The ABCs of Fire Alarm Systems - Part XIII

Compatibility
By Anthony J. Shalna 2009 Principal IMSA Representative to the Automatic Fire Alarm Association
President: Southeastern Signalmen of Massachusetts

Retired Approvals Manager: Gamewell-FCI by Honeywell

Establishment of compatibility is a
necessity in fire alarm systems. A
simple comparison of voltage and
current draws is insufficient in determining if a piece of equipment
is suitable for use with various fire
alarm systems. With the advent of
microprocessor based equipment
and digital communications, signaling protocol becomes a major factor.
For example, a monitor module
made by a manufacturer will be
programmed for use with certain
protocol. Substituting a physically
identical module with different
protocol will not necessarily operate properly within the fire alarm
system. Different fire alarm manufacturers operate with different
protocol. Therefore substituting a
physically similar module may appear to be workable in a quiescent
condition, but there is a substantial
chance that the module may not
supervise itself or properly signal
an alarm condition.
Compatibility Requirements
This area is often misunderstood
and can present a serious problem.
Establishment of compatibility is
required for 2-wire smoke sensors/
detectors, electronic initiating devices/sensors, addressable monitor
and control modules, notification
appliances, and releasing solenoids.
4-wire smoke detectors are in the
process of being included since
some panel power supplies have
been found to supply voltages outside the operating limits of these
detectors.
Each panel manufacturer issues an
NRTL listed/approved compatibility document that lists the devices
that are compatible with his corresponding control panel. The panel
Installation/Operating Manual
could also contain this informaPage 34

IMSA Jul Aug 11.indd 34

culations are also involved in determining the capacity of the initiating

circuit as to the quantity of detectors
that may be installed on it. The compatibility documents/manuals also
If the device in question is not listed state this information.
in these documents, it is NOT COMA major pitfall of retrofitting is
PATIBLE.
mixing of different quantities of
If the installer intends to re-use ex- different models or brands of 2-wire
isting 2-wire smoke detectors, the detectors in the same circuit. Unless
existing detectors must be listed in this combination is listed in an NRTL
document, any mixing of models/
the compatibility document.
brands would violate the listing. No
one can predict what combination of
models/brands/quantities would
work properly. Only a qualified test
laboratory could verify that.
tion. A smoke sensor manufacturer
may also publish a compatibility
document that is NRTL listed/approved.

Compatibility
Requirements

This area is often

misunderstood
and can present a
serious problem.

Compatibility for 2-wire conventional smoke detectors is not simply

a matter of comparing current ratings of the detectors and initiating
circuits. Unlike a contact device
that places a short circuit across the
initiating device circuit, the 2-wire
detector, when it goes into alarm,
presents an impedance across the
circuit that is low enough to place
the circuit into alarm, but not too
low to prevent enough current to
hold the detector in alarm, keep
the indicating LED lit, etc. This depends on the area of intersection of
response curves of both the detector
and initiating circuit. All these cal-

Another area affecting compatibility

is smoke level compensation. New
generation of microprocessor-based
detectors have the ability to adjust
their own sensitivity to compensate
for dirt build-up in the detector or
gradual changes in the ambient
environment. Re-installation of
compensated detectors could result
in unwanted alarms and subsequent
frustration by the building owner.
Sometimes a smoke detector manufacturer will purchase control panels
on the open market, test his detectors
with these panels, have the results
verified by an NRTL, and publish
the information in his own document. If you choose to use devices
listed in a document published by a
smoke sensor manufacturer rather
than by the panel manufacturer, be
aware of a possible problem. The
panel manufacturer will assume no
responsibility if the devices are not
listed in his own document, since
the detectors, by others werent
furnished by him, or havent been
tested by him. The reasoning here
is the panel manufacturer has nothContinued on page 36
IMSA Journal

5/19/11 1:41:25 PM

Continued from page 34

The ABCs of Fire Alarm Systems Part XIII . . . Continued
from page 34
ing to gain and everything to lose by allowing installation of a product not sold by him. Also, since the
panels tested were purchased on the open market by
the detector manufacturer, there is a possibility that
the individual tested panel may have been damaged,
improperly stored, or is from a production run that
exhibited quality assurance problems, etc. This could
eventually result in litigation that would only be settled
in the courts.
No requirements have yet been established regarding
the useful life of smoke sensors, but the National Fire
Alarm and Signaling Code, NFPA 72, calls for reacceptance testing when equipment is replaced, etc. Components age with time, filter screens may become clogged
or partially clogged, materials
become brittle with age, etc. Plan
on replacing any smoke sensors
that fail the reacceptance test.
Also, remember the big question:
How many computers or cell
phones do you use that are as old
as these detectors?
Notification Appliances
These devices sound straightforward and far less complicated than
sensor installations, but the latest
panels, depending on line voltage
extremes and tolerance build-up,
may present operating voltages
that range outside those of the
notification appliances.

IMSA Jul Aug 11.indd 36

Until recently, some jurisdictions have required that,

after an alarm and before system reset, that the audible
signals be silenced, but the strobes must continue to
flash. Its now being presented to them that, to a hearing impaired person, a flashing strobe is an evacuation
signal. Therefore, this regulation is in conflict with the
codes.
Manual Pull Stations
Pull stations in microprocessor-based systems likewise
are involved in the signaling protocol requirement.

In Short . . .

Compatibility could
become a real
problem, especially
in retrofits.

The ADA requires synchronization of flashes for strobe

lights under most conditions, always wherever more
than one strobe is observable at the same time. This is
due to the fact that certain rapid flash rates have been
known to cause epileptic seizures in persons prone to
this affliction. Older installations may have to be reengineered with this requirement in mind.

Page 36

Current ADA requirements may also affect mounting

heights of appliances, so existing appliances may have
to be relocated.

In addition, with existing conventional pull stations, even

though protocol is not an issue,
older stations may not conform
to Americans with Disabilities Act
(ADA) requirements in regard to
the maximum force required to
operate the station, and mounting heights. Previously it was felt
that a higher mounting height
would discourage malicious
alarms by putting them out of
reach of smaller children, but
ADA requirements require location of stations at a lower height
that could be easier to reach by
an individual in a wheel chair.

In short, compatibility could become a real problem,

especially in retrofits. This adds more importance to
having certified personnel performing the planning
and supervision of the installation.

IMSA Journal

5/19/11 1:41:27 PM