Technical Report Writing PICENG 242 Sec.

04

Engineering Department

University of Bahrain

Fire alarm systems History,

Types problems and solutions

Student name: Asma Zakarya

ID number: 20155025

Date submitted: May 6, 2018

 ABSTRACT

This report is focused in the history, types, problems and solutions of fire alarm system. The aim
of this report is to know more about fire alarm system, how it works and the problems that might
happens and their solutions. It is concluded that fire alarm systems are considered to be one of
the most important inventions that saves people’s lives.

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 TABLE OF CONTENT

ABSTRACT .................................................................................................................................... ii

TABLE OF CONTENT ................................................................................................................. iii

LIST OF FIGURES ........................................................................................................................ v

1.0 INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................................... 1

1.1 The Purpose ...................................................................................................................... 1

1.2 Background ...................................................................................................................... 1

1.3 The Scope ......................................................................................................................... 1

2.0 HISTORY OF FIRE ALARM SYSTEM ................................................................................. 2

2.1 First Fire Alarm System ........................................................................................................ 2

2.2 Todays Alarm System ........................................................................................................... 2

3.0 COMPONENT OF WELL DESIGNED FIRE ALARM SYSTEM......................................... 2

3.1 Fire Alarm Panel ................................................................................................................... 3

3.2 Primary and Secondary Power Supplies ............................................................................... 3

3.3 Initiating Devices .................................................................................................................. 3

3.4 Notifications Appliances ....................................................................................................... 3

4.0 TYPES OF FIRE ALARM SYSTEM ...................................................................................... 4

4.1 Conventional Fire Alarm Systems ........................................................................................ 4

4.2 Two-Wire Fire Alarm Systems ............................................................................................. 4

4.3 Wireless Fire Alarm Systems ................................................................................................ 4

5.0 MOST COMMON FIRE ALARM SYSTEM PROBLEMS .................................................... 5

5.1 Incorrect Programming of Fire Alarm Panels ....................................................................... 5

5.2 Problems with The Audit and Intelligibility of The Voice Evacuation System.................... 5

5.3 The Age of The Fire Alarm System. ..................................................................................... 5

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6.0 AVOID SOME OF THESE COMMON FIRE ALARM PROBLEMS ................................... 5

7.0 CONCLUSION AND RECOMENDATIONS ......................................................................... 6

REFERINCES................................................................................................................................. 7

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 LIST OF FIGURES

FIGURE 1. WILLIAM FRANCIS CHANNING ........................................................................................ 2

FIGURE 2. INITIATING DEVICES ........................................................................................................ 3

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1.0 INTRODUCTION
Fire alarm system was produced many years ago to overcome serious fire accidents and it was
developed through years by the development of alarm system technology to be more useful and
ensure safety. This is directly related to instrumentation engineering because of the sensors that
is used to discover the probability of occurrence of a fire.

1.1 The Purpose

This project will examine how fire alarm system works to save people from the danger of fire
accidents. In additions, this report gives general information about fire alarm history, its types
and the common problem and solution that might be happened.

1.2 Background
Annually, 14.53% of the fires happens in COTE D IVOIRE which is the highest parentage in the
whole word according to WORLD HEALTH RANKINGS [1]. A fire alarm system is content of
number of devices working together to detect and warn people through visual and audio
appliances when smoke, fire, carbon monoxide or other emergencies are present. [2]

1.3 The Scope

This report provides simple background on the history, component, types, problems and
solutions of fire alarm system. Not included in this report a comparison between the types of fire
alarm system and how the fire alarm system was developed.
2.0 HISTORY OF FIRE ALARM SYSTEM
Fire alarm dates back to 1658, where New York’s finest deployed men to walk around the streets
looking for fires, with buckets on ladders and ringing bells to warn the community. In the 1800s,
fire alarms became a little more advanced with the placement of bell towers around cities to warn
off people of a fire. [3]

2.1 First Fire Alarm System

The very first fire alarm system was invented by Dr. William Francis (see
figure 1) in 1852. The original design was two fire alarm boxes, each
containing a telegraphic key with a handle attached. When someone detected
a fire, they would crank the handle, which would then relay the details of the
fire alarm box number to a central alarm station. The operator at the station
would receive the message, which would then be forwarded to the fire
department. [4] Figure 1. William
Francis Channing
Source: “William
2.2 Todays Alarm System Francis Channing,”
https://en.wikipedia.org/
Today fire alarm system has a number of devices working together to detect wiki/William_Francis_C
and warn people through visual and audio appliances hanning Accessed May
when smoke, fire, carbon monoxide or other emergencies are present. These 5, 2018.

alarms may be activated automatically from smoke detectors, and heat detectors or may also be
activated via manual fire alarm activation devices. [4]

3.0 COMPONENT OF WELL DESIGNED FIRE ALARM SYSTEM

Many of us have seen or heard a fire alarm at some point in our lives, but do you really know
what goes into a fire alarm system? A lot of us haven’t given much thought to the parts of a fire
alarm system and how it actually works. This is good information to know if your personal fire
alarm system ever malfunctions. Here are the components of a fire alarm system. [5]

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3.1 Fire Alarm Panel
The fire alarm panel is the brain of the whole fire alarm system, as it monitors inputs and the
system’s integrity, controls outputs, and relays information across every connected device. [6]

3.2 Primary and Secondary Power Supplies

Primary and secondary power supplies controlled by the power company, the primary power
supply is usually a non-switched AC source. The secondary power supply usually consists of
storage batteries, generators, and other emergency power sources. This backup power supply
ensures that your fire alarm will keep working even if there is a power outage affecting your
building. [6]

3.3 Initiating Devices

Initiating devices as shown in figure 2, act as inputs for
the fire alarm panel and may be activated manually or
automatically. Manual initiating devices include “Break
Glass” stations, pull stations, and buttons; these devices
are located near exits and are easily identified and
operated. Automatically initiating devices respond when
Figure 2. Initiating Devices
physical changes that are associated with fire like smoke, Source: “Fire alarms,”
https://www.safetymedia.com/page/articles
heat, flames, carbon monoxide, and other combustion -fire-alarms Accessed May 5, 2018.
products. [6]

3.4 Notifications Appliances

Notification appliance include audio devices, like speakers and bells, and visual alerts, such as
flashing strobe lights. The purpose of these parts of a fire alarm system is to alert building
occupants of an emergency to help facilitate a safe and quick exit. These notification methods are
designed to be distinct and universally understandable to ensure that they will not be confused
with other kinds of signals. [6]

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4.0 TYPES OF FIRE ALARM SYSTEM
Installing a fire alarm system in your premises is absolutely essential to protect your company
and your staff against fire. There are many different types of fire alarm systems available, you
must think carefully when deciding which type of fire alarm system, you choose, to ensure that
the system you pick best suits your fire safety requirements and follows current fire safety
legislation. The system you choose will vary greatly depending on several factors the foremost of
which arises from your fire risk assessment and then includes your budget, the size of your
premises and the needs of the people present. [7]

4.1 Conventional Fire Alarm Systems

Conventional, or four-wire, fire alarm systems are used in smaller properties such as shops and
restaurants. They are less expensive to purchase than other types of alarm system, they work by
dividing the building into a number of detection zones, with the detectors and call points within
each zone hardwired on dedicated circuits to the control panel. [8]

4.2 Two-Wire Fire Alarm Systems

Two wire fire alarm system is designed for smaller operations, two-wire fire alarm systems are
based on standard conventional system technology, but in a two-wire system, the detectors, call
points and alarm devices for each zone are wired on the same set of two-core zone cables back to
the control panel. Although two-wire systems cost more to purchase than four-wire systems, they
are quicker, more flexible and less expensive to install. [8]

4.3 Wireless Fire Alarm Systems

More expensive to buy, but more flexible, cheaper, and much quicker to install, wireless fire
alarm systems provide just as much protection as conventional wired systems and are useful
when wired installations are not suitable. There are no cables between the detection devices and
the control panel, so doing away with the need for long-term cable tests. [8]

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5.0 MOST COMMON FIRE ALARM SYSTEM PROBLEMS
There are several problems that might been happened with fire alarm system that could damage
the system or make it unfunctional, these problems must be solved as fast as the time as we
notice them.

5.1 Incorrect Programming of Fire Alarm Panels

Even if panels were properly programmed when they were first installed, if the building layout
changes, the panel needs to be reprogrammed to properly adjust to those changes and prevent the
prospects of having a big fire. [9]

5.2 Problems with The Audit and Intelligibility of The Voice Evacuation System.
Improper placement of audible and visual notification devices could affect the intelligibility of
the evacuation system. The notification part of a fire alarm system could fail to work because
due to an electrical problem or dead battery. [9]

5.3 The Age of The Fire Alarm System.

The typical life span of a fire alarm panel is about 15 years. After this time, there is a significant
risk that the system won’t respond properly in a fire which will cause both human and resources
losses. [9]

6.0 AVOID SOME OF THESE COMMON FIRE ALARM PROBLEMS

There are several avoid these common problems like testing and maintaining the fire alarm
system because fire alarms are designed to save lives, so it's incredibly important to ensure that
they are working properly at all times. All systems should be tested on a weekly basis and
regular inspections must be carried out by a professional fire alarm technician. [7]

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7.0 CONCLUSION AND RECOMENDATIONS
In conclusion, Fire alarm system is composed of many different devices that they work together
to approach one single target which worn people. Fire alarm system is invented by Dr. William
Francis in 1800s and developed by time. Today’s alarm system has various types with various
tasks like Conventional and two wire alarm systems that could be used according to
requirements. Some problem may occur because of negligence, these problems could be solved
if the owner is talking these problems seriously. I recommend people to read more about fire
alarm system to be caution if any fire accident happens.

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 REFERINCES

[1] “WORLDHEALTHRANKINGS, ” http://www.worldlifeexpectancy.com/cause-of-

death/fires/by-country/ Accessed in April 25, 2018

[2] “Fire alarm system,” https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fire_alarm_system Accessed in April 26,

2018.

[3] “History and technology of the fire alarm system,” https://www.ryanfp.com/fire-alarm-

system-history-technology/ Accessed April 15, 2018.

[4] “The history of the fire alarm, “ https://silver-group.co.uk Accessed April 30, 2018.

[5] http://www.afps1.com/blog/components-fire-alarm-system/ Accessed April 25, 2018.

[6] “Fire alarms, “ https://www.safetymedia.com /page/articles Accessed April 30, 2018.

[7]” What types of fire alarm systems are there?” http://www.eurofireprotection.com/blog /types-
of-fire-alarm-systems/ Accessed April 28, 2018.

[8] C. Park, “A guide to fire alarm system types, ” https://www.ifsecglobal.com/a-guide-to-fire-

alarm-system-types-2/ Accessed May 3, 2018.

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[9] “Common fire alarm problems faced by companies and how to avoid them,”
http://www.macsystems.co/2015/11/12/common-fire-alarm-problems-faced-by-companies-and-
how-to-avoid-them-2/ Accessed May 4, 2018