Fire Alarm Concepts

Title Page
Fire Alarm Concepts
About This PACE Book 1

Objectives 1
How to Use This PACE Book 1
Section One: Types of Systems 2

Household Fire Alarm Systems 3
Protected Premises Fire Alarm Systems 4
Emergency Voice/Alarm Communication Systems 5
Auxiliary Fire Alarm Systems 7
Remote Supervising (or Central) Station Systems 11
Proprietary Supervising Station System 14
Section Two: Types of Services 15

Automatic Extinguishing Systems 16
Pre-action Sprinkler & Deluge Systems 17
Fixed Extinguishing Systems 19
Section Three: System Architecture 21

Hardwired and Multiplex Systems 22
Distributed Systems 26
Master/Subordinate 27
Peer-to-Peer Network: Open or Short Circuit 28
Peer-to-Peer Network: Degraded Operation 29
Peer-to-Peer Network: Failed Node 30
Fire Alarm Concepts - Quiz 31

Answer Key 34
Index 35
Fire Alarm Concepts Table of Contents

Fire Alarm Concepts
About This PACE Book
Fire Alarm Concepts is the second PACE Book in a series of prerequisite materials
designed to describe Fire Alarm Basics. The text and accompanying graphics within
this PACE Book are focused on the types of fire alarm systems, the specific services for
fire alarm control panels and finally, system architecture.
This PACE Book is divided into three sections:
l Section One: Types of Systems

l Section Two: Types of Services
l Section Three: System Architecture
Objectives
After completing this PACE Book, you should be able to:
l describe how the NFPA and listing requirements affect the equipment required in a
fire alarm system
l recognize the seven types of fire alarm systems
l recognize the six types of service for fire alarm control panels
l recognize the three types of system architecture.
How To Use This PACE Book
The PACE Book format was designed so that you could review the technical content of
the graphics by reading through the accompanying text.
After you’ve completed the reading, complete the short quiz at the end of this text, and
review the answers provided in the Answer Key. If you answered any questions
incorrectly, go back to the individual sections and review the relevant information.
Fire Alarm Concepts Page 1

Section One: Types of Systems
Fire Alarm Control Panel Listing Categories
Types of Systems
l Household Fire Alarm Systems - NFPA 72 Chapter 2
l Protected Premises (Local) Systems - NFPA 72 Chapter 3
l Emergency Voice/Alarm Communication Systems - NFPA 72 Chapter 3
l Auxiliary (Municipal) Systems - NFPA 72 Chapter 4
l Remote Supervising Station Systems - NFPA 72 Chapter 4
l Central Station Systems - NFPA 72 Chapter 4
l Proprietary Supervising Station Systems - NFPA 72 Chapter 4
Figure 2-1
We’ll start the discussion of Fire Alarm Concepts by reviewing the seven (7) types of
systems and their NFPA listing categories as outlined in Figure 2-1 above. Refer to
each of the NFPA 72 chapter listings for specific relevant information regarding each
system type.
Page 2 Fire Alarm Concepts

Household Fire Alarm Systems
NFPA 72 defines a household fire alarm system as a system of devices that is intended
to notify the occupants of the presence of fire. Typically there will be detectors with an
integral horn, which may be interconnected so that one alarm will sound all the horns in
a facility or house. Household systems do not require a control panel.
Most commercial fire alarm control panels are not listed as a household fire alarm
system. These systems can, however, be used in a household and actually exceed the
requirements for a household system.

Protected Premises Fire Alarm Systems
Protected Premises (Local) Fire Alarm System
A Protected Premises Fire Alarm System is one which produces

an evacuation signal at the protected premises. The system is
NOT required to be connected to an external monitoring facility.
Smoke Detector
Manual Horn
Station
FACP
Figure 2-2
A local protective signaling system is defined as one which protects the premises with
detection and notification, but it does not automatically notify a remote supervising
station. Not every system is required to notify all occupants, as long as emergency
response personnel are notified.

Emergency Voice/Alarm Communication Systems
Emergency Voice/Alarm Communications
HOSPITAL
n Live Voice Communications
n Prerecorded Tones
S
n Prerecorded Messages
n Firefighter’s Telephone System

S
Figure 2-3
An emergency voice/alarm communication system provides dedicated manual and

automatic facilities for fire location and control, and transmission of information and
instructions concerning a fire alarm emergency to the building occupants, as well as fire
department personnel.
Due to high-rise buildings and other structures where immediate evacuation of the entire
building was impractical, the use of this type of system allowed selective partial
evacuation or relocation of building occupants from fire-affected areas.
A one-way system permits emergency personnel to give live voice instructions on either
a selective or all-call basis via microphone and a system of loudspeakers. Prerecorded
tones and messages can also be selected and distributed manually or automatically.
A two-way system allows communications between fire department personnel while

investigating or fighting a fire in the building. Most two-way systems use telephones
located in fire stairwells so that the fire department personnel can talk from any floor to
the fire command station.

After an alarm signal is initiated, the system should automatically transmit an alert tone
of 3 to 10 seconds duration followed by a message and then an evacuation signal. The
message should be given at least 3 times in directing the occupants according to the
building’s fire evacuation plan. Failure of the message should sound the evacuation
signal automatically. Manual initiation of voice instructions or evacuation signals must
also be provided. Live voice instructions should override any previously initiated
signals.

Auxiliary Fire Alarm Systems
An auxiliary system is one which is connected to a municipal (public)

fire alarm system in order to notify the Fire Department
Code Code Code
123 124 125
Municipal
Fire Local
Alarm FACP
H.Q.
Code Code Code

126 127 128
Figure 2-4
An auxiliary fire alarm system is one which is connected directly to a public fire alarm
reporting system to notify the fire department. This system’s main component is the
“master box” which is normally located on the outside of the protected facility. These
boxes are connected to the fire department receiving station with a pair of wires on what
is normally called a “municipal loop.” Many master boxes may be on the same loop.
When activated manually by a fire alarm system, master boxes will transmit a 3- or 4-
digit code which alerts the fire department of their exact location.
Auxiliary municipal systems are typically connected to one of three different types of
master boxes:
l shunt type (the original design)

l local energy
l radio

The differences between them are slight. Basically, all three types have these three
functions: 1) each box will always transmit its own individual code, 2) it can be
manually or electrically activated, and 3) it has positive non-interfering successive
coding (PNIS). What that means is that if box #2 goes into alarm immediately
following box #1’s alarm, box #2 will wait until box #1 has finished transmitting its
code before sending its own signal.
Shunt Master Boxes

l Each box has an individual code
l Positive non-interfering and successive coding
l Manual or electrical activation
l Wires between FACP and SMB are NOT supervised
l An OPEN circuit in the shunt loop will cause an ALARM
condition Auxiliary
Box 3 Box 4 System
Box 2 (SMB) FACP
Box 1 Box 5
To
Fire Code 126
Dept. Code 123
H.Q.
Public System
Figure 2-5
Shunt master boxes are slowly fading from use because they no longer meet the
requirements of NFPA. The wires between the building’s control panel (FACP) and the
master box are unsupervised and utilize power from the municipal system, which places
the power for the loop in the protected building. In a fire situation, this power could be
accidentally connected to ground or shorted, preventing other boxes on the same loop
from reporting. In addition, any open circuit in the loop between the master box and the
FACP will cause the box to report a fire alarm. The NFPA now requires that an open
circuit report a Trouble. With a shunt system, there is no distinguishing between Alarm
or Trouble because an open circuit condition reports an alarm.

Local Energy Master Boxes

l Wires between FACP and LEMB are powered and supervised
by the FACP
Auxiliary
Box 3 Box 4 System
Box 2 (LEMB) FACP
Box 1 Box 5
To
Fire Code 126
Dept. Code 123
H.Q.
Public System
Figure 2-6
In local energy master boxes, the wires between the FACP and the master box are
supervised. So if there is a wiring fault in that area, it is reported at the control panel.
Power for those wires also comes from the FACP at the facility rather than from the
municipal system.

Radio Master Boxes
l Wires between the FACP and RMB are powered and
supervised by the FACP
FACP Auxiliary
System
Fire
Dept.
H.Q.
Box 4 Code 126
Public System
Figure 2-7
Radio master boxes are identical to local energy boxes except that they use a radio
frequency to transmit the signal to the fire department. There is a requirement that these
systems have two repeaters, so that if one fails, the other one will still report that signal
to the fire department. Additionally, radio boxes must transmit periodically for
supervision purposes and must report when their standby batteries are being depleted.

Remote Supervising (or Central) Station Systems
Remote Supervising Station Systems
A remote supervising station is one which monitors one or more

protected premises under different ownership. Alarm,
supervisory, and/or trouble conditions are transmitted over
supervised dedicated circuits. The signal must be received at a
location where authorized personnel have a public responsibility
for taking appropriate action.
Protected Protected Protected

Premise #1 Premise #2 Premise #3
Individual
1 2 3 Remote Leased
Central Telephone
4 5 6 Station Lines
Annunciator
Figure 2-8
A remote supervising station is a system or group of systems that has the authority to
monitor facilities of different ownership within a municipality. Their primary business
is to receive signals from individual facilities and then call the fire department with the
location of the fire. In some cases, the remote facility is the fire department.
The key to these systems is that they use individual leased telephone lines to report
alarms or troubles. Because this is costly, these systems are decreasing in popularity. A
term used in conjunction with remote station systems is reverse polarity. To report an
alarm, these systems reverse the polarity on the leased lines which, in turn, light up the
appropriate location at the remote station’s annunciator. Remote Supervising Stations
are not required to provide runner service and reports as required by Proprietary
Supervising Stations and Central Station systems.
A central station system’s primary business is also to receive signals from individual
facilities and notify the fire department with the location of the fire. The central station
must meet certain construction, equipment, and service criteria. NFPA 72 lists all the
requirements for this kind of station. There are a lot of security central stations

available that are not listed as fire alarm central stations. It is important to ensure that
the Central Station, as well as the fire alarm equipment at the protected premise, meet
the criteria for Central Station systems.
Central Station System
Phone
Line #1
Supervised Wiring
DACR DACT FACP

Printer
Central Station Phone Public Switched Protected Premises

Line #2 Telephone Lines
Figure 2-9
The unavailability of dedicated wire between facilities drove the need for a different
technology to notify central stations. The Digital Alarm Communicator Transmitter
(DACT) allows central station notification over standard telephone lines. Two (2) phone
lines are required as a redundancy measure for fire alarms. A fire alarm DACT has to
be capable of transmitting to either line—if one fails, it will call up on the other. These
lines are supervised by a test signal transmitted to the Digital Alarm Communicator
Receiver (DACR) once every 24 (twenty-four) hours.

The DACT reports any alarms or trouble within the system to a DACR. Then the DACR
reports to a printer and a CRT at the central station. Normally, both a printer and CRT
are used. But if there is no CRT, two hardcopy printers are required as backup in case
of failure. The DACT/DACR interface has two (2) levels of supervision: one is the
polling done every 24 hours; the second is its monitoring of the telephone line power.
Central stations are required to provide a number of services. The stations must record
signals and retransmit signals to the appropriate public fire communications center.
They must also provide protected premise communications and runner service —
meaning that a “runner” will investigate the problem if an alarm, supervisory, or trouble
condition exists for longer than a specified amount of time (reference: NFPA 72).
Scheduled maintenance and testing are required for central stations. Finally, central
stations must also provide written reports to the owner and the Authority Having
Jurisdiction (AHJ).

Proprietary Supervising Station System
Proprietary Supervising Station System

A proprietary supervising station system is one which monitors
properties under one ownership from a central area at the
protected premise. Trained and competent personnel are in
constant attendance.
Building #1 Building #2 Building #3
CRT/Keyboard Printer
Connection to
Fire Department
FACP
Central Supervising Station
Figure 2-10
A proprietary supervising station system looks much like a central station. The key
difference is that a central station monitors facilities of different ownership, while a
proprietary system monitors the facilities of one ownership. A typical proprietary
system would be a very large company or university with many buildings. A company
or university might even have its own fire department or may call the local municipal
department to respond to fire emergencies.
Proprietary supervising stations are also required to have a visual annunciator and a
hardcopy printer. And, like central station systems, they are required to provide a runner
service, scheduled maintenance and testing, as well as written reports and notices to the
owner and the AHJ.

Section Two: Types of Services
Services actually refer to the type of devices connected to the fire alarm control panel.
To reinforce what we discussed in Fire Alarm Components and Operations, these
include:
l Manual Alarm Service - utilizes manual stations that are physically operated by
pulling a lever for alarm activation.
l Automatic Alarm Service - involves devices which report an alarm upon
detecting smoke, heat, flame, or a particular gas.
l Waterflow Alarm Service - utilizes either paddle or pressure switches to monitor
waterflow caused by an activated sprinkler head.
l Sprinkler Supervisory Service - involves monitoring five specific categories:
water supply valves, line and tank pressure, tank water level, exposed tank water
temperature, and pump abnormal conditions. The panel itself must be listed for
each of the individual categories it is capable of monitoring.
l Guards Tour Supervisory Service - essentially, is a facilities management
protection service against building losses and destruction. Normally, it is
operational only when buildings are unoccupied.
l Releasing Service (Underwriters’ Laboratories [UL] & Factory Mutual [FM]) -
is for fire alarm panels used to control the release of water and/or agents for fire
prevention (suppression). They are specifically listed by UL and/or FM for this
service. FM has two different categories: 1) pre-action and/or deluge sprinkler
system, and 2) fixed extinguishing systems.

Automatic Extinguishing Systems
AHU Fan MONITOR ONLY, NO CONTROL

Duct
Det. Air Conditioning and Ventiliation - NFPA 90A
Supervisory Sprinkler
H S
Gate Valve
AV Automatic Fire Detectors
Notification Appliance NFPA 72
NFPA 72
Waterflow Paddle
Switch
Building Wiring
NFPA 70 PIV Supervisory Post
Fire Alarm (National Electrical Code) Indicator Valve
Control Panel
OPEN
NFPA 72
120 VAC
Figure 2-11
As an example of Waterflow Alarm and Sprinkler Supervisory Services, an automatic

extinguishing sprinkler system has a fire alarm control panel (FACP), a waterflow
switch (which, in this case, is a paddle switch), and a valve tamper switch to monitor the
water supply valve. Activation of the paddle switch causes an alarm at the FACP with
operation of the notification appliances. Activation of the valve tamper switch causes a
supervisory signal at the FACP. These systems are not to be confused with
extinguishing/suppression release systems. They do not control the release of water or
agents; they simply monitor the sprinkler system and notify personnel of any changes.

Pre-action Sprinkler & Deluge Systems
Pre-Action Sprinkler System
AHU Fan RELEASE CONTROL, DRY-PIPE, CLOSED HEADS

Duct
Det. Air Conditioning and Ventiliation - NFPA 90A Sprinkler Heads
Gate Valve
H S
Water Solenoid
NFPA 72
Valve
Waterflow Pressure
Switch
Building Wiring
Control Panel
OPEN
NFPA 72
120 VAC
Figure 2-12
Pre-action systems have closed sprinkler heads. When the FACP goes into alarm, the
FACP activates and opens the water solenoid valve. This action causes the sprinkler
pipes to be filled with water. As soon as a sprinkler head activates due to high
temperature, water is released.

Deluge Sprinkler Systems
AHU Fan RELEASE CONTROL, DRY-PIPE, OPEN HEADS

Duct
Gate Valve
H S
Water Solenoid
NFPA 72
Valve
Waterflow Pressure
Switch
Building Wiring
Control Panel
OPEN
NFPA 72
120 VAC
Figure 2-13
Deluge systems have open sprinkler heads and require careful design to be effective and
efficient. When the water solenoid valve is activated and opened by the FACP, the water
is released from every sprinkler head. Usually, the FACP is programmed to activate the
water upon activation of a single heat detector or only after multiple smoke detectors go
into alarm. This requirement of more than one smoke detector in alarm before
activating the water release valve is called “dual detector” or “cross zoning.” It is
generally not desirable to release water on a single smoke detector alarm.

Fixed Extinguishing Systems
Agent Release Extinguishing Systems

RELEASE CONTROL, OPEN HEADS,
AHU Fan
POSSIBLE HAZARD TO OCCUPANTS
Duct
Supervisory Pressure
Switch
H S
Notification Appliance NFPA 72 Agent Solenoid
NFPA 72 Valve
Supervisory Post
Indicator Valve
Building Wiring Alarm Pressure

NFPA 70 Switch
Fire Alarm (National Electrical Code)
Control Panel
Low Pressure
NFPA 72
CO2
120 VAC
Figure 2-14
Fixed extinguishing systems are basically like any other system that releases agents for
fire suppression. These systems are usually of the deluge type, but release fire
suppression agents instead of water. Some examples of these agents are: CO2, FM200,
Halon and AFFF foam. Some agents pose a health hazard to occupants and, if there is a
release, a large volume of chemical will be expelled. Consequently, it is a good design
practice not to release chemicals until the occupants are notified and had an opportunity
to evacuate the hazard area.
The two FM categories have different requirements. Under FM, pre-action or deluge
systems must use Style D (Class A) wiring on their IDC circuits and have 90 hours of
standby power. It can be batteries, or generators, but it must be acceptable to the
Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ). Sometimes a standalone charger and batteries
from an outside vendor may have to be used to meet the 90-hour standby requirements.
In these instances, you must confirm whether or not the control panel is capable of
operating with stand-alone battery chargers.

All fire alarm initiating and notification circuit wiring must be supervised (monitored for
integrity). On extinguishing/suppression release systems, both the circuit wiring and the
releasing device (e.g., solenoid coil) must be supervised. This is a requirement of NFPA
72 and the applicable sprinkler standards. This means releasing service systems are
unique in that the control panel must operate the solenoid valve and actually supervise
the actuating coil.
NFPA 13 contains a complete list of the requirements for these types of systems. STRM
Section A1.1 also provides additional information concerning Releasing Services.

Section Three: System Architecture
System Architecture
Hardwired
1/2” EMT
Multiplexed or Networked with
Voice & Phone
Figure 2-15
System architecture includes standalone hardwired, multiplex distributed, and network

distributed systems. The big benefit of the last two systems is less wiring and smaller
conduits.

Hardwired and Multiplex Systems
Stand-Alone Systems
Wiring
for 3rd Signal
Signal
F Floor F
E
E I
I
R
R O
O E
E
L
L
E
O
Detectors L
FIRE
E Waterflow
O Switch
L Manual Wiring
Station for 2nd
Floor
Signal Signal
F
F E
E I
I
O
R
O R E L
E
L
E
O
Detectors L
FIRE
E Waterflow
O Wiring Switch
L Manual
Station for 1st
Floor
City Connect
FACP
Conventional
(Hardwired) Devices 120 VAC
Figure 2-16
This system is a conventional hardwired system. Note that the large number of wires
from the peripherals on each floor go directly back to the control panel. This requires
large conduits and lots of wire.

Multiplex Systems
Signal F
I
E
F
E I R O
E L
O R
E
L Signal
System
Transponder E
Detectors 102 O
E FIRE L
O Data Lines
L Waterflow
Switch
Manual
Station
Signal F
I
E
F
E I R O
E L
O R
E
L Signal
System
Transponder E
Detectors 101 O
E FIRE L
O Data Lines
L Waterflow
Switch
Manual
Station
City Connect
FACP
Conventional
(Hardwired) Devices
120 VAC
Figure 2-17
This system uses multiplex technology. Note that a single pair leaves the control panel
and goes to a device called a transponder located on each floor. The communications
between panels is in a digital format, while conventional peripherals are connected on a
standard IDC circuit in the transponder. This was the initial use of multiplex technology
in buildings as it significantly reduced the cost of the vertical riser wire.

Multiplex Systems
To Additional
Transponders
2nd Floor Addressable Data Lines
System
Transponder
102
Addressable FIRE
Module Addressable Addressable
105 Module Module
102 101
104 106
Manual Addressable
Detectors E
E F Station O
I E F
O R L
O
I
R
E
L L E
Signal Waterflow
Signal
Switch
Signal F
E
E I
F
1st Floor O I
R
E
O
R L
L E Signal
System
Transponder E
101 O
E FIRE L
O Data Lines
L Waterflow
Manual Switch
Station
City Connect
FACP
Conventional and
Addressable Devices 120 VAC
Figure 2-18
Digital communications were then expanded to all the peripheral devices. As in the
figure above, addressable devices were installed over a pair of wires to the transponder
electronics on each floor, further reducing installation costs.

Stand-Alone Systems
Wiring
for 3rd
Signal
Floor Signal
F
Conventional and
F E
E
O
L
I
R
E
I
R
E
O
L
Addressable Devices
E
O
Detectors
L
FIRE
E
Wiring Waterflow
O
L
Manual for 2nd Switch
Station Floor
Signal
F F
E I I E
R R O
O E E
L L
E
O
Detectors
L
FIRE
E
Waterflow
O Wiring
L
Manual Switch
Station for 1st
Floor
Basement Data Lines
City Connect
FACP Addressable
FIRE Addressable Addressable
Module Module Module
104 105 106
Detectors
Manual
Station E
O F
120 VAC E I E F
I
L O R O R
E E
L L
Waterflow
Signal Signal
Switch
Figure 2-19
This is an example of a combination or hybrid system, providing both hardwired IDC

and NAC circuits as well as addressable devices. This system architecture lends itself
best in retrofit applications where it is desirable to interface with existing conventional
devices while adding addressable devices to the area of renovation or new construction.

Distributed Systems
When using distributed system technology, the two different types of communication
you may use include: master/subordinate or peer-to-peer.
l Multiplex (Master/Subordinate) - all communications and decision making

capability are controlled by the master panel. In the event the master fails or is
destroyed, communications between multiple panels are lost since they must go
through the master. Some situations in the past involving a destroyed master
were wake-up calls to system designers that master/subordinate systems had an
inherent frailty that is unacceptable in larger facilities. Even if one wire is
broken between a subordinate panel and the master, communication is lost.
l Network (Peer-to-Peer) - each panel is equal in that all panels communicate
with each other. Communications are achieved by way of the token ring (token
ring will be explained in more detail later in this section). With the token ring,
there is no master as with the master/subordinate system. Each panel on the
network, known as nodes, controls its own functions, but listens to data on the
network and may take action depending on what the message is. Each node can
transmit Alarm, Trouble, Supervisory, and Utility point status changes over the
network.

Master/Subordinate
Master/Subordinate
Transponder
Transponder
Master
Figure 2-20
The first multiplexed systems used master/subordinate communications. In an Alarm,

the transponders transmit the information to the main panel and the panel makes all
decisions. It then transmits commands to the transponders to turn on their respective
notification appliance circuits and control circuits. As you can see, the operation of the
master is essential.

Peer-to-Peer Network
Peer-to-Peer Network Communications
With Open or Short Circuit

FAULT
Token & data

travel in one
direction . . .
X
Token
. . . until the
end and then
they reverse.
Figure 2-21
With peer-to-peer communications, each time a node (panel) is finished transmitting

information, it passes the token to the next node. The next node then has its opportunity
to transmit information to the network, and passes the token. The token is normally
passed in a counterclockwise direction. In the event the wire shorts or breaks, the nodes
before and after the fault determine that the fault exists. As shown above, the node
which cannot pass the token in the counter-clockwise direction, reverses the direction
until it reaches the node on the other side of the fault, which in turn, also reverses
direction. This method of operation allows all nodes to successfully communicate even
though there is an open or short in the wire. Now that you have an understanding of the
term token, the term token ring also indicates the circuit is wired in a ring (or
continuous loop).

With Two Faults (Degraded)

FAULT
Token
Multiple faults
result in multiple
networks...
X
Token
X
. . . for any two
or more panels
still connected FAULT
together.
Figure 2-22
What happens when there are two breaks in the wire? As shown above, the result is two
independent networks. How then does the network communicate with only one token?
Each node is aware of how frequently it should receive the token. If a node ends up on
a disconnected network without a token, it recognizes the condition and creates a new
token. This node then starts to pass the new token to the nodes on its network allowing
them to communicate with each other. As mentioned earlier, all Trouble conditions are
transmitted to the network, so each node will display the indication of the troubles on its
operator panel.
It must be noted that this is considered a degraded mode of operation since the two
separate networks are unable to communicate with each other. However, considering
there are two fault conditions, the system survivability is maximized compared with that
of a master/subordinate system.

With Failed Node
Style 7 maintained
even with failed
Token
node
Figure 2-23
Each node has a Network Interface Card (NIC), and is designed to allow
communications to pass through the unit in a failure provided the total distance of the
wiring between the failed node and each of its adjacent nodes is less than the maximum
distance allowed. If the total distance of the wiring between the failed node and its
adjacent nodes is greater than the maximum distance, then the token will be reversed as
if the failed node was an open line.

Fire Alarm Concepts - Quiz
Directions: Below are several multiple choice items for each statement or question.
Circle the appropriate letter that best matches each item.
1. Which of the following fire alarm systems is not connected to an external monitoring
facility?
a. remote supervising station

b. local
c. auxiliary municipal
d. a and b
e. b and c
2. Which of the following fire alarm systems is able to monitor multiple sites?
a. proprietary supervising station

b. local
c. remote Supervisory Station
d. a and b
e. a and c
3. In auxiliary municipal systems:
a. each box has an individual code

b. manual or electrical activation is possible
c. positive non-interfering and successive coding is possible
d. all of the above
e. a and b
4. In auxiliary municipal systems:
a. wires between the control panel and local energy master box are supervised by
the control panel
b. wires between the control panel and shunt master box are supervised by the
control panel
c. wires between the control panel and radio master box are unsupervised
d. all of the above
e. a and c

5. Central stations offer which of the following services?
a. written reports and notices

b. scheduled maintenance and testing
c. protected premises communications and runner service
d. all of the above
e. a&c
6. Which of the following categories does sprinkler supervisory service not include:
a. automatic alarm devices

b. water supply valves
c. tank water level
d. abnormal pump conditions
e. none of the above
7. Which of the following statements about releasing service is true?
a. FM has two categories for fire alarm panel releasing service: pre-action and
deluge sprinkler systems
b. FM has one category for fire alarm panel releasing service: extinguishing
systems
c. releasing service is designed to provide an electrically supervised releasing
system and both the wiring and releasing device must be supervised
d. a and c
e. b and c
8. Which type of signaling uses the public telephone switching network?
a. coded
b. multiplex
c. Digital Alarm Communicator System
d. a and b
e. b and c

9. Multiplex distributed systems communicate with:
a. a master-subordinate relationship
b. a peer-to-peer relationship
c. style B or D signaling line circuits
d. a and b
e. all of the above
10. What is the major operational difference between what a peer-to-peer network
provides that a master-subordinate does not?
a. one node controls the rest of them

b. each node communicates with all the others
c. each node controls itself
d. a and b
e. b and c

Answer Key
1. b 2. e 3. d 4. a 5. d
6. a 7. c 8. c 9. d 10. c

INDEX
—A—
AFFF foam, 19 Household Fire Alarm Systems, 3 polling, 13
Agent Release Extinguishing Systems, hybrid system, 25 premise communications, 32
19 printer, 13
AHJ, 19 —I— Proprietary Supervising Station
Alarm, 1, 2, 3, 15, 27, 31 System, 14
Alarm Service, 15 IDC circuit, 19, 25 protected facility, 7
Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ), independent networks, 29 protected premise communications, 32
19 integral horn, 3 Protective Signaling Systems, 4
automatic extinguishing sprinkler pump, 32
system, 16 —L—
Auxiliary (Municipal), 7 —R—
large conduits, 22
—C— lever, 15 radio frequency, 10
listed central station, 12 radio master boxes, 10
central station, 12, 14 listing categories, 2 receiving station, 7
closed sprinkler heads, 17 local energy master boxes, 9 Release Extinguishing Systems, 19
CO2, 19 Local Protective Signaling Systems, 4 release fire suppression agents, 19
control panel, 1, 3, 9, 15, 16, 22, 23 releasing service, 32
conventional hardwired system, 22 —M— Remote Supervising (or Central), 11
CRT, 13 repeaters, 10
Manual Alarm Service, 15 requires large conduits, 22
—D— manual stations, 15 retransmit signals, 13
Master/Subordinate, 26, 27 runner service, 32
DACR, 13 monitor facilities, 11
DACT, 13 monitor multiple sites, 31 —S—
dedicated wire, 12 monitoring facility, 31
degraded operation, 29 Multiplex Systems, 22, 23, 24, 25 security central stations, 12
Deluge Systems, 17 multiplex technology, 23, 26 Services, 1, 15
deluge type, 19 Municipal, 7 Shunt master boxes, 8
different ownership, 11, 14 municipal fire company, 4 Signaling Systems, 4
disconnected network, 29 municipal fire department, 7 signals, 11
municipal system, 31 solenoid valve, 18
—E— Sprinkler, 17
—N— sprinkler head, 17, 18
energy master box, 9 sprinkler system, 16
external monitoring facility, 31 NAC circuits, 25 standalone charger, 19
Extinguishing Systems, 16, 19 Network, 28, 29, 30 standalone hardwired, 21
Network Communications, 28 standby power, 19
—F— Network Interface Card (NIC), 30 style B, 33
NFPA, 2, 3, 12 successive coding (PNIS), 8
FACP, 16, 17, 18 NIC, 30 Supervising Station System, 14
Failed Node, 30 Node, 30 supervision, 13
finished transmitting, 8, 28 normally passed, 28 Supervisory, 31
Fire Alarm Systems, 3 notification appliances, 16 supervisory signal, 16
fire department, 5, 7, 10, 11, 12, 14 supply valve, 16, 32
fire suppression, 19 —O— suppression, 19
Fixed Extinguishing Systems, 19 switch, 16
FM categories, 19 open sprinkler heads, 18
foam, 19 ownership, 11, 14 —T—
—H— —P— tamper switch, 16
tank water level, 32
Halon, 19 paddle switch, 16 token, 28, 29
hardcopy printers, 13 panel, 1, 3, 9, 15, 16, 22, 23, 27 transmit information, 8, 10, 27, 28
hardwired IDC, 25 Peer Network, 28, 29, 30 transponder, 23
hardwired system, 22 Peer Network Communications, 28
head, 17, 18 peripherals, 22
horn, 3 PNIS, 8

—U— —V— water solenoid valve, 18
water supply valve, 16, 32
uses multiplex technology, 23 valve tamper switch, 16 waterflow, 16
utilizes manual stations, 15 waterflow switch, 16
—W— wires, 9, 22
wiring, 19
water level, 32

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Fire Alarm Concepts - Quiz

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Title Page

About This PACE Book 1

Section One: Types of Systems 2

Section Two: Types of Services 15

Section Three: System Architecture 21

Fire Alarm Concepts - Quiz 31

Fire Alarm Concepts Table of Contents

About This PACE Book

This PACE Book is divided into three sections:

l Section One: Types of Systems

After completing this PACE Book, you should be able to:

How To Use This PACE Book

Fire Alarm Concepts Page 1

Fire Alarm Control Panel Listing Categories

Page 2 Fire Alarm Concepts

Fire Alarm Concepts Page 3

Protected Premises (Local) Fire Alarm System

A Protected Premises Fire Alarm System is one which produces

Page 4 Fire Alarm Concepts

Emergency Voice/Alarm Communications

n Firefighter’s Telephone System

An emergency voice/alarm communication system provides dedicated manual and

A two-way system allows communications between fire department personnel while

Fire Alarm Concepts Page 5

Page 6 Fire Alarm Concepts

Auxiliary Fire Alarm Systems

An auxiliary system is one which is connected to a municipal (public)

Code Code Code

l shunt type (the original design)

Fire Alarm Concepts Page 7

Auxiliary Fire Alarm Systems

Shunt Master Boxes

Page 8 Fire Alarm Concepts

Local Energy Master Boxes

Fire Alarm Concepts Page 9

Page 10 Fire Alarm Concepts

Remote Supervising Station Systems

A remote supervising station is one which monitors one or more

Protected Protected Protected

Fire Alarm Concepts Page 11

Central Station System

DACR DACT FACP

Central Station Phone Public Switched Protected Premises

Page 12 Fire Alarm Concepts

Fire Alarm Concepts Page 13

Proprietary Supervising Station System

Building #1 Building #2 Building #3

Page 14 Fire Alarm Concepts

Fire Alarm Concepts Page 15

AHU Fan MONITOR ONLY, NO CONTROL

As an example of Waterflow Alarm and Sprinkler Supervisory Services, an automatic

Page 16 Fire Alarm Concepts

Pre-Action Sprinkler System

AHU Fan RELEASE CONTROL, DRY-PIPE, CLOSED HEADS

Fire Alarm Concepts Page 17

AHU Fan RELEASE CONTROL, DRY-PIPE, OPEN HEADS

Page 18 Fire Alarm Concepts

Agent Release Extinguishing Systems

Building Wiring Alarm Pressure

Fire Alarm Concepts Page 19

Page 20 Fire Alarm Concepts