Fire Alarm Inspector Mobile Device Test Mode Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current fire alarm system walkthrough tests require two inspectors and are inefficient due to the time and cost of setting up zones, and a single inspector may not be able to monitor the entire zone effectively.
Innovation Solution
A fire alarm system that allows a single inspector to use a mobile computing device to monitor and control the control panel, with inspector-activated mechanisms on alarm initiating devices that can be placed into test mode, preventing false alarms and enabling efficient zone testing by disabling devices in a sequence.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If two inspectors are used to perform walkthrough tests, then the reliability of fire alarm system testing is improved, but the cost and time requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
A mobile computing device serves as an intermediary between the inspector and the control panel, enabling a single inspector to perform functions that previously required two inspectors. The device receives communications from the control panel and displays test results, allowing the inspector to monitor multiple zones simultaneously without needing a second inspector at the control panel.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical system of having two human inspectors with an automated electronic system. The control panel automatically manages test sequences, disables devices in sequence, and communicates results to the mobile computing device, eliminating the need for manual coordination between two inspectors.
2Ease of operation
If zones are set up for fire alarm systems, then the ease of operation during testing is improved, but the installation cost and time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically creates virtual zones during operation rather than requiring physical zone configuration during installation. The control panel can dynamically disable and enable devices in sequence based on the test progression, allowing flexible zone management without permanent physical configuration changes.
3Object-generated harmful factors
If devices are disabled in sequence during testing, then false alarms are prevented, but the complexity of the testing procedure increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control panel performs preliminary actions by automatically disabling devices in sequence before the inspector physically tests them. This preliminary disabling prevents false alarms from devices that will be tested later in the sequence, while the automated nature of this process masks the complexity from the user.
Solution Approach 2:
The system provides feedback to the inspector through the mobile computing device, showing which devices are currently disabled and which are active. This feedback mechanism guides the inspector through the testing sequence, reducing perceived complexity while maintaining the sophisticated device management logic.
Data Source
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AI summary
According to systems and methods for testing alarm initiating devices of a fire alarm system, a control panel of the fire alarm system is placed into test mode. Then, during a walkthrough test, an inspector activates an inspector-activated mechanism of a device. This sends a test mode signal to the control panel, which places the device into a test mode. The inspector or inspector then manually activates the device. The control panel initiates a fire alarm condition in response to a received device signals while the control panel not initiating a fire alarm condition when the device signals are indicative of a fire if the device signals were from alarm initiating devices in the test mode. Alternatively, the control panel places a group of alarm initiating devices into test mode on a rolling basis. As the inspector tests the devices, additional devices are added to the group.