FOCUS
Disruptive technology
require fire alarms to be interconnected. Hard wiring alarms together is effective in a new build, but creates significant disruption and cosmetic damage in existing properties. Instead, this can be achieved using radio frequency (RF) signals. If one alarm on the system is triggered, RF signals are used to cause every other alarm in the property to sound. There’s no need for extra cabling and trunking or for redecoration/repair costs. As you would expect, installing alarms
with wireless interconnection is quick and simple. You will still need to wire each device independently to a permanent mains feed from the nearest local lighting circuit, but this is the only hard wiring you will be required to do, and is standard practice with all mains powered alarms. From here on, different systems work in
different ways. It’s important to select a system that takes a straightforward approach to ensuring the alarms ‘talk’ to each other via the RF signals. Ideally, this should be achieved at the push of a button on the alarm rather than a more involved process which is more time consuming and open to error.
System control
With alarm interconnection made easy, quick and cost effective, systems are growing. System expansion brings its own set of issues, including how best to control them. With a large system, it takes longer to test individual alarms and identify which alarm has triggered. Test, silence and locate switches are an important consideration here, so the system used should offer one in its range. The resident can test and silence all the alarms on the system from one
conveniently placed switch, and also quickly identify the unit that has caused the alarm. RF technology has resulted in other
benefits, the most notable of which is the ability to connect a smoke alarm system with other life saving devices and systems, including carbon monoxide (CO) alarms, telecare/warden call systems, sprinkler systems and BS 5839-1 panel based fire alarm systems. Traditional relays enable domestic alarms
to be linked to such devices, but as they do not contain the software and multiple inputs/outputs specifically needed for these applications, options are limited.
22 FEBRUARY 2018
www.frmjournal.com
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