Test-Mode Automation for Fire Security System Monitoring
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current fire and security system testing requires manual operator acknowledgement of numerous events during live system testing, leading to a high operator burden and the need for extensive documentation to prove compliance with jurisdictional requirements.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that allows points in a fire or security system to be placed into a 'test-mode' without requiring operator acknowledgement of events, generating a historical record of test events and automatically updating active points lists, thus reducing operator burden and facilitating compliance documentation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual operator acknowledgement is required for each event during live system testing, then complete testing documentation is achieved, but operator burden and time consumption increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically acknowledges test events and generates compliance documentation without requiring operator intervention. The workstation node autonomously processes test mode events, logs results, and creates jurisdictional compliance records, eliminating the need for operators to manually acknowledge each event while maintaining complete testing documentation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system pre-configures test mode parameters and automatically prepares documentation templates before testing begins. By establishing the automated acknowledgment and logging framework in advance, the system ensures that all test events are captured and documented without requiring subsequent manual processing during the actual testing procedure.
2Measurement precision
If manual operator acknowledgement is required for each event during testing, then event accuracy is confirmed, but operator attention and workload increase substantially
Solution Approach 1:
The automated system performs event acknowledgment with consistent accuracy without requiring operator attention. The workstation node automatically validates and logs test mode events, eliminating variability in human acknowledgment while reducing operator workload to simply initiating and monitoring the automated process.
3Reliability
If live system testing is performed with manual acknowledgement requirements, then system operational status is maintained, but numerous alerts create nuisance activity at the workstation
Solution Approach 1:
The system extracts the acknowledgment function from the main event processing flow by implementing a separate test mode pathway. Events generated during test mode are routed through an automated acknowledgment channel that bypasses the standard alert and manual confirmation process, eliminating nuisance alerts while maintaining system operational status.
Solution Approach 2:
The test mode designation acts as an intermediary layer between event generation and operator notification. By introducing this intermediate state, the system allows test events to be automatically processed and logged without triggering the full alert sequence that would require manual operator acknowledgment, thus reducing nuisance activity.
Data Source
AI summary
An improved system and method are disclosed for providing test functionality for fire and security system monitoring networks. An operator at a workstation node can place points into a “test-mode” while those points remain “live” (i.e., the system remains operational). For points placed in test-mode, if/when such points transition into a non-normal state (e.g., an alarm state), no flashing or other indication requiring a manual acknowledgement from the operator of the workstation node will occur. In addition, for systems employing banners, active lists, automatic printouts or graphics icons that indicate events, no such indications will occur at the workstation node. The disclosed system and method can also generate documentation verifying completion of system testing in accordance with local jurisdictional requirements. Other embodiments are described and claimed.