Fire alarm system

Abstract

To obtain a fire alarm system that can reduce the amount of work required when new terminal equipment is added. [Solution] This fire alarm system includes a fire alarm receiver 2 that receives address information corresponding to each of the multiple terminal devices 1 based on the operation of each of the multiple terminal devices 1. Each of the multiple terminal devices 1 belongs to one of several groups, and when the address information of one terminal device 1 belonging to one of the multiple groups is input to the fire alarm receiver 2, it outputs aggregated information corresponding to one group.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a fire alarm system in which a fire receiver outputs address information.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, a fire alarm system including a plurality of fire detectors and a fire receiver has been known. When each fire detector detects a fire, it outputs an alarm signal together with the address information of the fire detector. The address information and the alarm signal output from the fire detector are input to the fire receiver. When the address information and the alarm signal are input to the fire receiver, the fire receiver outputs the input address information and alarm signal.

[0003] The central monitoring device receives the address information and the alarm signal output from the fire receiver. The central monitoring device has a database in which the installation location names specifying the locations where each of the plurality of fire detectors is installed and the respective address information are registered in advance in correspondence with each other. When the address information and the alarm signal are input from the fire receiver to the central monitoring device, the central monitoring device uses the database to specify the installation location name corresponding to the input address information, and stores in the database the specified installation location name and the information indicating that a fire has been detected in correspondence with each other (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] However, in the fire alarm system described in Patent Document 1, the address information of all of the multiple fire detectors must be pre-registered in the central monitoring device's database. This means that, for example, if a new fire detector is added due to a renewal of the fire alarm system, the address information of the newly added fire detector must be added and registered in the central monitoring device's database. Consequently, there was a problem in that the amount of work required to add a new fire detector increased significantly.

[0006] This disclosure was made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and its purpose is to provide a fire alarm system that can reduce the amount of work required when new terminal equipment is added. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The fire alarm system relating to this disclosure includes a fire alarm receiver that receives address information corresponding to each of the multiple terminal devices based on the operation of each of the multiple terminal devices, each of the multiple terminal devices being part of one of several groups, and the fire alarm receiver outputs aggregated information corresponding to one group when it receives address information for one terminal device belonging to one of the multiple groups. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] The fire alarm system described in this disclosure can reduce the amount of work required when new terminal equipment is added. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0009] [Figure 1] This is a configuration diagram showing a fire alarm system according to Embodiment 1 of the present disclosure. [Figure 2] This is a diagram showing the configuration of a comparative example fire alarm system. [Figure 3]This is a diagram showing a fire alarm system according to Embodiment 2 of the present disclosure. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0010] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the fire alarm system of this disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. The fire alarm system disclosed herein is characterized by the fact that when address information is input to the fire alarm receiver from a terminal device, the fire alarm receiver outputs aggregated information corresponding to the address information.

[0011] Embodiment 1. Figure 1 is a configuration diagram showing a fire alarm system according to Embodiment 1 of the present disclosure. The fire alarm system according to Embodiment 1 of the present disclosure comprises a plurality of terminal devices 1, a fire alarm receiver 2, a plurality of repeaters 3, and a central monitoring device 4.

[0012] Each of the multiple terminal devices 1 is located within a building. Figure 1 shows a three-story building. Each of the multiple terminal devices 1 belongs to one of several groups. Figure 1 shows three such groups.

[0013] The three groups consist of Group 1 G1, Group 2 G2, and Group 3 G3. Group 1 G1 includes multiple terminal devices 1 located on the first floor of the building. Group 2 G2 includes multiple terminal devices 1 located on the second floor of the building. Group 3 G3 includes multiple terminal devices 1 located on the third floor of the building.

[0014] Group 1 G1 includes two terminal devices 1, Group 2 G2 includes two terminal devices 1, and Group 3 G3 includes two terminal devices 1.

[0015] Each terminal device 1 is assigned different address information. Specifically, of the two terminal devices 1 included in the first group G1, one terminal device 1 is assigned the address information "1AD", and the other terminal device 1 is assigned the address information "2AD".

[0016] Of the two terminal devices 1 included in Group 2 G2, one terminal device 1 is assigned the address information "3AD", and the other terminal device 1 is assigned the address information "4AD".

[0017] Of the two terminal devices 1 included in Group 3 G3, one terminal device 1 is assigned the address information "5AD", and the other terminal device 1 is assigned the address information "6AD".

[0018] Examples of terminal devices 1 include fire detectors and transmitters. A fire detector consists of, for example, a heat detector, a smoke detector, or a flame detector. When a fire detector detects heat, smoke, or flames generated by a fire, it outputs the address information of the fire detector and either an alarm signal indicating that a fire has been detected or a detection value signal converted from the temperature or smoke concentration detected by the sensor. A transmitter has a push button, and when a person who discovers a fire presses the button, it outputs the address information of the transmitter and a fire signal indicating that a fire has occurred. The alarm signal and the fire signal are activation signals for terminal device 1, respectively. That is, terminal device 1 outputs its address information and activation signal based on its operation. When a fire detector outputs a detection value signal, the fire receiver 2 makes a fire determination based on the detection value signal, but below, the mode in which the fire detector outputs an alarm signal will be described as an example.

[0019] The fire alarm receiver 2 is connected to each terminal device 1 via signal lines. Address information and activation signals output from each terminal device 1 are input to the fire alarm receiver 2.

[0020] A plurality of repeaters 3 are provided, one corresponding to each of a plurality of groups. In FIG. 1, three repeaters 3 are shown as the plurality of repeaters 3. Each repeater 3 is an interlocking device that is interlockingly controlled by the fire receiver 2.

[0021] The three repeaters 3 are composed of a first repeater 31 corresponding to the first group G1, a second repeater 32 corresponding to the second group G2, and a third repeater 33 corresponding to the third group G3.

[0022] Each repeater 3 is given different address information. Specifically, the first repeater 31 is given the address information of "7AD", the second repeater 32 is given the address information of "8AD", and the third repeater 33 is given the address information of "9AD".

[0023] The fire receiver 2 has an interlocking control unit 21. The fire receiver 2 also has a database in which the address information of each of the plurality of repeaters 3 and the address information of each of the plurality of terminal devices 1 are registered in advance in correspondence with each other.

[0024] Specifically, in the database of the fire receiver 2, the address information of the first repeater 31 and the address information of each terminal device 1 included in the first group G1 are registered in correspondence with each other. Also, in the database of the fire receiver 2, the address information of the second repeater 32 and the address information of each terminal device 1 included in the second group G2 are registered in correspondence with each other. Further, in the database of the fire receiver 2, the address information of the third repeater 33 and the address information of each terminal device 1 included in the third group G3 are registered in correspondence with each other.

[0025] Each repeater 3 receives an interlocking signal from the interlocking control unit 21. Specifically, when address information and activation signals output from terminal equipment 1 are input to the fire alarm receiver 2, the interlocking control unit 21 outputs an interlocking signal to the repeater 3 to which the address information corresponding to the input terminal equipment 1 address information has been assigned. After an interlocking signal has been input to any of the repeaters 3, the same repeater 3 to which the interlocking signal was input will not receive another interlocking signal.

[0026] Each repeater 3 that receives the interlocking signal outputs the address information of the repeater 3 that received the interlocking signal to the fire alarm receiver 2 as aggregated information. The aggregated information is information that aggregates the address information of multiple terminal devices 1 that belong to the same group from among multiple terminal devices 1.

[0027] In other words, when address information and an activation signal are input to the fire alarm receiver 2 from any of the terminal devices 1 included in the first group G1, an interlocking signal is input to the first repeater 31, and the address information of "7AD" is output from the first repeater 31 as aggregated information and input to the fire alarm receiver 2. Figure 1 shows a configuration in which the address information of "7AD" is output from the first repeater 31, the outputted address information of "7AD" is input to the first repeater 31, and the input address information of "7AD" is output again from the first repeater 31 and input to the fire alarm receiver 2. Alternatively, the address information of "7AD" may be output from the first repeater 31 and input directly to the fire alarm receiver 2.

[0028] When address information and an activation signal are input to the fire alarm receiver 2 from any of the multiple terminal devices 1 included in the second group G2, an interlocking signal is input to the second repeater 32, and the address information of "8AD" is output from the second repeater 32 as aggregated information and input to the fire alarm receiver 2. Figure 1 shows a configuration in which the address information of "8AD" is output from the second repeater 32, the outputted address information of "8AD" is input to the second repeater 32, and the input address information of "8AD" is output again from the second repeater 32 and input to the fire alarm receiver 2. Alternatively, the address information of "8AD" may be output from the second repeater 32 and input directly to the fire alarm receiver 2.

[0029] When address information and an activation signal are input to the fire alarm receiver 2 from any of the terminal devices 1 included in the third group G3, an interlocking signal is input to the third repeater 33, and the address information of "9AD" is output from the third repeater 33 as aggregated information and input to the fire alarm receiver 2. Figure 1 shows a configuration in which the address information of "9AD" is output from the third repeater 33, the outputted address information of "9AD" is input to the third repeater 33, and the input address information of "9AD" is output again from the third repeater 33 and input to the fire alarm receiver 2. Alternatively, the address information of "9AD" may be output from the third repeater 33 and input directly to the fire alarm receiver 2.

[0030] The fire alarm receiver 2 receives aggregated information output from the repeater 3. The interlock control unit 21 outputs the aggregated information input to the fire alarm receiver 2 and the activation signal input to the fire alarm receiver 2.

[0031] The central monitoring device 4 is connected to the fire alarm receiver 2 via a signal line. Aggregated information and activation signals output from the fire alarm receiver 2 are input to the central monitoring device 4. The central monitoring device 4 is a device that manages or monitors the entire building by aggregating information from individual systems such as the building's air conditioning, lighting, elevators, and security. Regarding fire information, it obtains information from the fire alarm receiver 2 and provides alarms and displays. However, since detailed information is received by the fire alarm receiver 2, the central monitoring device 4 often displays general information, such as on a floor-by-floor basis. In such cases, the information from the fire alarm receiver 2 does not need to be individual information from the fire detector or transmitter that detected the fire; aggregated information such as on a floor-by-floor basis is sufficient.

[0032] The central monitoring device 4 has a database in which location information that identifies the locations where each of the first group G1, second group G2, and third group G3 is installed, and address information for each of the multiple repeaters 3 are registered in correspondence with each other.

[0033] When aggregated information and an activation signal are input to the central monitoring device 4, the central monitoring device 4 uses its database to identify the installation location name corresponding to the aggregated information, and stores the identified installation location name and the information indicated by the activation signal in the central monitoring device 4's database.

[0034] The information indicated by the activation signal is, for example, information indicating that a fire has been detected if the activation signal is an alarm signal, and information indicating that a fire has occurred if the activation signal is a fire signal.

[0035] When address information and an operation signal are output from at least one of the multiple terminal devices 1 included in the first group G1, the database of the central monitoring device 4 stores the address information of "7AD", the installation location information corresponding to the address information of "7AD", and the information indicated by the operation signal in correspondence with each other.

[0036] When address information and an operation signal are output from at least one of the multiple terminal devices 1 included in the second group G2, the database of the central monitoring device 4 stores the address information of "8AD", the installation location information corresponding to the address information of "8AD", and the information indicated by the operation signal in correspondence with each other.

[0037] When address information and an operation signal are output from at least one of the multiple terminal devices 1 included in the third group G3, the database of the central monitoring device 4 stores the address information of "9AD", the installation location information corresponding to the address information of "9AD", and the information indicated by the operation signal in correspondence with each other.

[0038] Next, the operation of the fire alarm system according to Embodiment 1 of this disclosure will be described. Figure 1 shows the operation of the fire alarm system when terminal device 1 with address information "3AD" detects a fire, and then terminal device 1 with address information "4AD" detects a fire.

[0039] As shown in Figure 1(1), if terminal device 1, one of the two terminal devices 1 included in the second group G2, has the address information "3AD", then, as shown in Figure 1(2), the address information "3AD" and the activation signal are input to the fire alarm receiver 2.

[0040] Subsequently, as shown in Figure 1(3), the fire alarm receiver 2 outputs an interlocking signal to the second repeater 32, which corresponds to the second group G2 containing the terminal device 1 that detected the fire.

[0041] Upon receiving the interlocking signal, the second repeater 32 outputs the address information "8AD" as shown in (4) of Figure 1, and the outputted "8AD" address information is input to the second repeater 32 as shown in (5) of Figure 1.

[0042] Subsequently, as shown in Figure 1 (6), the second repeater 32 outputs the input "8AD" address information as aggregated information, and the aggregated "8AD" information output from the second repeater 32 is input to the fire alarm receiver 2.

[0043] Subsequently, as shown in (7) of Figure 1, the address information of "8AD" input to the fire alarm receiver 2 is output from the fire alarm receiver 2 along with the activation signal and input to the central monitoring device 4. The address information of "8AD" and the activation signal input to the central monitoring device 4 are stored in the central monitoring device 4's database in correspondence with each other. That is, in the central monitoring device 4's database, the installation location name corresponding to the address information of "8AD" is identified, and the address information of "8AD", the identified installation location name, and the information indicated by the activation signal are stored in correspondence with each other. In Figure 1, "2F" is shown as the installation location name, and "Fire" is shown as the information indicated by the activation signal.

[0044] Subsequently, as shown in Figure 1 (8), when terminal device 1, whose address information is "4AD", detects a fire, the address information "4AD" and the activation signal are input to the fire alarm receiver 2, as shown in Figure 1 (9).

[0045] In this case, since an interlocking signal has already been output from the fire alarm receiver 2 to the second repeater 32, the interlocking signal is not output again from the fire alarm receiver 2 to the second repeater 32. Thus, the operation of the fire alarm system according to Embodiment 1 of this disclosure is terminated.

[0046] Next, the operation of the comparative example fire alarm system will be described. Figure 2 is a configuration diagram showing the comparative example fire alarm system. The comparative example fire alarm system does not have a repeater 3, and the database of the central monitoring device 4 stores the installation location name of each terminal device 1 and the address information of each terminal device 1 in correspondence with each other.

[0047] Figure 2 shows the operation of the fire alarm system when terminal device 1 with address information "3AD" detects a fire, and then terminal device 1 with address information "4AD" detects a fire, similar to Figure 1.

[0048] As shown in Figure 2(1), when terminal device 1, one of the two terminal devices 1 included in the second group G2, has address information "3AD", detects a fire, the address information "3AD" and the activation signal are input to the fire alarm receiver 2, as shown in Figure 2(2).

[0049] Subsequently, as shown in (3) of Figure 2, the address information of "3AD" is output from the fire alarm receiver 2 along with the activation signal and input to the central monitoring device 4. The address information of "3AD" and the activation signal input to the central monitoring device 4 are stored in the central monitoring device 4's database in correspondence with each other. That is, in the central monitoring device 4's database, the address information of "3AD", the installation location name identified by the address information of "3AD", and the information indicated by the activation signal are stored in correspondence with each other. In Figure 2, "2F" is shown as the installation location name, and "fire" is shown as the information indicated by the activation signal.

[0050] Subsequently, as shown in Figure 2(4), when terminal device 1, whose address information is "4AD", detects a fire, the address information "4AD" and the activation signal are input to the fire alarm receiver 2, as shown in Figure 2(5).

[0051] Subsequently, as shown in (6) of Figure 2, the address information of "4AD" is output from the fire alarm receiver 2 along with the activation signal and input to the central monitoring device 4. The address information of "4AD" and the activation signal input to the central monitoring device 4 are stored in the central monitoring device 4's database in correspondence with each other. That is, in the central monitoring device 4's database, the address information of "4AD", the installation location name identified by the address information of "4AD", and the information indicated by the activation signal are stored in correspondence with each other. At this time, "2F" is already indicated as the installation location name and "fire" is indicated as the information indicated by the activation signal, so there is no change in the central monitoring device 4's database. With this, the operation of the comparative example fire alarm system is completed.

[0052] Next, the procedure for adding terminal equipment 1 to the fire alarm system according to Embodiment 1 of this disclosure will be described. For example, when adding one terminal equipment 1 to each group, first, one terminal equipment 1 is newly installed at each installation location corresponding to each group.

[0053] Subsequently, each of the newly added terminal devices 1 and the fire alarm receiver 2 are connected to each other via signal lines. At this time, address information is also set for each of the newly added terminal devices 1.

[0054] Subsequently, the fire alarm receiver 2 registers the installation location information for each newly added terminal device 1 and sets which group each added terminal device belongs to. This completes the procedure for adding a new terminal device 1.

[0055] In the comparative example fire alarm system, when a new terminal device 1 is added, the central monitoring device 4's database must also be updated by linking the address information and installation location information of the newly added terminal device 1. On the other hand, in the fire alarm system according to Embodiment 1 of this disclosure, there is no need to update the database of the central monitoring device 4.

[0056] As described above, the fire alarm system according to Embodiment 1 of this disclosure includes a fire alarm receiver 2 that receives address information corresponding to each of the multiple terminal devices 1 based on the operation of each of the multiple terminal devices 1. Each of the multiple terminal devices 1 belongs to one of the multiple groups, and when the fire alarm receiver 2 receives address information for one terminal device 1 that belongs to one of the multiple groups, it outputs aggregated information corresponding to one group. With this configuration, when a new terminal device 1 is added, there is no need to update the database of the central monitoring device 4. This reduces the amount of work required when a new terminal device 1 is added.

[0057] Furthermore, the fire alarm system according to Embodiment 1 of this disclosure further includes a repeater 3 provided in correspondence to one of a plurality of groups. The repeater 3 outputs aggregated information to the fire alarm receiver 2 when it receives an interlocking signal from the fire alarm receiver 2. When the fire alarm receiver 2 receives address information of one terminal device 1, it inputs an interlocking signal to the repeater 3, receives the aggregated information output from the repeater 3, and outputs the input aggregated information. With this configuration, the fire alarm receiver 2 can output aggregated information with a simple configuration.

[0058] Furthermore, in the fire alarm system according to Embodiment 1 of this disclosure, the address information of the repeater 3 is output from the repeater 3 as aggregated information and input to the fire alarm receiver 2. With this configuration, the repeater 3 can input aggregated information to the fire alarm receiver 2 with a simple configuration.

[0059] Embodiment 2. Figure 3 is a block diagram showing a fire alarm system according to Embodiment 2 of the present disclosure. The fire alarm system according to Embodiment 2 of the present disclosure differs from the fire alarm system according to Embodiment 1 of the present disclosure in that it does not have a repeater 3 and the fire receiver 2 has an information conversion unit 22.

[0060] The information conversion unit 22 converts the address information of one terminal device 1 included in the same group into aggregated information and outputs it. Specifically, when the address information of one terminal device 1 included in the first group G1 is input to the information conversion unit 22, the information conversion unit 22 converts the input address information into aggregated information corresponding to the first group G1 and outputs it. Specifically, when the address information of "1AD" or "2AD" is input to the information conversion unit 22, the information conversion unit 22 converts the input address information of "1AD" or "2AD" into aggregated information of "7AD" and outputs it.

[0061] When address information of one terminal device 1 included in the second group G2 is input to the information conversion unit 22, the information conversion unit 22 converts the input address information into aggregated information corresponding to the second group G2 and outputs it. Specifically, when address information of "3AD" or "4AD" is input to the information conversion unit 22, the information conversion unit 22 converts the input address information of "3AD" or "4AD" into aggregated information of "8AD" and outputs it.

[0062] When address information of one terminal device 1 included in the third group G3 is input to the information conversion unit 22, the information conversion unit 22 converts the input address information into aggregated information corresponding to the third group G3 and outputs it. Specifically, when address information of "5AD" or "6AD" is input to the information conversion unit 22, the information conversion unit 22 converts the input address information of "5AD" or "6AD" into aggregated information of "9AD" and outputs it.

[0063] Other configurations in the fire alarm system according to Embodiment 2 of this disclosure are the same as those in the fire alarm system according to Embodiment 1 of this disclosure.

[0064] Next, the operation of the fire alarm system according to Embodiment 2 of this disclosure will be described. Figure 3 shows the operation of the fire alarm system when terminal device 1 with address information "3AD" detects a fire, and then terminal device 1 with address information "4AD" detects a fire.

[0065] As shown in Figure 3(1), when terminal device 1, one of the two terminal devices 1 included in the second group G2, has address information "3AD", detects a fire, the address information "3AD" and the activation signal are input to the fire alarm receiver 2, as shown in Figure 3(2).

[0066] Subsequently, as shown in (3) of Figure 3, the information conversion unit 22 converts the address information of "3AD" input to the fire alarm receiver 2 into aggregated information of "8AD" corresponding to the second group G2.

[0067] Subsequently, the aggregated "8AD" information, along with the activation signal, is output from the fire alarm receiver 2 and input to the central monitoring device 4. The aggregated "8AD" information and activation signal input to the central monitoring device 4 are stored in the central monitoring device 4's database in correspondence with each other. That is, in the central monitoring device 4's database, the installation location name corresponding to the "8AD" address information is identified, and the "8AD" address information, the identified installation location name, and the information indicated by the activation signal are stored in correspondence with each other. In Figure 3, "2F" is shown as the installation location name, and "Fire" is shown as the information indicated by the activation signal.

[0068] Subsequently, as shown in Figure 3 (4), when terminal device 1, whose address information is "4AD", detects a fire, the address information "4AD" and the activation signal are input to the fire alarm receiver 2, as shown in Figure 3 (5).

[0069] In this case, since the aggregated information for "8AD" corresponding to the second group G2 has already been output from the fire alarm receiver 2, the aggregated information for "8AD" is not output again from the fire alarm receiver 2 to the central monitoring device 4. With this, the operation of the fire alarm system according to Embodiment 1 is completed.

[0070] As described above, in the fire alarm system according to Embodiment 2 of this disclosure, the fire alarm receiver 2 has an information conversion unit 22 that converts the address information of one terminal device 1 into aggregated information. With this configuration, the fire alarm receiver 2 can output aggregated information with a simple configuration.

[0071] In the fire alarm systems according to each embodiment, the fire alarm receiver 2 has been described as having a configuration in which, when address information of one terminal device 1 included in one of multiple groups is input, it outputs aggregated information corresponding to one group. However, the system is not limited to this configuration. The fire alarm receiver 2 may also have a configuration in which, when address information of one terminal device 1 is input, it outputs both the address information and aggregated information of one terminal device 1. With this configuration, the central monitoring device 4 can store in the database the address information or aggregated information and information indicating the status of the terminal device 1 in correspondence with each other, whether the database has been updated or not.

[0072] Although a fire alarm system according to preferred embodiments has been described above, the fire alarm system is not limited to the embodiments described above. Various modifications and transformations can be made to the fire alarm system according to the embodiments described above without departing from the scope of the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0073] 1 Terminal equipment, 2 Fire alarm receiver, 3 Repeater, 4 Central monitoring device, 21 Interlocking control unit, 22 Information conversion unit, 31 First repeater, 32 Second repeater, 33 Third repeater, G1 First group, G2 Second group, G3 Third group.

Claims

1. A fire alarm receiver is provided, which receives address information corresponding to each of the multiple terminal devices based on the operation of each of the multiple terminal devices, Each of the aforementioned terminal devices belongs to one of the groups, The fire alarm receiver is a fire alarm system that outputs aggregated information corresponding to one group when the address information of one terminal device belonging to one of the multiple groups is input.

2. The system further includes a relay provided in correspondence to one of the aforementioned groups, which outputs the aggregated information to the fire alarm receiver upon receiving an interlocking signal from the fire alarm receiver, The fire alarm system according to claim 1, wherein the fire alarm receiver inputs the interlocking signal to the repeater when the address information of one terminal device is input, the aggregated information output from the repeater is input, and the input aggregated information is output.

3. The fire alarm system according to claim 2, wherein the address information of the repeater is output from the repeater as aggregated information and input to the fire alarm receiver.

4. The fire alarm system according to claim 1, wherein the fire alarm receiver has an information conversion unit that converts the address information of one terminal device into aggregated information.

5. The fire alarm system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the fire alarm receiver outputs the address information of the terminal device and the aggregated information of the terminal device when the address information of the terminal device is input.

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