Fire alarm system

Abstract

The objective is to provide a fire alarm system that can reduce the manpower required for fire alarm testing. [Solution] The fire alarm system A1 comprises a control room master unit 100, multiple residential information panels 200, and a building receiver 300. The building receiver 300 is capable of transmitting a fire alarm signal S1 to at least one residential information panel 200. Based on the operator's actions, the building receiver 300 transmits the fire alarm signal S1 to the test object, which is at least one residential information panel 200. The test object performs a fire alarm test in response to the fire alarm signal S1. The control room master unit 100 displays on the display unit 12 the results of the fire alarm tests from the test object that meet predetermined conditions.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure generally relates to a fire alarm system, and more particularly to a fire alarm system including a master unit in a management room, a housing information panel, and a building receiver.

Background Art

[0002] An apartment house information alarm system (fire alarm system) described in Patent Document 1 will be exemplified. The apartment house information alarm system includes a composite panel, a plurality of housing information panels, and a plurality of door phones. Each housing information panel is provided in each dwelling unit of the apartment house. Each door phone is provided outside the entrance of each dwelling unit and has a call switch, a microphone, a speaker, a test switch, and an alarm indicator light.

[0003] In the apartment house information alarm system, it is possible to perform an alarm function test on each housing information panel. The tester can confirm that the alarm function of the housing information panel is operating correctly by operating the test switch of the door phone and checking that a fire alarm voice flows from the speaker of the door phone or that the alarm indicator light lights up.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] In the apartment house information alarm system described in Patent Document 1, it is necessary for the tester to operate the door phone of each dwelling unit in the apartment house to perform an alarm function test on each housing information panel. Therefore, in the apartment house information system, for example, a plurality of testers are required, and it is difficult to achieve labor saving in the alarm function test.

[0006] The purpose of this disclosure is to provide a fire alarm system that can reduce the manpower required for fire alarm testing. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] A fire alarm system according to one aspect of the present disclosure comprises a control room master unit, a plurality of residential information panels, and a building receiver. The plurality of residential information panels are capable of communicating with the control room master unit. The building receiver is capable of transmitting a fire alarm signal for conducting a fire alarm test to at least one of the plurality of residential information panels. The building receiver transmits the fire alarm signal to the test subject, which is the at least one residential information panel, based on the operator's operation. The test subject conducts the fire alarm test in response to the fire alarm signal transmitted from the building receiver. The control room master unit displays on its display unit the results of the fire alarm test transmitted from the test subject that satisfy predetermined conditions. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to one aspect of this disclosure, a fire alarm system can be used to reduce the number of personnel required for fire alarm testing. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0009] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is a system configuration diagram of a fire alarm system according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] Figure 2 is a sequence diagram illustrating the operation of the fire alarm system described above. [Figure 3] Figure 3 is an explanatory diagram illustrating the image displayed on the display unit of the control room master unit for the fire alarm system described above. [Figure 4] Figure 4 is an explanatory diagram illustrating another image displayed on the display unit of the control room master unit for the same fire alarm system. [Figure 5] Figure 5 is an explanatory diagram illustrating yet another image displayed on the display unit of the control room master unit for the same fire alarm system. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0010] The fire alarm system according to the embodiment will be described below with reference to Figures 1 to 5. The configuration described in the embodiments below is merely one example of the disclosure. The disclosure is not limited to the embodiments below, and various modifications are possible depending on the design, etc., as long as the effects of the disclosure can be achieved.

[0011] (1) Fire alarm system The fire alarm system A1 according to this embodiment (see Figure 1) is installed in an apartment building (for example, a condominium). The following description will focus on the case where residents are already living in multiple units within the apartment building.

[0012] As shown in Figure 1, the fire alarm system A1 comprises multiple (four in the example in Figure 1) residential information panels 200, a building receiver 300, a control room master unit 100, and multiple (two in the example in Figure 1) control devices 41 and 42. Hereafter, control device 41 will be referred to as the "first control device 41" and control device 42 as the "second control device 42".

[0013] Each of the multiple residential information panels 200 is installed in one of several (four in the example in Figure 1) dwelling units 1 to 4 in the apartment building. Dwelling units 1 to 4 are dwelling units located in one of the one or more buildings in the apartment building (for example, building 1). For example, dwelling unit 1 is dwelling unit 101 on the 1st floor of building 1. Dwelling unit 2 is dwelling unit 201 on the 2nd floor of building 1. Dwelling unit 3 is dwelling unit 301 on the 3rd floor of building 1. Dwelling unit 4 is dwelling unit 401 on the 4th floor of building 1.

[0014] The management room master unit 100 and the building receiver 300 are each installed in the management room 9 of the apartment building. The first control device 41 and the second control device 42 are each installed, for example, in the common facilities of the apartment building.

[0015] In addition, in FIG. 1, only four housing information panels 200 are illustrated to facilitate understanding of the description of the embodiment, but the number of housing information panels 200 is not limited. The number of housing information panels 200 may be, for example, five or more, or three or less. Also, since the configurations of the plurality of housing information panels 200 are common, hereinafter, unless otherwise specified, one housing information panel 200 will be described.

[0016] (2) Each component of the fire alarm system (2.1) Housing information panel The housing information panel 200 includes a control unit 20, a communication unit 21, a display unit 22, an operation unit 23, a storage unit 24, and two communication units 25 and 26. Hereinafter, the communication unit 25 will be referred to as the "first communication unit 25", and the communication unit 26 will be referred to as the "second communication unit 26".

[0017] The control unit 20 controls, for example, the communication unit 21, the display unit 22, the operation unit 23, the storage unit 24, the first communication unit 25, and the second communication unit 26 respectively.

[0018] The control unit 20 is realized, for example, by a computer system having one or more processors and one or more memories. That is, the functions of the control unit 20 are realized by one or more processors executing programs recorded in the memory. The programs may be recorded in the memory in advance, may be provided through a telecommunication line such as the Internet, or may be recorded and provided on a non-temporary recording medium such as a memory card.

[0019] The communication unit 21 includes, for example, a microphone and a speaker. The communication unit 21 is configured to output the sound (sound signal) collected by the microphone to the control unit 20. Also, the communication unit 21 is configured to output the sound based on the sound signal from the control unit 20 to the speaker.

[0020] The display unit 22 is configured to display an image (image signal) from the control unit 20. The display unit 22 is, for example, a display (such as a liquid crystal display). Note that the image includes at least one of a moving image (video) and a still image. The still image includes character information.

[0021] The operation unit 23 includes, for example, a response button for responding to a call from the main unit 100 in the management room.

[0022] The storage unit 24 is composed of a readable and writable memory. The storage unit 24 is, for example, a volatile memory. The storage unit 24 stores information from the control unit 20 (such as the implementation result of a fire alarm test described later).

[0023] The first communication unit 25 is communicably connected to the main unit 100 in the management room via, for example, a communication line. The first communication unit 25 is configured to receive a signal from the main unit 100 in the management room (such as a request signal described later) and output the received signal to the control unit 20. Also, the first communication unit 25 is configured to transmit a signal from the control unit 20 (such as a response signal described later) to the main unit 100 in the management room. Thereby, the residential information panel 200 can communicate with the main unit 100 in the management room.

[0024] The second communication unit 26 is communicably connected to the building receiver 300 via, for example, a control line. The second communication unit 26 is configured to receive a fire alarm signal S1 from the building receiver 300 and output the received fire alarm signal S1 to the control unit 20.

[0025] (2.2) Building Receiver The building receiver 300 has a control unit 30, an operation unit 31, and a communication unit 32.

[0026] The control unit 30 controls, for example, the operation unit 31 and the communication unit 32 respectively.

[0027] The control unit 30 is implemented, for example, by a computer system having one or more processors and one or more memories. In other words, the functions of the control unit 30 are realized by one or more processors executing a program stored in memory. The program may be pre-stored in memory, provided via a telecommunication line such as the Internet, or provided on a non-temporary recording medium such as a memory card.

[0028] The control unit 31 includes an operation button for stopping the output of the fire alarm signal S1 from the building receiver 300.

[0029] Note that "at least one of the multiple residential information panels 200" refers to the residential information panel 200 that is the subject of the fire alarm test (hereinafter referred to as the "test subject"). Furthermore, the following explanation will describe the case where the two residential information panels 201 and 202 shown in Figures 1 and 2 are the test subjects. The number of test subjects is not limited to two; it may be three or more, or it may be just one.

[0030] The communication unit 32 is connected to multiple residential information panels 200 via, for example, control lines. The communication unit 32 is configured to transmit a fire alarm signal S1 to the test object (in this embodiment, two residential information panels 201 and 202) based on control from the control unit 30.

[0031] The control unit 30 controls the communication unit 32 to transmit a fire alarm signal S1 from the communication unit 32 to the object under test based on an operation by the tester (first operation). The first operation refers to an operation performed by the object under test to perform a fire alarm test (for example, a short circuit in the wiring).

[0032] (2.3) Control Room Master Unit The control room master unit 100 includes a control unit 10, a telephone unit 11, a display unit 12, an operation unit 13, a storage unit 14, and a communication unit 15.

[0033] The control unit 10 controls, for example, the call unit 11, the display unit 12, the operation unit 13, the storage unit 14, and the communication unit 15, respectively.

[0034] The control unit 10 is implemented, for example, by a computer system having one or more processors and one or more memories. In other words, the functions of the control unit 10 are realized by one or more processors executing a program stored in memory. The program may be pre-stored in memory, provided via a telecommunication line such as the Internet, or provided on a non-temporary recording medium such as a memory card.

[0035] The communication unit 11 includes, for example, a microphone and a speaker. The communication unit 11 is configured to output the sound (voice signal) collected by the microphone to the control unit 10. The communication unit 11 is also configured to output the sound based on the voice signal from the control unit 10 to the speaker.

[0036] The display unit 12 is configured to display an image (image signal) from the control unit 10. The display unit 12 is, for example, a display (for example, a liquid crystal display).

[0037] The control unit 13 includes, for example, a response button for responding to an external call.

[0038] The memory unit 14 is composed of read-write memory. The memory unit 14 is a non-volatile memory such as flash memory. The memory unit 14 stores information from the control unit 10.

[0039] The communication unit 15 is connected to multiple residential information panels 200 via, for example, a communication line. The communication unit 15 is configured to receive a signal (e.g., a response signal) from at least one of the multiple residential information panels 200 and output the received signal to the control unit 10. The communication unit 15 is also configured to transmit a signal (e.g., a request signal) from the control unit 10 to the at least one residential information panel 200. This enables the management room master unit 100 to communicate with the multiple residential information panels 200.

[0040] (2.4) Control device The first control unit 41 is connected to the master control room unit 100 via a first communication line. Furthermore, the first control unit 41 is connected to two of the four residential information panels 200, 201 and 202, via a second communication line, for example. In other words, the first control unit 41 is configured to control communication between the master control room unit 100 and the two residential information panels 201 and 202.

[0041] Furthermore, the first control device 41 is connected to the second control device 42 via a third communication line so as to be able to communicate with it. In other words, the first control device 41 is configured to control communication between the control room master unit 100 and the second control device 42.

[0042] The second control device 42 is, for example, connected to the remaining two of the four residential information panels 200 via a fourth communication line. That is, the second control device 42 is configured to control communication between the first control device 41 and the remaining two residential information panels 200.

[0043] Although Figure 1 only shows the first control device 41 and the second control device 42, the number of control devices is not limited. For example, there may be three or more control devices, or there may be just one. If there is only one control device, that one control device is configured to control communication between the management room master unit 100 and the multiple residential information panels 200.

[0044] Incidentally, when each of the two residential information panels 201 and 202 receives a fire alarm signal S1 transmitted from the building receiver 300, it performs a fire alarm test (for example, a neighborhood fire alarm) according to the received fire alarm signal S1. More specifically, each of the two residential information panels 201 and 202 performs both fire alarm sounding and fire alarm display in response to the fire alarm signal S1 from the building receiver 300. To explain in more detail, when each of the two residential information panels 201 and 202 receives a fire alarm signal S1 in the second communication unit 26, it outputs an audio message related to the fire alarm from the speaker of the communication unit 21 and displays a message related to the fire alarm on the display unit 22.

[0045] Furthermore, "neighborhood fire alarm" refers to a fire alarm that is activated by residential information panels 200 installed in multiple dwelling units on the floor where a fire occurs (fire floor) and in multiple dwelling units on the floor directly above the fire floor.

[0046] Each of the two residential information panels 201 and 202 stores the results of a fire alarm test in the storage unit 24 when a fire alarm test is performed. The results of the fire alarm test include the date and time the fire alarm test was performed. In this embodiment, the storage unit 24 stores one result. This result is the most recent result of a fire alarm test and is overwritten (saved) each time a fire alarm test is performed.

[0047] The control room master unit 100 is configured to send requests to two residential information panels 201 and 202 to obtain the results of the test of the object under test, based on the operation (second operation) of the operation unit 13 by the tester. For example, the control room master unit 100 transmits a request signal including the above request to the two residential information panels 201 and 202 based on the second operation of the operation unit 13 by the tester. The second operation refers to the operation to confirm the results of the fire alarm test performed on the object under test.

[0048] Furthermore, the control room master unit 100 is configured to make the above requests individually to the two residential information panels 201 and 202. For example, the control room master unit 100 sends the request signal to the two residential information panels 201 and 202 in sequence. Specifically, the control room master unit 100 sends the request signal to residential information panel 201, and after a predetermined period of time has elapsed, sends the request signal to residential information panel 202.

[0049] The predetermined period is preferably a period that can avoid congestion in communication between the control room master unit 100 and the object under test. For example, the predetermined period is a period that is longer than the time from when the request signal is transmitted to the residential information panel 201 until when the response signal from the residential information panel 201 is received by the communication unit 15.

[0050] Furthermore, the control room master unit 100 specifies the building number of one or more buildings in the apartment complex, the floor number of one or more floors in one or more buildings, and the room number of one or more dwelling units among multiple dwelling units on one or more floors, and determines which of the multiple dwelling information panels 200 (in this embodiment, two dwelling information panels 201, 202) will make the above request. In short, the control room master unit 100 determines which of the multiple dwelling information panels 200 will make the above request by specifying the building number, floor number, and room number before transmitting the request signal to the test object.

[0051] Each of the two residential information panels 201 and 202 is configured to transmit the results of the fire alarm test stored in the storage unit 24 to the management room master unit 100 in response to the above request from the management room master unit 100. Specifically, when each of the two residential information panels 201 and 202 receives a request signal from the management room master unit 100 via the second communication unit 26, it transmits a signal (hereinafter referred to as the "response signal") containing the results of the fire alarm test stored in the storage unit 24 to the management room master unit 100.

[0052] The control room master unit 100 is configured to display the experimental results included in the received response signals on the display unit 12 when it receives response signals transmitted from the two residential information panels 201 and 202 via the communication unit 15.

[0053] Furthermore, the control room master unit 100 is configured to display on the display unit 12 experimental results that meet predetermined conditions from among the experimental results included in the response signals transmitted from the two residential information panels 201 and 202. Specifically, the control room master unit 100 displays on the display unit 12 the experimental results in which the request date and the experimental date match when the request date and the experimental date included in the experimental results match. In other words, the predetermined condition is that the request date and the experimental date match.

[0054] In this embodiment, the date of the request made is stored in the storage unit 14 of the control room master unit 100. As a result, even if, for example, the fire alarm system A1 takes until the day after the request date to collect the results of the fire alarm test, it can display the results on the display unit 12 where the request date and the implementation date coincide.

[0055] Furthermore, the control room master unit 100 is configured to display the implementation time included in the implementation results on the display unit 12. In other words, the control room master unit 100 is configured to display only the implementation time from the implementation date and implementation time included in the implementation results on the display unit 12.

[0056] Furthermore, the control room master unit 100 stores in the storage unit 14 the implementation results included in the response signals transmitted from the two residential information panels 201 and 202. For example, the control room master unit 100 stores in the storage unit 14 the implementation results from the two residential information panels 201 and 202 whose implementation date matches the request date.

[0057] (3) Operation of the fire alarm system The operation of fire alarm system A1 will be explained below based on Figures 1 and 2. The following explanation assumes that the tester conducts the fire alarm test in control room 9 (see Figure 1). Furthermore, the following explanation assumes that each building in the apartment complex is six stories high, with 10 residential units on each floor.

[0058] First, the tester performs the first operation to conduct a fire alarm test on the two residential information panels 201 and 202, which are the test subjects for the fire alarm test.

[0059] When the building receiver 300 receives the first operation from the tester (ST1 in Figure 2), it transmits a fire alarm signal S1 to the two residential information panels 201 and 202 (ST2 in Figure 2).

[0060] When each of the two residential information panels 201 and 202 receives a fire alarm signal S1 from the building receiver 300, it performs a fire alarm test (ST3 in Figure 2) and stores the results of the fire alarm test (date and time of execution) in the storage unit 24 (ST4 in Figure 2).

[0061] Next, the tester operates the control panel 13 of the control room master unit 100 to select the building number of the building where the test object is installed from among the building numbers of multiple buildings (four in the example in Figure 3) in the apartment complex displayed on the display panel 12, as shown in Figure 3.

[0062] Furthermore, the tester operates the control panel 13 of the control room master unit 100 to specify, as shown in Figure 4, a range of floor numbers for multiple floors displayed on the display unit 12 (for example, 1st floor to 2nd floor) and a range of room numbers for multiple dwelling units displayed on the display unit 12 (for example, room 01 to room 10).

[0063] When the control room master unit 100 receives a second operation from the tester on the operation unit 13 (ST5 in Figure 2), it transmits a request signal to the residential information panel 201 via the control device 41 (ST6 in Figure 2).

[0064] When the residential information panel 201 receives a request signal from the management room master unit 100, it transmits a response signal (hereinafter referred to as the "first response signal") to the management room master unit 100 via the control device 41 (ST7 in Figure 2).

[0065] Furthermore, when the control room master unit 100 receives a first response signal from the residential information panel 201, it transmits a request signal to the residential information panel 202 via the control device 41 (ST8 in Figure 2). Also, when the control room master unit 100 receives the first response signal and the request date and the implementation date match, it stores the implementation result included in the first response signal in the storage unit 14.

[0066] When the residential information panel 202 receives a request signal from the master unit 100 in the management room, it transmits a response signal (hereinafter referred to as the "second response signal") to the master unit 100 in the management room via the control device 41 (ST9 in Figure 2).

[0067] The control room master unit 100 receives a second response signal from the residential information panel 202, and if the requested date and the implementation date match, it stores the implementation result included in the second response signal in the storage unit 14.

[0068] As shown in Figure 5, the control room master unit 100 reads each test result stored in the memory unit 14 and displays the room number of the dwelling unit where the test object is installed and the time the fire alarm test was conducted by the test object on the display unit 12 (ST10 in Figure 2). In Figure 5, an example is shown in which the display unit 12 displays the times of fire alarm tests conducted by multiple dwelling information panels 200, including the times of fire alarm tests conducted by two dwelling information panels 201 and 202.

[0069] (4) Effects The fire alarm system A1 comprises a control room master unit 100, multiple residential information panels 200, and a building receiver 300. The building receiver 300 transmits a fire alarm signal S1 to at least one residential information panel 200, which is the object under test, based on the tester's operation (first operation). The object under test performs a fire alarm test in response to the fire alarm signal S1 transmitted from the building receiver 300. The control room master unit 100 displays on the display unit 12 the results of the fire alarm test transmitted from the object under test that meet predetermined conditions. As a result, with the fire alarm system A1, for example, one tester can confirm the results of the fire alarm test performed by the object under test by operating the building receiver 300 and the control room master unit 100 in the control room 9. Therefore, since the fire alarm system A1 does not require multiple testers, it is possible to reduce the manpower required for fire alarm testing.

[0070] The test object stores the results of the fire alarm test in the storage unit 24. Based on the tester's operation (second operation), the control room master unit 100 requests the test object to retrieve the test results. In response to the request from the control room master unit 100, the test object transmits the results stored in the storage unit 24 to the control room master unit 100. This allows the fire alarm system A1 to retrieve the results of the fire alarm test performed by the test object on a day other than the day the fire alarm test was conducted (for example, at a later date).

[0071] Furthermore, the fire alarm system A1 displays the results of the test that match the requested date and the test date on the display unit 12, allowing the tester to confirm that the fire alarm function of the test subject worked correctly. On the other hand, the fire alarm system A1 does not display the results of the test that do not match the requested date and the test date on the display unit 12. For example, if there is no test result for a test subject among the results displayed on the display unit 12, the tester can confirm that the fire alarm function of the test subject for which there is no test result did not work correctly. Therefore, the tester can detect, for example, wiring errors in test subjects for which there is no test result.

[0072] Furthermore, "cases where the fire alarm function of the object under test does not operate correctly" include, for example, cases where the results of the test are not stored in the memory unit 24 of the object under test, cases where there is no response signal from the object under test, and cases where the result of the response signal is on a different date than the requested date.

[0073] Incidentally, with conventional fire alarm systems (hereinafter referred to as "comparative fire alarm systems"), it was necessary to check, for example, the alarm sound from the residential information panel in each unit in the common corridor of an apartment building to confirm whether the fire alarm function worked correctly. However, in recent years, the airtightness of individual units in apartment buildings has improved, making it difficult to hear the alarm sound from each residential information panel from the common corridor and thus difficult to confirm whether the fire alarm function worked correctly.

[0074] On the other hand, with fire alarm system A1, the tester does not need to check the alarm sounds from the residential information panels 200 in each of the apartment units 1-4 in the common corridor of the apartment building. Instead, the tester can confirm whether the fire alarm function of the test object is working correctly by operating the building receiver 300 and the master unit 100 in the management room 9. Therefore, with fire alarm system A1, the test results of the fire alarm test can be confirmed more easily than with the fire alarm system of the comparative example.

[0075] The control room master unit 100 displays the implementation result on the display unit 12 when the request date on which the above request was made for the test object matches the implementation date included in the implementation result. This allows the fire alarm system A1 to detect test objects for which the fire alarm function operated correctly on the day the fire alarm test was conducted.

[0076] The control room master unit 100 displays the implementation time included in the implementation results on the display unit 12. As a result, the fire alarm system A1 can display more implementation results on the display unit 12 than, for example, if only the implementation date and implementation time included in the implementation results were displayed on the display unit 12.

[0077] The control room master unit 100 makes the above requests to the test object individually. This prevents communication congestion between the control room master unit 100 and the test object in the fire alarm system A1.

[0078] The control room master unit 100 further stores the results transmitted from the test object in the storage unit 14. This allows the fire alarm system A1 to retrieve the results displayed on the display unit 12, for example, using a storage medium.

[0079] The control room master unit 100 determines the test object to which the above request is to be made by specifying the building number, floor number, and room number. As a result, the fire alarm system A1 can more easily find the results of the test object than if the building number, floor number, and room number were not specified.

[0080] (5) Variant The control room master unit 100 displays the implementation result on the display unit 12 when the request date and the implementation date match. However, for example, if the request date and the implementation date do not match, the display unit 12 may display the implementation result where the request date and the implementation date do not match. In other words, the predetermined condition is that the request date on which the request was made for the test object does not match the implementation date included in the implementation result.

[0081] This allows the fire alarm system A1 to detect test subjects where the fire alarm function operated correctly on a date different from the date the fire alarm test was conducted. Therefore, the tester can check the results of tests conducted before the requested date (past test results). Furthermore, the fire alarm system A1 can detect if the fire alarm function of the test subject did not operate correctly on the date the fire alarm test was conducted (in other words, the requested date), and if, between the date of the past test results and the requested date, for example, a malfunction of the test subject or deterioration of the wiring occurred.

[0082] Furthermore, the control room master unit 100 displays the implementation results on the display unit 12 when the requested date and the implementation date coincide, but it may also display all implementation results on the display unit 12. In other words, the control room master unit 100 may display all implementation results on the display unit 12 regardless of whether the requested date and the implementation date coincide. In this case, the predetermined condition is that all implementation results are displayed. As a result, the fire alarm system A1 can simultaneously detect test objects in which the fire alarm function worked correctly and test objects in which the fire alarm function did not work correctly.

[0083] The control room master unit 100 is configured to display the implementation result on the display unit 12 when the request date and the implementation date match, but is not limited to this configuration.

[0084] The control room master unit 100 may be configured to display on the display unit 12 the implementation result in which the requested date and time and the implementation date and time match when the requested date and time for the test object match the implementation date and time (implementation date and implementation time) included in the implementation result. Note that "when the requested date and time and the implementation date and time match" is not limited to cases where the requested date and time and the implementation date and time match exactly, but also includes cases where the difference (absolute value of the difference) between the requested date and time and the implementation date and time is a predetermined value (for example, a few seconds or a few minutes).

[0085] The control room master unit 100 stores in the storage unit 14 the implementation results transmitted from the test object whose implementation date matches the requested date. However, it may also store in the storage unit 14 implementation results transmitted from the test object whose implementation date does not match the requested date (i.e., past implementation results, etc.). Alternatively, the control room master unit 100 may store in the storage unit 14 all implementation results transmitted from the test object, regardless of whether the requested date and the implementation date match.

[0086] The control unit 13 of the master control room unit 100 is configured separately from the display unit 12, but it may also be configured as an integrated unit with the display unit 12. If the display unit 12 and the control unit 13 are configured as an integrated unit, for example, a touch panel can be used.

[0087] The storage unit 14 is located outside the control unit 10, but it may also be located inside the control unit 10. In other words, the storage unit 14 may be the memory (internal memory) of the control unit 10. Furthermore, the storage unit 14 is not limited to flash memory, but may be, for example, an HDD or an SSD (Solid State Drive). Also, the storage unit 14 is not limited to non-volatile memory, but may be volatile memory.

[0088] The residential information panel 200 has a first communication unit 25 and a second communication unit 26, but it may have only one communication unit. If the residential information panel 200 has one communication unit, that one communication unit has the functions of both the first communication unit 25 and the second communication unit 26.

[0089] The operation unit 23 is configured separately from the display unit 22, but it may also be configured as an integral part of the display unit 22. If the display unit 22 and the operation unit 23 are configured as an integral part, for example, a touch panel can be used.

[0090] The memory unit 24 stores one execution result, but it may store multiple execution results. In this case, the test subject sends a response signal containing the latest execution result stored in the memory unit 24 to the control room master unit 100.

[0091] The storage unit 24 is located outside the control unit 20, but it may also be located inside the control unit 20. In other words, the storage unit 24 may be the memory (internal memory) of the control unit 20. Furthermore, the storage unit 24 is not limited to volatile memory, but may also be non-volatile memory.

[0092] Each of the two residential information panels 201 and 202 performs both fire alarm sounding and fire alarm display in response to the fire alarm signal S1 from the building receiver 300, but it may also perform only one of the two in response to the fire alarm signal S1 from the building receiver 300. In other words, each of the two residential information panels 201 and 202 only needs to perform at least one of the two in response to the fire alarm signal S1 from the building receiver 300.

[0093] For example, if each of the two residential information panels 201 and 202 only displays a fire alarm in response to the fire alarm signal S1 from the building receiver 300, then no audio related to the fire alarm will be output from the speakers of the communication units 21 of each of the two residential information panels 201 and 202, thus avoiding disturbance to the residents of each apartment unit 1 and 2. In this case, it would also be possible to conduct a fire alarm test in the middle of the night, for example. Therefore, with the fire alarm system A1, there is no need to notify the residents of each apartment unit in the building in advance that a fire alarm test will be conducted, thus saving the effort required to prepare for the fire alarm test.

[0094] The building receiver 300 is installed in the management room 9 of the apartment building, but it may also be installed in a common area of ​​the apartment building, for example. In this case, the tester moves to the management room 9 after performing the first operation and performs the second operation using the control unit 13 of the management room master unit 100.

[0095] The building receiver 300 transmits a fire alarm signal S1 to the object under test based on a first operation by the tester, but it may also transmit the fire alarm signal S1 to the object under test based on an operation other than the first operation by the tester. For example, the building receiver 300 may transmit a fire alarm signal S1 to the object under test based on an operation on a fire detector installed in the common corridor of the apartment building (so-called burning test). In this case, the fire detector is connected to the building receiver 300 via a control line so as to be able to communicate with it.

[0096] Alternatively, the building receiver 300 may transmit a fire alarm signal S1 to the test object based on an operation on a fire detector installed in a dwelling unit (for example, dwelling unit 1) of the apartment building. In this case, the fire detector is communicably connected to the residential information panel 200 via a control line, and the residential information panel 200 in the dwelling unit transmits a notification signal to the building receiver 300 in response to an operation on the fire detector. The building receiver 300 transmits a fire alarm signal S1 to the test object in response to the notification signal from the residential information panel 200.

[0097] The first control device 41 may have a memory unit. If the first control device 41 has a memory unit, the memory unit is configured to store the results of the test included in the response signal transmitted from the object under test to the control room master unit 100. The memory unit is, for example, a non-volatile memory such as flash memory. As a result, in the fire alarm system A1, for example, by controlling the first control device 41 from the control room master unit 100, the results of the test stored in the memory unit of the first control device 41 can be viewed on the display unit 12. Therefore, the tester can confirm all the results of the test transmitted from the object under test.

[0098] In this embodiment, a fire alarm test is performed on two residential information panels 201 and 202, but a fire alarm test may also be performed on three residential information panels 200, or on all residential information panels 200. If a fire alarm test is performed on all residential information panels 200, based on a first operation by the tester, the fire alarm test may be performed in the order of each floor in a single building, such as the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, and 6th floors, or in the order of the 1st and 2nd floors, the 3rd and 4th floors, and the 5th and 6th floors.

[0099] Furthermore, although this embodiment describes a case where residents are already living in multiple dwelling units in an apartment building, it is also possible to describe a case where no residents are living in multiple dwelling units.

[0100] The fire alarm system A1 may further include, for example, an intercom sub-unit and a lobby intercom. In other words, the fire alarm system A1 may be introduced into an intercom system for an apartment building. In this case, the residential information panel 200 has the function of an intercom master unit. That is, the residential information panel 200 is an intercom master unit with an automatic fire alarm function.

[0101] The term "multi-unit housing" does not necessarily mean condominiums; it could also refer to apartments or other types of housing.

[0102] (Aspect) This specification discloses the following aspects:

[0103] The fire alarm system (A1) according to the first embodiment comprises a control room master unit (100), a plurality of residential information panels (200), and a building receiver (300). The plurality of residential information panels (200) are able to communicate with the control room master unit (100). The building receiver (300) is capable of transmitting a fire alarm signal (S1) for conducting a fire alarm test to at least one of the plurality of residential information panels (200). Based on the operator's operation, the building receiver (300) transmits the fire alarm signal (S1) to the test object, which is at least one residential information panel (200). The test object conducts a fire alarm test in response to the fire alarm signal (S1) transmitted from the building receiver (300). The control room master unit (100) displays on the display unit (12) the results of the fire alarm test transmitted from the test object that meet predetermined conditions.

[0104] This embodiment makes it possible to reduce the number of personnel required for fire alarm testing.

[0105] In the second embodiment of the fire alarm system (A1), in the first embodiment, the object under test stores the results of the fire alarm test in the storage unit (24). The control room master unit (100) makes a request to the object under test to obtain the results of the test based on the operator's actions. In response to the request from the control room master unit (100), the object under test transmits the results stored in the storage unit (24) to the control room master unit (100).

[0106] According to this embodiment, for example, the results of a fire alarm test conducted on an object under test can be obtained on a day other than the day the fire alarm test is conducted.

[0107] The fire alarm system (A1) according to the third embodiment, in the second embodiment, includes the date and time the fire alarm test was conducted as part of the results. A predetermined condition is that the date on which the request was made to the object under test matches the date of implementation included in the results. The control room master unit (100) displays the results on the display unit (12) where the request date and the implementation date match.

[0108] According to this embodiment, it is possible to detect a test object whose fire alarm function operated correctly on the day the fire alarm test is conducted.

[0109] The fire alarm system (A1) according to the fourth embodiment, in the second embodiment, includes the date and time of the fire alarm test in the results. The predetermined condition is that the date on which the request was made to the object under test does not match the date of implementation included in the results. The control room master unit (100) displays the results in which the request date and the implementation date do not match on the display unit (12).

[0110] According to this embodiment, it is possible to detect a test object in which the fire alarm function operated correctly on a day different from the day the fire alarm test was conducted.

[0111] In the fifth embodiment of the fire alarm system (A1), in the third or fourth embodiment, the control room master unit (100) displays the implementation time included in the implementation results on the display unit (12).

[0112] According to this embodiment, many implementation results can be displayed on the display unit (12).

[0113] The fire alarm system (A1) according to the sixth embodiment is, in the first or second embodiment, a predetermined condition is that all implementation results are displayed.

[0114] According to this embodiment, it is possible to simultaneously detect test objects in which the fire alarm function has operated correctly and test objects in which the fire alarm function has not operated correctly.

[0115] In the seventh aspect of the fire alarm system (A1), in any one of the second to sixth aspects, the control room master unit (100) makes the above requirements to the test object individually.

[0116] According to this embodiment, congestion in communication between the control room master unit (100) and the object under test can be avoided.

[0117] In the eighth aspect of the fire alarm system (A1), in any one of the second to seventh aspects, the control room master unit (100) further stores the results transmitted from the test object in a separate storage unit (14) from the storage unit (24).

[0118] According to this embodiment, the results displayed on the display unit (12) can be taken out, for example, using a storage medium.

[0119] In the fire alarm system (A1) according to the ninth aspect, in any one of the second to eighth aspects, the control room master unit (100) determines the test object for which the above requirement is made by specifying the building number of one or more buildings in the apartment complex, the floor number of one or more floors in one or more buildings in the apartment complex, and the room number of one or more dwelling units among multiple dwelling units on one or more floors.

[0120] According to this embodiment, the results of the test on the test subject can be easily obtained. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0121] 12 Display section 14 Storage section 24 Memory section 100 Control Room Master Unit 200 Housing information board 300 building receiver S1 fire alarm signal A1 Fire alarm system

Claims

1. Control room master unit, Multiple residential information panels that can communicate with the aforementioned master unit in the control room, The building includes a building receiver capable of transmitting a fire alarm signal for conducting a fire alarm test to at least one of the multiple residential information panels, The aforementioned building receiver transmits the fire alarm signal to the test object, which is the at least one residential information panel, based on the tester's operation. The object under test performs the fire alarm test in response to the fire alarm signal transmitted from the building receiver. The control room master unit displays on its display unit the results of the fire alarm test transmitted from the object under test that meet predetermined conditions. Fire alarm system.

2. The object under test stores the results of the fire alarm test in its memory unit. The control room master unit, based on the operator's actions, makes a request to the test object to obtain the results of the test of the test object. The test object transmits the results stored in the storage unit to the control room master unit in response to the request from the control room master unit. The fire alarm system according to claim 1.

3. The results of the aforementioned implementation include the date and time the fire alarm test was conducted, The aforementioned predetermined condition is that the date on which the request was made to the test object coincides with the date of implementation included in the implementation results. The control room master unit displays the implementation result on the display unit when the requested date and the implementation date coincide. The fire alarm system according to claim 2.

4. The results of the aforementioned implementation include the date and time the fire alarm test was conducted, The aforementioned predetermined condition is that the date on which the request was made to the test object does not coincide with the date of implementation included in the implementation results. The control room master unit displays the implementation result on the display unit if the requested date and the implementation date do not match. The fire alarm system according to claim 2.

5. The control room master unit displays the execution time included in the execution result on the display unit. The fire alarm system according to claim 3 or claim 4.

6. The aforementioned predetermined condition is that all implementation results are displayed. The fire alarm system according to claim 1 or claim 2.

7. The control room master unit makes the request to the test object individually. The fire alarm system according to claim 2.

8. The control room master unit further stores the results transmitted from the test object in a storage unit separate from the storage unit. The fire alarm system according to claim 2.

9. The control room master unit determines the test object for which the request is made by specifying the building number of one or more buildings in the apartment complex, the floor number of one or more floors in the one or more buildings of the apartment complex, and the room number of one or more dwelling units among multiple dwelling units on the one or more floors. The fire alarm system according to claim 2.

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