Method for automatic checking of a fire alarm system

Abstract

The invention is a method for automatic checking of a fire alarm system (10), wherein during a recording mode (100) fire detectors (12) are triggered in succession and reactions (22) of a panel (12) of the fire alarm system (10) to the triggers are stored, wherein during a checking mode (200) performed later in time the reactions (22) generated during the checking mode (200) are compared with the stored reactions (22) during the recording mode (100), and wherein in case of deviations a fault report (260) is made.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a method for automatic inspection of a fire alarm system, and more particularly to a method for automatic inspection of a central unit included in the fire alarm system. Background Technology

[0002] A fire alarm system, in a manner generally known to the public, comprises at least one fire detector and at least one device (central unit) that acts as a central unit within the system. These devices (fire detector, central unit) are connected to and at least communicatively connected via a bus line, sometimes referred to hereinafter as a transmission line. The central unit is hereinafter simply referred to as the switchboard (fire alarm center). In technical terms, the switchboard is sometimes also called a control panel.

[0003] Data and / or energy are transmitted to fire detectors connected to the bus line—originating from the main switchboard. The fire detectors connected to the bus line, the bus line itself, and at least one main switchboard connected to the bus line together form a fire alarm system or fire alarm facility.

[0004] When updating the main switchboard firmware, the functions of the main switchboard and the fire alarm system must be checked again to ensure they are working properly.

[0005] Therefore, the switchboard is currently manually switched to test mode. Then, at least each fire detector included in the fire alarm system is manually triggered, and the operator checks the displays generated by these triggers, which arrive at the switchboard and are displayed there. In some countries, this check requires manually triggering all fire detectors included in the respective fire alarm systems.

[0006] This type of inspection is complex. The workload increases as the number of fire detectors to be manually triggered increases. Especially when inspecting a large number of displays, this type of inspection performed by human operators is prone to errors. Summary of the Invention

[0007] Correspondingly, the objective of this invention is to describe a method for automatically performing such a check.

[0008] This task is solved by means of the method according to the invention.

[0009] In the method proposed herein for operating a fire alarm system and for automatically performing checks within the fire alarm system, wherein the fire alarm system includes a switchboard, fire detectors connected to the switchboard via transmission lines, and the transmission lines as equipment, the following provisions are made:

[0010] Each fire detector sends a report to the central control unit upon triggering a test alarm. Triggering can be based on alarm conditions (open flame and / or smoke) during fire alarm system operation. In this case, the trigger is a fire trigger. Test triggering can also be performed manually by the operator or automatically by the central control unit. In either case, the triggered fire detector sends a report to the central control unit. Automatic test triggering of the fire detectors is achieved by the central control unit sending stimuli to the fire detectors. Therefore, the stimuli are events generated and output in the central control unit to trigger a test alarm on the fire detector. Ideally, this stimuli are fieldbus messages.

[0011] Reports received by the switchboard and awaiting processing are processed by the switchboard and trigger a response from the switchboard to the report. These are prerequisites for the method proposed herein, and the functions described are known individually.

[0012] To test a fire alarm system, a pre-defined or pre-defined number of fire detectors are triggered. The testing of the fire alarm system is conducted in two methodological sections: first, in a methodological section called the recording mode, and then at a later point in time in a methodological section called the inspection mode.

[0013] In recording mode, for each triggered fire detector, at least one response from that detector is stored, particularly in the main control unit. Fire detector testing can be triggered manually or automatically. The associated differences are described below within the framework of a discussion of advantageous embodiments of the invention.

[0014] In inspection mode, a corresponding report is loaded to the switchboard for each fire detector triggered during recording mode. Reports are received from the fire detectors via the switchboard or loaded to the switchboard by generating a report within the switchboard. The switchboard does not differentiate between reports received from remote detectors or internally generated reports and processes each report loaded to it in the same manner. The switchboard's processing of the report elicits a response from the switchboard to that report. The response may be, for example, outputting text and / or activating at least one output, for example, to activate an alarm device connected to the switchboard. The text output as a response may include, for example, location text such as “HEM 308 Elevator Lobby,” “427 Men's Restroom,” “Printing Room,” “New Photo Studio GG Ceiling,” or detector group number such as 41011 / 1 or 203 / 2. The time between applying the stimulus via the switchboard and receiving the response is typically in the range of 100 ms to 10 seconds, typically in the range of several hundred milliseconds to seconds.

[0015] In inspection mode, the responses stored within the framework of recording mode are compared with the responses generated within the framework of inspection mode. If no match is found or a sufficient match is not found in the comparison, a fault report is generated by the main control unit. In other words, if no match is found or a sufficient match is not found in the comparison, the main control unit generates and outputs a fault report. This fault report can be output directly to the main control unit and / or output to the dispatch center connected to the main control unit via data or signaling technology.

[0016] This comparison allows for the verification of whether the switchboard is responding in the same way as it did in the log mode at the time of operation. This comparison can be used, for example, to check the switchboard's functionality after a firmware update. The previously necessary operator-mandated checks are no longer required, and faults that could never be resolved during operator-mandated checks are now avoided.

[0017] Preferably, when executing the method proposed herein, i.e., in recording mode and in check mode, actual activation of the output terminals is prevented. When comparing these responses (responses recorded during recording mode; responses generated during check mode), in the case that triggering of the output terminals is prevented, the activation states of these output terminals are not compared, but rather internal states are compared. These internal states are the contents of the storage units, and the activation of the output terminals is based on these contents during normal operation.

[0018] To avoid unnecessary repetition, the following applies to the description presented herein: the features and details described in conjunction with the mentioned method for operating a fire alarm system and the possible design options also apply to the establishment of equipment for performing the method, i.e., in particular the switchboard of the fire alarm system, and vice versa. Correspondingly, the method can also be extended by means of single or multiple method features relating to method steps implemented by corresponding equipment, and the equipment can also be extended by means of means for performing the method steps implemented within the framework of the method. Therefore, the features and details described in conjunction with the subject method also apply to the equipment determined for performing the method, and vice versa, so that the disclosure of various aspects of the invention can always be cross-referenced.

[0019] Advantageous design features of the present invention are the subject of various embodiments.

[0020] Preferably, it is specified that the check mode is executed after a firmware update of the main control unit, and particularly that it is executed automatically after the firmware update. In principle, the execution of the check mode after a firmware update can be manually triggered, for example, by an operator of the fire alarm system and by manipulating the operating elements provided for this purpose. Alternatively or additionally, it can be specified that the execution of the check mode is triggered automatically after a firmware update. For this purpose—in a manner generally known in principle—a signal is triggered, for example, by a software function monitoring the firmware update, which is evaluated for the automatic initiation of the check mode.

[0021] In principle, after a firmware update, the main switchboard may experience functional failures or functionalities that differ from those before the update. By performing a check mode after such a firmware update, especially automatically performing the check mode, the "behavior" of the main switchboard before the update can be compared to its "behavior" after the update. If no difference is found within this comparison, the main switchboard can be considered to function the same way after the firmware update.

[0022] In one embodiment of the method, in recording mode, for each triggered fire detector, a report sent to the switchboard upon triggering and the switchboard's response to that report are stored (both stored at the switchboard). In inspection mode, for each fire detector triggered during recording mode, the report stored during recording mode is loaded into the switchboard; that is, the stored report is generated in the switchboard (loaded into the corresponding storage area) as if the report were received from an external detector. Thus, the report is loaded into the switchboard. Loading the report causes the switchboard to process the report and to respond to it.

[0023] In this implementation, the switchboard processes the same report during inspection mode as it does during recording mode. By comparing these separately generated responses (responses generated and stored during recording mode; responses generated during inspection mode), it is checked whether the switchboard behaves the same in inspection mode as it did previously in recording mode.

[0024] In an alternative implementation of the method (an alternative to the aforementioned storage of reports during recording mode and subsequent "reuse" of the stored reports during inspection mode), in inspection mode, each fire detector triggered during recording mode is automatically triggered, i.e., automatically triggered by the switchboard. In this variant, the stored reports are not used during inspection mode; instead, reports are regenerated through the automatic triggering of fire detectors. Each automatically triggered fire detector sends a report to the switchboard upon triggering. This loads the report onto the switchboard. The loading of the report causes the switchboard to process the report and to react to it. Finally, the reaction generated during inspection mode is compared with the reaction recorded during recording mode.

[0025] In this embodiment, when comparing these separately generated reactions (reactions generated and stored during recording mode; reactions generated during inspection mode), it is also checked whether the switchboard behaves the same in inspection mode as it did previously in recording mode. However, since fire detectors are also triggered in inspection mode, this check also examines the functionality of the fire detectors and transmission lines.

[0026] In another embodiment of the method, or in the previously described embodiment, in inspection mode, the comparison between the reactions stored within the framework of recording mode and the reactions generated within the framework of inspection mode also includes a comparison between the reaction time detected during recording mode and the reaction time generated during inspection mode. The reaction times are the time between loading a report to the switchboard and the switchboard responding to that report. A fault report is generated when there is a deviation between these reaction times, or when the deviation exceeds a predetermined or pre-defined threshold.

[0027] In an advantageous implementation of this method, the recording mode and / or inspection mode are repeatedly executed according to a pre-given or pre-predictable schedule and / or after an event in the fire alarm system. This repeated execution can be for the recording mode only, for the inspection mode only, or for both. If only the recording mode is repeatedly executed, this ensures that the most up-to-date data is available for comparisons made within the framework of the inspection mode when the inspection mode is executed (then for the first time). If only the inspection mode is repeatedly executed, the comparisons made within the framework of the inspection mode are performed multiple times, and therefore possible changes in the fire alarm system between the two execution points of the inspection mode can also be detected. If both the recording mode and the inspection mode are repeatedly executed, the above advantages are combined. Then, for comparisons made within the framework of the inspection mode, data recorded within the framework of the previously executed recording mode is used.

[0028] The method proposed herein is preferably implemented in the form of a computer program for automatic execution. This computer program is an implementation of the subject method for running a fire alarm system and performing checks within the fire alarm system. Therefore, the present invention is, on one hand, a computer program having program code instructions executable by a computer; on the other hand, a storage medium having such a computer program, i.e., a computer program product having program code means; and finally, a device in which such a computer program is loaded or can be loaded into its memory as a means for executing the method and its design.

[0029] If method steps or a sequence of method steps are described below, this refers to actions performed based on or under the control of a computer program, unless otherwise stated that the individual actions are initiated by a user of the computer program. Any use of the term "automatic" implies at least that the actions involved are based on or under the control of a computer program.

[0030] Instead of a computer program with separate program code instructions, the methods described herein and below can also be implemented in firmware. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that implementation in firmware, or in both firmware and software, or in both firmware and hardware, is always possible, in addition to implementation in software. Therefore, the term "software" or "computer program" should be applied to the description presented herein, encompassing other implementation possibilities, particularly implementation in firmware, or in both firmware and software, or in both firmware and hardware.

[0031] Finally, the present invention is also a device identified and set up for implementing the method. The main switchboard of a fire alarm system, or one of a group of main switchboards in a fire alarm system, is considered such a device.

[0032] To implement the method proposed herein, the corresponding device, particularly the main unit, includes a processing unit in the form of a microprocessor or similar, and a memory in which the implementation of the method is stored in software or stored or loaded as both software and firmware. When the main unit is running, it executes the method, for example, performing a recording mode upon initial startup and a checking mode during firmware updates.

[0033] The embodiments of the present invention will then be further described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Corresponding objects or elements are equipped with the same reference numerals in all the drawings. Attached Figure Description

[0034] This embodiment should not be construed as limiting the invention. More precisely, within the scope of this disclosure, supplementary solutions and modifications are certainly possible, especially those that, to a person skilled in the art, can be derived from combinations or variations of features or method steps described in the general or specific description and included in the claims and / or drawings, and which, due to the combinable features, lead to new subject matter or new method steps or sequences of method steps. Wherein:

[0035] Figure 1 A fire alarm system with a fire alarm center (switchboard) and multiple fire detectors is shown;

[0036] Figure 2 The diagram illustrates the transmission of a report from a fire detector to the main control unit upon triggering a fire detector, as well as the automatic triggering of the fire detector by sending an excitation to the fire detector and the report issued based on that excitation.

[0037] Figure 3 A list of fire detectors (data structures) that can be considered for use within the framework of the methods presented herein are shown.

[0038] Figure 4 A flowchart illustrating the recording pattern performed within the framework of the method proposed herein is shown;

[0039] Figure 5 A flowchart illustrating the inspection mode performed within the framework of the method proposed herein is shown; and

[0040] Figure 6 A schematic simplified diagram of a computer program that implements the method proposed herein is shown. Detailed Implementation

[0041] Figure 1 The diagram illustrates a fire alarm system 10 in a very simplified schematic manner. This fire alarm system includes, in a manner known per se, a plurality of fire detectors 12; at least one switchboard 14; and a transmission line 16. The devices included in the fire alarm system 10 (fire detectors 12, switchboard 14) – in the same manner known per se – are connected to the transmission line 16. The transmission line 16 is, for example – but not necessarily – a loop line.

[0042] Figure 1The simplified illustrations shown herein should also be clearly understood as exemplary in relation to the number of devices depicted. A real fire alarm system 10 includes significantly more fire detectors 12 than shown, such as twenty, fifty, one hundred, or more, and / or exactly one switchboard 14 or more. The fire detectors 12 shown with dashed borders are intended to represent any number of fire detectors 12 in principle. Furthermore, the number of fire detectors 12 included in the fire alarm system 10 is entirely irrelevant. The method presented herein is suitable for fire alarm systems 10 with a small number of fire detectors 12, such as up to ten fire detectors 12, and is suitable for fire alarm systems 10 with up to one hundred fire detectors 12 and more. The number of switchboards 14 included in the fire alarm system 10 is also irrelevant. The method presented herein is implemented by devices that act as switchboards 14 in the fire alarm system 10. That is, it is sufficient for the fire alarm system 10 to include exactly one switchboard 14.

[0043] When fire detector 12 is triggered, it sends a message (data frame) to switchboard 14 via transmission line 16 in a manner generally known to the public. This message is referred to as report 20 to distinguish it from other messages. Figure 2 The illustration is shown in the same very simplified schematic manner for the individual fire detector 12 as the source of report 20 and the switchboard 14 as the receiver of report 20.

[0044] Receiving a report 20 from fire detector 12 will trigger a processing of report 20—in principle, known in itself—on the switchboard 14 side, and trigger a response 22 based on that processing (the switchboard 14's response to the arriving report 20). Figure 2 In the illustration, reaction 22 is shown only in a very simple schematic manner. Reaction 22—in a manner known in the same principle itself—includes, for example, the output of text by means of a display unit (not shown) included in or assigned to the switchboard 14 and / or the activation of at least one output terminal of the switchboard 14, i.e., an output terminal connected to, for example, an alarm device (not shown).

[0045] For example, after a firmware update to the switchboard 14, in order to check the fire alarm system 10, at least each of the individual fire detectors 12 has been manually triggered. These fire detectors then send reports 20 to the switchboard 14, and the receipt of such reports 20 triggers processing and a response 22. The operator checks the response 22 of the switchboard 14, specifically checking whether the response 22 matches the triggered fire detector 12, i.e., whether text matching the triggered fire detector 12 is displayed and / or whether an output (at least one output) provided for the triggered fire detector 12 is activated.

[0046] This inspection is automated according to the method presented herein. The inspection—at least in a particular embodiment—involves the automatic triggering of at least each of the fire detectors 12, a process known in principle. Automatic triggering causes a state on the side of the triggered fire detector 12 that is similar to that in an alarm situation, i.e., in the case of intense smoke and / or thermal shock.

[0047] This automatic triggering is initiated by the switchboard 14. Here, the switchboard 14 sends a message, referred to as excitation 24, via transmission line 16 to distinguish it from report 20. This excitation 24 is received and processed by at least one fire detector 12, and the associated fire detector 12, in response to the receipt of this excitation 24, sends the report 20, as described above, to the switchboard 14. This report 20 is also processed by the switchboard 14 and triggers a response 22 from the switchboard 14 to report 20. Figure 2 The illustration also shows the stimulus 24 sent via transmission line 16 for this automatic triggering.

[0048] The proposed method for automated inspection includes two modes or method components, namely recording mode 100 ( Figure 4 ) and inspection mode 200 ( Figure 5 Within the framework of this method, recording mode 100 needs to precede checking mode 200. Therefore, recording mode 100 will be described first here:

[0049] Within the framework of recording mode 100, a pre-defined or pre-defined fire detector 12 of the fire alarm system 10 is triggered, i.e., manually or automatically triggered in recording mode 100, and automatically triggered in inspection mode 200, at least in one particular embodiment of the method. If automatic triggering of the fire detector 12 is performed, this is done as described above. If manual triggering of the fire detector 12 is performed, this is done directly at the respective fire detector 12 using means known in principle, such as by means of a detector tester and / or by means of a test gas.

[0050] In the case of manually triggering fire detector 12 under recording mode 100, the manually triggered fire detector 12 is one of the pre-defined or pre-defined fire detectors 12 mentioned above. The operator performing manual triggering may trigger all fire detectors 12 included in the fire alarm system 10 or trigger only individual fire detectors 12. In the case of triggering individual fire detectors 12, the operator may trigger these fire detectors based on the fire detector's attributes for a specific group (local, type, etc.), based on his experience, or based on a list available to him.

[0051] For automatic triggering, automatic triggering is performed via the main control unit 14. Here, the pre-defined or pre-predefined fire detectors 12 are, for example, all fire detectors 12 included in the fire alarm system 10. Information about all fire detectors 12 included in the fire alarm system 10 is available to the main control unit 14 in the form of the configuration of the fire alarm system 10 and the corresponding configuration data. Alternatively, the pre-defined or pre-predefined fire detectors 12 are a set of fire detectors 12, that is, a subset of the total number of fire detectors 12 included in the fire alarm system 10. This subset—or, if necessary, multiple different subsets—can be fixed (pre-defined) and, for example, include all fire detectors 12 of a specific type, or can be selected by a person, for example, the operator of the corresponding fire alarm system 10, by the subset or the fire detectors 12 included in each subset (pre-defined).

[0052] Figure 3 The diagram illustrates, in a simplified schematic form, the data structure referred to below as the fire detector list 30, which has multiple fire detector datasets 32, one for each fire detector 12. When the fire detector 12 is manually triggered during recording mode 100, the fire detector list 30 is generated based on the manual triggering of the fire detector 12. When the fire detector 12 is automatically triggered during recording mode 100, the fire detector list 30 is already the basis for this automatic triggering and is derived from the configuration data described above.

[0053] The types of fire detector list 30 and the scope of fire detector dataset 32 ​​depend on the corresponding implementation of the method proposed herein. The following description exemplarily relates to exactly one implementation possibility, and the details elaborated therein should be considered entirely optional in this regard.

[0054] In the embodiments described herein, the fire detector list 30 is implemented in the form of a list (data structure), and each fire detector dataset 32 ​​includes a fire detector identifier 34, optional flags 35, a reporting section 36, and a response section 37. In one embodiment, the fire detector identifier 34 is or includes an address (switchboard address) that uniquely identifies the fire detector 12 on the transmission line 16, or something similar. The position within the fire detector list 30 is indicated by referring to data from exactly one fire detector dataset 32, for example, by means of a so-called pointer 38.

[0055] In the described implementation, the fire detector list 30 is based on the principle of optional automatic activation of fire detectors 12 within the framework of recording mode 100, or on automatic activation of fire detectors 12 within the framework of recording mode 100 and inspection mode 200. If the fire detector dataset 32 ​​included by the fire detector 30 includes a flag 35, then by means of the flag 35, it is possible to select / predetermine whether the relevant fire detector 12 is triggered within the framework of automatic triggering. If automatic triggering of fire detectors 12 is provided and if all fire detectors 12 included by the fire alarm system 10 are automatically triggered, then the flag 35 (or the evaluation of such flag 35) is not necessary.

[0056] exist Figure 4 The illustration in the diagram shows one possible implementation of recording mode 100 in the form of a flowchart.

[0057] There, after initialization 110 and starting (“S”) recording mode 100, check 120 whether all fire detectors 12 have been tested.

[0058] Shortly after the start of recording mode 100, the checked conditions are not yet met and the system branches to the corresponding operating area (a branch marked with "(-)", where "(-)" represents an unmet condition). There, fire detector 12 is triggered (either manually or automatically). In the case of manual triggering 130, a fire detector dataset 32 ​​is formed in the fire detector list 30 due to the trigger 130. That is, due to the trigger 130, the switchboard 14 receives a report 20 from the triggered fire detector 12 and generates a new fire detector dataset 32 ​​based on the report 20, which is either initially empty or initialized with initial values. In this fire detector dataset, for example, the corresponding data (e.g., bus address) received from the triggered fire detector 12 is stored within the framework of the report 20 as a fire detector identifier 34. In the case of automatic triggering 130, the automatic triggering is based on the fire detector dataset 32 ​​(based on configuration data) that already exists in the fire detector list 30, that is, by sending the excitation 24 to the fire detector 12 represented in the corresponding fire detector dataset 32 ​​by means of the fire detector identifier 34 therein.

[0059] Regardless of the type of triggering 130 (manual or automatic), the triggered fire detector 12 responds with a report 20 transmitted via transmission line 16, which is received and processed by the switchboard 14. The report 20, optionally, and the time value of receiving the report 20 (at the switchboard 14) are recorded. This is performed within the framework of report record 140 in recording mode 100. The processing of report 20 by the switchboard 14 triggers a response 22 (switchboard response 150) to report 20 after a certain time. Response 22, optionally, along with the time value of triggering switchboard 14 response 22 (at the switchboard 14), is recorded. This further recording is performed within the framework of response record 160 in recording mode 100. The algorithm then returns to the previously mentioned check 120.

[0060] As long as the conditions checked there have not been met, i.e., as long as all fire detectors 12 have not been tested, the above process is repeated (triggering fire detector 12 130; receiving report 20 from the corresponding triggered fire detector 12; generating response 22 to the received report 20 via switchboard 14). In the case of manual triggering 130 of fire detector 12, the next fire detector 12 is triggered based on the operator's action. In the case of automatic triggering 130 of fire detector 12, the next fire detector 12 is triggered based on the fire detector list 30. In the case of automatic triggering 130 of fire detector 12, within the framework of this method and as a partial function in recording mode 100 (not shown), a waiting time is waited for each fire detector 12 to trigger 130, i.e., a pre-given or pre-given time period has elapsed. In the case of manual triggering 130 of fire detector 12, since the operator needs to find the next fire detector 12, this time interval between the triggering 130 of fire detector 12 and the next fire detector 12 is determined.

[0061] In the case of automatic triggering 130 of fire detector 12, check 120 is performed based on fire detector list 30. In the case of manual triggering 130 of fire detector 12, check 120 is performed based on configuration data (when all fire detectors 12 included by the fire alarm system 10 have been manually triggered, the conditions evaluated within the framework of check 120 are met), or based on the evaluation of the operation process at the switchboard 14 (when the switchboard 14 is notified by signaling through the operation process that no other fire detectors 12 have been manually triggered, the conditions evaluated within the framework of check 120 are met).

[0062] If the check 120 yields the result "All fire detectors 12 have been tested" or "All provided fire detectors 12 have been tested" (with branches marked "(+)", where "(+)" represents a condition met), then optionally all reports 20 reached within the framework of recording mode 100 and the respective reactions 22 generated are stored in pairs. At least the respective reactions 22 are stored. In the illustrated embodiment, this storage 170 is performed at the end of recording mode 100, thereby ending recording mode 100 ("E").

[0063] Instead of storage 170 at the end of recording mode 100, continuous storage during the operation of recording mode 100 can also be considered. Then, at each report record 140 and each reaction record 160, the corresponding report 20 and the respective generated reaction 22 (or the time value of report 20 and the time value of receiving the report 20, especially the absolute or relative receiving time point, and the time value of reaction 22 and the time value of generating the reaction 22, especially the absolute or relative reaction time point) are immediately stored. Complete storage of all data is also optional. At least in the case of continuous storage at each reaction record 160, the corresponding reaction 22 is stored.

[0064] The fire detector list 30 can be considered as the location of the storage (either storage 170 at the end of recording mode 100 or storage during recording mode 100 and within the frame of report record 140 and response record 160, or storage during recording mode 100 and within the frame of response record 160), that is, where the report portion 36 (for the received report 20, as long as the report is stored) and the response portion 37 (for the generated response 22) of the fire detector dataset 32 ​​of the corresponding fire detector 12 are represented.

[0065] According to the implementation of the method proposed herein, instead of detecting and storing absolute or relative reception time points and absolute or relative reaction time points, it is also possible to detect and store only the time interval (reaction time) between these time points. These reaction times are stored, for example, in the reaction section 37 in the form of reaction time data (single reaction time data). Such reaction times are detected, for example, by starting a counter at the reception time point and stopping the counter at the reaction time point. This reaction time data either includes the directly detected reaction time or includes the basis for determining the reaction time, namely, the reception time point and the reaction time point, respectively.

[0066] The method referred to here as Recording Mode 100 is executed once, for example, in conjunction with the commissioning of the fire alarm system 10, or it is executed repeatedly. For repeated execution, it may be considered to be executed after an event in the fire alarm system 10, such as the replacement of at least one fire detector 12, and a corresponding change in the configuration of the fire alarm system 10, or generally after each change in the configuration of the fire alarm system 10. Additionally or alternatively, for repeated execution, it may be considered to be executed according to a pre-given or pre-given schedule. Optionally, in the case of repeated execution of Recording Mode 100 due to a configuration change, only those fire detector datasets 32 affected by the configuration change are updated.

[0067] This is called inspection mode 200 ( Figure 5The method is partly based on at least one prior execution of recording mode 100 because data previously recorded within the framework of recording mode 100 is used within the framework of inspection mode 200.

[0068] One possible implementation of inspection mode 200 is in Figure 5 In the illustration in the middle - similar to Figure 4 The corresponding diagram for recording mode 100 is shown in the form of a flowchart.

[0069] In the case of inspection mode 200, the fire detector list 30 formed or used within the framework of recording mode 100 and the data stored therein are used. Also in inspection mode 200—very similar to recording mode 100—a check 220 (initial check 220) is performed after the start (“S”) following initialization 210 to determine whether all fire detectors 12 have been tested. This check 220 is performed based on the fire detector list 30. Pointer 38 (due to initialization 210) initially points to the first fire detector dataset 32 ​​of the fire detector list 30 and, during the inspection mode 200, is moved from the currently represented fire detector dataset 32 ​​to the next fire detector dataset 32 ​​in the fire detector list 30. That is, the check 220 to determine whether all fire detectors 12 have been tested can be performed, for example and in a manner generally known in principle, based on the position of pointer 38.

[0070] Shortly after the start of inspection mode 200, if the inspected conditions are not met, the process branches to the corresponding operating area (the branch marked "(-)"). There, (automatically via switchboard 14) report generation 230 occurs. Report generation 230 may include the automatic triggering of fire detector 12, i.e., the automatic triggering of the fire detector 12 according to the fire detector dataset 32 ​​indicated by pointer 38. The automatically triggered fire detector 12 then generates and sends a report 20, which arrives at switchboard 14 (report 20 is loaded into switchboard 14), where it is processed and triggers the corresponding response 22. Report generation 230 can be achieved even without triggering fire detector 12. Next, the report 20 stored within the framework of recording mode 100 (the report portion 36 of the corresponding fire detector dataset 32) is generated as report generation 230 in such a way that the report is processed at the switchboard 14 as if it were a report 20 issued by the triggered fire detector 12 (the report 20 is loaded into the switchboard 14), so that a corresponding reaction 22 is triggered in response to this report 20. In response to the report 20 (either input to the switchboard 14 by the triggered fire detector 12 or generated in the switchboard 14), a reaction 22 is generated at the switchboard 14 after a certain period of time and based on reaction generation 240. Then, the reaction is checked (reaction check 250) with respect to the reaction 22 recorded (reaction record 160) within the framework of recording mode 100. That is, it is checked whether the reaction 22 recorded during recording mode 100 (the reaction portion 37 of the corresponding fire detector dataset 32) matches or at least sufficiently matches the reaction 22 generated during check mode 200.

[0071] For the case where inspection mode 200 also includes the automatic triggering of fire detector 12, the response check 250 may further include a check of the corresponding report 20, i.e., a comparison between the report 20 recorded during recording mode 100 in response to the triggering of fire detector 12 there (report portion 36 of the corresponding fire detector dataset 32) and the report 20 generated during inspection mode 200 in response to the re-triggering of fire detector 12 there. This check also includes matching or at least sufficient matching.

[0072] If a match or a sufficient match is found within the framework of the reaction check 250, the method branches to the initial check 220 (the branch marked "(+)"). For the fire detector 12, this check is thus successfully completed. If no match or sufficient match is found within the framework of the reaction check 250, a fault report 260 is made (via the branch marked "(-)"). The fault report 260 is displayed, for example, on a display unit reported by or assigned to the switchboard 14; and / or recorded, for example, in a memory included in the switchboard 14 and / or a memory communicatively connected to the switchboard 14. This display and / or recording includes, for example, the corresponding fire detector 12, the fire detector identifier 34 from the fire detector list 30, and / or the reaction 22 recorded within the framework of recording mode 100 (from the reaction portion 37 in the fire detector list 30), and the reaction 22 generated within the framework of check mode 200, or a portion of the recorded and generated reaction 22. Following fault report 260, the method branches off to initial check 220.

[0073] As long as the conditions being checked there have not been met, i.e., as long as all fire detectors 12 have not been tested, the above process is repeated to the next fire detector 12 in the fire detector list 30 (loading a report to the switchboard 14; processing the report 20 through the switchboard 14; generating a response 22 from the switchboard 14 to the report 20; comparing the response 22 with the response 22 stored during recording mode 100). If the fire detector list 30 has been fully processed, inspection mode 200 ends (“E”) and the end of inspection mode 200 is reached through a branch marked “(+)”.

[0074] In a particular embodiment of this method, provided that reaction time data is checked and stored separately for each triggered fire detector 12 during recording mode 100, it is stipulated that: within the framework of reaction check 250, the reaction time is also checked, i.e., by comparing the reaction time detected during recording mode 100 with the reaction time generated during check mode 200. Then, a fault report 260 is also generated if there is a deviation or the deviation exceeds a pre-given or pre-given threshold. Within the framework of check mode 200, it is not necessary to store the resulting reaction time in a special way. There, a counter can be started with the input or generation of report 20—as previously described—and stopped again with the triggering of reaction 22 (reaction generation 240). The resulting counter reading corresponds to the time period required for the comparison.

[0075] at last, Figure 6The illustration in the diagram shows computer program 300 in a schematically simplified form as an example of the implementation of the method presented herein.

[0076] The computer program 300 is loaded into the memory of a device (not shown) that acts as a switchboard 14 in the fire alarm system 10. The computer program includes a processing unit in the form or type of a microprocessor (not shown) in a manner known in principle, and the computer program 300 is executed by means of the processing unit when the switchboard 14 is running.

[0077] The computer program 300 includes program code instructions implementing recording mode 100 and program code instructions implementing inspection mode 200. Recording mode 100 and inspection mode 200 are automatically initiated by means of an activation routine 310 included in the computer program 300. Recording mode 100 is initiated, for example, based on an operational action detectable by the activation routine 310. Such an operational action at the device, such as a key press, is performed by the operator of the fire alarm system 10, for example, at the end of commissioning of the fire alarm system 10. If recording mode 100 has been executed at least once previously and the firmware of the corresponding device (i.e., switchboard 14) has been updated (firmware update), then inspection mode 200 is initiated. For this purpose, the activation routine 310 automatically recognizes the end of such an update, or the activation routine 310 receives a corresponding signal associated with the end of such an update. Additionally, optionally, check mode 200—when recording mode 100 has been executed at least once previously—is invoked at a pre-given or pre-given time point according to a schedule, or may be initiated by an action—when recording mode 100 has been executed at least once previously. In this respect, activation routine 310 checks the corresponding invocation criteria, such as the invocation time point and / or invocation conditions.

[0078] Although the present invention has been further illustrated and described in detail by way of embodiments, the present invention is not limited to the one or more examples disclosed, and other variations can be derived by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0079] Therefore, the various aspects of the specification submitted herein that are of focus can be briefly summarized as follows: A method for automatic inspection of a fire alarm system 10 is described. This method is performed by a device that acts as a switchboard 14 in the fire alarm system 10. Here, during recording mode 100, fire detectors 12 are triggered sequentially, and the response 22 (recording mode response) generated by the switchboard 14 in response to trigger 130 is stored. During inspection mode 200, which is performed later in time, for example due to a firmware update of the switchboard 14, the response 22 generated during inspection mode 200 (inspection mode response) is compared with the response 22 stored during recording mode 100. In the event of discrepancies or inadequate matching, a fault report 260 is generated.

Claims

1. A method for operating a fire alarm system (10) having a main unit (14) and multiple fire detectors (12), - wherein the plurality of fire detectors (12) are at least communicatively connected to the main control unit (14) via a common transmission line (16), - Each fire detector (12) sends a report (20) to the main control unit (14) upon triggering and based on the triggering. - wherein the main unit (14) sends an excitation (24) to the fire detector (12) for triggering the fire detector within the framework of automatic test triggering of the fire detector (12), and wherein the triggered fire detector (12) sends a report (20) to the main unit (14) in response to receiving the excitation (24). - wherein the report (20) is processed by the switchboard (14) and triggers a response (22) of the switchboard (14) to the report (20), wherein the response is to output text and / or activate at least one output terminal. - In order to test the fire alarm system (10), a predetermined or pre-defined number of fire detectors (12) are triggered. - The testing of the fire alarm system (10) is conducted in two parts: first in recording mode (100) and then at a later time in inspection mode (200), wherein the inspection mode (200) is automatically executed after the firmware update of the main unit (14). - In the recording mode (100), for each triggered fire detector (12), the reaction (22) of the main unit (14) generated by the main unit (14) is stored in the main unit (14). - In the inspection mode (200), for each fire detector (12) triggered during the recording mode (100), a corresponding report (20) is loaded to the switchboard (14), the report is processed by the switchboard (14) and causes the switchboard (14) to react (22) to the report (20). - Wherein the reaction (22) stored in the main unit (14) within the framework of the recording mode (100) is compared with the reaction (22) generated within the framework of the inspection mode (200); and - Wherein if no match is found or no sufficient match is found in the comparison, the switchboard (14) shall issue a fault report (260).

2. The method according to claim 1, - In the recording mode (100), for each triggered fire detector (12), the main unit (14) stores in the main unit (14) a report (20) sent to the main unit (14) in response to the test trigger and the main unit (14)'s response (22) to the report (20), and - In the inspection mode (200), for each fire detector (12) triggered during the recording mode (100), the main unit (14) loads the report (20) stored during the recording mode (100).

3. The method according to claim 1, - In the inspection mode (200), each fire detector (12) triggered during the recording mode (100) is automatically triggered; and - The automatically triggered fire detector (12) sends a report (20) to the main switchboard (14) in response to the triggering, thereby loading the report (20) to the main switchboard (14).

4. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3 above, - Wherein the inspection mode (200), the comparison between the reaction (22) stored therein within the frame of the recording mode (100) and the reaction (22) generated respectively within the frame of the inspection mode (200) further includes a comparison between the reaction time detected during the recording mode (100) and the reaction time generated during the inspection mode (200), and - A fault report is made when there is a deviation between these reaction times or when the deviation between these reaction times exceeds a pre-given or pre-given threshold (260).

5. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the inspection mode (200) is repeatedly performed according to a pre-given or pre-given schedule and / or according to events in the fire alarm system (10).

6. A computer-readable storage medium having stored thereon computer program instructions that, when executed by a device acting as a switchboard (14) in a fire alarm system (10), cause the device to perform the method according to any one of the preceding claims.

7. A computer program product comprising instructions or electronically readable control signals that, when executed by a device acting as a switchboard (14) in a fire alarm system (10), cause the device to perform the method according to any one of the preceding claims.

8. A device having a memory and a processing unit, said device being determined and configured to function as a switchboard (14) in a fire alarm system (10), wherein the memory of said device is loaded with... The computer program instructions according to claim 6, wherein the device executes the computer program instructions during operation.

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