLC Controller

Ethernet/
PLC Controller

Lan
PLC CPU
PLC Controller

PLC Controller

Master Control
PLC Controller

Systems
PLC Controller

Modbus
Master Workstation
Modbus Signal
PLC Slave
#05 PLC Response
#06 Signal
 EMCS – Energy Management Control Systems

Status of PLC#05 Point 2: Reply is On Status of PLC#05 Point 2: Request On or Off

Modbus
Modbus Master
Slave Signal
Response
PLC CPU

Signal
PLC Controller

Ethernet/
PLC Controller

Lan
PLC CPU
PLC Controller

PLC Controller

Master Control
PLC Controller

Systems
PLC Controller

Modbus
Master Workstation
Modbus Signal
PLC Slave
#05 PLC Response
#06 Signal
OPC Alternative
Large Database
Interface
OPC - open connectivity via open standards.
OPC Operations Details
 Current and emerging OPC Specifications include:

1) OPC Data Access

The originals! Used to move real-time data from PLCs, DCSs, and other control devices to HMIs and other
display clients. The Data Access 3 specification is now a Release Candidate. It leverages earlier versions while
improving the browsing capabilities and incorporating XML-DA Schema.

2) OPC Alarms & Events

Provides alarm and event notifications on demand (in contrast to the continuous data flow of Data Access).
These include process alarms, operator actions, informational messages, and tracking/auditing messages.

3) OPC Batch
This spec carries the OPC philosophy to the specialized needs of batch processes. It provides interfaces for the
exchange of equipment capabilities (corresponding to the S88.01 Physical Model) and current operating
conditions.

4) OPC Data eXchange

This specification takes us from client/server to server-to-server with communication across Ethernet fieldbus
networks. This provides multi-vendor interoperability! And, oh by the way, adds remote configuration, diagnostic
and monitoring/management services.

5) OPC Historical Data Access

Where OPC Data Access provides access to real-time, continually changing data, OPC Historical Data Access
provides access to data already stored. From a simple serial data logging system to a complex SCADA system,
historical archives can be retrieved in a uniform manner.
 Current and emerging OPC Specifications include:

6) OPC Security
All the OPC servers provide information that is valuable to the enterprise and if improperly updated, could
have significant consequences to plant processes.

7) OPC Security
specifies how to control client access to these servers in order to protect this sensitive information and to
guard against unauthorized modification of process parameters.

8) OPC XML-DA
Provides flexible, consistent rules and formats for exposing plant floor data using XML, leveraging the work
done by Microsoft and others on SOAP and Web Services.

9) OPC Complex Data

A companion specification to Data Access and XML-DA that allows servers to expose and describe more
complicated data types such as binary structures and XML documents.

10) OPC Commands

A Working Group has been formed to develop a new set of interfaces that allow OPC clients and servers to
identify, send and monitor control commands which execute on a device.
Standard Products from Tyco
 Security System

• Security systems as below

• Security Access & Door Contacts systems
– Recommended protocol would be SQL Server or thru OPC Server
(On Conditions of full Access being provided by supplier – 100% One off Customisation)

Card Readers Security Fire Detection

& Door Workstation Security OPC OPC Client
Contacts Server Station Fire Detection Server
Station
Return to Summary Slides

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 TrueAlert Addressable Appliances

Why are addressable appliances better? TrueAlert

• Lowers cost of installation and expansion.

• Improves survivability
• Lowers compliance testing cost.

Intelligent Fire Notification

for the 21st Century …
Complete Addressable Fire Detection and Notification Systems

Horn with
Scrobe
001 002 002
003

001 003

004
Provides Unique Sound and Syncronise Sight at
minimum current consumption without loading the
005 addressable detection Loop!

Design with traditional installation expectation of contractors where detectors zones and notifications zones are separate.
Immediate Savings in installations and flexibility in
implementations!
 Conventional or Addressable?

Function Conventional Addressable Addressable

Savings

Only with Simplex

Terminations 4 2 50%

12 to 1 Noise
Testing By zone By unit
reduction

Supervision By zone By unit 12 to 1 Faster repair

Re-route Splice
Additions 50% +
wiring existing
 Conventional Wiring Method

Features
• 329ft of 1/2” conduit
• 227ft of 3/4” conduit
• (9) junction boxes
• (4) 2.5” deep boxes
• (12) 4” square boxes
• 1,210ft of 12 AWG
• 1,024ft of 14 AWG
 Addressable Wiring Method

Features
• 556ft of 1/2” conduit
• (1) terminal box
• (7) junction boxes
• (16) 1.5” deep boxes
• 1,324ft of 12 AWG
 Installation Comparison

TrueAlert Savings
•Smaller & Less conduit used

•Smaller & Less boxes used

•Less wire used

Fully Supervised Individual Notifcation Devices
Aesthetic Pleasing Design
Silent and Unobtrusive Testing

LED at each Addressable

Truealert provides ease
of test and verifications
for Silent and
maintenance testing
 TrueAlert Addressable Appliances

• Summary
• Unobtrusive testing – Test during working hours
• Built In Strobe Sync – No additional modules
required
• Unshielded wire – Faster installations
• Reduce Installation Cost with less cables.
• Reduce unnecessary hardwire cabling thru
software zoning as well as Star and T tapping.
Return to Summary Slides

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Flame Detector New Development
 Present Technology Limitation
Separate CCTV
System just to see
Alarm

Flame Detector
IR Flame Alarm
Detection Difficult to
Element Design Oval Cannot
Shape differential if
Coverage there is more
Zone than one flame
location
(With Gray areas
on the sides and detected
bottom)
Expensive
Housing for Flame Detector
CCTV Alarm

Current technologies have drawbacks:

•UV/IR detectors have good false alarm immunity, but
limited detection range, high power consumption and
problems if mist or smoke in field of view.
•Single IR detectors can only offer a compromise
between detection sensitivity and blackbody rejection
•Triple IR detectors achieve long range detection but
sensitivity is significantly reduced in the presence of
blackbody sources
New IR Array Detection combine with Built in CCTV Flame Detector
Flame Detector
IR Flame Alarm exact
location
Detection CCTV indicated
Element
Camera

Able to
Display
Multiple
Flame
Location

Flame Detector
Alarm

Combine effect of Flame Alarm Detection and Visual Display of exact Location or locations
Demonstration of Actual Product
 Product specification
• Electrical and
environmental parameters
– -40° to +80° C
– High temperature excursion
– Marine vibration and shock standards
– Voltage range: 18 to 30V
– Low power consumption (at 24V)
< 1.6W standard
<6.5W with heated window
<1.0W additional for integral video
– CE Marked
 S300 Product specification

• Fire performance
– 90° FoV horizontal
– 80°FoV vertical
– 50m minimum over FoV (0.1m2 petrol) (55m on axis)
– Improved range for other fuels
– Sensitivity not degraded by presence of blackbody
sources
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 Extra Early Point Detection Technology

Optical detector + Thermal detector + CO Detector =

Year 2005
Breakthrough:
EN54 Recognition &
Embracing of CO detector as
a Fire Detection Devices!
Demonstration of why CO Detection is the Earliest Point
Detection Technology
Return to Summary Slides

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