Mass Notification Plate Integrating Fire Strobe Signals
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fire detection systems lack integration with mass notification capabilities, requiring separate installations and different power requirements, and do not meet standards for using amber strobes for non-fire emergencies, posing challenges in retrofitting and interfacing with other systems.
Innovation Solution
A mass notification plate is integrated with existing fire system strobe/horn plates, using a two-wire fire system powerline to deliver strobe control signals, allowing for remote selection of strobe color and function, enabling both fire and mass notification signaling with a single circuit, and incorporating a switch to designate strobe type.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If separate fire system and mass notification system installations are used, then each system can meet its specific requirements, but device complexity and installation cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines fire alarm strobe and mass notification strobe functionalities into a single integrated device that can be controlled by a unified control circuit. The device includes both fire alarm indication capability and mass notification capability, eliminating the need for separate installations while meeting both NFPA 72 fire system requirements and NFPA 72 mass notification requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated strobe device serves multiple functions: it can operate as a fire alarm strobe with clear indication for fire emergencies, and as a mass notification strobe with amber indication for non-fire emergencies. The single device adapts to different emergency types through programmable control, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining reliability for both application areas.
2Ease of manufacture
If existing fire system wiring is used for mass notification, then installation cost is reduced, but adaptability to different emergency types is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a programmable control circuit that can dynamically configure the strobe behavior based on the type of emergency. The system can be programmed to respond differently to fire alarms versus mass notification signals, allowing the same physical wiring infrastructure to support multiple emergency response modes. This dynamic programmability enables the system to adapt to different emergency types without requiring separate wiring installations.
3Reliability
If different power requirements for fire and mass notification systems are met separately, then each system operates reliably, but device complexity and wiring requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the power supply circuits for both fire alarm and mass notification functions into a single integrated power circuit. The control circuit is configured to draw power from this unified source and distribute it appropriately to the strobe based on the active emergency type. This merging eliminates the need for separate power installations while maintaining reliable power delivery for both system functions.
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus configured to integrate with existing fire system strobe/horn plates. The apparatus may be a mass notification plate. Also disclosed are embodiments of a strobe housing configured to mix and/or reflect light emitted from one or more light emitters, such as high intensity LEDs, through a lens. The lens may be configured to produce a mass notification pattern. Further disclosed are embodiments of systems and methods that may be configured to deliver strobe control signals and/or strobe color control signals over a two-wire fire system powerline.