Installation Guide, Kent UK

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Installation Guide

This page has been designed to assist in the installation of a conventional for alarm panel. It contains details of cables, detector heads, call points, fire panels, and how to connect these items together. If you have any problems you can consult the troubleshooting section at the end, and if that doesn't help try our technical department at 01732 358209.

Site Manual Call Points

All manual call points whatever the system type should be sited:

	On all escape routes and exits to the open air.
	So that nobody has to travel more than 30 metres to reach one.
	On floor landings and staircases.
	In conspicuous and well-lit positions against a contrasting background.
	So that they can be seen easily.
	1.4 metres above the floor.

Select and site fire detectors

It is important to have an adequate number of detectors to fully cover the areas requiring protection. Additionally the type of detection must be matched to the environment and the potential fire hazards likely to be present.

Optical Smoke Detectors

For slow smouldering fires.

	Corridors or Escape Routes
	Wood or paper stores

Do not use in steamy, dusty or smoky areas such as kitchens, bathrooms etc

Ionisation Smoke Detectors

For fast burning, high energy fires.

	Solvent stores
	Switch rooms

A mixture of optical and ionisation sensors can be used to ensure coverage in areas of high value, like computer rooms.

Heat Detectors

Heat detectors are used where the environment is subject to constant levels of smoke or dirt.

	Boiler rooms
	Busy kitchens and laundries

Fixed Temperature Heat Detector

For protection of property, particularly where temperature can fluctuate for natural reasons:

	Near large windows
	Industrial heat producing processes

Beam Detector

Although traditionally restricted to specialist applications, beam detection may provide more cost effective solutions to point detection over long distances.

	Corridors
	Warehouses
	Ceiling voids
	Hangars
	Open shopping areas

Do not use in the direct line of sight of an infra-red source such as tungsten or high intensity arc lights.

Duct Detector

The duct housing unit is designed to detect smoke in air conditioning systems. It is fitted to the outside of the duct and has 2 probes that protrude inside the duct to monitor the air.

Under flat horizontal ceilings

	Area covered by 1 detector: Smoke 100m2 Heat 50m2
	Distance between any part of the wall and the nearest detector: Smoke 7.5m Heat 5.3m
	Distance between detector: Smoke 15.0m Heat 10.6m

Pitched roofs

A row of sensors should be installed along the apex of any pitched roof or �north-light� roof. Smoke sensors should be not more than 600mm from the apex of the roof. Horizontal spacing between sensors may be extended when used under pitched roofs. The horizontal distance may be extended by up to 1% for each degree of slope of the roof (relative to horizontal) up to a maximum of 25%.

Further considerations (checklist)

	For a Type P1 system every part of the building should be suitably protected. For this purpose each effectively enclosed space should be considered separately. Areas covered by a Type P2 system should be separated from unprotected areas by a fire resisting construction. ) Voids not more than 800mm deep need not be protected unless fire can spread through them from one to the other.
	Where rooms are divided by partitions or storage racks reaching to within 300mm of the ceiling each section should be protected separately.
	Shafts for elevators, lifts, hoists, escalators and enclosed chutes through floors and stairways should be protected by detectors at the top of the shaft and within 1.5m of openings on to each floor.
	Where an escalator or staircase has a sloping ceiling a detector may need to be sited on that ceiling.
	Enclosed staircases should be protected by detectors on each main landing within the staircase.
	Lantern lights should be protected by a detector unless they are less than 800mm in height above the ceiling and are not used as ventilation.
	Extra detectors may be needed to cope with structural features within a room. Consideration must be given to possible adverse air flows when air conditioning and ventilation systems are in use.
	If a detector is concealed, it may be desirable to provide a remote visible indication of its operation.
	Care should be taken when siting to ensure that adverse conditions such as high levels of shock or vibration are not encountered.

Site Alarm Sounders

Life Protecting

The minimum sound levels must be produced in all occupiable parts of the building. Occupiable parts include restricted areas such as service ducts where people could be working on occasion. As audible alarms are essential for the protection of life, a minimum of two independent sounders must always be provided to guard against the failure of one. A minimum of one sounder should be provided in each fire compartment.

Property Protection

In Type P systems the minimum sound levels must be produced in the areas required to summon fire fighting assistance. A sounder should also be provided close to the control and indicating equipment and there should be one outside to direct services to the correct entrance. In practice most fire detection and alarm systems involve elements of both property and life protection. Most systems should therefore meet all the above requirements. In general fire alarm sounders must not be used for any other purpose, with the established exception of class changes in schools where coded signals of not more than five seconds duration can be used. Public address equipment can be used to give warning of fire subject to certain conditions. Visual alarm signals should be considered to complement alarm sounders where there is a high level of noise or the occupants may be hearing impaired.

Sound output

All sounders in a building should be of a similar type, do not mix electronic sounders and bells. The sound level will reduce by 6dB every time the distance from the sounder is doubled. Sound levels are normally quoted on-axis, ie. directly in-line with the middle of the sounder. This is normally the loudest position. In order to assess the sound level at any particular point it is necessary to allow for the distance from the sounder AND the angle off-axis.

Sounders should produce:

	Minimum sound level of 65 dB or at least 5 dB greater than any background noise that is likely to persist for more than 30 seconds
	75 dB is required at the bedhead of a sleeping person

Note: The sound level near the control panel should not be so high that a telephone cannot be used to summon help from the fire brigade.

Attenuation

Fire alarm sounders may often be heard in adjacent rooms but the sound level will be attenuated by any door.

Typical attenuation figures are:

	20 dB by an internal door
	30 dB by a fire door

It is also important to consider the room�s use. Are there any obstacles (including furniture) to the sound, and how many people will be present in the room? Both people and furnishings will attenuate the sound level.

Select Control & Indicating Equipment

It is now possible to obtain both conventional and analogue addressable control panels to suit a wide variety of building sizes and types. There should be a plan of the building, showing at very least the entrances, to be placed on or near the control equipment. If there are several entrances, consideration should be given to the provision of a repeat panel at each entrance.

When selecting the control equipment the current consumption of both detection circuits and alarm circuits must be considered, this will be found in the relevant product literature. Many control and indicating panels include an integral power supply unit but in the larger systems it may be necessary to provide an external unit either in place of or in addition to the internal unit. The need for extra standby power can be determined from the total current consumption of the system and the specification of the supply.

Standby Period

In the event of a mains failure, the minimum standby period is 24 hours in normal conditions followed by 30 minutes at full alarm load. In special circumstances, such as the availability of a standby generator, these periods can be reduced. When a building is unoccupied for significant periods, the normal condition standby period should be extended to 24 hours longer than the period of non-occupation. For example, if a building is unoccupied from 6.00 p.m. Friday to 8.00 a.m. Monday, the fire system should have a standby period of 86 hours normal condition, followed by an alarm period of 30 minutes.

Siting control and indicating equipment

Control and indicating equipment should be sited:

	In an area of low fire risk.
	On the ground floor in the vicinity of an entrance used by the fire brigade.
	In an area common to all building users.
	Where automatic detectors are in use, the control equipment area must be protected.
	Where ambient light levels are such that visual indications can be clearly seen.
	With a first alarm sounder sited adjacent.

Door Retainers and Relays

Door retainers will hold doors open during normal conditions but allow them to close in the event of fire. A manually operated switch may also be included if required. The mechanism comprises a powerful electromagnet and a door plate. The electromagnet may be wall or floor mounted.

Batteries

Most internal and external power supply units will normally be supplied with (or have provision for) sealed lead-acid cells as they need a minimum of maintenance.

System Interfaces

While a fire detection and alarm system must be capable of operating in isolation, other building systems may need to receive a signal when a fire alarm is activated - or may need to activate the fire alarm system when they are operated. For example, a fire detection system may need to shut down the normal ventilation system or to activate a fixed extinguishing system. Conversely, if a fixed extinguishing system is manually operated or a gas detection system is activated, the fire alarms may need to be sounded. In such cases, a system interface is needed, which may be a simple relay for a conventional system or a number of addressable inputs and outputs for an addressable system.

Power Supply Units

Gent control and indicating panels include a stand-by power supply unit complete with batteries. However, in larger systems the current requirements are often very different and therefore a separate power supply unit, external to the control panel, may be needed.

Fixed Extinguishing Systems

Where the protection of property is important and a rapid attendance cannot be guaranteed, the provision of a fixed extinguishing system should be considered. Gent can supply a range of gaseous extinguishing systems which are ideal when a liquid extinguishant, such as water, might itself cause extensive damage.

Zoning

For several reasons a building must be split into a number of fire detection and alarm zones.

The prime purpose of zoning is to identify the location of a fire or fault: The following criteria govern the number and size of zones:

	The floor area of a single zone should not exceed 2000m2.
	No person in a zone should have to travel more than 30m to visually determine the position of a fire.
	The zone should not cover more than one storey unless the total building area is less than 300m2. Stairwells, lift shafts and flue-like openings should be treated as separate zones.
	It is permissible for a zone to cover a whole number of fire compartments, or for a fire compartment to contain a whole number of zones, but a zone cannot extend over parts of two or more fire compartments.
	For multiple-occupancy buildings the occupancy boundaries should coincide with zone boundaries.
	If there is an area of special fire risk, consideration should be given to setting up a separate zone for rapid identification of a fire in that risk area.

Notes:

A fire compartment is an area bordered by a fire-resisting structure usually at least 30 minutes resistance.
Zone limits can be relaxed only in certain Type M systems.
To avoid misleading indication of the position of a fire, consideration should be given to the separate zoning of manual call points, particularly those on staircase landings. This can be achieved by indicating automatic detectors and manual call points separately.

Wiring

Since every site is different, it is only possible to give general guidance, refer to BS 5839 for more details. A fire alarm system depends on its wiring. There are 2 group classes of cable:

	Cables NOT required to operate after a fire has been detected e.g. detectors and manual call points (group 1).
	Cables required to operate during a fire, e.g. power supplies and sounders (group 2).

While mineral insulated cables are preferable for all fire alarm applications the following cables can be used for the two groups:

Group 1

MICC to BS 6207: Part 1 (with or without sheath)
Cables complying with BS 6387 categories AWX, SWX, A or S.
PVC - insulated to BS 6004 sheathed or non-sheathed with mechanical protection.
Rubber insulated to BS 6007
PVC single type BK, BR and BU to BS 6231
PVC insulated SWA to BS 6346
Cross-linked polyethylene or hard ethylene-propylene rubber insulated SWA to BS 5467
Polyethylene insulated PVC sheathed coaxial cable to the dimensional requirements of BS 2316: Part 3 but with a minimum of 16 strands /0.2mm diameter central conductor.
Cables designed for the detection of heat must be configured to initiate the alarm system should a fire occur along the cable.

Group 2

Cables 1 or 2 from group 1. Cables 3 to 9 from group 1, providing that they are protected either by burying them in a wall and covering them with 12mm of plaster or equivalent, or protecting them from a significant fire risk by shielding them with a wall, partition or floor having a minimum demonstrable 30 minutes fire resistance. These requirements may in some cases be reduced when included in areas of low fire risk or when covered by an automatic extinguishing system. Certain cables may also need mechanical protection against impact, abrasion or rodent attack. As a guide, cables 1, 6 and 7 will not need further protection but all others may in risk circumstances. BS 5839: Part 1 gives full details.

Other types of cables can be used provided that their suitability can be demonstrated. Conductors carrying fire alarm power or signals should be separated from conductors used for other systems.

Installation of cables

Cables should be installed in accordance with the good practices recommended in the 16th Edition of the IEE Wiring Regulations (BS 7671). Other than the segregation of cables the regulations exclude fire alarms if they are fed from a safety source. In effect this applies to extra low voltage systems, which include systems in general use for fire alarm circuits. All cables and apparatus directly connected to a public supply 240V a.c. (low voltage) such as supplies to indicators, power supplies and mains operated door holders must comply with the 16th Edition in respect of the installation of cables and the provision of isolation and switching.

Connection to mains supply should be via an isolating switch fuse reserved solely for the purpose. Its cover must be painted red and labelled FIRE ALARM - DO NOT SWITCH OFF.

If required a separate RCCB should be used for fire alarm systems. Fire alarm cables are defined as �Category 3 Circuit�. Cables of Category 1 Circuits (low voltage and connected directly to a mains supply) must not be drawn into the same conduit, duct or ducting as Category 3 (fire alarm circuits). Where Category 3 Circuits are installed in a channel of trunking containing circuits of any other category, these circuits must be segregated from the latter by continuous partitions, such that the integrity of the Category 3 (fire alarm circuits) is not reduced. In effect these regulations mean that unless MICC is used, fire alarm cable circuits must never be mixed with any other circuits; neither should they be mixed with any other circuits in a multicore cable.

Conductor size should take voltage drop into account. In any case conductors should have a cross-sectional area of not less than 1mm2 or if stranded of not less than 0.5mm2. Where possible cables should be routed through areas of low fire risk.

Cables installed in damp, corrosive or underground locations should be PVC sheathed. Where there is a risk of mechanical damage, cables should be protected accordingly. Cables in cavities or voids should be separated from other cables by 300mm unless enclosed in a conduit, ducting or trunking.

Panel Connection

The Zones and sounder circuits should be connected as shown.

Conventional 4 wire system

Conventional 2 Wire System

Wiring diagram for fulleon 2 wire sounders

	The detector base is screwed onto the sounder using the screws provided.
	Connect the wires on the sounder to l1 in and l2 on the detector base as shown on the wiring diagram.
	Up to 15 two wire sounders can be wired to each zone with a maximum of 70 two wire sounders across all zones.
	An end of line 4k3 resistor must be fitted on last sounder or detector.

	The detector base is screwed onto the sounder using the screws provided.
	Connect the wires on the sounder to 2 and 6 on the detector base as shown on the wiring diagram.
	Up to 15 two wire sounders can be wired to each zone with a maximum of 70 two wire sounders across all zones.
	An end of line 4k3 resistor must be fitted on last sounder or detector

Installation and Commissioning

Sounder output circuits should be wired as continuous pairs with no spurs or tees.
An end of line device should be fitted to each sounder circuit as shown in Fig. 1.1. below.

Detector Wiring

An end of line device should be fitted to the end of each zone circuit. Unused zones require and end of line device connecting across the zone input terminals to prevent an open circuit fault from being indicated on the control panel. When the detector removed facility is required a diode should be fitted in each detector base as detailed on Fig. 2.2 taking care to observe the correct polarity. Refer to individual manufacturers data for details on detector terminals and wiring, some manufacturers allow for an in line device to be fitted in the negative line.

Call points

To comply with BS 5839 : Part 1 : 1988 Resistive call points should be used on the installation to differentiate between a fire condition (a resistor ) and a short circuit. Old installations work on a short circuit as a fire condition. If a FireSense panel is to be used on an old installation e.g. short circuit call points either resistors are needed in line with the call points (470R or 680R) or alternatively, if it is not a requirement to bring the system up to date the panel can be switched to treat a short circuit as a fire condition. Failure to do this will cause the panel to go into short circuit instead of fire, on operation of the call point.

Call points normally come with integral resistors and so no extra resistors are required.

Troubleshooting

Problem: Panel does not power up when connected to mains
Solution:
1. Check that there is a fuse in the mains fuse holder on the transformer
2. Check that the mains fuse has not blown
3. Check the large fuses on all boards in the panel
4. Check that all power cables are connected, and not loose
5. Check that the mains is actually being supplied

Problem: Panel does not power up on batteries
Solution:
1. Check that both batteries are connected correctly
2. Check that the polarity of the batteries is correct
3. On larger panels, check the power supply has not cut out by pressing the button on the power supply board (under main board)
4. Check the large fuses on all boards in the panel

Problem: When turned on the panel does nothing, except the buzzer, which constantly sounds
Solution:
1. Check there is a processor in the main socket on the board (large IC)
2. Check that this chip is correctly inserted into the socket

Problem: The buttons on the panel do not work
Reason: Keypad not enabled
Solution: To enable the keypad you need to use the enable key switch.

Problem: When turned on the Panel comes up with ARW
Solution: Enable the buttons via the key switch, and press reset

Problem: A zone indicator is showing, with no corresponding system fault
Reason: That zone is currently isolated
Solution: Follow isolation instructions to take zone out of isolation

Problem: The 2 wire sounders are not operating
Reason: They have been disabled or the fuse has blown
Solution:
1. Is the fuse indicator on, together with the zone you are working on, if so then you need to replace the fuse for that zone
2. Make sure the internal sw1, and sw2 are set to off. Sw1 disables the 2wire sounders, and sw2 puts the panel into �short circuit for fire� mode, disabling the 2wire sounders.

Problem: A Zone fault indicator is pulsing, together with the �Zone� Indicator
Reason: There is a problem with the zone (open circuit)
Solution:
1. Check that there is an end of line resistor installed on the zone
2. Check that the end of line resistor is a 4k3 Resistor
3. Measure the zone voltage (a 23V zone indicates open circuit, 20V is normal, 12V in fire)

Problem: A Zone indicator is showing (constant), together with the �Zone� Indicator
Reason: There is a problem with the zone (short circuit)
Solution:
1. Check to see if there is a short on the zone
2. Measure the zone voltage (a 0V zone indicates a short, 20V is normal, 12V in fire)

Problem: Everything is fine until a call point is operated, then the panel shows a short circuit on that zone
Reason: There is no inline resistor with the call point
Solution: Connect a 470 in series with all call points.

Problem: A Zone indicator is showing, together with the �Detector� Indicator
Reason: There is a problem with one of the detectors on the zone
Solution:
1. Check to see if all detectors on that zone are correctly installed
2. If the problem continues take the following steps
� Bring the end of line resistor back to the panel, if there is a problem here then you have a faulty panel, if there is no problem then continue
� Move the eol resistor along the zone, to each detector on that zone, one at a time. As soon as the panel starts to indicate a fault you know the detector you have connected the eol to has a fault.
� Alternatively you can measure zone voltages. There will be a 0.2V drop in voltage (from the zone voltage at the panel) on the line before the faulty detector.

Problem: A Zone fault indicator is pulsing, together with the �Sounder� Indicator
Reason: There is a problem with the sounder circuit (open circuit)
Solution:
1. Check to see if all sounders on that circuit are correctly installed
2. Check that there is an end of line resistor installed on the circuit
3. Check that the end of line resistor is a 4k3 Resistor
4. Measure the line voltage (normally 15V, 20V when open circuit)

Problem: A Zone indicator is showing (constant), together with the �Sounder� Indicator
Reason: There is a short on the sounder line
Solution:
1. Check to see if all sounders on that circuit are correctly installed, a sounder connected in reverse will give a short circuit fault
2. Check to see if there is a short on the zone
3. Measure the line voltage (0V indicated a short)

Problem: The power indicator is flashing
Reason: There might be a problem with the mains supply
Solution:
1. Check that the mains fuse has not blown
2. Check the large fuses on all boards in the panel
3. Check that all power cables are connected, and not loose
4. Check that the mains is actually being supplied
5. Disconnect the batteries, is the panel still working? If it is, then the psu-main board wiring may be incorrect, this can happen when the main board is disconnected. Check that the sequence of cables coming from the psu is the same sequence as goes into the bottom of the main board.

Problem: The power indicator is on constantly
Reason: There is a problem with the batteries
Solution:
1. Check that both batteries are connected correctly
2. Check that the polarity of the batteries is correct
3. Check the large fuses on all boards in the panel

On Large panels

Problem: A Zone indicator is showing, together with the �Fuse� Indicator
Reason: The fuse for that zone has blown
Solution: Check the fuse on that zone, if you are not using the 2wire sounders then set sw1 to the off position (disabling 2wire sounders), the fuse is only used for the 2wire sounders, and so does not affect normal operation of the panel in 4wire mode

On Small panels

Problem: A Zone fault indicator is pulsing
Reason: The fuse for that zone has blown
Solution: Check the fuse on that zone, if you are not using the 2wire sounders then set sw1 to the off position (disabling 2wire sounders), the fuse is only used for the 2wire sounders, and so does not affect normal operation of the panel in 4wire mode

On SaveWire Panel

Panel is the same, except for the zones.

Problem: When the panel is turned on it goes into fire
Reason: The sounders could be incorrectly wired
Solution:
� Start by isolating the sounders, on the front of the panel
� An incorrectly (reversed) connected sounder will then sound, or indicate a short on the line.
� If it sounds you can locate it by following the sound. The reverse the polarity. If a short is indicated then you need to check all the sounders.

Standard Voltages on a SaveWire panel

� Normal operation 20V
� Head Removed 15V
� In Fire -26V