A method of setting the address of an addressable network device of a building management system comprises: at the point of installation of the device on a network wiring of the system, operating a code scanner of an installation tool to scan a code on the device, the information in the code including the serial number of the device; collecting location information in the installation tool at the point of installation; connecting the installation tool to a wiring commissioning tool after the device has been installed; downloading the code information and the location information onto the wiring commissioning tool; generating a network address for the device; and setting that network address into the device via the network wiring.
An emergency call device ("ECD") is described that can be fitted into pre-programmed fire detection zones of a building. During an emergency, occupants are prompted to press a button on a nearby ECD, indicating to a controller the occupants' presence at that location.
G08B 5/38 - Visible signalling systems, e.g. personal calling systems, remote indication of seats occupied using electromagnetic transmission using visible light sources using flashing light
The present invention relates to a fire detector testing device for installation with, or retrofitting to, a fire detector. An aerosol generator in fluid connection with a liquid reservoir directs an aerosol towards a detector element of the fire detector in order to test whether smoke entry has been compromised. The liquid reservoir of the present invention may be installed within a base of the detector, between the base and the detector, or in the detector itself.
B05B 17/06 - Apparatus for spraying or atomising liquids or other fluent materials, not covered by any other group of this subclass operating with special methods using ultrasonic vibrations
G08B 29/14 - Checking intermittently signalling or alarm systems checking the detection circuits
A fire detector system comprises a fire detector unit;a sensor disposed in the fire detector unit and arranged to detect the characteristics of a fire and to generate an output signal indicative of the characteristics detected by the sensor; and a processor arranged to receive the output signal from the sensor and to generate afire alarm signal when the output signal exceeds an alarm point threshold; wherein the system is arranged to change the alarm point threshold over time to compensate for drift in the response of the detector unit; wherein the fire detector unit includes a first sensitivity mode with a first drift compensation limit and a second sensitivity mode with a second drift compensation limit, the second sensitivity mode being more sensitive than the first; and wherein, as the first alarm point threshold in the first sensitivity mode is approached or reached, the mode of the system is changed to the second sensitivity mode.
An interface circuit of a sub-system of a distributed fire detection system having a plurality of sub-systems, wherein the plurality of sub-systems are in communication with each other in a loop configuration to allow data signals to be routed between said sub-systems. The interface circuit connects the internal components of a sub-system to the external bus line connecting all components via at least three input/output ports. It comprises hardware logic components, namely switches and switch controllers listening for incoming data and opening or closing said switches to cause disconnection and connection between said input/output ports accordingly, thereby allowing the routing of data signals to one or more of the other input/ output ports. The simpler configurations replaces a routing processor.
G08B 25/04 - Alarm systems in which the location of the alarm condition is signalled to a central station, e.g. fire or police telegraphic systems characterised by the transmission medium using a single signalling line, e.g. in a closed loop
A smoke detector comprising an enclosure communicating with an external environment, within the enclosure a light source illuminating a detection volume in a first wavelength band and a light-sensor responding to light from the sensing volume in a second wavelength band. The detector is configured to sense photo-luminescent fire products, particularly polyaromatic compounds, and actuate an alarm when signal levels indicate a dangerous/fire condition is present. The photo-luminescence detector may be combined with optical scatter or other fire detectors to improve discrimination between fires and false alarm sources.
The fire detector unit includes a fire detector and a breakaway detector cover. The breakaway detector cover is attachable to the fire detector, and includes openings therein.
The system includes an active unit, such as a detector unit, which has a processor, a network port for connection to a central control unit, and an optical data input port. The processor is arranged to enable the optical data input port on receipt of an enable signal received by the active unit from the central control unit via a network.
A nodal system (10) includes a unit (D) having a memory (42) and an optical data receiver (36), and a common control unit (12) in communication with the unit. A method of commissioning the system comprises the steps of activating the optical data receiver on the unit, and transmitting an optical data signal to the unit, thereby commissioning the unit.
An isolator circuit (25) for a unit of a safety system (10) includes a power control line (14) connectable to a first loop of a safety system and a power connection (16) connectable to a second loop of the safety system. A switch (26) is connected to the power control line (14), and the switch has a closed configuration and an open configuration. A controller (28) controls the configuration of the switch (26). If a voltage across the circuit (10) from the power connection (16) to the power control line (14) falls below a predetermined level, the controller (28) opens the switch (26), thereby causing a disconnection to occur in the first loop.
G08B 25/04 - Alarm systems in which the location of the alarm condition is signalled to a central station, e.g. fire or police telegraphic systems characterised by the transmission medium using a single signalling line, e.g. in a closed loop
A mounting unit (10) for mounting an electrical component (16) to a panel has a first member (12) arranged to engage a first side of said panel and a second member (14) arranged to engage the first member and a second, opposite side of said panel, so as to secure the first and second members to opposite sides of the panel through a hole in the panel. The first and second members define a space for receiving the electrical component. The mounting unit is particularly suitable for mounting the electrical component to a ceiling tile.
A detector includes a component having a surface. The surface includes, or is at least partially coated with, a contaminant-resistant or self-cleaning material. This allows the detector to remain clean without manual cleaning.
A particulate detector (10) comprises a radiation source (12) arranged to emit radiation in at least first and second predetermined wavebands towards a sampling region (18) suspected of containing particulates, and a detection element (14), shielded from the radiation source (12), and arranged to detect radiation from the sampling region (18) at at least first and second instances. The radiation source (12) is such that the emissions in the wavebands temporarily overlap. The detector is such that, at the instances at which the radiation is detected, the relative contributions from the emissions in each predetermined waveband are distinguishable, thereby allowing characteristics of the particulates to be determined. The radiation source (12) may comprise a light emitting diode (24).
A gas sensor and method of operating a gas sensor with reduced energy requirements employing a sensor material providing on exposure to a target gas a primary response which is used in a control circuit to control energy delivered as heat or photon radiation to the sensor material, a measure of which delivered energy provides a secondary sensor output. The feedback control of energy delivery to the gas sensor material allows operation at low power at target gas concentrations below a selectable threshold and elevation of energy inputs above said threshold allowing fast sensor response to target gas exposure and recovery after cessation of exposure. The sensor and mode of operation provides low energy requirements for sensor applications with rare or intermittent exposure to target gases such as in fire detection and security applications.
G01N 27/12 - Investigating or analysing materials by the use of electric, electrochemical, or magnetic means by investigating impedance by investigating resistance of a solid body in dependence upon reaction with a fluid
G01N 27/18 - Investigating or analysing materials by the use of electric, electrochemical, or magnetic means by investigating impedance by investigating resistance of an electrically-heated body in dependence upon change of temperature caused by changes in the thermal conductivity of a surrounding material to be tested
G08B 17/117 - Actuation by presence of smoke or gases by using a detection device for specific gases, e.g. combustion products, produced by the fire
A method of identifying a plurality of devices connected along a common communications link is disclosed. Each device bears a unique identification. number belonging to a defined range of such numbers. A control station (P) scans the devices by sending a succession of interrogation signals, the interrogation signals comprising a representation of the identification numbers of the devices. A first scan is carried out with interrogation signals identifying a first lrange of identification numbers, and each device sends to the control station, a response signal that comprises its complete identification number and a checksum, upon a match of the identification numbers. If two or more of the devices generate a response signal, the response signals will be deemed to be invalid by the control station, and the first scan is paused. Upon pausing of the first scan, the control station initiates a second scan comprising interrogation signals identifying a more limited range of identification numbers. Successive scans are carried out until, only a single response is returned whereby the control station associates a unique identification number with each of the devices.
A method of monitoring an alarm system comprises transmitting a sound alert signal, receiving the transmitted sound alert signal, comparing the received sound alert signal with a reference signal having parameters dependent upon equivalent parameters of the transmitted sound alert signal, and outputting a signal indicating whether or not the equivalent parameters of the received sound alert signal have a predetermined relationship with said parameters of the transmitted sound alert signal.
A detector comprises a detector base (1) and a sensor (2), first and second resistors (8 and 9) connected in series, a DC voltage source (Vref) connected to the resistors, and means (10) for monitoring the voltage at the midpoint of a potential divider constituted by the series-connected resistors. The first and second resistors (8 and 9) are rated so that the midpoint voltage is indicative of the date of manufacture of the sensor (2).
A detector comprises a detector base (1) and first and second detector elements ( 2 & 3) each having a respective electronic interface (2a, 3a). The detector base (1) has electronic interfaces (Ia) to the electronic interface (2a, 3 a) of each of the detector elements (2, 3), wherein at least one of the detector elements is constructed as a replaceable module (11). The module (11) can be fitted onto the detector base (1) through a clip-on arrangement (16,17,18) or a sliding engagement.
A detector comprises a housing (1), a pyroelectric array sensor (2) mounted within the housing, a heater (4) associated with the pyroelectric array sensor, and control means (6) for varying the power supplied to the heater to control the temperature of the pyroelectric array sensor relative to the ambient temperature in order to minimise the rate of change of temperature of the pyroelectric array sensor and to keep a predetermined difference between the temperature of the pyroelectric array sensor and the ambient temperature.
G01J 5/00 - Radiation pyrometry, e.g. infrared or optical thermometry
G01J 5/34 - Radiation pyrometry, e.g. infrared or optical thermometry using electric radiation detectors using capacitors, e.g. pyroelectric capacitors
G01J 5/06 - Arrangements for eliminating effects of disturbing radiation; Arrangements for compensating changes in sensitivity
Methods and systems for detecting potential fire related conditions are provided. The system includes a sensor that includes a carbon-based nano-structure, the sensor exhibiting an electronic property that varies in response to a presence of a predetermined gas indicative of a potential fire related condition and an evaluation unit, communicating with the sensor, for analyzing the electronic property to determine whether the potential fire related condition exists.
G01N 27/12 - Investigating or analysing materials by the use of electric, electrochemical, or magnetic means by investigating impedance by investigating resistance of a solid body in dependence upon reaction with a fluid
G08B 17/117 - Actuation by presence of smoke or gases by using a detection device for specific gases, e.g. combustion products, produced by the fire
A detector comprises a housing (1) having a window (3), a measuring and processing unit (2), a source (4) of electromagnetic radiation, a plurality of sensors (7), and a reflector (6). The measuring and processing unit (2), the electromagnetic radiation source (4) and the sensors (7) are mounted within the housing (1). The reflector (6) is mounted outside the housing (1). The reflector (6) is positioned to reflect electromagnetic radiation passing through the window (3) from the electromagnetic radiation source (4) onto the sensors (7) via the window. The sensors (7) are operatively associated with the measuring and processing unit (2) to provide that unit with an input indicative of the level of electromagnetic radiation reaching the sensors.
A flame detector is provided which comprises a housing (1), a test source of electromagnetic radiation (4) and a sensor (7). The source of electromagnetic radiation (4) and the sensor (7) are mounted within the housing (1). The source of electromagnetic radiation (4) is arranged to direct its output onto the sensor (7). The source of electromagnetic radiation (4) is arranged to emit radiation which simulates a flame. In this way, a means is provided within the housing (1) of the flame detector to test the flame detector without the need for an external test source, such as a test fire or a bulky and expensive test torch.
A detection system in which a single sensor is employed to detect an extensive range of a parameter. The output signal from the sensor is fed to the input of the electrical circuit, having a feedback loop, wherein the electrical circuit has a non-linear transfer characteristic. The non-linear transfer characteristic is achieved by changing the behaviour of the feedback loop of the electrical circuit at a predetermined level of input signal. The output of the circuit has a proportional relationship with the input until the input signal reaches this predetermined value, whereupon the behaviour of the feedback loop changes and the relationship of the output to the input of the circuit changes. While the input signal is above the predetermined value, the output of the circuit has a linear but disproportionate relationship with the input at a gradient different to that when the input signal is below the predetermined value. Further, the behaviour of the feedback loop changes to create a knee point in the response between the proportional and the linear parts of the characteristic. In this way, an overall non-linear transfer characteristic is produced by the electrical circuit, the transfer characteristic having with a well-defined knee point. The resolution of input signals below the knee point may be greater than the resolution of signals above the knee point.
A self-monitoring smoke detector comprising a housing (11) defining an internal chamber (12). An optical transmitter (13) is mounted within the housing (11) so as to direct light into the optical chamber (12). An optical receiver (14) is mounted in the housing (11) and in optical communication with the optical chamber (12). The optical transmitter (13) and the optical receiver (14) are so positioned that light from the transmitter cannot directly reach the receiver. Monitoring means is provided, comprising first and second light-scattering means (13a and 14a) positioned respectively in alignment with the transmitter (13) and the receiver (14). The arrangement is such that, in the absence of reflector particles in the optical chamber, light from the transmitter (13) can reach the receiver (14) only after scattering at the first light-scattering means (13a) and then after scattering at the second light-scattering means (14a).
A detection system in which a single sensor (14) is employed to detect two, or more, levels, or ranges, of a parameter. The output signal from the sensor (14) is fed to a detection circuit (12) for amplification and thence to a control circuit (24). The control circuit (24) is switchable, either manually, or preferably programmably, for example by a timer, between two or more modes of operation for processing the output signal from the sensor (14) in a different manner, for example using different algorithms, according to the condition that is to be detected. The switching of the control circuit (24) between its modes results in a signal being sent to the detection circuit (12) to change its sensitivity to the signal received from the sensor (14), thereby to maintain accuracy of measurement of the parameter in both or all modes of operation.
H03K 17/94 - Electronic switching or gating, i.e. not by contact-making and -breaking characterised by the way in which the control signals are generated
G08B 17/10 - Actuation by presence of smoke or gases
A method is disclosed for testing the functionality of a sensor (1) of a fire detector during operation thereof. The method comprises applying a current-limited test signal to the sensor (1), the test signal being such that the impedance of the sensor is such as to absorb the current-limited test signal when the sensor is operating normally; and applying the output of the sensor to a test signal detector (7). The arrangement is such that the test signal passes the output terminal of the sensor (1) only when the sensor is not operating normally.
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