A large building may require an automated alarm system which monitors and controls all fire and security alarms in the building. Normally, the building is divided into zones and a number of alarms are associated with each zone. Alarms alert a central manned control area who may pass these on to the emergency services or may respond personally. Factors which have to be taken into account in building such a system are: Ø If the control area is unmanned and an alarm is activated this alarm should not be ignored if it is potentially serious. Emergency services should be automatically called. Ø Some but not all parts of the building may be equipped with sprinkler systems or systems to shut down electrical equipment. These should be activated if a fire alarm is confirmed. They should not be activated if there are people in the same room. Ø The building may be equipped with direction indicators which illuminate the route to the nearest exit. These should be activated when a fire alarm is confirmed. At the same time, an audible signal should sound alerting occupiers to leave the building. Ø A security alarm may cause some internal doors to be locked automatically. It should be possible to isolate complete zones by automatic door locking. Ø False alarms are common and it might be normal practice to have an alarm confirmed before alerting emergency services. There are different ways of
A large building may require an automated alarm system which monitors and controls all
fire and security alarms in the building. Normally, the building is divided into zones and
a number of alarms are associated with each zone. Alarms alert a central manned control
area who may pass these on to the emergency services or may respond personally.
Factors which have to be taken into account in building such a system are:
Ø If the control area is unmanned and an alarm is activated this alarm should not be
ignored if it is potentially serious. Emergency services should be automatically
called.
Ø Some but not all parts of the building may be equipped with sprinkler systems or
systems to shut down electrical equipment. These should be activated if a fire
alarm is confirmed. They should not be activated if there are people in the same
room.
Ø The building may be equipped with direction indicators which illuminate the
route to the nearest exit. These should be activated when a fire alarm is
confirmed. At the same time, an audible signal should sound alerting occupiers to
leave the building.
Ø A security alarm may cause some internal doors to be locked automatically. It
should be possible to isolate complete zones by automatic door locking.
Ø False alarms are common and it might be normal practice to have an alarm
confirmed before alerting emergency services. There are different ways of
confirming an alarm. In the case of a fire alarm, it may be confirmed by multiple
sensors detecting a problem
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