Fire alarm equipment, detector testing equipment and fire detection systems

Abstract

The objective of the present invention is to enable the operation test of fire alarm systems to be performed without the need for a worker to monitor the fire alarm receiver, allowing the operation test to be performed with a small number of workers, and to ensure that test result information is transmitted effectively to patrolling workers regardless of the building's condition. [Solution] The fire alarm system of the present invention is a fire alarm system that alerts to fires and includes a fire receiver, a fire detector, and a sensing line connecting the fire receiver and the fire detector. When the fire receiver receives a fire detection signal from the fire detector via the sensing line during an operation test of the fire detector, it transmits test result information to the sensing line that identifies the fire detector that transmitted the fire detection signal. When the fire detector receives the test result information from the fire receiver via the sensing line, it sends out the test result information via confirmation light communication through a confirmation light, and the test result information can be reported by a detector testing device that receives the confirmation light communication.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a fire alarm system, a detector testing device, and a fire detection system that are capable of testing fire detectors. [Background technology]

[0002] Fire alarm systems are installed in buildings such as offices. In the event of a fire, the fire alarm system detects smoke, heat, carbon monoxide, etc. generated by the fire with a fire detector and sends a fire detection signal to a fire receiver, which then issues a fire alarm.

[0003] Fire alarm systems are inspected by an operation test after construction. Furthermore, after installation, they are inspected by an operation test on a regular basis. For P-type fire alarm systems, during an operation test, a portable detector test device is applied to the fire detector to simulate a fire detection state in the fire detector. Then, it is confirmed that a fire is indicated on the fire receiver. For example, in the case of a smoke detector, a smoke test device that generates simulated fire smoke is used as the detector test device (see Patent Document 1). Then, the smoke test device is applied to a smoke detector installed on the ceiling, etc., to supply simulated fire smoke to the smoke detector, and a test is performed to see if a fire is indicated on the fire receiver.

[0004] In the case of a general-type automatic fire alarm system, during post-installation inspections and checks, a smoke tester or similar device is used to simulate a fire and activate the detector to test its operation. The test results are confirmed by a worker checking the confirmation light on the fire detector and another worker checking the fire display on the fire receiver. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2022-130944 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] When conducting the above-mentioned operation test, a worker patrols the area where smoke detectors and other fire detectors are located, carrying a detector test device such as a smoke tester. The detector test device is then aimed at a fire detector installed on the ceiling or elsewhere, and a pseudo-fire state is created using scattered gas, etc., to put the fire detector into a fire detection state. The patrolling worker then checks that the fire detector's confirmation light is on. Another worker also monitors the fire receiver and verifies that a fire is displayed. The patrolling worker and the worker monitoring the fire receiver communicate using walkie-talkies, etc.

[0007] As described above, during operational testing, workers must patrol the building to check the operation of the fire alarm system using a fire receiver, and a separate worker is required to monitor the fire receiver. Furthermore, the large number of workers required for operational testing increases labor costs. Furthermore, given the current labor shortage, it is difficult to secure enough workers. For these reasons, it is desirable to be able to conduct operational testing of fire alarm systems with a small number of workers. Furthermore, when using standard wireless communication between the location of the fire receiver and the location of the fire detector, good wireless communication may not be possible depending on the building conditions.

[0008] The object of the present invention is to provide a fire alarm system or the like that can perform an operation test without the need for a worker to monitor the fire alarm receiver, allowing the operation test to be performed with a small number of workers, and to ensure that test result information is transmitted effectively to patrolling workers regardless of the building's condition. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] In one embodiment of the present invention, a fire alarm system is provided which alerts to fires and comprises a fire receiver, a fire detector, and a sensing line connecting the fire receiver and the fire detector, wherein when the fire receiver receives a fire detection signal from the fire detector via the sensing line during an operation test of the fire detector, it transmits test result information to the sensing line identifying the fire detector that transmitted the fire detection signal, and when the fire detector receives the test result information from the fire receiver via the sensing line, it sends the test result information via confirmation light communication through a confirmation light, and the test result information can be reported by a detector testing device that receives the confirmation light communication.

[0010] In addition, a detector testing device in one embodiment of the present invention is characterized in that it is equipped with a pseudo-fire state generating device and a light receiving device that communicates with the confirmation light of a fire detector, and when test result information identifying the fire detector that transmitted the fire detection signal is received by the light receiving device, the test result information can be notified.

[0011] Furthermore, a fire detection system according to one embodiment of the present invention is characterized by including the above-mentioned fire alarm equipment and detector testing device. [Effects of the Invention]

[0012] This invention allows a small number of workers to conduct an operation test of a fire alarm system. In addition, during the operation test, the fire detector relays information between the fire receiver and the detector test device, so that test result information can be transmitted effectively to patrolling workers regardless of the condition of the building. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0013] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of a fire alarm system. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the configuration of a fire receiver according to an embodiment. [Figure 3] 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of a smoke detector according to an embodiment; [Figure 4] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an operation test being conducted using the smoke test device of Example 1. [Figure 5] Sequence of Example 1. [Figure 6] Sequence of Example 2. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0014] FIG. 1 shows the configuration of a fire alarm system 1 according to an embodiment. In the fire alarm system 1, a fire receiver 11 and multiple smoke detectors 12 are connected by sensing wires 13. In the embodiment, a sensing wire 13 is provided for each smoke detector 12 on each floor. In FIG. 1, one set of sensing wires 13 is connected to the smoke detector 12 on the first floor by a crossover wiring and then connected to the fire receiver 11, and another set of sensing wires 13 is connected to the smoke detector 12 on the second floor by a crossover wiring and then connected to the fire receiver 11. The fire receiver 11 can receive smoke detection status information for each floor. The smoke detector 12 is an example of a fire detector. A termination circuit 14 is attached to the end of the sensing wire 13. In the fire alarm system 1 according to the embodiment, when the smoke detector 12 detects smoke, the two sensing wires 13 are short-circuited. Then, the fire receiver 11 detects a voltage drop between the sensing wires 13, thereby issuing a fire alarm.

[0015] Figure 2 shows the configuration of the fire receiver 11 in this embodiment. The fire receiver 11 includes a sensing line terminal 111, a communication unit 112, a receiving circuit 113, an alarm unit 114, and a control device 115. The sensing line 13 shown in Figure 1 is connected to the sensing line terminal 111, which is connected to the communication unit 112. The receiving circuit 113 and the control device 115 are connected to the communication unit 112, and the alarm unit 114 is connected to the receiving circuit 113. The alarm unit 114 notifies the user of the occurrence and location of a fire by displaying and sounding the alarm.

[0016] The sensing line terminal 111, receiving circuit 113, and alarm unit 114 are components of a conventional fire receiver, and when the sensing line terminal 111 detects a short circuit in the sensing line 13, the receiving circuit 113 causes the alarm unit 114 to notify the occurrence of a fire and its location. The communication unit 112 transmits information about the short circuit in the sensing line 13 to the control device 115, and sends a signal to the sensing line 13 under the control of the control device 115. The communication unit 112 also has a switch (not shown) between the sensing line terminal 111 and the receiving circuit 113, and disconnects the sensing line terminal 111 from the receiving circuit 113 as necessary.

[0017] FIG. 3 shows the configuration of a smoke detector 12 according to an embodiment. The smoke detector 12 includes a control unit 121, a smoke detector 122, a communication unit 123, and a confirmation light 124. The control unit 121 is connected to the smoke detector 122, the communication unit 123, and the confirmation light 124. When the smoke detector 122 detects smoke and an accumulation time has elapsed, the communication unit 123 shorts the sensing line 13 to activate an alarm. When the smoke detector 12 detects smoke and activates an alarm, the confirmation light 124 is illuminated. This allows visual confirmation of the activated smoke detector 12. The confirmation light 124 flashes, enabling transmission via confirmation light communication. The control unit 121 converts test result information returned from the fire control device 11 after the alarm is activated and obtained via the communication unit 123 into a voltage for the confirmation light 124, and transmits the confirmation light communication. Specific configurations in each embodiment will be described later. [Example]

[0018] Fig. 4 shows an operation test being performed using the smoke application test device 2 of Example 1. The smoke detector 12 described in Fig. 3 as an embodiment is installed on a ceiling panel C. The smoke detector 12 is installed as part of the fire alarm system 1 as shown in Fig. 1, and is connected to the fire receiver 11 shown in Fig. 2. In Fig. 4, a confirmation light 124 is provided below the smoke detector 12. The smoke application test device 2 is a detector testing device that performs an operation test by applying smoke artificially to the smoke detector 12, and includes a smoke application device 21 and an information processing unit 22.

[0019] The smoke generator 21 comprises a smoke generator housing 211, a detector cover 212, and a spray lever 213. The smoke generator housing 211 houses a gas cylinder 3 inside, and is supported externally by an arm 4. A support rod 5 is connected to the bottom of the arm 4. A flexible, accordion-shaped detector cover 212 is attached to the top of the smoke generator housing 211. During an operation test, the smoke generator test device 2 is lifted by the arm 4 from the state shown in FIG. 4, and the upper end of the detector cover 212 is brought into close contact with the bottom surface of the smoke detector 12. The detector cover 212 is made of a translucent or transparent material, and can be seen from the outside when the confirmation light 124 is lit.

[0020] One end of the spray lever 213 is pivotally supported inside the smoke generator housing 211, and the other end is connected to the operating wire 6 outside the smoke generator housing 211. By pulling down the operating wire 6, the spray lever 213 pushes down the nozzle head 31 of the gas cylinder 3, spraying artificial smoke inside the detector cover 212 and thereby injecting smoke into the smoke detector 12. The smoke generator 21 is a device for generating a simulated fire state.

[0021] The smoke application test device 2 in Example 1 includes an information processing unit 22. The information processing unit 22 has a control unit 221, a light receiving device 222, a display device 223, and wiring 224. The display device 223 is attached below the support rod 5, and an operator can visually check the display device 223 when checking the operation of the smoke application device 21 while it is being lifted. The control unit 221 is connected to the light receiving device 222, and is connected to the display device 223 via wiring 224. The light receiving device 222 is provided to receive light for confirmation light communication.

[0022] FIG. 5 shows the sequence of Example 1. The fire receiver 11, smoke detector 12, and smoke application test device 2 shown in FIG. 5 constitute a fire detection system S. An operator performing an operation test of the smoke detector 12 lifts the smoke application test device 2 shown in FIG. 4, presses the detector cover 212 against the underside of the smoke detector 12, and pulls the operating wire 6. This causes the spray lever 213 to push down the nozzle head 31 of the gas cylinder 3, spraying the gas into the detector cover 212 (step S11). When the smoke detector 12 is artificially sprayed with smoke by the spraying, the smoke detector 12 shown in FIG. 3 detects smoke with the smoke detection unit 122, and the control unit 121 issues an alarm if the smoke detection state continues for an accumulation time (step S12). When the alarm is issued, the smoke detector 12 shorts the two detection lines 13 shown in FIG. 1 via the communication unit 123, thereby transmitting a fire detection signal to the fire receiver 11.

[0023] The fire receiver 11 shown in Fig. 2 receives a fire detection signal by detecting that the potential difference between the two sensing line terminals 111 connected to the two sensing lines 13 has disappeared. At this time, the fire receiver 11 is set to a test state, so it does not transfer the signal and instead displays an alarm in the notification unit 114 shown in Fig. 2 (step S13). In the first embodiment, as shown in Fig. 1, the sensing lines 13 are provided corresponding to the smoke detectors 12 on each floor, so the floor on which the alarm was activated is displayed. In the case of a fire alarm system in which fire detection information for each smoke detector is obtained by the fire receiver, the display is made to identify each smoke detector that activated the alarm.

[0024] The control device 115 of the fire receiver 11 shown in Fig. 2 generates test result information indicating the content of the alarm display and transmits it from the communication unit 112 via the sensing line terminal 111 and the sensing line 13 (step S14). The test result information is information that identifies the fire detector that transmitted the fire detection signal. In the first embodiment, the test result information is information that indicates the floor on which the smoke detector 12 that transmitted the fire detection signal is installed, and the smoke detector 12 that transmitted the fire detection signal is identified by the floor on which it is installed.

[0025] When the test result information is transmitted, the communication unit 112 temporarily disconnects the sensing line terminal 111 from the receiving circuit 113. In the first embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, multiple smoke detectors 12 installed on the same floor are connected in parallel to the same sensing line 13. The fire receiver 11 then displays the floor on which the smoke detector 12 that triggered the alarm is installed. Therefore, in the first embodiment, the test result information includes information on the floor on which the smoke detector 12 that triggered the alarm is installed.

[0026] In the first embodiment, only the smoke detector 12 that has triggered an alarm can receive the test result information from the sensing line 13. The smoke detector 12 that has received the test result information from the sensing line 13 performs confirmation light communication by flashing the confirmation light 124 under the control of the control unit 121. In this confirmation light communication, the confirmation light 124 is flashed so that it emits light with a long on time and a short off pulse (step S15). This allows the confirmation light 124 to be visually recognized as being in an on state. The confirmation light 124 originally has a function that allows the triggered smoke detector 12 to be visually found. In the first embodiment, because confirmation light communication is performed and the light is visually recognized as being in an on state, the function of the confirmation light 124 to indicate the triggered smoke detector 12 when a fire is detected is not impaired.

[0027] 4 receives the test result information through confirmation light communication using the light emitted by the confirmation light 124. Then, the control unit 221 generates display information similar to that displayed by the alarm unit 114 of the fire control panel 11, and displays the test result information on the display device 223 via the wiring 224 (step S16). The display device 223 is an alarm device that notifies the test result information.

[0028] In this way, when smoke detector 12, which is a fire detector, receives test result information from detection line 13, it sends the test result information by confirmation light communication through confirmation light 124, and the smoke application test device 2, which is a detector testing device that receives the confirmation light communication, can notify the test result information. Smoke detector 12 functions as a relay device between fire receiver 11 and smoke application test device 2 when testing the operation of a fire detector.

[0029] By using the fire alarm system 1 and the smoke application test device 2 of the first embodiment, a patrolling worker can check the operation using the display device 223, which has conventionally been checked by another worker using the alarm unit 114 of the fire receiver 11. Therefore, in the fire detection system S of the first embodiment, there is no need for a worker to monitor the operation using the fire receiver 11. [Example]

[0030] The smoke generation device 71 (not shown) of the smoke generation test device 7 in Example 2 is similar to the smoke generation device 21 of the smoke generation test device 2 in Example 1. The configurations of the gas cylinder 3, the arm 4, the support rod 5, and the operating wire 6 are also similar to those of Example 1. The smoke generation test device 7 in Example 2 differs from the smoke generation test device 2 in Example 1 in the configuration of the information processing unit 22.

[0031] An information processing unit 72 (not shown) of the second embodiment has a control unit 721 (not shown) and a light receiving device 722 (not shown) that correspond to the control unit 221 and the light receiving device 222 in the information processing unit 22. On the other hand, the information processing unit 72 does not have components that correspond to the display device 223 and the wiring 224 of the first embodiment. Instead, the information processing unit 72 of the second embodiment has a wireless communication unit 723 (not shown). The wireless communication unit 723 performs wireless communication with a wireless communication unit 81 (not shown) of the mobile terminal 8 via Bluetooth (registered trademark). Application software used to check the operation of the fire detector is installed in the mobile terminal 8. The mobile terminal 8 also has a display unit 82 (not shown) that displays test result information.

[0032] Fig. 6 shows the sequence of the second embodiment. The fire receiver 11, smoke detector 12, and smoke application test device 7 shown in Fig. 6 constitute a fire detection system S. A general-purpose mobile terminal 8 can be used. In the sequence of Fig. 6, the sequence up to the wireless communication (step S26) is the same as the sequence of the first embodiment shown in Fig. 5.

[0033] When the smoke application test device 7 of Example 2 receives the test result information through the confirmation light communication, it transmits the test result information to the mobile terminal 8 through Bluetooth (registered trademark), which is a wireless communication method (step S26). The mobile terminal 8 generates display information similar to that displayed by the alarm unit 114 of the fire receiver 11 using the installed application software, and displays the test result information (step S27). The test result information is information that identifies the fire detector that transmitted the fire detection signal.

[0034] In this way, when smoke detector 12, which is a fire detector, receives test result information from detection line 13, it sends the test result information by confirmation light communication via confirmation light 124, and the smoke application test device 7, which is a detector testing device that receives the confirmation light communication, can report the test result information. Smoke application test device 7 transmits the test result information to mobile terminal 8 by wireless communication, so that the test result information can be reported on display 82 of mobile terminal 8.

[0035] The mobile terminal 8 of the second embodiment may be attached to the support rod 5 so that the worker lifting the smoke application test device 7 with the support rod 5 can check it. Furthermore, when multiple workers are patrolling, the patrolling worker may carry the mobile terminal 8 without holding the support rod 5 to perform the checking work. In either case, the operation check that another worker would conventionally check with the alarm unit 114 of the fire receiver 11 can now be performed by the patrolling worker with the mobile terminal 8. Therefore, the fire detection system S of the second embodiment also does not require a worker to monitor with the fire receiver 11 when checking the operation.

[0036] In Examples 1 and 2, only the smoke detector 12 that has triggered an alarm can receive the test result information from the sensing line 13. However, it is also possible to configure smoke detectors 12 that have not triggered an alarm to also receive the test result information. This allows for the reception of test result information from the other patrols when multiple workers are patrolling and conducting operation tests in parallel, allowing the progress of the operation tests to be confirmed. For smoke detectors 12 that have not triggered an alarm, the confirmation light 124 can be turned on with a long off time and a short lighting pulse to perform confirmation light communication. In this way, the light is not lit when visually inspected, and therefore the detector will not be recognized as a smoke detector 12 that has triggered an alarm.

[0037] In the first and second embodiments, the communication unit 123 of the smoke detector 12 is connected to the confirmation light 124 via the control unit 121. However, the communication unit 123 and the confirmation light 124 may be directly connected. In this case, when the confirmation light 124 of the smoke detector 12 that has triggered an alarm is connected directly to the sensing wire 13 and the confirmation light 124 by the communication unit 123. Specifically, the two sensing wires 13 are connected to two terminals of the confirmation light 124. Then, when the fire control device 11 turns the two wires of the sensing wire 13 on and off, the smoke detector 12 can flash the confirmation light 124 and send test result information via confirmation light communication.

[0038] In Example 1, as shown in Fig. 4, the confirmation light 124 is located inside the sensor cover 212 during an operation test, but because the sensor cover 212 is translucent or transparent, it is possible to confirm that the confirmation light 124 is lit from the outside. This is also true in Example 2. However, if there is no need to confirm that the confirmation light is lit from the outside of the sensor cover, or if the configuration is such that the confirmation light is located outside the sensor cover during an operation test, the sensor cover may be opaque.

[0039] The present invention can be used in various fire alarm systems, such as P-type fire alarm systems and improved P-type fire alarm systems, that use a detector testing device to test the operation of installed fire detectors. In Examples 1 and 2, a smoke detector 12 has been described as an example of a fire detector, but the present invention can also be applied to other spot-type fire detectors, such as heat detectors. The smoke application test devices 2 and 7 in Examples 1 and 2 are examples of detector testing devices that correspond to the type of fire detector to be tested for operation. If the fire detector is a heat detector, the smoke application device 21 serves as a heating test device. Furthermore, the smoke application device 21 is a type of pseudo-fire state generating device, and serves as a heating device if the fire detector is a heat detector.

[0040] Furthermore, the specific configuration is not limited to the embodiments, and the present invention includes design changes within the scope of the gist of the present invention. Furthermore, the above-mentioned examples and modifications can be combined by utilizing each other's technology as long as there are no particular contradictions or problems in the purpose, configuration, etc. [Explanation of symbols]

[0041] S Fire detection system, C Ceiling panel, 1 fire alarm equipment, 11 fire receiver, 111 detection line terminal, 112 communication unit, 113 receiving circuit, 114 alarm unit, 115 control device, 12 smoke detector, 121 control unit, 122 smoke detector unit, 123 communication unit, 124 confirmation light, 13 detection line, 14 termination circuit, 2 smoke generation test device, 21 smoke generation device, 211 smoke generation device housing, 212 detector cover, 213 spray lever, 22 information processing section, 221 control section, 222 light receiving device, 223 display device, 224 wiring, 3 gas cylinders, 31 nozzle heads, 4 arm, 5 support rod, 6 operating wire, 7 Smoke application test device, 71 Smoke application device, 72 Information processing unit, 721 Control unit, 722 Light receiving device, 723 Wireless communication unit, 8 Mobile terminal, 81 Wireless communication unit, 82 Display unit

Claims

1. A fire alarm system that includes a fire receiver, a fire detector, and a detection line connecting the fire receiver and the fire detector, and that alerts a fire, When the fire receiver receives a fire detection signal from the fire detector via the sensing line during the operation test of the fire detector, the fire receiver transmits test result information to the sensing line, the test result information identifying the fire detector that transmitted the fire detection signal; When the fire detector receives the test result information from the fire receiver via the sensing line, it sends the test result information by confirmation light communication through the confirmation light, and the test result information can be reported by the detector testing device that received the confirmation light communication.

2. The fire alarm system described in claim 1, characterized in that the fire receiver causes the confirmation light to flash by turning on and off the two lines of the sensing line, and sends the test result information via confirmation light communication.

3. It is equipped with a pseudo-fire state generating device and a light receiving device that communicates with the fire detector's confirmation light, A detector testing device characterized in that, when test result information identifying the fire detector that transmitted the fire detection signal is received by the light receiving device, the test result information can be notified.

4. 4. The detector testing device according to claim 3, further comprising an alarm device for announcing the test result information.

5. A fire detection system comprising the fire alarm equipment according to claim 1 and the detector testing device according to claim 3 or 4.

Images