ALARM SYSTEM

Description

[0001] The invention relates to an alarm system, an arrangement comprising a hazard warning system and such an alarm system, as well as a method for operating such an alarm system.

[0002] A variety of systems are known in the art that can trigger an alarm in a building in the event of an emergency, such as a fire. Such systems are, in particular, hazard warning systems, which typically comprise sensors, such as smoke detectors, and alarm signaling devices for emitting a visual or acoustic alarm signal. Fire alarm systems, in particular, are known for detecting fires. These systems comprise several smoke detectors distributed throughout the building, an alarm trigger, an alarm signaling device, and a fire alarm control panel (FAC) for controlling the system.The components of the fire alarm system can be arranged in a loop, a so-called loop, which forms a communication bus, so that in the event of a fire detected by one of the smoke detectors, an alarm activation signal is generated by the control panel and transmitted via the loop to the individual alarm signaling devices, as a result of which the alarm signaling devices emit an alarm signal.

[0003] The alarm activation signal in such hazard or fire alarm systems is usually based on a data protocol that activates and deactivates the alarm signaling devices. At the same time, the supply voltage is also supplied via the loop. The alarm signaling devices and the loop are designed for operation with low voltages and currents, which limits their performance. As a result, such systems can only signal small rooms or areas. For larger areas or halls, so-called "conventional" alarm signaling devices are used, which are activated and operated exclusively via a voltage signal.

[0004] Furthermore, in known hazard detection systems, only simple functional verification tests are possible with conventional alarm signaling devices, for example via an "end of line" resistor, in which load values ​​deviating from normal operation are measured in order to detect any problems with the connection of the alarm signaling device.

[0005] To ensure functionality, it is also necessary to test each alarm signaling device on site for known systems.

[0006] Furthermore, EP 3 543 446 A1 discloses a wireless component of a fire protection detection system with a first radio interface for receiving electromagnetic waves that carry energy and / or information, an evaluation device that generates a value corresponding to the strength of received waves and / or the strength of transmitted waves, and an output device for locally outputting a signal corresponding to the value.

[0007] EP 1 710 765 A1 discloses a radio alarm system for the home in residential buildings or residential complexes with alarm detectors arranged in the area to be monitored, each having a fire sensor and a radio module for the bidirectional exchange of data and with alarm devices for alarm in the event of a fire.

[0008] The invention is based on the object of providing an alarm system which has an extended functionality and which enables simplified maintenance and repair.

[0009] The object of the invention is achieved by an alarm system comprising at least two alarm signal transmitters which are designed to receive an alarm activation signal from a hazard warning system and to output a signal in response to the receipt of an alarm activation signal, and comprising an alarm system monitoring device, wherein the at least two alarm signal transmitters and the alarm system monitoring device are designed to exchange data with one another, wherein the alarm system is designed to be coupled to at least one coupling device of the hazard warning system and wherein the alarm system is further designed to forward a voltage signal from the coupling device of the hazard warning system as an alarm activation signal to the alarm signal transmitters, wherein the coupling device is a relay to which the at least two alarm signal transmitters are connected.

[0010] The alarm system is particularly designed to be connected to an existing alarm system via the coupling device in order to expand the existing alarm system. This alarm system can, in particular, be a known alarm system from the state of the art, in particular a fire alarm system, as described above.

[0011] In particular, the alarm system can be advantageously expanded both spatially and functionally, so that large areas can be alerted without any functional restrictions.

[0012] According to the invention, the coupling device is a relay that is integrated into the existing alarm system or its loop. In this case, the coupling device is designed particularly simply.

[0013] Preferably, the coupling device can be configured to convert the voltage signal received from the hazard detection system before it is forwarded to the alarm system. Preferably, the hazard detection system transmits only a voltage signal, which represents the alarm activation signal. In particular, no current is transmitted from the loop from the hazard detection system to operate the alarm signaling devices of the alarm system.

[0014] Preferably, the coupling device is integrated into the alarm system, in particular into the alarm system's loop. The coupling device is preferably powered by a power supply of the alarm system.

[0015] According to the invention, several alarm signaling devices are provided. The alarm signaling devices can preferably be arranged in groups. For example, the different groups can be assigned to different spatial areas of a building.

[0016] Preferably, several coupling devices can be provided, each of which is integrated into the hazard detection system and transmits the alarm activation signal to the alarm system in parallel. Preferably, one coupling device is assigned to each group of alarm signaling devices. In the simplest case, the alarm system comprises a group of alarm signaling devices and one coupling device as the alarm activation device.

[0017] Preferably, the alarm signal transmitters are connected to each other by wire for exchanging and / or forwarding the alarm activation signal.

[0018] The alarm system according to the invention advantageously enables the expansion of an existing hazard detection system. Furthermore, performance is increased because the alarm signaling devices have a higher power consumption. Furthermore, the functionality of the individual alarm signaling devices can be increased, as will be explained below using preferred embodiments.

[0019] The alarm system monitoring device is, in particular, a central control device through which the alarm system can be monitored and controlled. For example, status data can be received from the alarm signaling devices or control data can be sent to the alarm signaling devices. The alarm system monitoring device can preferably be located in an external location, in particular a cloud.

[0020] Furthermore, data from the alarm system can preferably be transmitted via the alarm system monitoring device to an external communication device, in particular a building management system and / or the fire alarm control center of the fire alarm system. Furthermore, the external location can be a cloud of the fire alarm control center or the building management system. For this purpose, a corresponding gateway is preferably provided, via which the alarm system monitoring device can communicate with the external location, in particular the fire alarm control center of the hazard detection system. This advantageously makes it possible to consolidate all control and monitoring data from the system, including the hazard detection system and the alarm system, at a central location.

[0021] The alarm system preferably comprises a remote data storage device, in particular a cloud, which is configured for data exchange and / or data acquisition and further processing with or from the alarm system monitoring device. The remote data storage device can, for example, be a server to which data can be transmitted, in particular wirelessly. The server can, for example, be assigned to an operator of the alarm system.

[0022] Preferably, the at least two alarm signal generators have a power consumption during operation of between 4 W and 45 W, preferably between 8 W and 35 W, most preferably between 12 W and 25 W. Additionally or alternatively, the at least two alarm signal generators are designed to emit an optical alarm signal with a luminous intensity of at least 50 cd. Additionally or alternatively, the at least two alarm signal generators are designed to emit an acoustic alarm signal with a sound pressure level of at least 105 dB(A).

[0023] Compared to the aforementioned maximum power consumption of alarm signaling devices in conventional alarm systems, which is typically up to 1 W, the alarm signaling devices provided according to the invention are designed for a significantly higher power consumption of up to 45 W. This allows the alarm signaling devices to be advantageously designed with higher power and / or with expanded functions to cover a wider area. The power consumption refers to the maximum power consumption required for proper operation of the alarm signaling device.

[0024] The remote data storage device is preferably designed to exchange and / or receive data with or from a communication device, in particular the hazard detection system. Communication between the alarm system monitoring device and the external location can preferably take place via this remote data storage device. The gateway is preferably arranged between the alarm system monitoring device and the remote data storage device. The remote data storage device is preferably connected to the external location via the corresponding interface.

[0025] Preferably, the at least two alarm signal generators are configured to emit an acoustic and / or visual alarm signal. Alarm signal generators can preferably be spatially grouped and each connected to the hazard warning system via a coupling device. For example, a first room area and a second room area can each have an optical and an acoustic alarm signal generator, with the alarm signal generators of both room areas each being connected to the hazard warning system via their own coupling device.

[0026] Preferably, the at least two alarm signaling devices can be signal lights. The signal lights can be, for example, a flashing light, an LED light, or a signal column. In particular, in addition to their function of alerting in the event of an alarm in the building, the signal lights can also indicate the operating states of other devices, such as a machine, within the building.

[0027] Preferably, the at least two alarm signal generators can be sound generators or electric buzzers.

[0028] Preferably, the at least two alarm signal generators can be designed both to output an optical signal and to output an acoustic signal.

[0029] Preferably, the at least two alarm signal generators and the alarm system monitoring device are designed to exchange data wirelessly with each other.

[0030] The alarm system preferably comprises a power supply device for supplying power to the at least two alarm signaling devices. Alternatively, the alarm system is designed to be coupled to a power supply device of the hazard detection system for supplying power to the at least two alarm signaling devices. In particular, the alarm system requires a power supply device separate from the loop, since its components are designed for a significantly higher current consumption compared to the conventional components of the fire alarm system.

[0031] Preferably, the at least two alarm signal generators comprise an internal power supply unit, in particular a battery and / or an accumulator. Preferably, the internal power supply unit supplies internal components such as a data processing unit and / or a transmitting unit of the alarm signal generator with power, while the remaining operation of the alarm signal generator, i.e. for the alarm, takes place via the power supply device of the alarm system. Alternatively, the power supply to the internal components such as the data processing unit and / or transmitting unit of the alarm signal generator can also preferably take place via a so-called test voltage, which monitors the system by means of an EoL (end-of-line) resistor when the alarm system is not activated. In systems commonly available on the market, this test voltage is either reversed (reversed polarity) or reduced (e.g. <6V) compared to the rest of the supply voltage.

[0032] Preferably, the at least two alarm signal transmitters are configured for the, in particular wireless, forwarding, and in particular unidirectional and / or bidirectional transfer of data among each other, in particular to form a mesh system. A mesh system is a group or arrangement of devices that are interconnected, in particular wirelessly, and exchange data, so that the devices form a, in particular wireless, network.

[0033] Preferably, the alarm system is designed to directly transmit a voltage signal from the coupling device of the hazard warning system as an alarm activation signal to each of the at least two alarm signal transmitters.

[0034] Preferably, data such as control data and / or status data of the alarm system can be transmitted via the mesh system. A mesh router can preferably aggregate the transmitted data and make it available together via an interface, for example, the gateway, to a customer network and / or the remote data storage, in particular the cloud. Preferably, each of the alarm signaling devices is configured for direct data transmission or direct data exchange with the remote data storage, in particular the cloud.

[0035] Preferably, at least one, preferably several, particularly preferably all, of the following information can be transmitted from the at least two alarm signal transmitters to the alarm system monitoring device: An identifier of the alarm signaling devices, data relating to a manipulation attempt, data relating to health emergencies, data on the frequency of people being present in the signaling area, a level of ambient light intensity / ambient noise, an operating time of the alarm signaling devices, a result of the last functional test, a time indication and / or result data of a last functional test of the alarm signaling devices, a charge level of an internal power supply device of the alarm signaling devices, in particular a battery, a temperature and / or humidity in an environment of the alarm signaling devices and / or a history of the temperature and / or humidity in the environment of the alarm signaling devices, a position of the alarm signaling devices, and / or a software version of a control system of the alarm signaling devices, wherein preferably the at least one piece of information is transferable from the alarm system monitoring device to an external communication device, in particular the building management system and / or the alarm center, and / or to a remote data storage device, in particular a cloud. This information can preferably be provided by the controller of the alarm signaling devices and / or a corresponding detection device, in particular by a temperature and / or humidity meter, and / or by the first and / or second sensor device. This information advantageously enables the status of the alarm system and the individual alarm signaling devices to be comprehensively and easily monitored. In particular, the information can be viewed centrally in the alarm system monitoring device and / or in the external communication device, in particular the building management system and / or the hazard detection center.

[0036] The object of the invention is further achieved by an arrangement comprising a hazard detection system and an alarm system, each having the features mentioned above.

[0037] Furthermore, the object of the invention is achieved by a method for operating an alarm system according to one of the embodiments described above, comprising the following steps: Receiving an alarm activation signal from the hazard detection system by the alarm signaling devices via the coupling device, issuing an alarm signal by the alarm signaling devices in response to receiving the alarm activation signal.

[0038] The method according to the invention advantageously makes it possible to operate an existing hazard warning system with extended functionality by outputting an alarm activation signal generated in the hazard warning system to the alarm system that provides the extended functionality.

[0039] Preferably, the method comprises the step of directly forwarding the alarm activation signal from the coupling device to each of the two alarm signal transmitters.

[0040] At least two alarm signal generators are provided, which can preferably form a mesh system in which data, in particular control and / or status data, of the alarm signal generators can be transmitted.

[0041] The method preferably further comprises the step of exchanging data between the at least two alarm signaling devices and the alarm system monitoring device. The data is preferably control and / or status data of the alarm signaling devices. This advantageously allows the alarm system to be monitored centrally via the alarm system monitoring device.

[0042] Preferably, the method comprises the step of transmitting data from the alarm system monitoring device to a remote data storage device of the alarm system, in particular a cloud, and / or to a communication device of the building management system and / or the hazard detection system.

[0043] The invention is explained in more detail below using an exemplary embodiment. Fig. 1 shows the schematic structure of an arrangement comprising a hazard detection system and an alarm system, and Fig. 2 shows a further embodiment of an arrangement comprising a hazard detection system and an alarm system.

[0044] Figure 1shows the schematic structure of an arrangement 300 comprising an alarm system 100, a hazard detection system 200, and a building management system 400. The hazard detection system 200 is, for example, a fire alarm system already present in a building. The alarm system 100 is connected to the hazard detection system 200 by means of a coupling device 10. For example, the alarm system 100 can be subsequently connected to the existing hazard detection system 200 in order to expand the functionality of the hazard detection system 200. The building management system controls and monitors individual facilities of a building, for example the existing hazard detection system 200 or the alarm system 100. The building management system can, in particular, comprise a cloud 27, via which the building's facilities can be controlled remotely.

[0045] The hazard alarm system 200 comprises a hazard alarm control center 20 for controlling and monitoring the hazard alarm system 200. Overall, the hazard alarm system 200 is designed as a loop. A sensor 21 of the hazard alarm system 200 is connected to the loop to detect an alarm situation, for example, a smoke detector for detecting a fire in the building. Upon detection of a fire, the sensor 21 sends a signal to the hazard alarm control center 20. The hazard alarm control center 20 sends an alarm activation signal to the devices connected in the loop, in particular to alarm signaling devices 23 in the loop. Furthermore, the hazard alarm system 200 has a power supply 26, which supplies the components of the hazard alarm system loop as well as the coupling device 10 of the alarm system 100.

[0046] The alarm activation signal is based on a data protocol, by means of which the alarm signaling devices 23 in the loop are activated and deactivated. The loop serves primarily to supply the alarm signaling devices 23, however, the power is not sufficiently high for the alarm signaling devices 23 to signal larger areas, such as those commonly found in industrial facilities. Therefore, the hazard detection system 200 is expanded by the alarm system 100, which represents both a spatial and functional extension of the hazard detection system. The connection between the hazard detection system 200 and the alarm system 100 is established via the coupling devices 10. Figure 1 By way of example, a coupling device 10 is shown, to which two alarm signal transmitters 11a, 11b are connected. In the embodiment according to Figure 1 Alternatively, only several coupling devices 10 may be provided as will be explained below with reference to Figure 2will be explained.

[0047] The coupling device 10 is a component of the hazard detection system 200. The coupling device 10 is a relay. The coupling device receives the alarm activation signal, in particular a voltage signal or a data signal, from the loop of the hazard detection system 200 in the event of an alarm being triggered. The coupling device 10 extracts the alarm activation signal 16 and forwards it to the alarm system 100.

[0048] The alarm activation signal 16 is forwarded by the coupling device 10 to an alarm signal generator 11a of the alarm system, so that the alarm signal generator 11a is triggered. The alarm signal generator 11a in turn forwards the alarm activation signal 16 to another alarm signal generator 11b in the same line, which is also triggered. Figure 1Two alarm signal generators 11a, 11b are shown as examples. The alarm system 100 can also comprise a plurality of alarm signal generators, which can be arranged in the form of a mesh system. Furthermore, the transmission paths 16 between the alarm signal generators 11a, 11b are wired.

[0049] The alarm system further comprises wireless connections 15 to an alarm system monitoring device 12. Via this wireless connection 15, the alarm signaling devices 11a, 11b can exchange data with the alarm system monitoring device 12. The data is, in particular, control data and / or status data. Thus, the status of the individual alarm signaling devices 11a, 11b can be monitored via the alarm system monitoring device 12. Furthermore, control data can be transmitted to the alarm signaling devices 11a, 11b. For example, test tests can be initiated in this way, for example, to determine and / or adjust the signaling range of an alarm signaling device 11a, 11b, to adjust alarm signals that can be output by the alarm signaling devices 11a, 11b, etc.

[0050] Via the alarm system monitoring device 12, data can be forwarded to a cloud 14 via a gateway 13 via a wireless connection 15. Alternatively, in the embodiment according to Figure 1 The alarm system monitoring device 12 together with the corresponding gateway 13 can be part of the cloud 14 and can be connected to the individual alarm signaling devices (11a, 11b) via wireless connections 15. This will be explained below with reference to Figure 2 explained. This advantageously allows remote access to the data. Furthermore, data can be exchanged via the cloud 14 of the alarm system 100 with a cloud 25 of the hazard detection system 200 or with a building management system 27. The data can then be sent via the cloud 25 of the hazard detection system 200 to the communication device 20 via a gateway 24 of the hazard detection system 200.

[0051] By exchanging data between the hazard detection system 200 and the alarm system 100 with the building management system, all data, in particular status data, of the arrangement 300 comprising the hazard detection system 200 and the alarm system 100 can advantageously be centrally bundled and viewed at one location.

[0052] Figure 2 shows a further embodiment of the arrangement comprising the hazard detection system 200 and an alarm system. The hazard detection system 200 is essentially identical to the one shown in Figure 1 The alarm system 100 differs from the one shown in Figure 1shown alarm system in that the alarm device 12 is not a component of the alarm system 100, but rather a component of the building management system 400, in particular the cloud 27 of the building management system 400. According to this embodiment, the individual alarm signal transmitters 11a, 11b are each connected via a wireless connection 15 to the building management system 400, in particular to the cloud 27 of the building management system 400. Furthermore, the hazard detection system comprises two coupling devices 10, to each of which alarm signal transmitters 11a, 11b are connected. Each of the alarm signal transmitters 11a, 11b of the two coupling devices 10 is connected via a wireless connection 15 either to the cloud 27 of the building management system 400 (as in Figure 2 shown) or alternatively with the communication device 20, which is part of the alarm system 100 (analogous to Figure 1 ). List of reference symbols

[0053] 100Alarm system 200Danger detection system 300Arrangement 400Building management system 10Coupling device 11a, 11b,Alarm signaling device of the alarm system 12Alarm monitoring device 13Gateway of the alarm system 14Cloud of the alarm system 15Wireless connection 16Alarm activation signal 20Hazard alarm control center 21Hazard alarm system sensor 22Alarm trigger 23Hazard alarm system alarm signaling device 24Hazard alarm system gateway 25Hazard alarm system cloud 26Power supply 27Building management system cloud

Claims

1. An alarm system (100) comprising at least two alarm signaling devices (11a, 11b) which are configured for receiving an alarm activation signal (16) of a hazard detection system (200) and for outputting a signal in response to receiving an alarm activation signal (16), and comprising an alarm system monitoring device (12), wherein the at least two alarm signaling devices (11a, 11b) and the alarm system monitoring device (12) are configured for exchanging data with each other, wherein the alarm system is configured for coupling with at least one coupling device (10) of the hazard detection system (200) and wherein the alarm system is further configured for transmitting a voltage signal from the coupling device (10) of the hazard detection system as an alarm activation signal (16) to the alarm signaling devices (11a, 11b), wherein the coupling device (10) is a relay to which the at least two alarm signaling devices (11a, 11b) are connected.

2. The alarm system (100) according to one of the preceding claims, comprising a remote data storage, in particular a cloud (14), which is adapted for sending and / or receiving data to or from the alarm system monitoring device (12).

3. The alarm system according to claim 1, wherein the alarm system monitoring device is part of a remote data processing device, in particular a cloud.

4. The alarm system (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least two alarm signaling devices (11a, 11b) have a power consumption of between 4 W and 45 W during operation, preferably between 8 W and 35 W, most preferably between 12 W and 25 W, and / or wherein the at least two alarm signaling devices (11a, 11b) are adapted for outputting an optical alarm signal with a light intensity of at least 50 cd and / or wherein the at least two alarm signaling devices (11a. 11b) are adapted for outputting an acoustic alarm signal with a sound pressure level of at least 105 dB(A).

5. The alarm system (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least two alarm signaling devices (11a, 11b) are configured for outputting an acoustic and / or an optical alarm signal.

6. The alarm system (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least two alarm signaling devices (11a, 11b) and the alarm system monitoring device (12) are configured for exchanging data with one another, in particular wirelessly.

7. The alarm system (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the alarm system (100) comprises a voltage supply device for supplying voltage to the at least two alarm signaling devices (11a, 11b), or the alarm system (100) is configured for coupling to a voltage supply device of the hazard detection system (200) for supplying voltage to the at least two signaling devices (11a, 11b).

8. The alarm system (100) according to claim 7, wherein the at least two alarm signaling devices (11a, 11b) comprise an internal power supply unit, in particular a battery and / or an accumulator.

9. The alarm system (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least two alarm signaling devices (11a, 11b) are configured for exchanging data with one another, in particular wirelessly, in particular for forming a mesh system.

10. The alarm system (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the alarm system (100) is configured for directly transmitting a voltage signal from the coupling device (10) of the hazard detection system as an alarm activation signal (16) to each of the at least two alarm signaling devices (11a, 11b).

11. The alarm system (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one, preferably several, particularly preferably all, of the following information can be transmitted from the at least two alarm signaling devices (11a, 11b) to the alarm system monitoring device (12): - an identifier for the alarm signaling devices, - data relating to a manipulation attempt, - data relating to health emergencies, - data on the frequency of presence of persons in the signaling area, - a level of ambient light intensity / ambient volume, - an operating time of the alarm signaling devices, - a result of the last function test, - a time specification and / or result data of a last function test of the alarm signaling devices, - a charge status of an internal power supply device of the alarm signaling devices, in particular a battery, - a temperature and / or humidity in an environment of the alarm signaling devices and / or a history of the course of the temperature and / or humidity in the environment of the alarm signaling devices, - a position of the alarm signaling devices, and / or - a software version status of a control unit of the alarm signaling devices, wherein preferably the at least one piece of information can be transmitted from the alarm system monitoring device (12) to a remote data storage device, in particular a cloud (14).

12. An arrangement (300) comprising a hazard detection system (200) and an alarm system (100) according to one of the preceding claims.

13. A method of operating an alarm system (100) according to one of claims 1 to 12, comprising the following steps: - receiving an alarm activation signal (16) from the hazard detection system (200) by the alarm signaling devices (11a, 11b) via the coupling device (10), - outputting a signal by the alarm signaling devices (11a, 11b) in response to receiving the alarm activation signal (16).

14. The method according to claim 13, wherein the method further comprises the step of directly forwarding the alarm activation signal from the coupling device (10) to each of the two alarm signaling devices (11a, 11b).

15. The method according to claim 13 or 14, further comprising the step of exchanging data between the at least two alarm signaling devices (11a, 11b) and the alarm system monitoring device (12) and / or comprising the step of transmitting data from the alarm system monitoring device (12) to a remote data storage, in particular a cloud (14).