Integration examples

--
--· -·......---.... U sing a fire/smoke damper that is part of an engineered smoke control system complying with
International Building Code Section 909 as an example, at each damper location we have a
smoke detector for detection of smoke, an actuator that controls the opening and closing of the

-....= ......-
damper, and an end switch to provide positive confirmation of the damper open and closed posi·

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lion. Because the fire alarm system already needs to have circuitry to this location for individual
smoke or duct smoke detectors, that same pair of wires can be used to monitor the open and
closed position of the damper, essentially eliminating two pairs of wires back to the BAS control-
ler. The position status signals of the damper can then be transmitted from the fire alarm system,

Building automation ·am

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-- through the gateway, and into the BAS along with the active alarm point information. This leaves
the wiring to the actuator as the only BAS wiring needed at the damper location.
As another example, let's use a stairway pressurization fan that is being controlled by a variable
frequency drive (VFD). Typically, a VFD would be connected to the BAS via a digital signal while

and fire alarms

Figure 1: This modular build-
ing controller containing
open processors gateways
with communication drivers
The building automation system can control all aspects of a building is used when integrating
building automation systems
or campus, including its fire alarm system. This outlines best practices with other equipment com·
municating over a multitude
for integrating a fire alarm into a BAS. of communications proto-
cols. Courtesy: Siemens
BY JON KAPIS, RICK LEWIS, AND CRAIG STUDER, PE; The RJA Group Inc.
the fire alarm system would provide override of the VFD using dry contacts to stop it or put it into
a smoke mode condition. Allowing the BAS to perform all of the control functions permits the
adjustment of the fan speed through the BAS to regulate for atmospheric conditions by employing
other equipment connected to the BAS, such a digital differential pressure sensors. Using the BAS
solely for control eliminates any connection to the fire alarm system, with the activation com-
mands being sent through the gateway.
Taking advantage of the aforementioned efficiencies gained by integrating the BAS with the fire
alarm system requires planning in the design process. This planning process is the same whether
it is a design build or a design assist type of project delivery. The building owner and operator
must be involved in the process of establishing the design criteria or at the least have influence
over it. In a typical design build or design assist process, the integration of these two systems is
an afterthought and often never considered. The end user must be made to understand that the
efficiencies gained by integration will pay dividends long into the lifecycle of the building.

Learning
objectives
• Understand the efficiencies
of integrating building auto-
mation with fire protection
systems.
• Name various communica-
tion protocols, such as BAC-
net and LonTalk.
• Learn about inspection and
testing of systems.
he responsibilities of a chief build-
ing engineer are becoming more
challenging as technology advanc-
es. Bigger and taller buildings are being
constructed with an increasing emphasis
on energy efficiency and comfort, and the
ever-increasing demand to keep construc-
tion costs and operating expenses down.
In addition, building codes are changing
the way these buildings are constructed
in order to improve safety with an eye on
new construction methods and materials.
There is also the somewhat traditional
mind-set among those within the design
and engineering community that building
automation and fire alarm systems should
maintain a significant level of separation
with minimal connectivity or interaction.
Most of this belief stems from the fear of
the unknown and the desire to mitigate
risk along with the old adage of "This is
the way we've always done it." In real-
ity, the integration of building automation
and fire alarm systems can result in overall
reduction in equipment, installation, and
m aintenance costs while still maintaining
the level of safety required for these sys-
tems to operate.
W ith the advent of smart building
technology, heating, cooling, electrical,
lighting, security, and other systems need
monitoring a nd intercommunication for
optimized efficiency and operation. With
sophistication comes the need for a build-
ing automation system (BAS) to allow for
nearly seamless operation of these various
interrelated equipment.
Like BAS, fire protection and alarm
systems have also evolved into sophis-
ticated computer-based systems, which
integra te fire detection and emergency
communication systems as part of over-
all building operations during an emer-
gency event.
Often fire protection and alarm systems
must interact with other building systems
to provide a proper level of protection.
While the fire alarm system is fully capa-
ble of performing and initiating the neces-
sary actions to accomplish the fire alarm
and building systems' responses, efficien-
cies can be obtained by integrating with
the BAS. These efficiencies include mini-
mizing additional equipment, expediting
system acceptance testing, reducing instal-
lation costs, and sharing and consolidating
information at a central location where all
of the building systems can be prec isely
monitored during emergency incidents.
Smoke contro l systems are a good
examp le of the marriage of bui lding
mechanical systems with fire protection/
fire alarm systems. Fans are starting or
stopping, dampers are opening or closing,
and doors may be closing or unlocking
while elevators being recalled. A lthough
both the BAS and fire alarm systems have
specific tasks to perform, there is a cer-
tain level of priority and sequences that
must be followed. Failure to fo llow the
proper priority or sequence may not only
be non-code compliant, it may also lead to
equipment damage or risk to human life.
For example, if a smoke control fan oper-
ates before dampers open, ductwork may
be damaged or door opening forces may
be increased beyond acceptable levels for
egress.
Communication
When the fire alarm system takes con-
trol of equipment that is not a listed com-
ponent of the fire alarm control unit, the
fi re alarm system must either override
the natural operating mode of the build-
ing equipment or pass off that command
via a simple switch or data communica-
tions to the building mechanical systems.
Likewise, each manufacturer's BAS has
its own protocol for monitoring condi-
tions and communicating operational
commands to maintain the proper building
environment and efficiency. There are also
standard open communication protocols
such as LonTalk and BACnet that can be
used to communicate with a multitude of
equipment from various manufacturers in
order to ach ieve an integrated building
system.
The communication protocol for a fire
alarm con trol unit to communicate to
and from its indicating (input), initiat-
ing (output), and sometimes notification
appliances is typically an analog or digital
communications signal carried over what
is referred to as a signaling line circuit
(SLC). Because communications signals
are typically proprietary protocol, each
SLC is dedicated to a specific manufac-
turer's equipment and cannot include con-
nection of incompatible devices that use a
different signal protocol.
Therefore, in order to integrate system
alarm and control functions with the BAS
in a manner other than relay logic, fire
alarm system manufacturers had to also
design and support the open communica-
tion protocols used fo r building automa-
tion, in a manner that would not compro-
mise the integrity or the operation of the
fire alarm system. This process of sharing
information between both fire alarm and
BAS came to be known as bridging, or
open gateway processing. Because of the
strict code and listing requirements of fire
alarm systems, much of this communica-
tion has been primarily limited to one-way
communication. However, some of the
manufacturers of both fire alarm and BAS
do produce equipment such as gateways
that are listed for bi-directional commu-
nication with their equipment.
The use of these open gateway pro-
cessors has the potential to eliminate the
need fo r costly interface equipment and
enclosures. A single gateway can replace
hundreds of conventional or electronic
relays and input sensors for control and
monitoring while also elimi nating the
need for multiple wire terminations that
can decrease the potential for system fail-
ure points.
How to know whether to integrate
There are advantages and disadvantages
to consider when determining whether to
integrate a BAS and a fire alarm system.
The most common consideration is when
the building has a complex smoke con-
trol system. An integrated system is also
seen in facilities involved in process con-
trol that may be affected by a fire a larm
event. For the purpose of this article, when
used pri marily in controlling the spread
of smoke, integration of the various sys-
tems that normal ly have independent
connections helps to facilitate improved
communication, redundancy, and cost sav-
ings. Additionally, the building engineer
will have the ability to determine from a

<%) Con s ulting -Specifying Engineer • AUGUST 2013 www. csemag .com www.csemag. com Consulti ng- Specifying Engineer • AU G UST 2013 G
 Integrating BAS and fire alarms

single source what is causing the mechani-
cal equipment to operate, shut down, open,
or close.
Take a case of a building with separate
building automation and fire alarm sys-
tems: When the building engineer receives
a call from an occupant complaining about
increased temperature or whistling air
within the ductwork and finds that the
fan is shut down or a damper is closed,
the building engineer is more apt to call
a controls contractor to investigate the
problem before he calls their fire
alarm service provider. Should a -
the problem be related to an over- -· !~~~t:=:::~:;~;;~~~~~~~!!~;
ride of controls by the fire alarm ~!
and thus simplifies the troubleshooting
as low-voltage systems that communicate that complies with UL 864 and has to be control systems is based on many variable future opportunities to inappropriately
process. to their respected devices through an ana- listed as smoke control equipment. conditions, including temperature, wind change the settings, possibly making the
log or digital signal. Their wiring meth-
Because many components that affect UL 864 requirements cover control units conditions, and the quality or "tightness" system ineffective. Care must be taken
ods and materials are similar, and often
air and smoke movement within a building and accessories that are used to meet the of the construction. These conditions tend to limit access to this programming and
their respective equipment is located in
are shared between HVAC and fire alarm requirements of many NFPA standards, to make testing and adjusting of the smoke provide Jogging procedures to document
the same general area and is performing
systems, let's take a step backward in the including NFPA 72, NFPA 92A: Standard control system difficult at best. when and why changes are made.
the same basic functions with one sig-
evolution of the building process. When for Smoke-Control Systems, and NFPA Integrating BAS can help minimize
nificant difference: the fire alarm system
building systems are being commissioned 92B: Guide for Smoke Management Sys- test stress by adjusting the fan speed of Documentation
uses individual po int addressable monitor
for proper operation by either an authority tems in Malls, Atria, and Large Areas. Each individual fans through programming. In After all the work is done by the engi-
and control modules while the BAS uses
having jurisdiction (AHJ) or an indepen- system is tested by UL, which then lists the a situation of excessive stair pressuriza- neers, contractors, inspectors, and theAHJ,
digital input/output driver assemblies that
dent third-party group, coordination must complying equipment under the the integrated system operation is
·communicate with different protocols.
occur between multiple trades. At this "UUKL" designation in the prod- approved and the owner receives
-- .. Why is this important? Because
the BAS still requires individual
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pairs of conductors to each point
uct directory. The fire alarm and
building automation systems must
meet these requirements and be -
tlt•H1tC1tl1tl
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its total cost of ownership and,
eventually, its final certificate
''"''''
lhnn of occupancy. However, the
+· being controlled or monitored by listed in order to control a smoke
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project is not over. It is critical

systems, not only does the build-
ing engineer have to wait for the
controls contractor to diagnose the
problem, he also has to call the fire
alarm contractor to come out and
fix the problem. This process can
take time to correct; meanwhile,
building occupants are uncomfort-
able and inconvenienced.
Sometimes this can even lead display, various aspects of the facility can be reviewed
--~:- the digital input/output module,
resulting in more wire being need-
. ed and longer installation ti me.
·= Iii Creating a code-compliant
-- 1
integrated system
When considering system inte-
gration, the ability of the BAS to
Figure 2: In this integrated building management system control a smoke control system
operation falls under the auspice
control system and be configured
0111111
..... that the owner receives and care-
as an integrated system. IHIfl
Alr OuU1r
l1n1co fully stores all record documents
related to the integrated system.
Inspection and testing As a building ages, things change
Integrated systems require
enough time to test and to verify
that the system interoperability is
functioning properly. lt is impor- Muh1lul
and systems are modified. When
changes occur, the contractors
making the changes can use the
fnl111•u111
Cu1111
Mtlll HlllCI
IRIUllll documentation to maintain the
tant that the engineer as well as
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the installing contractor and the ,,. AUii
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Mtu11111n1 system as well as revise the draw-
to finger-pointing between the in one screen. Courtesy: Siemens of the jurisdiction's building code, equipment vendors understand ings to reflect changes made. In
two service providers as to whose often based on the model build- the impact of these requirements Figure 3: Integrated building management systems offer addition, the modified systems
problem it really is. In this scenario, the point in the construction process, each ing codes. The lBC has been adopted by on providing an approved and many possibilities. Courtesy: Honeywell should be retested to confirm
fire alarm control of a fan or a damper is trade is independently looking to complete a large portion of the United States and code compliant installation. their revised performance. Docu-
required to be ahead of the hand-off-auto its own scope of work and more often than is used in this article as an example. lBC Due to the complexity of these systems tion, the individual fan can be adjusted to mentation ofthe testing should be incorpo-
switch for the power to the equipment so not is under pressure to finish the specific Section 909 covers smoke control systems, and the required integration, testing must limit its airflow to the stair, resulting in rated with the existing record documents.
the inadvertent shutdown of the equipment scope in a designated timeframe. Some- the procedures for determining system confirm that the functions and sequences a lower level of pressure affecting door Integrating fire protection and fire alarm
does not inhibit the operation of the fire times this leaves a disconnect between parameters, the acceptable methods that work correctly under both automatic and opening forces. Similarly, for individual systems with BAS can be cost-effective
alarm feature. A failure of the fire alarm the fire alarm and mechanical trades that may be used to accomplish smoke con- manual modes. zone smoke control system performance, and provide a more efficient operation. It
system control relay could shut down the results in disruption during start-up and trol, and the requirements to document the The inspection and testing of integrated the fan speed can be adjusted on a zone- is imperative that the design and installa-
fan or close the damper without an alarm commissioning. system's actual performance. It recognizes systems is usually exasperating and time- by-zone basis, based on the fire alarm sig- tion is well planned and coordinated, and
being present on the fire alarm system or The integrated system approach allows that the smoke control system is a life safe- consuming, and often requires multiple nal received by the BAS. that the system is properly maintained
fault condition occurring on the fire alarm for those individuals responsible for con- ty system and must maintain the same high rounds of retesting before all the deficien- The downside to this operation is that the over its lifetime. lc sel
control unit. trolling a ir movement to be focused on level ofreliability required for any type of cies are corrected. This is often caused BAS controls are typically located remote-
With an integrated building automation proofing and balancing the mechanical fire protection or fire alarm system. due to all of these different systems being ly to the fire alarm control panel and the Jon Kapis is the operations manager in the
and fire alarm system, this scenario plays system, wh ile the fire alarm contractors Section 909 requires smoke control sys- completed late in the schedule and not firefighters' smoke control panel, both of Seattle office of The RJA Group, and has
out in a different manner. The BAS, when focus on the detection and annunciation tems to be initiated by sprinkler system or enough time to "get the kinks out" prior which normally reside in a fire command more than 32 years of experience in fire
listed accord ingly to UL Standard 864 of the alarm events. Much in the same smoke detection system operation, depend- to final testing. Anything that can expedite room. BAS controls and system components alarm and building systems integration.
UUKL listing, to provide code requ ired manner as referenced in the previous ing on the type of system being designed. the commissioning process is beneficial to are usually located for the convenience of Rick Lewis is a senior consultant in the
smoke control functions, can rely on a example, the problems can get resolved It also requires systems providing control the overall project. the building's staff and HVAC equipment. San Francisco office of The RJA Group,
digital alarm signal from the fire alarm more expeditiously and the systems can input or output to the mechanical smoke One of the advantages of using the BAS Under test conditions, additional personnel with more than 28 years of experience in
system, passed through a gateway, as the be brought on-line. control systems to comply with Section as an integrated part of the smoke control may be required to monitor the BAS controls the fire and security alarm industry. Craig
only means outside the BAS to influence If we focus on the installation of a build- 907 (Fire Alarm and Detection Systems) system is the system's abi lity to modify to make any required modifications. Studer is vice president in the Chicago
control over the bui ldi ng mechanical ing management system (BMS) and a fire and NFPA 72: National Fire Alarm and operating conditions to accommodate While modifying fan output for each office of The RJA Group, with more than
systems. The responsibi lity fo r fan and alarm system, we see many similarities. Signaling Code, and states that such sys- actua l ambient conditions through the smoke zone condition is a more expedient 30 y ears ofconsulting experience in build-
damper control is solely with the BAS Each of these control systems is classified tems must be equipped with a control unit use of VFDs. The design of the smoke method to obtain approval, it also provides ing commissioning and system integration.

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