How a Typical System Works
A building with a direct automatic alarm has detectors that activate under certain conditions.
They are designed to detect fire situations or other hazards, however they will activate under other similar situations. For example, a smoke detector will activate if dust is present.
Small groups of detectors are wired into the Fire Indicator Panel (FIP) as separate circuits or zones. More complex systems may have other panels or sprinklers wired into the FIP. Each main component is then wired into the Alarm Signaling Equipment (ASE) as a separate input.
At the time of an activation, the ASE will send a signal to Emergency Communications Victoria (despatch centre) via the monitoring provider, and fire appliances will be turned out to the site according to prearranged turnout requirements.
Understanding your fire alarm system is essential for correct management of your building site. All sites with direct automatic alarms should be managed by personnel who understand how the system works, and who have the knowledge to isolate individual circuits. Your fire maintenance contractor may be able to assist you with additional information about your system.
Definitions
Direct Automatic Alarm
An installation connected to a fire alarm monitoring system connected to a fire station or despatch centre.
Fire Alarm System
Equipment designed to detect fire and other emergency conditions, transmit a signal and give an audible warning
ASE - Alarm Signaling Equipment
Equipment designed to communicate alarm and fault signals together with other information between a fire alarm system and a monitoring service
In current use are two types of ASE:
- ‘Code Red’ favoured by Chubb Fire Safety (formerly FFE)
- ‘Centaur’ favoured by ADT
Input
A connection into an ASE consisting of a major component of a fire alarm system eg. fire indicator panel (FIP), valve monitored alarm (VMA), sprinkler (SPR)
Zone
Specific area of a fire alarm system
Circuit
Specific line of components within a fire alarm system
Approved Monitoring Provider
A service which receives fire alarm signals and transfers those signals to a fire brigade via an automatic data link and despatch centre