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EP3573033A2 - Brandmeldertestvorrichtung und -verfahren - Google Patents

Brandmeldertestvorrichtung und -verfahren Download PDF

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Publication number
EP3573033A2
EP3573033A2 EP19168761.5A EP19168761A EP3573033A2 EP 3573033 A2 EP3573033 A2 EP 3573033A2 EP 19168761 A EP19168761 A EP 19168761A EP 3573033 A2 EP3573033 A2 EP 3573033A2
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
plate
face
fire alarm
electrical
switch assembly
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP19168761.5A
Other languages
English (en)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP3573033A3 (de
Inventor
Stephen David Ainsworth
Mark Douglas Ainsworth
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Individual
Original Assignee
Individual
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Individual filed Critical Individual
Publication of EP3573033A2 publication Critical patent/EP3573033A2/de
Publication of EP3573033A3 publication Critical patent/EP3573033A3/de
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G08—SIGNALLING
    • G08B—SIGNALLING OR CALLING SYSTEMS; ORDER TELEGRAPHS; ALARM SYSTEMS
    • G08B29/00—Checking or monitoring of signalling or alarm systems; Prevention or correction of operating errors, e.g. preventing unauthorised operation
    • G08B29/12—Checking intermittently signalling or alarm systems
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G08—SIGNALLING
    • G08B—SIGNALLING OR CALLING SYSTEMS; ORDER TELEGRAPHS; ALARM SYSTEMS
    • G08B25/00—Alarm systems in which the location of the alarm condition is signalled to a central station, e.g. fire or police telegraphic systems
    • G08B25/14—Central alarm receiver or annunciator arrangements

Definitions

  • the present invention relates generally to the field of electrical communications of existing art and more specifically relates to electrical testing.
  • a fire alarm system includes a multitude of devices and/or sensors to detect emergencies and warn individuals through visual and audio appliances when smoke, fire, carbon monoxide may be present. Such alarms may be activated automatically from detectors (e.g., smoke, heat, etc.), or may also be activated by manual fire alarm activation devices such as hand pull stations and/or call points. Alarms may include bells, sounders, and/or horns. Alarms may additionally include speakers and/or strobe lights and may also include messages.
  • detectors e.g., smoke, heat, etc.
  • Alarms may include bells, sounders, and/or horns. Alarms may additionally include speakers and/or strobe lights and may also include messages.
  • a fire alarm control panel (FACP), fire alarm control unit (FACU), or generally a "fire alarm panel” is the controlling unit of a fire alarm system.
  • the panel receives information from devices designed to detect and report fires, monitors operational integrity, provides for automatic control of equipment, and transmission of information.
  • the fire alarm panel may also supply electrical energy to operate any associated device, notifications, control, transmission, or relay.
  • U.S. Pat. No. 3,832,678 to Bjorn Gysell, Karl Axel Nilsson, and Gary Nilvid relates to a fire alarm system.
  • the described fire alarm system includes a plurality of individual alarm devices connected to a two-wire electrical loop, each alarm device including a unidirectional current conducting means, a resistive impedance, and a switch adapted to move to an actuated position in response to fire detection.
  • Also included in the loop are a bi-directional voltage source, a passive load having a predetermined value, and a resistive impedance element, also of a predetermined value, with the plurality of alarm devices and the passive load forming one portion of a voltage divider; the other portion of the voltage divider being formed by the resistive impedance element.
  • a fire alarm signal can be distinguished from all other signals generated by the system, in that under normal operation, the voltage drop across the resistive impedance element is not altered in response to the application of a first polarity voltage and then a second polarity voltage, while in response to the detection of a fire, a switch in an alarm device assumes its actuated position, whereby the voltage drop across the resistive impedance element assumes a first value in response to a first polarity voltage and a second value different from the first value in response to a second polarity voltage.
  • the potential drop across the resistive impedance element remains the same for both polarity voltage
  • the present disclosure provides a novel fire alarm testing device and method.
  • the general purpose of the present disclosure which will be described subsequently in greater detail, is to provide an efficient and effective fire alarm testing device and method.
  • the fire alarm testing device includes an electrical-switch assembly and internal circuitry.
  • the electrical-switch assembly preferably includes a face-plate; with the face-plate including two screw-holes, a control knob, two voltage/resistor measuring points, a plurality of electrical contacts, and two mounting screws. Included are raised molding points proximate to the plurality of electrical contacts intended for the attachment of protective devices to cover and protect the switch and exposed voltage points from water, dust, and foreign objects.
  • These protective devices can be either caps or plugs, or any other suitable cover.
  • the internal circuitry is mechanically and electrically coupleable to the face-plate, and electrically in communication with a fire alarm system.
  • the internal circuitry includes at least a plurality of terminals; with the plurality of terminals including minimally a positive terminal, a negative terminal, an R-positive terminal, an R-negative terminal, and a ground terminal.
  • Each of the positive terminal and negative terminals are each electrically coupleable to a fire alarm control panel.
  • the control knob also includes four rotatable positions including normal, open, ground, and short, such that the fire alarm system is testable by a user by the user rotating the knob to a desired position indicated on the face plate by N, O, G, and S.
  • the face-plate includes indicia to determine the position of the control knob. The height and a width of the face-plate are each greater than a standard plate, such that when the standard plate is removed and replaced by the fire alarm testing device, the face-plate is configured to conceal damage produced by removing the standard plate.
  • the plate is preferably constructed from fire resistant material with a minimum of a V-0 rating.
  • the face-plate preferably includes break-away tabs on the vertical sides of the face-plate such that the user may adjust an overall height of the face-plate.
  • the face-plate includes break-away tabs on the horizontal sides of the face-plate such that the user may adjust an overall width of the face-plate. Such adjustments are preferably made during installation of the face-plate.
  • the electrical-switch assembly is preferably rated for 0-40 volts direct current ("DC") and is rated up to 350 milliamps switching current (other ratings may be used as per ULC code). Also, the electrical-switch assembly is rated for up to 3.5 amps continuous current (other ratings may be used as per ULC code). Preferably, the electrical-switch assembly is water resistant sealed from dust and debris. Also, the control knob preferably includes a keyhole, such that a key is required to operate the control knob. In certain embodiments may be 0 to 10 amps 0 to 1000 milliamps 0 to 10 amps continuous current.
  • a method of using a fire alarm testing device includes a first step, providing a fire alarm testing device and a fire alarm system as disclosed herein; a second step, installing the fire alarm testing device in electrical communication with the fire alarm system; a third step, rotating a control knob of the fire alarm testing device to a pre-desired setting from a normal setting; a fourth step, measuring a predetermined indicia of an output of the fire alarm system via the fire alarm testing device; and a fifth step, returning the control knob of the fire alarm testing device back to the normal setting.
  • embodiments of the present disclosure relate to electrical testing and more particularly to a fire alarm testing device and method as used to improve the ease of use of testing fire alarm systems by providing a device that can perform multiple testing modes without the need to remove electrical components.
  • the fire alarm testing device is a switch that verifies that the various field devices are connected to the fire alarm panel are sending the correct electrical communication back to the fire alarm control panel.
  • the fire alarm testing device verifies such electrical communication by 1) breaking the electrical communication without the need to remove the fire alarm testing device from the wall, 2) by grounding either the positive or negative side of the existing device without the need to remove the device from the wall, 3) by shorting between the negative and positive, 4) by reading a voltage value, 5) by reading resistor value without the need to remove the device from the wall, 6) by reading loop resistance without the need to remove the device from the wall, and 7) by reading load current without the need to remove the device from the wall, 8) each reading can be performed independent of other readings.
  • the fire alarm testing device can be used for multiple applications and fire alarm configurations.
  • FIGS. 1-4 various views of a fire alarm testing device 100.
  • FIG. 1 shows a fire alarm testing device 100 during an 'in-use' condition, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.
  • the fire alarm testing device 100 may be beneficial for use by a user to test fire alarm system(s) 10 and components without the need to remove any components.
  • the fire alarm testing device 100 may include electrical-switch assembly 110 ; electrical switch assembly 110 may include face-plate 112 , where face-plate 112 may include two (or more) screw-holes 114, control knob 116 , two voltage/resistor measuring points 118, plurality of electrical contacts, and two (or more) mounting screws 122 which may be electrically grounded.
  • electrical switch assembly 110 may include face-plate 112 , where face-plate 112 may include two (or more) screw-holes 114, control knob 116 , two voltage/resistor measuring points 118, plurality of electrical contacts, and two (or more) mounting screws 122 which may be electrically grounded.
  • Internal circuitry 130 may include a plurality of terminals 132, plurality of terminals including: positive terminal 134, negative terminal 136, R-positive terminal 138, R-negative terminal 140, and ground terminal 142. Positive terminal 134 and negative terminal 136 may each electrically coupleable to a fire alarm control panel. Also included may be a secondary ground terminal (not shown) which may be useful such that ground terminal 142 and/or secondary ground terminal may each be alternately used for testing a positive ground and a negative ground.
  • Control knob 116 may include four rotatable positions, where four rotatable positions 116 may include normal 160, open 162, ground 164, and short 166, such that the fire alarm system 10 is testable by a user by the user rotating control knob 116 to a desired position.
  • Control knob 116 may include keyhole 124, such that a key is required to operate control knob 116.
  • Electrical-switch assembly 110 may be rated for 0-40 volts DC, in embodiments. Also, electrical-switch assembly 110 may be rated up to at least 350 milliamps and fire alarm testing device 100 may be rated up to at least 3.5 continuous current-amps. Further, electrical-switch assembly 110 may be water resistant, and electrical-switch assembly 110 may be sealed from dust and debris.
  • the height and a width of face-plate 112 may be greater than a standard plate, such that when the standard plate is removed and replaced by fire alarm testing device 100 face-plate 112 may conceal damage produced by removing the standard plate.
  • Face-plate 112 may include indicia to determine the position of control knob 116.
  • Face-plate 112 may include break-away tabs on the vertical sides of face-plate 112 such that the user may adjust the overall height of face-plate 112.
  • face-plate 112 may include break-away tabs on the horizontal sides of face-plate 112 such that the user may adjust the overall width of face-plate 112.
  • Face-plate 112 may be constructed from a non-electrically conductive material.
  • control knob 116 may be constructed from a non-electrically conductive material. Face-plate 112 may be removably coupleable to internal circuitry 130. In embodiments, each of two voltage/resistor measuring points 118 may include an aperture. Other embodiments may include each of two voltage/resistor measuring points 118 including an external contact. Also included may be quick release support tabs on the inside of face-plate 112 to allow the removal of electrical-switch assembly 110 and internal circuitry 130 for quick repair, maintenance, and/or replacement.
  • fire alarm testing device 100 may be arranged as a kit 105.
  • fire alarm testing device 100 may further include a set of instructions 107. Instructions 107 may detail functional relationships in relation to the structure of fire alarm testing device 100 such that fire alarm testing device 100 can be used, maintained, or the like, in a preferred manner.
  • FIG. 6 is a flow diagram illustrating a method of using 500 a fire alarm testing device 100, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.
  • method of using 500 a fire alarm testing device 100 may include one or more components or features of the fire alarm testing device 100 as described above.
  • method of using 500 a fire alarm testing device 100 may include the steps of: step one 501, providing fire alarm testing device 100 and fire alarm system 10; step two 502, installing said fire alarm testing device 100 in electrical communication with fire alarm system 10; step three 503, rotating control knob 116 of fire alarm testing device 100 to a pre-desired setting from normal 160 setting; step four 504, measuring a predetermined indicia of an output of fire alarm system 10 via fire alarm testing device 100; and step five 505, returning control knob 116 of fire alarm testing device 100 back to normal 160 setting.
  • step five 505 is an optional step and may not be implemented in all cases.
  • Optional steps of method of use 500 are illustrated using dashed lines in FIG. 5 so as to distinguish them from the other steps of method of use 500.
  • steps described in the method of use can be carried out in many different orders according to user preference. The use of "step of' should not be interpreted as "step for”, in the claims herein and is not intended to invoke the provisions of 35 U.S.C. ⁇ 112(f).

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  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Computer Security & Cryptography (AREA)
  • Business, Economics & Management (AREA)
  • Emergency Management (AREA)
  • Fire Alarms (AREA)
  • Fire-Detection Mechanisms (AREA)
EP19168761.5A 2018-05-25 2019-04-11 Brandmeldertestvorrichtung und -verfahren Withdrawn EP3573033A3 (de)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
CA3006178A CA3006178C (en) 2018-05-25 2018-05-25 Fire alarm testing device and method

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP3573033A2 true EP3573033A2 (de) 2019-11-27
EP3573033A3 EP3573033A3 (de) 2019-12-04

Family

ID=66105260

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP19168761.5A Withdrawn EP3573033A3 (de) 2018-05-25 2019-04-11 Brandmeldertestvorrichtung und -verfahren

Country Status (2)

Country Link
EP (1) EP3573033A3 (de)
CA (1) CA3006178C (de)

Families Citing this family (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN111653071B (zh) * 2020-07-01 2021-11-26 聊城九洲建设集团有限公司 一种建筑安防用传感器检测装置

Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3832678A (en) 1970-11-12 1974-08-27 B Gysell Fire alarm system

Family Cites Families (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US6851612B2 (en) * 2001-07-20 2005-02-08 Siemens Building Technologies, Inc. Portable diagnostic device
US9830806B2 (en) * 2014-06-02 2017-11-28 Tyco New Zealand Limited Systems enabling testing of fire control panels together with remote control and providing text-to-speech of event data

Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3832678A (en) 1970-11-12 1974-08-27 B Gysell Fire alarm system

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
EP3573033A3 (de) 2019-12-04
CA3006178C (en) 2021-02-02
CA3006178A1 (en) 2019-11-25

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