The Fire Signalling Interface can detect short and open circuit conditions on cabling between the Fire Panel and the FSI-01.
Innovative electronic security and fire products manufacturer, Elmdene International Limited - a subsidiary of Potter Electric Signal, LLC - used IFSEC 2011 to showcase its advanced Fire Signalling Interface FSI-01. This has been created as an effective, fully-monitored, way of maintaining the integrity of a Fire System Control Panel when it has been set-up to share a Subscriber Terminal Unit (STU) for signalling with an Intruder Alarm System - an increasingly common configuration with the FSI-01 able to deliver critical fault reports, simultaneously, to both the Fire and Intruder systems.
According to Elmdene, the design of the FSI-01 addresses, head-on, a critical capability gap in the marketplace. Without a solution like the Fire Signalling Interface in place, Elmdene contends that if there is a problem with a communications device such as a line or power fault – in the context of an Intruder Alarm System's STU - the Fire System Control Panel, typically, has no way of being notified so compromising the signalling of the alarm to the ARC (Alarm Receiving Centre).
When deployed, Elmdene’s sophisticated Fire Signalling Interface (FSI-01), which comes in two sections to provide physical segregation between Fire and Intruder system elements, offers an effective solution to this signalling issue by continually monitoring the full integrity of the communications device whether it be a line fault, mains failure or a battery fault. In addition, the Fire Signalling Interface can detect short and open circuit conditions on cabling between the Fire Panel and the FSI-01. This means that the FSI-01 is able to alert the Fire System Control Panel immediately there is an issue and, crucially, ensures that the ARC (Alarm Receiving Centre) is not in the dark should a problem arise, allowing appropriate remedial action to be taken.
"The FSI-01, which has been developed by our in-house technical engineers, brings to market a powerful solution to a real on-the-ground issue for Fire System Control Panels" |
Said Ian Moore, Managing Director, Elmdene International Limited: "The FSI-01, which has been developed by our in-house technical engineers, brings to market a powerful solution to a real on-the-ground issue for Fire System Control Panels when they are deployed in conjunction with Intruder Alarm infrastructure.”
“The interruption of alarm signalling, without the ARC being aware that it has happened, is undoubtedly a major headache, in such a safety critical area, where it is imperative to be able to provide a consistent early warning of fire. Thankfully, with the FSI-01 in place all important fire signalling integrity can now be monitored and maintained around the clock."
Other user-friendly features built-in to the FSI-01 include a ‘shunt’ key switch facility. This enables Fire System maintenance/testing to be carried out 'locally' without signalling back to the ARC, as signified by a front panel LED, plus the ability to drive a remote indicator if required. There is also the potential for the FSI-01 to be close-coupled to an Elmdene power supply and housing provided for the STU.