araRepublic of the Philippines

University of Rizal System

Province of Rizal
College of Engineering
Electrical Engineering Department

Fire Detection and Alarm

Installation
Training – Design

John Davies B. Cruz

Student

1011801155

BSEE-4EE
Year & Section

Engr. Marlon A. Bautista

ESIED Instructor

October 11, 2021

Direction: FOR today make a 3-5 PAGES LEARNING JOURNAL ABOUT THIS
VIDEO LECTURE: Fire Alarm Installation Training - Design Tutorial Part 1/3 #Fire
alarm #Design

Fire detection and alarm systems that are properly installed and maintained can

significantly reduce the damages caused by fire. Early detection of a fire and
the signalling of an appropriate alarm are key factors in preventing large losses from fire
and damage to infrastructure, likewise, emergency responders while decreasing
property losses.
As with automatic fire suppression systems, fire detection and alarm systems
are integral parts of the active fire protection systems found in many buildings. To this
end, building codes and/or fire codes may require the installation of fire detection and
alarm systems. These systems usually require installation and maintenance by trained
individuals.
Fire detection and alarm system is commonly known governed electronic system
which developed mainly to protect the occupants of the building to safely evacuate
basically during fire, building damage, and to establish safe environment for emergency.
Just like what I’ve said, fire detection are designed to discover fires early in their
development when time will be available for the safe evacuation occupants. On the
other hand, alarm systems provide notice to at least building occupants and usually
transmit a signal to a staffed monitoring station either on or off site.
Fire Detection and Alarm System Major Components
There are several types of modern detection and signaling
systems, ranging from simple to those that incorporate advanced detection and
signaling equipment. It is typically the responsibility of qualified individuals to design,
install, and approve the fire detection and alarm system. There may
also be regulatory approval tests required before new buildings are occupied or the
system is placed in service
The design and installation of the fire detection
and alarm system should conform to applicable
provisions of NFPA National Electrical Code,
and NFPA, National Fire Alarm and Signalling
Code, and locally adopted codes and
ordinances. Each of the following sections
highlights a basic component of a fire detection
a and alarm system
 The fire alarm control unit (FACU) basically consists of electronics that supervise
and monitor the integrity of the wiring and components of the fire alarm. As we observed
to the figure above, the FACU serves as the brain for the alarm system. Particularly, it
receives signal from alarm initiating devices, processes the signals, and produce output
signals that allows activating audible and visual appliances. In addition, the FACU also
transmits signals to an off-site monitoring station when provided. Generally, some fire
alarm control units are designed for both security and fire protection.
As we can see in the given figure cited above there are primary source and
secondary source. The primary electrical powers supply usually comes from the
building’s main power connection to the local utility provider. Rarely instances where
electrical service unavailable or unreliable, an engine driven generator provide the
primary power supply. For the secondary power supply, practically, all the fire alarm
system must have a secondary power supply. This requirement is generally designed
so that the system will be operational even if the main power supply fails. The
secondary power supply must be capable of providing normal, standby condition
capacity and power to fully operate an alarm condition.
For initiating devices, a fire detection system consists of manual and automatic
alarm initiate devices that are activated by the presence of fire, smoke, flame or heat.
The devices then send a signal to the FACU using one of two methods such as hard
-wire system or a generated signal conveyed by radio wave over a special frequency to
a radio receiver in the panel. The example of manual and automatic initiating devices
are manual pull stations, smoke detectors, flame detectors, heat detectors, combination
detectors, and water flow devices.
For the notification appliances, audible notification appliances are the most
common type of alarm signaling system used commonly for signaling fire alarm in
structure. Once an alarm initiating device activated, basically, it send a signal to the
FACU which processes the signal and initiate actions. The primary action initiated is
usually local notification which can take to the form of bells, horns, buzzers, strobe
lights, speakers, and other warning appliances.
Depending on the system’s design, the local alarm may either activate a single
notification appliance within a specific zone, designated floor, or the entire facility.
Basically, the notification appliances fall under the following categories such as audible,
textual, visual, and tactile.
For additional alarm system functions, building codes have special requirements
for some types of occupancies in case of fire. The fire detection and alarm system can
be designed to initiate the following actions namely; turn off the heating, ventilating, and
air conditioning system. Close smoke dampers and or fire doors. Pressurize stairwells
and operate smoke control systems for evacuation purposes. Operate heat and smoke
vents. Lastly, activate special fire suppression system.
 For these topics, I learned the different type signaling system for the fire
detection and alarm signaling systems, where in it is designed, just like what i’ve said, to
receive certain type of signals from devices and perform an action based upon the type
signal received. In addition, some signals may indicate a fire condition, while others may
indicate that the device on the system needs to be serviced. The FACU should be
programmed to respond to different signal types in an appropriate manner.
Alarm signals, basically we all know that this is a warning of a fire emergency or
dangerous condition that demands immediate attention and action. Locally, codes that
require fire alarm signals from monitored system through supervising station to notify
the responding fire department. Activation of fire extinguishing system, just like what i’ve
said, are all initiating devices that send fire alarm signals. In short, Alarm signal is a
signal given by a fire detection and alarm system
A supervisory signal on the other hand, indicates an off-normal condition of the
complete fire protection system. Supervisory signals also include a returned to normal
signal, meaning that the condition has been resolved. In short, a supervisory signal is a
signal given by a fire detection and alarm system when a monitored condition in the
system is off-normal.
While, a trouble signal, from the root word itself, indicates a problem with a monitored
circuit or component of the fire alarm system or the system power supply. Practically,
each signal must be audibly and visually displayed at the FACU in a distinct manner
that differentiates one type of signal from another. In short, trouble signal is a signal
given by a fire detection and alarm system when a power failure or other system
malfunction occurred.
For module, there are the electronic devices used in certain instances for
monitoring other fire alarm initiating devices. The three type of module that I’ve learned
from the video are monitor, control and relay module.
Monitor module is used basically for monitoring of other fire such as supervisory switch,
water flow switch, interface of other suppression system, fire pump and fire tank signals.
Relay module is used for control of other fire emergency system such as shutdown of
AHU, power shutdown, control of motorized fire smoke damper, elevator recall and
shutdown, security access control and activation of smoke exhaust control.
Candela (cd) is measured using the intensity of light from a vision device.
Devices listed for evacuation generally have specific light output requirements that must
be met for inclusion. These devices are powered and the light output is measured to
ensure correct light output. For what I was looking for, the minimum light right in front of
the device is 15 cd.

Wall mounted devices cannot be ceiling mounted for visual notification. Wall-mounted
units must be mounted 80-96 inches above the finished floor. Space requirements for
visual devices are based on the NFPA tables. Distance is based on the square area
covered by a single device. The notification area is determined when using the device
that completely covers this area. For example, a room is 40 feet wide and 20 feet deep.
The room must have at least one 60-candle strobe or two 30-candle strobe lights on the
shorter opposite side walls.
When wall mounting visuals, the flash setting is one, two, or four devices per area.
NFPA has tables that define the minimum required light output. In general, the largest
space area that can be covered with a single wall-mounted device is 70 feet by 70 feet.
The maximum area of the room that can be covered with a ceiling-mounted strobe light
is 50 feet by 50 feet. Also, the flash unit must be mounted in the center of the room in
accordance with the NFPA charts. to achieve specified light intensities