METHOD FOR AUTOMATIC TESTING OF A FIRE ALARM SYSTEM

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a method for automatically testing a fire alarm system, in particular a method for automatically testing a central unit included in the fire alarm system.

[0002] A fire alarm system, in a manner known per se, comprises at least one fire detector and at least one device (central unit) acting as the central unit within the fire alarm system. These devices (fire detector, central unit) are connected to a bus line, sometimes referred to as a transmission line, and are at least communicatively connected via the bus line. The central unit is referred to below as the control panel (fire alarm control panel). In technical terminology, the control panel is sometimes also referred to as a panel.

[0003] Data and / or power is transmitted from the control panel to the fire detectors connected to the bus line via the bus line. The fire detectors connected to the bus line, the bus line itself, and at least one control panel connected to the bus line together form a fire alarm system or fire alarm installation.

[0004] When updating the firmware of the control panel, the correct functioning of the control panel and the fire alarm system as a whole must be checked again.

[0005] US 2015 / 0302727 A1 discloses a device and method for self-testing a fire alarm device, which device comprises a blockage sensor system to determine whether a detection chamber is blocked, e.g., by dust. The system comprises at least one passage light source that shines the light into the passages of a shielding system, and one or more detectors that detect the light. The blockage sensor system detects obstacles in the passages by analyzing how the light propagates through the passages. As part of a self-test initiated by the fire alarm control panel, current light level values ​​for light passing through the passages are recorded and compared with historical values. In the event of an unacceptable deviation, a warning message is issued by the fire alarm control panel.

[0006] EP 2500882 A1 relates to an alarm system with a warning function against fire and gas, in which base values ​​are stored at the time of commissioning, with which real-time operating data are compared.

[0007] To do this, the control panel is manually switched to test mode. Then, at least individual fire detectors included in the fire alarm system are manually triggered, and an operator checks the indications received and displayed at the control panel as a result of such a triggering. In some states, such a test requires the manual triggering of all fire detectors included in the respective fire alarm system.

[0008] This test is complex. The effort increases with the number of fire detectors to be manually triggered. Especially with a large number of indicators to be tested, such a test by a human operator is also prone to errors. Accordingly, one object of the invention is to provide a method for automatically performing such a test.

[0009] This object is achieved according to the invention by means of a method having the features of claim 1, by means of a computer program according to claim 6 and by means of a computer program product according to claim 7.

[0010] The method proposed here for operating a fire alarm system and for automatically conducting tests in the fire alarm system, in which the fire alarm system comprises a control panel, fire detectors connected to the control panel via a transmission line, and the transmission line, provides the following: Each fire detector sends a message to the control panel in the event of a so-called fire or test activation and due to the fire or test activation. Activation can occur during operation of the fire alarm system due to an alarm situation (fire and / or smoke). In this case, the activation is a fire activation. Test activation is also possible, either manually by an operator or automatically by the control panel. In either case, the triggered fire detector sends a message to the control panel due to the activation.The control panel automatically triggers a fire detector test by sending a stimulus to the fire detector. A stimulus is the event generated and output in the control panel to trigger a test alarm on a fire detector. Ideally, such a stimulus is a fieldbus telegram.

[0011] A message received by the control center and pending there is processed by the control center and triggers a response from the control center. These are all prerequisites for the procedure proposed here, and the functions described are each known in their own right.

[0012] To test the fire alarm system, a specified or predeterminable number of fire detectors are triggered. The fire alarm system test is carried out in two stages: first, in a stage known as recording mode, and later, in a stage known as test mode.

[0013] In recording mode, at least one resulting response from the control panel is stored for each triggered fire detector, particularly in the control panel. Test triggering of the fire detectors can be manual or automatic. The associated differences are described below in the context of a discussion of advantageous embodiments of the method.

[0014] In test mode, a message is sent to the control panel for each fire detector triggered during recording mode. The control panel receives a message when the control panel receives a message from a fire detector or when a message is generated in the control panel. The control panel does not differentiate between a message received from a remote detector and an internally generated message and processes every message that is sent to it in the same way. The processing of the message by the control panel leads to a reaction from the control panel to the message. A reaction is, for example, the output of a text and / or the activation of at least one output, the latter for example to activate an alarm device connected to the control panel. The text output as a reaction can, for example, include a location text, such as"HFM 308 Lift Lobby," "427 Men's Restroom," "Copy Room," "New Photo Workshop GG Suspended Ceiling," or a detector group number, such as 41011 / 1 or 203 / 2. The time between the application of a stimulus and the receipt of a response by the control panel is usually in the range of 100 ms to 10 seconds, typically in the range of a few hundred ms to several seconds.

[0015] In test mode, the response saved during recording mode and the response resulting from test mode are compared. The control center issues an error message if the comparison finds no match or insufficient match. In other words, the control center generates and outputs an error message if the comparison finds no match or insufficient match. The error message can be output directly to the control center and / or to a control center connected to the control center via data or signaling.

[0016] Test mode is executed after a firmware update of the control panel, in particular automatically after a firmware update. Test mode can generally be initiated manually after a firmware update, for example, by an operator of the fire alarm system and by operating a designated control element. Additionally or alternatively, test mode can be initiated automatically after a firmware update. For this purpose, a signal is triggered—in a generally known manner—for example, by a software function monitoring the firmware update, which is evaluated to automatically start test mode.

[0017] After a firmware update to the control panel, there is always the possibility of a malfunction or a function that differs from the situation before the firmware update. By running the test mode after such a firmware update, especially by running it automatically after the firmware update, the control panel's "behavior" before the firmware update is compared with its "behavior" after the firmware update. If no differences are revealed during the comparison, it can be assumed that the control panel functions exactly as before after the firmware update.

[0018] The comparison checks whether the control panel is responding in the same way at the time the test mode is running as it was when the recording mode was executed. For example, the comparison can be used to test the control panel's functionality after a firmware update. A previously required test by a fire alarm system operator is no longer required, and errors that could never be ruled out during such a test by an operator are now avoided.

[0019] Preferably, the actual activation of outputs is blocked during the execution of the method proposed here, i.e., in recording mode and test mode. When comparing the responses (reaction recorded during recording mode; reaction resulting during test mode), if the outputs are triggered while blocked, the activation states of the outputs are not compared, but rather internal states. These internal states are the contents of memory cells, which are the basis for the activation of outputs during normal operation.

[0020] To avoid unnecessary repetition, the description presented here states that features and details described in connection with the aforementioned method for operating a fire alarm system and any possible embodiments naturally also apply in connection with and with regard to the device configured to implement the method, i.e., in particular, a control center of a fire alarm system, and vice versa. Accordingly, the method can also be further developed by means of individual or multiple method features that relate to method steps performed by a corresponding device, and the device can also be further developed by means for executing method steps performed within the framework of the method.Consequently, features and details described in connection with the present method naturally also apply in connection with and with regard to the device intended to carry out the method and vice versa, so that with regard to the disclosure of the individual aspects of the invention, reference is or can always be made to each other.

[0021] Advantageous embodiments of the invention are the subject matter of the dependent claims. References within the claims indicate the further development of the subject matter of the referenced claim by the features of the respective dependent claim. They are not to be understood as a waiver of independent, objective protection for the features or combinations of features of a dependent claim. Furthermore, with regard to the interpretation of the claims and the description, if a feature in a dependent claim is specified in more detail, it must be assumed that such a limitation does not exist in the respective preceding claims or in a more general embodiment of the subject process. Accordingly, any reference in the description to aspects of dependent claims is to be read expressly as a description of optional features, even without a specific reference.

[0022] In one embodiment of the method, in recording mode, for each fire detector triggered, a message sent to the control panel upon triggering the alarm and the control panel's resulting response to the message are stored (both at the control panel). In test mode, the control panel is supplied with the message stored during recording mode for each fire detector triggered during recording mode, i.e. the stored message is generated in the control panel (loaded into a corresponding memory area) as if it had been received from an external detector. This supplies the control panel with this message. The supply of the message results in the control panel processing the message and in the control panel responding to the message.

[0023] In this embodiment, the control panel processes the same message during test mode as during recording mode. By comparing the resulting responses (resulting response during recording mode and stored response; resulting response during test mode), it is checked whether the control panel still behaves in test mode as it did during recording mode.

[0024] In an alternative embodiment of the method (an alternative to the above-described storing of messages during recording mode and the later "reuse" of the stored messages during test mode), each fire detector triggered during recording mode is automatically triggered in test mode, namely by the control panel. In this variant, no stored messages are used during test mode, but rather new ones are generated by automatically triggering the fire detectors. Each automatically triggered fire detector sends a message to the control panel upon being triggered. This sends this message to the control panel. The message is then processed by the control panel and the control panel responds to the message. The response resulting during test mode is then compared with the response recorded during recording mode.

[0025] In this embodiment, too, comparing the resulting responses (resulting and stored response during recording mode; resulting response during test mode) checks whether the control panel still behaves in test mode as it did during recording mode. However, because the fire detector is triggered even in test mode, the test also covers the function of the fire detector and the transmission line.

[0026] In a further embodiment of the method or the previously described embodiments, the comparison of the reactions stored during the recording mode with the reactions resulting during the test mode in test mode also includes a comparison of the reaction times recorded during the recording mode with the reaction times resulting during the test mode. The reaction time is the time between the time a message is sent to the control center and the control center's response to the message. In the event of a deviation or a deviation between the reaction times that exceeds a predefined or predefinable threshold, an error message is generated.

[0027] In an advantageous embodiment of the method, the recording mode and / or the test mode are executed repeatedly according to a predetermined or predeterminable schedule and / or after an event in the fire alarm system. This repeated execution is possible both for the recording mode only and for the test mode only, as well as for the recording mode on the one hand and for the test mode on the other. If only the recording mode is executed repeatedly, it is ensured that the most up-to-date data possible is available for the comparison made during the test mode when the test mode is executed (for the first time). If only the test mode is executed repeatedly, the comparison made during the test mode is executed multiple times, and any changes in the fire alarm system that occurred between two execution times of the test mode can therefore be detected.If the recording mode and the test mode are executed repeatedly, the advantages outlined above are combined. The data recorded in the last recording mode used is then used for the comparison performed in the test mode.

[0028] The method proposed here is preferably implemented in the form of a computer program for automatic execution. The computer program is an implementation of the subject method for operating a fire alarm system and for conducting tests in the fire alarm system. The invention is thus, on the one hand, a computer program with computer-executable program code instructions and, on the other hand, a storage medium with such a computer program, i.e., a computer program product with program code means, as well as, finally, a device into whose memory such a computer program is loaded or loadable as a means for implementing the method and its embodiments.

[0029] Whenever process steps or process step sequences are described below, this refers to actions that occur due to the computer program or under the control of the computer program, unless it is expressly stated that individual actions are initiated by a user of the computer program. At a minimum, any use of the term "automatic" means that the action in question occurs due to the computer program or under the control of the computer program.

[0030] Instead of a computer program with individual program code instructions, the method described here and below can also be implemented in firmware form. It will be clear to those skilled in the art that instead of implementing a method in software, an implementation in firmware, or in firmware and software, or in firmware and hardware, is always possible. Therefore, for the description presented here, the term "software" or "computer program" should also encompass other implementation options, namely, in particular, an implementation in firmware, in firmware and software, or in firmware and hardware.

[0031] Finally, the invention also relates to a device designed and configured to carry out the method. Such a device may be the control center of the fire alarm system or one of a group of several control centers of the fire alarm system.

[0032] To implement the method proposed here, the respective device, in particular the control center, comprises, in a manner known per se, a processing unit in the form of or similar to a microprocessor, as well as a memory in which an implementation of the method is stored in software or an implementation is stored or embodied in software and firmware. During operation of the control center, it executes the method, for example, by executing the recording mode upon initial commissioning and the test mode upon a firmware update.

[0033] An exemplary embodiment of the invention is explained in more detail below with reference to the drawing. Corresponding objects or elements are provided with the same reference numerals in all figures.

[0034] The exemplary embodiment is not to be understood as a limitation of the invention. Rather, additions and modifications are also entirely possible within the scope of the present disclosure, in particular those that, for example, can be derived by a person skilled in the art with regard to solving the problem through the combination or modification of individual features or method steps described in the general or specific description, as well as in the claims and / or the drawings, and that lead to a new subject matter or to new method steps or method step sequences through combinable features.

[0035] It shows FIG 1 shows a fire alarm system with several fire detectors and a fire alarm control panel (control panel), FIG 2 shows a transmission of a message from a fire detector to the control panel in the event of the fire detector being triggered, as well as an automatic triggering of a fire detector by sending a stimulus to the fire detector and the message sent out as a result of the stimulus, FIG 3 shows a data structure (fire detector list) which is suitable for use in the context of the method proposed here, FIG 4 shows a flow chart for a recording mode carried out in the context of the method proposed here, FIG 5 shows a flow chart for a test mode carried out in the context of the method proposed here, and FIG 6 shows a simplified schematic representation of a computer program as an implementation of the method proposed here.

[0036] The representation in FIG 1 shows a fire alarm system 10 in a highly simplified schematic manner. This comprises, in a manner known per se, a plurality of fire detectors 12, at least one control panel 14, and a transmission line 16. The devices comprised by the fire alarm system 10 (fire detector 12, control panel 14) are connected, in a manner also known per se, to the transmission line 16. The transmission line 16 is, for example—but not necessarily—a ring line.

[0037] The schematically simplified representation in FIG 1 is also expressly to be understood as an example only with regard to the number of devices shown. Real fire alarm systems 10 comprise significantly more than the fire detectors 12 shown, for example twenty fire detectors 12, fifty fire detectors 12, one hundred fire detectors 12 or more, and / or exactly one control panel 14 or more than one control panel 14. The fire detectors 12 shown with a dashed border are intended to represent any number of fire detectors 12. The number of fire detectors 12 comprised by the fire alarm system 10 is not important at all. The method proposed here is suitable for a fire alarm system 10 with a few fire detectors 12, for example a fire alarm system 10 with up to ten fire detectors 12, and for fire alarm systems 10 with up to one hundred fire detectors 12 or more. Likewise, the number of control panels 14 comprised by the fire alarm system 10 is not important.The method proposed here is implemented by a device acting as a control center 14 in the fire alarm system 10. Therefore, exactly one control center 14 included in the fire alarm system 10 is sufficient.

[0038] When a fire detector 12 is triggered, it sends a telegram (a data frame) to the control center 14 via the transmission line 16 and in a manner known per se. This telegram is designated as message 20 to distinguish it from other telegrams. This is shown in FIG 2 in a schematically simplified manner for a single fire detector 12 as the origin of the message 20 and the control panel 14 as the recipient of the message 20.

[0039] The receipt of a message 20 from a fire detector 12 triggers a processing of the message 20 on the control panel 14, which is generally known per se, and a reaction 22 resulting from the processing (reaction of the control panel 14 to the received message 20). In the illustration in FIG 2 A reaction 22 is shown only schematically and in a highly simplified manner. A reaction 22 includes—in a manner also known per se—for example, the output of a text by means of a display unit (not shown) included in the control center 14 or associated with the control center 14 and / or the activation of at least one output of the control center 14, namely, for example, an output connected to an alarm device (not shown).

[0040] To test the fire alarm system 10, for example, after a firmware update of the control panel 14, at least individual fire detectors 12 are currently triggered manually. These then each send a message 20 to the control panel 14, and the receipt of such a message 20 triggers the processing of the message 20 there and the reaction 22 to the message 20. An operator checks the reaction 22 of the control panel 14. In particular, the operator checks whether the reaction 22 matches the triggered fire detector 12, for example, whether a text matching the triggered fire detector 12 is displayed and / or whether the outputs intended for the triggered fire detector 12 (at least one output) are activated.

[0041] Such a test is automated according to the approach proposed here. The test includes—at least in specific embodiments—a generally known automatic triggering of at least individual fire detectors 12. Automatic triggering causes the triggered fire detector 12 to assume a state similar to that of an alarm situation, for example, as in the case of strong smoke and / or heat exposure.

[0042] Such automatic triggering is initiated by the control panel 14. The control panel 14 sends a telegram, designated as stimulus 24 to distinguish it from the message 20, via the transmission line 16. The stimulus 24 is received and processed by at least one fire detector 12, and upon receipt of the stimulus 24, the respective fire detector 12 sends the message 20 described above to the control panel 14. This message 20 is also processed by the control panel 14 and leads to a response 22 from the control panel 14 to the message 20. In the illustration in FIG 2 The stimulus 24 sent via transmission line 16 for such automatic triggering is also shown.

[0043] The method proposed for automated testing comprises two modes or process steps, namely a recording mode 100 ( FIG 4 ) and a test mode 200 ( FIG 5 ). Recording mode 100 necessarily precedes test mode 200 within the scope of the method. Accordingly, recording mode 100 will be explained here first: Within the scope of recording mode 100, predefined or predefinable fire detectors 12 of the fire alarm system 10 are triggered, namely manually or automatically in recording mode 100 and automatically triggered in test mode 200, at least in one special embodiment of the method. If the fire detectors 12 are triggered automatically, this occurs as described above. If the fire detectors 12 are triggered manually, this occurs using basically known means directly at the respective fire detector 12, for example using a detector tester and / or test gas.

[0044] When the fire detectors 12 are manually triggered in recording mode 100, the manually triggered fire detectors 12 are the aforementioned predefined or predefinable fire detectors 12. The operator performing the manual triggering triggers, for example, all fire detectors 12 included in the fire alarm system 10 or only individual fire detectors 12. In the case of triggering individual fire detectors 12, the operator triggers them, for example, based on the fire detectors' affiliation to a specific group (location, type, or the like), based on their experience, or based on a list available to them.

[0045] In the event of automatic activation, this is initiated by the control panel 14. The predefined or predeterminable fire detectors 12 also include, 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 control panel 14 in the form of the configuration of the fire alarm system 10 and corresponding configuration data. Alternatively, the predefined or predeterminable fire detectors 12 include a group of fire detectors 12, namely a subset of the fire detectors 12 included in the fire alarm system 10 as a whole. This subset—or possibly several different subsets—can be fixed (predefined) and, for example, include all fire detectors 12 of a specific type, or the fire detectors 12 included in the subset or in each case in a subset can be selected (predeterminable) by a person, for example, an operator of the respective fire alarm system 10.

[0046] The representation in FIG 3 shows in schematically simplified form a data structure, referred to below as fire detector list 30, with a plurality of fire detector data records 32, namely one fire detector data record 32 for each fire detector 12. When the fire detectors 12 are manually triggered during the recording mode 100, the fire detector list 30 is created due to the manual triggering of the fire detectors 12. When the fire detectors 12 are automatically triggered during the recording mode 100, the fire detector list 30 is already the basis for the automatic triggering and is created due to the above-mentioned configuration data.

[0047] The type of fire detector list 30 and the scope of a fire detector data record 32 depend on the specific implementation of the method proposed here. The following description refers to one possible implementation as an example, and the details explained are to be considered entirely optional.

[0048] In the embodiment described here, the fire detector list 30 is implemented in the form of a list (data structure), and each fire detector data record 32 comprises a fire detector identifier 34, an optional flag 35, a message section 36, and a response section 37. In one embodiment, the fire detector identifier 34 is or comprises an address (bus address) or the like that uniquely identifies the fire detector 12 on the transmission line 16. A position within the fire detector list 30 is designated by means of a datum that references exactly one fire detector data record 32, for example, by means of a so-called pointer 38.

[0049] In the described embodiment, the fire detector list 30 is the basis for a fundamentally optional automatic activation of the fire detectors 12 within the scope of recording mode 100 or an automatic activation of the fire detectors 12 within the scope of recording mode 100 and within the scope of test mode 200. If the fire detector data records 32 included in the fire detector list 30 each include a flag 35, the flag 35 can be used to select / specify whether the respective fire detector 12 is triggered within the scope of automatic triggering or not. If automatic triggering of the fire detectors 12 is provided and if all fire detectors 12 included in the fire alarm system 10 are triggered automatically, a flag 35 (or an evaluation of such a flag 35) is unnecessary.

[0050] A possible embodiment of the recording mode 100 is shown in FIG 4 shown in the form of a flow chart.

[0051] There, after the start ("S") of the recording mode 100 and following an initialization 110, a check 120 is carried out to determine whether all fire detectors 12 have been tested.

[0052] Immediately after the start of recording mode 100, the checked condition is of course not yet met, and a branch is made to the corresponding process area (branch marked "(-)", where "(-)" stands for the unmet condition). There, a fire detector 12 is triggered 130 (either manually or automatically). In the case of a manual triggering 130, a fire detector data record 32 is created in the fire detector list 30 due to the triggering 130, i.e., due to the triggering 130, the control panel 14 receives a message 20 from the triggered fire detector 12, and due to the message 20, a new fire detector data record 32 is created, initially empty or initialized with start values. In this data record, for example, a corresponding data item (e.g., the bus address) received as part of the message 20 from the triggered fire detector 12 is stored as fire alarm identification 34.In the case of automatic triggering 130, this occurs on the basis of a fire detector data record 32 already existing in the fire detector list 30 (based on the configuration data), namely by sending a stimulus 24 to or for the fire detector 12 designated in the respective fire detector data record 32 by means of the fire detector identification 34 there.

[0053] Regardless of the type of triggering 130 (manual or automatic), the triggered fire detector 12 always responds with a message 20 transmitted via the transmission line 16, which is received and processed by the control panel 14. The message 20, optionally the message 20 and a time value for receiving the message 20, is / are recorded (at the control panel 14). This occurs in recording mode 100 as part of a message recording 140. The processing of the message 20 by the control panel 14 triggers a reaction 22 to the message 20 after a certain time (control panel reaction 150). The reaction 22, optionally the reaction 22 together with a time value for triggering the reaction 22 by the control panel 14, is / are recorded (at the control panel 14). This further recording takes place in recording mode 100 as part of a reaction recording 160. The algorithm then returns to the test 120 already mentioned at the beginning.

[0054] As long as the condition tested there is not yet met, i.e., as long as not all fire detectors 12 have been tested, the previously described process (triggering 130 of a fire detector 12; receiving a message 20 from the triggered fire detector 12; generating a response 22 upon receipt of message 20 by the control panel 14) is repeated. If the fire detectors 12 are manually triggered 130, the next fire detector 12 is determined based on the operator's actions. In the case of an automatic triggering 130 of the fire detector 12, the next fire detector 12 results from the fire detector list 30. In the case of an automatic triggering 130 of the fire detector 12, the elapse of a waiting time, i.e. the elapse of a predetermined or predeterminable period of time, is waited for between the triggering 130 of a fire detector 12 and the next fire detector 12 within the scope of the method and as a partial functionality (not shown) in the recording mode 100.In the case of a manual activation 130 of the fire detectors 12, such a time interval arises between the activation 130 of a fire detector 12 and the next fire detector 12 due to the need for the operator to locate the next fire detector 12.

[0055] In the event of automatic triggering 130 of the fire detectors 12, the test 120 is carried out on the basis of the fire detector list 30. In the event of manual triggering 130 of the fire detectors 12, the test 120 is carried out on the basis of the configuration data (if all fire detectors 12 included in the fire alarm system 10 have been manually triggered, the condition evaluated within the scope of the test 120 is fulfilled) or on the basis of an evaluation of an operating action at the control panel 14 (if the control panel 14 is signaled by means of the operating action that no further fire detectors 12 will be manually triggered, the condition evaluated within the scope of the test 120 is fulfilled.

[0056] If the test 120 results in the result "all fire detectors 12 tested" or "all intended fire detectors 12 tested" (branch marked "(+)", where "(+)" represents the fulfilled condition), all messages 20 received during recording mode 100 and the resulting reactions 22 are optionally stored in pairs. At a minimum, the resulting reactions 22 are stored. In the embodiment shown, this storage 170 occurs at the end of recording mode 100, thus ending recording mode 100 ("E").

[0057] Instead of saving 170 at the end of recording mode 100, successive saving during the course of recording mode 100 is also possible. Then, for each message recording 140 and each reaction recording 160, the respective message 20 and the respective resulting reaction 22 (or the message 20 and a time value for receiving the message 20, in particular an absolute or relative reception time, as well as the reaction 22 and a time value for generating the reaction 22, in particular an absolute or relative reaction time) are saved immediately. This complete saving of all data is also optional. At least the respective reaction 22 is saved for each reaction recording 160 during successive saving.

[0058] The location for this storage (either storage 170 at the end of the recording mode 100 or storage during the recording mode 100 and as part of the message recording 140 and the reaction recording 160 or storage during the recording mode 100 and as part of the reaction recording 160) is the fire detector list 30, namely the message section 36 (for the received message 20, if this is stored) and the reaction section 37 (for the resulting reaction 22) of the fire detector data record 32 representing the respective fire detector 12 there.

[0059] Depending on the embodiment of the method proposed here, instead of recording and storing absolute or relative reception times and absolute or relative reaction times, recording and storing only the time spans between these times (reaction times) is also possible. The reaction times are each stored in the form of reaction time data (reaction time date), for example, in the reaction section 37. Such reaction times are recorded, for example, by starting a counter at the reception time and stopping the counter at the reaction time. The reaction time date comprises either a directly recorded reaction time or the basis for determining the reaction time, namely a reception time and a reaction time.

[0060] The method section referred to here as recording mode 100 is executed once, for example in connection with the commissioning of the fire alarm system 10, or repeatedly. For repeated execution, an execution after an event in the fire alarm system 10 is considered, for example a replacement of at least one fire detector 12 and a correspondingly resulting change in the configuration of the fire alarm system 10, or generally an execution after each change in the configuration of the fire alarm system 10. Additionally or alternatively, a recurring execution according to a predetermined or predeterminable schedule is considered for repeated execution. Optionally, when the recording mode 100 is repeated due to a configuration change, only those fire detector data records 32 are updated that are affected by the configuration change.

[0061] The test mode 200 ( FIG 5 ) is based on at least one prior execution of the recording mode 100, because the test mode 200 uses data previously recorded in the recording mode 100.

[0062] A possible embodiment of the test mode 200 is shown in the illustration in FIG 5 - analogous to the corresponding representation of the recording mode 100 in FIG 4 - shown in the form of a flow chart.

[0063] In test mode 200, the fire detector list 30 created or used during recording mode 100 and the data stored there are used. In test mode 200, too - very similar to recording mode 100 - after the start ("S") and following an initialization 210, a check 220 (initial check 220) is performed to determine whether all fire detectors 12 have been tested. This check 220 is performed based on the fire detector list 30. A pointer 38 initially points (due to the initialization 210) to the first fire detector data record 32 of the fire detector list 30 and, during the course of test mode 200, is moved from the currently designated fire detector data record 32 to the next fire detector data record 32 of the fire detector list 30. The test 220 as to whether all fire detectors 12 have been tested can therefore be carried out, for example, in a manner known per se, using the position of the pointer 38.

[0064] Immediately after starting test mode 200, the tested condition is not met, and the program branches to the corresponding process area (branch marked "(-)"). There, a message generation 230 occurs (automatically by the control panel 14). The message generation 230 can include the automatic triggering of a fire detector 12, namely the automatic triggering of the fire detector 12 according to the fire detector data record 32 designated by the pointer 38. The automatically triggered fire detector 12 then generates and sends message 20, and message 20 is received by the control panel 14 (the control panel 14 receives message 20), is processed there, and triggers the respective reaction 22. The message generation 230 is also possible without triggering a fire detector 12.Then, as message generation 230, the message 20 (message section 36 of the respective fire detector data record 32) stored within the recording mode 100 is generated in such a way that it is processed at the control center 14 like a message 20 sent by a triggered fire detector 12 (the control center 14 is supplied with the message 20), so that a respective reaction 22 is also triggered to such a message 20.

[0065] After a certain time and due to a reaction generation 240, the message 20 (received by a triggered fire detector 12 at the control center 14 or generated in the control center 14) results in a reaction 22 from the control center 14. This reaction is then checked (reaction test 250) with respect to the reaction 22 recorded (reaction recording 160) during recording mode 100. It is therefore checked whether the reaction 22 recorded during recording mode 100 (reaction section 37 of the respective fire detector data record 32) matches, or at least sufficiently matches, the reaction 22 resulting during test mode 200.

[0066] In the event that the test mode 200 also includes the automatic triggering of the fire detectors 12, the reaction test 250 can also include a test of the respective messages 20, namely a comparison of the message 20 recorded during the recording mode 100 in response to the triggering of the fire detector 12 there (message section 36 of the respective fire detector data record 32) with the message 20 resulting during the test mode 200 in response to the triggering of the fire detector 12 there. Such a test is also carried out for agreement or at least sufficient agreement.

[0067] If a match or sufficient match is determined during this reaction test 250, the process branches to the initial test 220 (branch marked "(+)"). The test is thus successfully completed for this fire detector 12. If, however, no match or insufficient match was determined during this reaction test 250, an error message 260 is issued (via the branch marked "(-)"). The error message 260 is displayed, for example, on a display unit included in the control panel 14 or assigned to the control panel 14, and / or logged, for example, in a memory included in the control panel 14 and / or a memory communicatively connected to the control panel 14.The display and / or logging includes, for example, the respective fire detector 12, the fire alarm detection 34 from the fire alarm list 30 and / or the response 22 recorded within the recording mode 100 (from the response section 37 from the fire alarm list 30) and the response 22 resulting within the test mode 200 or parts of the recorded and resulting response 22. Following the error message 260, the method branches to the initial test 220.

[0068] As long as the condition tested there is not yet met, i.e., as long as not all fire detectors 12 have been tested, the previously described process (submitting a message to the control panel 14; processing of message 20 by the control panel 14; generating a response 22 to the message 20 by the control panel 14; comparing the response 22 with a response 22 stored during recording mode 100) is repeated with the next fire detector 12 in the fire detector list 30. When the fire detector list 30 has been completely processed, test mode 200 is terminated ("E"), and the end of test mode 200 is reached via the branch marked "(+)".

[0069] If, during recording mode 100, a reaction time date was also recorded and saved for each triggered fire detector 12, a special embodiment of the method provides for the reaction times to also be checked as part of the reaction test 250, namely by comparing the reaction times recorded during recording mode 100 and the reaction times resulting during test mode 200. In the event of a deviation or a deviation exceeding a predefined or predefinable threshold, an error message 260 is then also issued. Within the scope of test mode 200, special storage of the resulting reaction times is not necessary. There, a counter can be started upon receipt or generation of message 20 - just as previously described - and stopped again upon triggering of reaction 22 (reaction generation 240).The resulting counter reading corresponds to the time period required for the comparison.

[0070] The representation in FIG 6 Finally, in schematically simplified form, a computer program 300 is shown as an example of an implementation of the method proposed here. The computer program 300 is loaded into a memory (not shown) of a device functioning as a control center 14 in a fire alarm system 10. This device comprises, in a manner known per se, a processing unit in the form of or in the manner of a microprocessor (not shown), and the computer program 300 is executed by means of the processing unit during operation of the control center 14.

[0071] The computer program 300 comprises program code instructions with an implementation of the recording mode 100 as well as program code instructions with an implementation of the test mode 200. The recording mode 100 and the test mode 200 are started automatically by means of an activation routine 310 included in the computer program 300. The recording mode 100 is started, for example, based on an operating action detectable by the activation routine 310. Such an operating action on the device, for example, a button press, is performed, for example, by an operator of the fire alarm system 10, for example upon completion of commissioning of the fire alarm system 10. The test mode 200 is started if the recording mode 100 has previously been executed at least once and a firmware of the respective device (i.e., the control panel 14) has been updated (firmware update).For this purpose, the activation routine 310 automatically detects the completion of such an update, or the activation routine 310 receives a corresponding signal in connection with the completion of such an update. Optionally, the test mode 200 is also called according to a schedule at predefined or predeterminable times—if the recording mode 100 has been executed at least once previously—or can be started by an operator action—if the recording mode 100 has been executed at least once previously. The activation routine 310 checks the corresponding call criteria, for example, call times and / or call conditions.

[0072] Although the invention has been illustrated and described in detail by the embodiment, the invention is not limited by the disclosed example(s) and other variations may be derived therefrom by a person skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention.

[0073] Individual, prominent aspects of the description submitted here can be briefly summarized as follows: A method is specified for automatically testing a fire alarm system 10. The method is carried out by a device acting as a control center 14 in the fire alarm system 10. During a recording mode 100, fire detectors 12 are triggered sequentially, and the reactions 22 (recording mode reactions) of the control center 14 resulting from the triggering 130 are stored. During a test mode 200 executed at a later time, for example, due to a firmware update of the control center 14, the reactions 22 (test mode reactions) resulting during the test mode 200 are compared with the reactions 22 stored during the recording mode 100. In the event of deviations or insufficient agreement, an error message 260 is issued.

Claims

1. Method for operating a fire alarm system (10) with a plurality of fire detectors (12) and a panel (14), - wherein the plurality of fire detectors (12) is linked via a common transmission line (16) to the panel (14) at least for communication, - wherein each fire detector (12), in the event of a fire or test triggering and as a result of the fire or test triggering, sends a message (20) to the panel (14), - wherein as part of an automatic test triggering of a fire detector (12) the panel (14) sends a stimulus (24) to the fire detector (12) for triggering it and wherein on receipt of the stimulus (24) the triggered fire detector (12) sends a message (20) to the panel (14), - wherein the message (20) is processed by the panel (14) and triggers a reaction (22) of the panel (14) to the message (20), - wherein for a test of the fire alarm system (10) a predetermined or predeterminable set of fire detectors (10) is triggered, - wherein the test of the fire alarm system (10) is carried out in two method sections, namely initially in a recording mode (100) and at a later point in time in a test mode (200), wherein the test mode (200) is carried out after a firmware update of the panel (14), - wherein in recording mode (100), for each triggered fire detector (12) a resulting reaction (22) of the panel (14) is stored in the panel (14) in each case, - wherein, in test mode (200), for each fire detector (12) triggered during the recording mode (100), the panel (14) has a respective message (20) applied to it, which is processed by the panel (14) and leads to a reaction (22) of the panel (14) to the message (20), - wherein the reaction (22) stored in the panel (14) as part of the recording mode (100) and the resulting reaction (22) as part of the test mode (200) are compared and - wherein an error message (260) is generated by the panel (14) when no match or no sufficient match is determined during the comparison.

2. Method according to claim 1, - wherein in recording mode (100), for each triggered fire detector (12), a message (20) sent to the panel (14) in response to the test triggering and the resulting reaction (22) of the panel (14) to the message (20) in each case are stored in the panel (14) and - wherein in test mode (200), for each fire detector (12) triggered during the recording mode (100), the panel (14) has the message (20) stored during the recording mode (100) applied to it.

3. Method according to claim 1, - wherein in test mode (200) each fire detector (12) triggered during the recording mode (100) is triggered automatically and - wherein the automatically triggered fire detector (12) sends a message (20) to the panel (14) in response to the trigger, whereby the panel (14) has this message (20) applied to it.

4. Method according to one of the preceding claims, - wherein in test mode (200) the comparison made there of the reactions (22) stored as part of the recording mode (100) with the reactions (22) resulting in each case as part of the test mode (200) also comprises a comparison of reaction times acquired during the recording mode (100) with reaction times resulting during the test mode (200) and - wherein, with a discrepancy or a discrepancy exceeding a predetermined or predeterminable threshold value between the reaction times, an error message (260) is generated.

5. Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the test mode (200) is carried out recurrently according to a predetermined or predeterminable schedule and / or after an event in the fire alarm system (10).

6. Computer program (300) with computer program instructions, which, when executed in a device of a fire alarm system (10) functioning as a panel (14), cause said device to carry out the method steps of the panel of a method according to one of the preceding method claims.

7. Computer program product, comprising commands or electronically readable control signals, which, when executed by a device in a fire alarm system (10) functioning as a panel (14), cause said device to carry out the method steps of the panel of a method according to one of the preceding method claims.

8. Apparatus with a memory and a processing unit, which is intended and configured to function as a panel (14) in a fire alarm system (10), wherein a computer program (300) according to claim 6 is loaded into its memory and wherein, when it is in operation, the apparatus executes the computer program (300).