Fire alarm system based on virtual controllers

Abstract

This document describes devices, methods, and systems for fire alarm systems based on virtual controllers. An example device for a fire alarm system based on a virtual controller includes a virtual controller storing control logic that, when executed, causes the virtual controller to receive indications of fire alarm events from independent fire sensing devices and to send control commands to the independent fire sensing devices to initiate a response to the fire alarm events.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates in general to devices, methods, and systems for fire alarm systems based on virtual controllers. Background Technology

[0002] Large facilities (e.g., buildings), such as commercial facilities, office buildings, hospitals, apartment buildings, manufacturing plants, large warehouses, airport terminals, train stations, etc., may have fire alarm systems that can be triggered during an emergency (e.g., a fire) to guide occupants of the facility, such as by instructing them to evacuate or to control actions such as door release, elevator operation, and mitigation operations (e.g., fire extinguishing and smoke control). For example, a fire alarm system may include a fire control panel and multiple fire sensing devices (e.g., audible and / or smoke detectors) distributed throughout the facility (e.g., on different floors and / or in different rooms) that can detect a fire occurring in the facility and provide audio notification of the fire to occupants of the facility via alarms. The fire sensing devices may be wired in a loop and communicate with the fire control panel to convey that an emergency has been detected.

[0003] However, physical fire control panels are costly to install, especially in small residences where fire alarm systems typically include fewer fire sensors and modules throughout the home. Furthermore, in large facilities, multiple physical fire control panels are required to support the extensive fire alarm systems needed to meet safety requirements. For example, it might be necessary to install fire control panels on each floor of a multi-story facility, or more than one on a single floor of a large facility to accommodate a large number of fire sensors. Installing multiple control panels and the additional wiring presents significant cost issues. Moreover, the fire alarm system can be disrupted when a control panel is experiencing a failure, posing a significant risk to facility occupants. Attached Figure Description

[0004] Figure 1 An example of a fire alarm system including a fire alarm panel based on a virtual controller, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, is illustrated.

[0005] Figure 2 An example of a fire alarm system including a fire alarm panel based on a virtual controller, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, is illustrated.

[0006] Figure 3 An example of a fire alarm system including a fire alarm panel based on a virtual controller, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, is illustrated.

[0007] Figure 4An example of a fire alarm system including a fire alarm panel based on a virtual controller, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, is illustrated. Detailed Implementation

[0008] This document describes devices, methods, and systems for fire alarm systems based on virtual controllers. An example device for a fire alarm system includes a virtual controller storing control logic that, when executed, causes the virtual controller to receive indications of fire alarm events from stand-alone fire sensing devices and to send control commands to the stand-alone fire sensing devices to initiate a response to the fire alarm events.

[0009] As mentioned above, previous methods for installing fire alarm systems in facilities were extremely costly processes. For example, previous methods for installing such fire alarm systems may have involved installing fire control panels to support only a few fire sensors and modules, or installing numerous control panels at various points throughout the facility to maintain compliance.

[0010] Furthermore, as most fire safety systems become cloud-based, they become less dependent on hardware and can handle complex processes virtually. For example, in a traditional fire alarm panel, a failure of the main controller causes the entire Fire Alarm Control Panel (FACP) system to shut down. Traditionally, installation is time-consuming, expensive, and complex for multi-story or large sites with networking needs. Network cards require global causal rules, and copper / fiber cabling is needed to network multiple buildings, resulting in significant costs. A firmware upgrade for the main controller causes the entire site to shut down. Additionally, if the main controller firmware upgrade fails or if the main controller fails, the panel needs to be replaced. Traditional hardware-dependent systems are prone to failure and difficult to debug.

[0011] Conversely, embodiments of this disclosure relate to virtual controller-based fire alarm systems with a fail-safe (redundant) mode in the event of a failure. Such virtual controller-based fire alarm systems can be used to provide a safe and cost-effective solution for managing and operating fire safety systems in small-scale residential areas, high-rise buildings, densely populated areas, or areas with high growth rates.

[0012] Embodiments of this disclosure can configure a virtual controller to send control commands to an edge controller, such as a fire circuit control module. The fire circuit control module can be connected to physical fire control panel equipment via a wired or wireless connection. Embodiments of this disclosure may include a virtual controller used as a container or virtual machine. The virtual controller may be able to run fire control panel logic.

[0013] Furthermore, embodiments of this disclosure may include a fire circuit control module capable of communicating with wireless mesh devices or physical devices. Embodiments of this disclosure may also include a circuit controller capable of communicating with a virtual controller via a gateway device. If the fire circuit control module detects any alarm event, it can send an indication of the alarm event to the virtual controller. The virtual controller can run control logic (e.g., causal logic) to determine the appropriate response to the alarm event and send appropriate control commands to the fire circuit control module. The fire circuit control module can also activate and / or deactivate output devices (e.g., fire sensing devices) based on the control commands.

[0014] Embodiments of this disclosure may include orchestration logic that, in the event of a virtual controller failure, senses and selects another virtual controller to drive the control logic, allowing the fire alarm system to continue operating. In the event that the fire circuit control module fails to communicate with the virtual controller, the virtual controller may enter a fail-safe mode, in which minimal control logic / causal logic may be controlled by the fire circuit control module. Furthermore, in the event that an independent Internet of Things (IoT) device (e.g., a sensor or detector) communicates with the virtual controller, the virtual controller may activate an independent wireless module present in the field based on events sensed by the independent device.

[0015] In the following detailed description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which form part of the detailed description. The drawings illustrate, by way of example, how one or more embodiments of this disclosure can be practiced.

[0016] These embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable one or more embodiments of this disclosure to be practiced by a person skilled in the art. It should be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and mechanical, electrical and / or process changes may be made without departing from the scope of this disclosure.

[0017] It should be understood that elements shown in the various embodiments herein may be added, interchanged, combined, and / or eliminated to provide several additional embodiments of this disclosure. The scale and relative dimensions of the elements provided in the accompanying drawings are intended to illustrate embodiments of this disclosure and should not be construed as limiting.

[0018] The figures in this document follow the following numbering convention: one or more first digits correspond to the figure number, while the remaining digits identify elements or parts in the figure. Similar elements or parts between different figures can be identified by using similar digits. For example, 102 can be referenced... Figure 1 The component "02" in the text, and similar components in Figure 2 It can be referenced as 202.

[0019] As used herein, “a,” “an,” or “a number” can refer to one or more such things, while “a plurality of” can refer to more than one such thing. For example, “a plurality of parts” can refer to one or more parts, while “a plurality of parts” can refer to more than one part. Furthermore, as used herein, the reference numeral “N,” particularly with respect to reference numerals in the accompanying drawings, indicates that a plurality of specific features thus designated may be included with embodiments of this disclosure.

[0020] Figure 1 An example of a fire alarm system 100 including a fire control panel based on a virtual controller, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, is illustrated. For example, the fire alarm system 100 may include a remote computing device 102 and a facility (e.g., a construction site) 114. The remote computing device may include a central control unit 104 and multiple virtual controllers 106-1, 106-2, 106-N, which may be collectively referred to as virtual controller 106. The remote computing device can be used to manage the operation of the fire alarm system 100 at the construction site 114.

[0021] Construction site 114 may include a gateway device 108 that communicates with multiple fire circuit control modules 110-1, 110-2, 110-N, collectively referred to as fire circuit control modules 110. Each respective fire circuit control module 110 may communicate with a different fire circuit among fire circuits 112-1, 112-2, 112-N (e.g., fire circuit control module 110-1 communicates with fire circuit 112-1, fire circuit control module 110-2 communicates with fire circuit 112-2, etc.), which may be wired or wirelessly configured. Each respective wireless / wired circuit 112-1, 112-2, 112-N may include multiple fire sensing devices in a loop configuration (e.g., a configuration in which multiple devices are connected together in sequence or ring). The fire circuit is not limited to a specific number of fire sensing devices, and a fire circuit may include more or fewer devices. The fire sensing devices within a fire circuit may be, for example, smoke detectors, heat sensors, or alarm audibles.

[0022] The remote computing device 102 may include a central control unit 104 (e.g., a orchestrator) for controlling and managing various components within the fire protection system 100, such as fire sensing devices for loops 112-1, 112-2, and 112-N. In previous methods, a fire alarm control panel physically installed within a facility can serve as a central control unit for managing the fire protection system within the facility. However, the embodiments described herein allow the central control unit 104 to reside within the remote computing device 102. In some examples, the remote computing device 102 may be cloud-based and physically located separately from the construction site 114 (e.g., off-site), or located within the construction site 114 (e.g., on-site). The central control unit 104 may include orchestration logic for managing the virtual controller 106. The orchestration logic may refer to predefined rules and automated processes that coordinate fire protection system components to ensure an effective and timely response to fire alarm events. For example, the orchestration logic may include fire detection, alerting, suppression, and management of fire protection system components.

[0023] For example, virtual controller 106 can control the operation (e.g., actions performed by) of fire sensing devices in fire circuit 112. Virtual controller 106 can receive (e.g., acquire) data from the fire sensing devices in fire circuit 112, such as, for example, real-time operational data. Such data may include, for example, the current operational status, operating condition, and / or attributes of the fire sensing devices within fire circuit 112. As an additional example, virtual controller 106 can receive from fire circuit 112 a signal (e.g., an alarm signal) indicating that an emergency event (e.g., a fire alarm event) is occurring at construction site 114.

[0024] Each corresponding virtual controller can be assigned to control the devices of a different corresponding fire circuit control module 110. For example, virtual controller 106-1 can control fire circuit control module 110-1, virtual controller 106-2 can control fire circuit control module 110-2, and virtual controller 106-N can control fire circuit control module 110-N. Alternatively, virtual controller 106-2 can control fire circuit control module 110-1. The implementation is not limited to a specific arrangement, and additional configurations are possible.

[0025] For example, the remote computing device 102 may include a central control unit 104 and a plurality of virtual controllers 106, a gateway device 108 communicating with the remote computing device 102 and a plurality of fire circuit control modules 110, and different respective plurality of fire sensing devices communicating with each of the plurality of fire circuit control modules 110, wherein each of the plurality of fire circuit control modules 110 is configured to receive control commands via the gateway device 108 from a virtual controller in the plurality of virtual controllers 106 for controlling the plurality of fire sensing devices communicating with the respective fire circuit control module.

[0026] For example, such as Figure 1 As shown, fire circuit control module 110-1 can control the fire sensing device of fire circuit 112-1, fire circuit control module 110-2 can control the fire sensing device of fire circuit 112-2, and fire circuit control module 110-N can control the fire sensing device of fire circuit 112-N. Alternative configurations are possible; for example, fire circuit control module 110-2 can control the fire sensing devices of both fire circuit 112-1 and fire circuit 112-N.

[0027] Fire circuit 112 (e.g., equipment in the fire circuit) can be directly monitored and controlled by virtual controller 106, or it can be monitored and / or controlled by fire circuit control module 110, which communicates with virtual controller 106 via gateway device 108. Although in Figure 1 Only one gateway device is illustrated, but additional gateway devices can be utilized. Gateway device 108 can be used as a bridge between different networked components within fire protection system 100, such as fire circuit control module 110 and virtual controller 106. For example, gateway device 108 can function to integrate older systems and modern networks by converting signals between different communication protocols.

[0028] The fire circuit control module 110 serves as an interface for connecting and / or managing fire sensing devices in each fire circuit 112 installed within the construction site 114. The fire circuit control module 110 can monitor alarms (e.g., fire or smoke detection), faults (e.g., open circuits or short circuits), or other events of the fire sensing devices in each corresponding fire circuit 112, and can communicate the status of the fire sensing devices to the virtual controller 106. The fire circuit control module can also be used to identify each fire sensing device in the fire circuit 112 by a unique address for accurate detection within an addressable fire alarm system.

[0029] In addition to devices such as fire sensing equipment, fire circuit 112 may include fans and / or dampers that can perform smoke control operations (e.g., pressurization, purging, exhaust, etc.) during a fire, and / or sprinklers that can provide water for fire extinguishing, as well as other components of fire alarm system 100.

[0030] As mentioned earlier, fire sensing devices can be configured as wired or wireless loops. This arrangement allows for redundancy within the fire alarm system, enabling communication to continue in the opposite direction should part of the loop fail.

[0031] like Figure 1 As shown, the gateway device 108, the fire circuit control module 110, and the fire circuit 112 can all be physically located within the construction site 114, but the implementation is not limited to this arrangement. For example, in some implementations, the gateway device 108 can be located at a distance from the construction site 114.

[0032] Figure 2 An example of a fire alarm system 220 including a fire alarm panel based on a virtual controller, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, is illustrated. The fire alarm system 220 may exemplify alternative configurations of the fire protection system 100, such as in combination with... Figure 1 As described, a remote computing device 202, including a central control unit 204 and multiple virtual controllers 206, can be used to manage the operation of the fire alarm system 220 at a facility (e.g., a construction site 214). The construction site 214 may include multiple gateway devices 208-1, 208-2, 208-N, each communicating with (e.g., coupled to) a different corresponding fire circuit control module 210-1, 210-2, 210-N (e.g., gateway 208-1 coupled to fire circuit control module 210-1, gateway 208-2 coupled to fire circuit control module 210-2, etc.). Figure 2 As shown.

[0033] exist Figure 2 In the example shown, the remote computing device 202 may be cloud-based and physically located either at a location separate from the construction site 214 (e.g., remote, off-site) or within the construction site 214 (e.g., on-site). The central control unit 204 may include orchestration logic for managing the virtual controller 206.

[0034] The virtual controller 206 can control the operation (e.g., actions performed by) fire sensing devices managed by the fire circuit control module 210. The virtual controller 206 can receive (e.g., acquire) data from the fire circuit control module 210, such as, for example, real-time operational data. This data may include, for example, the current operating status, operational condition, and / or attributes of the fire sensing devices in the fire circuits managed by the fire circuit control module 210. As an additional example, the virtual controller 206 can receive signals (e.g., alarm signals) from the fire circuit control module 210 indicating that an emergency (e.g., firefighting) is occurring at the construction site 214.

[0035] although Figure 2 Not illustrated herein, but each fire circuit control module can communicate with the fire circuit. The fire circuit may include multiple fire sensing devices in loop form, wired or wireless, as previously described herein (e.g., in combination). Figure 1 ).

[0036] exist Figure 2 In the example shown, each corresponding virtual controller 206 can communicate with different corresponding fire circuit control modules 210 via an associated gateway device 208. For example, virtual controller 206-1 can control the function of fire circuit control module 210-1 via gateway device 208-1, and virtual controller 206-2 can control the function of fire circuit control module 210-2 via gateway device 208-2. Virtual controller 206-N can control the function of fire circuit control module 210-N during normal operation of fire protection system 220. However, in the event of a failure of virtual controller 206-N, virtual controller 206-2 can control fire circuit control module 210-N, such as... Figure 2 As shown. For example, in the event of a failure of a virtual controller (e.g., 206-N), the central control unit 204 may select another virtual controller (e.g., 206-2) to drive the control logic, allowing the fire protection system 220 to continue operating. Therefore, one of the multiple virtual controllers 206 can be configured to control several fire circuit control modules among the multiple fire circuit control modules in parallel. For example, during a failure event of a virtual controller among the multiple virtual controllers 206, the central control unit 204 may be configured to select different virtual controllers among the multiple virtual controllers 206 to control the fire circuit control module among the multiple fire circuit control modules 210 that has experienced a failure event.

[0037] Additionally, multiple virtual controllers 206 can be configured to receive indications of fire alarm events from corresponding fire circuit control modules (e.g., virtual controller 206-1 can receive indications of fire alarm events from fire circuit control module 210-1 via gateway device 208-1, virtual controller 206-2 can receive indications of fire alarm events from fire circuit control module 210-2 via gateway device 208-2, etc.), and in response to receiving indications of fire alarm events from corresponding fire circuit control modules, run causal logic and send control commands to the corresponding fire circuit control modules to initiate a response to the fire alarm event through fire sensing devices communicating with the fire circuit control modules.

[0038] Control commands can be used to activate (e.g., the response may include activation) multiple fire sensing devices communicating with the corresponding fire circuit control module. Alternatively, control commands can be used to deactivate (e.g., the response may include deactivation) multiple fire sensing devices communicating with the corresponding fire circuit control module.

[0039] Furthermore, during a failure event of the remote computing device 202, each of the multiple fire circuit control modules 210 can be configured to control multiple fire sensing devices of its corresponding fire circuit 212. In this way, the operation of the fire protection system 220 can be carried out without interruption.

[0040] Figure 3 An example of a fire alarm system 330 including a fire alarm panel based on a virtual controller, according to an embodiment of this disclosure, is illustrated. The remote computing device 302 may be remote computing device 102 or remote computing device 202, as respectively combined... Figure 1 and Figure 2 As described.

[0041] exist Figure 3 In the fire protection system 330 depicted, the remote computing device 302 may include a virtual controller 306. The virtual controller may include control logic 307 to manage and operate the fire circuit control module 310. The fire circuit control module 310 may include basic control logic. The fire circuit control module 310 may be combined with... Figure 1 and Figure 2 The fire circuit control module 110 or the fire circuit control module 210 described.

[0042] The remote computing device 302 can communicate with the standalone fire sensing device 316 (e.g., direct communication). A standalone fire sensing device can refer to a fire alarm system that includes a single fire sensing device. For example, the virtual controller 306 can be configured to send control commands directly to the standalone fire sensing device 316 via wireless communication. As an example, the standalone fire sensing device may be located in a small residence where only one fire sensing device is needed or required to maintain a safe environment. The standalone fire sensing device 316 can be any suitable fire sensing device, such as, for example, a smoke detector, a heat sensor, or an alarm siren. The standalone fire sensing device 316 can be an Internet of Things (IoT) based sensor. The standalone fire sensing device may not require a fire circuit control module to facilitate communication with the virtual controller 306.

[0043] The virtual controller 306 can also communicate with the fire circuit control module 310. The fire circuit control module 310 can communicate with and control the operation of the fire circuit 312 (e.g., the fire sensing device of the fire circuit 312). Figure 3 As shown, the fire circuit 312 may include both a wired circuit 312-1 and a wireless circuit 312-2, but the implementation is not limited thereto. Both the wired and wireless circuits of the fire circuit 312 may include multiple fire sensing devices in the circuit configuration. For example, a virtual controller 306 may be configured to manage multiple fire sensing devices wired in the circuit via a fire circuit control module 310 that communicates with the multiple fire sensing devices wired in the circuit 312.

[0044] The fire circuit control module 310 and the fire circuit 312 may be located separately from the independent fire sensing device 316. For example, the independent fire sensing device 316 may be located in a residence, and the fire circuit control module 310 and the fire circuit 312 may be located in a separate residence. Alternatively, the fire circuit control module 310 and the fire circuit 312 may also be located in separate physical locations.

[0045] The virtual controller 306 can simultaneously control the operation of the standalone fire sensor 316 and the fire circuit control module 310. For example, the virtual controller 306 can control the operation of the standalone fire sensor 316 in addition to or simultaneously with the fire circuit control module 310.

[0046] For example, the virtual controller 306 of the fire protection system 330 may receive an indication of a fire alarm event occurring via a fire circuit control module 310 that communicates with multiple fire sensing devices of the fire circuit 312. The virtual controller 306 may determine a response to the fire alarm event (e.g., using control logic 307, including, for example, causal logic) and send a control command to the fire circuit control module 310 to initiate a response to the fire alarm event via at least one of the multiple fire sensing devices.

[0047] Control commands can be used to activate (e.g., the response may include activation) a physical indicator on at least one of the plurality of fire sensing devices in fire circuit 312. Alternatively, control commands can be used to deactivate (e.g., the response may include deactivation) a physical indicator on at least one of the plurality of fire sensing devices in fire circuit 312.

[0048] The virtual controller 306 can receive additional indication of the occurrence of a fire alarm event via different fire loop control modules that communicate with different multiple fire sensing devices, determine additional responses to the fire alarm event, and send control commands to different fire loop control modules to initiate additional responses to the fire alarm event through at least one of the different multiple fire sensing devices.

[0049] The fire circuit control module 310 may include basic control logic 311. In the event that the fire circuit control module 310 fails to communicate with the virtual controller 306, the fire circuit control module 310 may enter a fail-safe mode, in which the basic control logic (e.g., causal logic) 311 will be executed by the fire circuit control module 310 to manage the operation of the fire circuit 312. For example, the fire circuit control module 310 includes basic control logic 311 to control multiple fire sensing devices wired in the circuit during a failure event of the virtual controller 306.

[0050] Figure 4 An example of a fire alarm system 440 including a fire alarm panel based on a virtual controller, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, is illustrated. The remote computing device 402 may, for example, be combined with... Figure 3 The remote computing device 302 described.

[0051] The remote computing device 402 may include a virtual controller 406. The virtual controller 406 may include control logic 407 for managing the operation of the wireless module 418 and the standalone fire sensor 416. The remote computing device 402 may be a cloud-based computing device for managing the standalone fire sensor 416.

[0052] The stand-alone fire sensing device 416 may be an IoT-based sensor located separately from the remote computing device 402. The stand-alone fire sensing device 416 may, for example, be integrated with... Figure 3 The described standalone fire sensor device 316 can communicate directly with the virtual controller 406 without requiring a gateway device or fire loop control module. The standalone fire sensor device 416 can communicate with the virtual controller via any suitable wireless protocol.

[0053] The standalone fire alarm sensor 416 can detect (e.g., sense) a fire alarm event and transmit an indication of the detected fire alarm event to the virtual controller 406. In response to receiving an indication that a fire alarm event is occurring, the virtual controller 406 can activate a wireless module 418 associated with the standalone fire alarm sensor 416. For example, the wireless module can be an audio device associated with the standalone fire alarm sensor 416 that, when activated, emits a sound to alert those within a specific range of the standalone fire alarm sensor 416 to the fire alarm event. The wireless module 418 is not limited to an audio device and can be any suitable device that includes a physical indicator for indicating a fire alarm event. The physical indicator can include sound, colored light, flashing lights, or any combination thereof to provide indication of a fire alarm event.

[0054] As an example, the remote computing device 402 may include a virtual controller 406 storing control logic 407, which, when executed, causes the virtual controller 406 to receive indications of fire alarm events from a standalone fire sensor 416 and to send control commands to the standalone fire sensor 416 to initiate a response to the fire alarm event by the standalone fire sensor 416 and / or the wireless module 418. The response to the fire alarm event may include, for example, activating the wireless module 418 located on-site along with the standalone fire sensor 416.

[0055] Although specific embodiments have been illustrated and described herein, those skilled in the art will understand that any arrangement calculated to achieve the same technology may replace the specific embodiments shown. This disclosure is intended to cover any and all modifications or variations of the various embodiments of this disclosure.

[0056] It should be understood that the above description is given by way of illustration and not limitation. Combinations of the above embodiments, as well as other embodiments not specifically described herein, will be apparent to those skilled in the art upon reading the above description.

[0057] The scope of the various embodiments of this disclosure includes any other application using the structures and methods described above. Therefore, the scope of the various embodiments of this disclosure should be determined with reference to the appended claims and the full scope of their equivalents.

[0058] In the above detailed description, for the purpose of simplifying this disclosure, various features are combined in the exemplary embodiments illustrated in the accompanying drawings. The approach of this disclosure should not be construed as reflecting an intention to require more features than expressly recited in each claim.

[0059] Instead, as reflected in the following claims, the subject matter of the invention lies in fewer than all the features of a single disclosed embodiment. Therefore, the claims below are incorporated into the detailed description, wherein each claim exists independently as a separate embodiment.

Claims

1. A fire alarm system (100; 220; 330; 440), said fire alarm system comprising: A remote computing device (102; 202; 302; 402), the remote computing device including a central control unit (104; 204) and multiple virtual controllers (106; 206; 306; 406); A gateway device (108; 208) communicating with the remote computing device (102; 202; 302; 402) and multiple fire circuit control modules (110; 210; 310); and Different corresponding multiple fire sensing devices, wherein the different corresponding multiple fire sensing devices communicate with each corresponding fire circuit control module in the multiple fire circuit control modules (110; 210; 310). Each of the plurality of fire circuit control modules (110; 210; 310) is configured to receive control commands from the virtual controllers of the plurality of virtual controllers (106; 206; 306; 406) via the gateway device (108; 208) for controlling the plurality of fire sensing devices communicating with the respective fire circuit control module.

2. The fire alarm system (100; 220; 330; 440) according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of virtual controllers (106; 206; 306; 406) are configured as follows: Receive indications of fire alarm events from the fire circuit control modules (110; 210; 310); The causal logic operates in response to the indication received from the fire circuit control module (110; 210; 310) regarding the fire alarm event; and Control commands are sent to the fire circuit control modules (110; 210; 310) to initiate a response to the fire alarm event through the plurality of fire sensing devices communicating with the respective fire circuit control modules (110; 210; 310).

3. The fire alarm system (100; 220; 330; 440) according to claim 2, wherein the response includes activating the plurality of fire sensing devices communicating with the respective fire circuit control module (110; 210; 310).

4. The fire alarm system (100; 220; 330; 440) according to claim 2, wherein the response includes deactivating the plurality of fire sensing devices communicating with the respective fire circuit control module (110; 210; 310).

5. The fire alarm system (100; 220; 330; 440) according to claim 2, wherein the response to the fire alarm event includes activating a wireless module (418) located in the field together with the plurality of fire sensing devices, the plurality of fire sensing devices communicating with the corresponding fire circuit control module (110; 210; 310).

6. The fire alarm system (100; 220; 330; 440) according to claim 1, wherein the virtual controllers in the plurality of virtual controllers (106; 206; 306; 406) are configured to control several fire circuit control modules in the plurality of fire circuit control modules (110; 210; 310) in parallel.

7. The fire alarm system (100; 220; 330; 440) according to claim 1, wherein during a failure event of the remote computing device (102; 202; 302; 402), each of the plurality of fire circuit control modules (110; 210; 310) is configured to control the plurality of fire sensing devices communicating with the respective fire circuit control module.

8. The fire alarm system (100; 220; 330; 440) according to claim 1, wherein the central control unit (104; 204) includes logic for managing the plurality of virtual controllers (106; 206; 306; 406).

9. The fire alarm system (100; 220; 330; 440) according to claim 1, wherein during a failure event of a virtual controller among the plurality of virtual controllers (106; 206; 306; 406), the central control unit (104; 204) is configured to select a different virtual controller among the plurality of virtual controllers (106; 206; 306; 406) to control the fire circuit control module (110; 210; 310) controlled by the virtual controller experiencing the failure event.

10. The fire alarm system (100; 220; 330; 440) according to claim 1, wherein: The gateway device (108; 208), the plurality of fire circuit control modules (110; 210; 310), and the plurality of fire sensing devices are located on-site within the facility (214); and The remote computing devices (102; 202; 302; 402) are located at a distance from the facility (214).

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