Fire Alarm Control Panel NFS-3030/E

1 fire Alarm Control Panel NFS-3030/E . Operations Manual Document 51344. 11/4/03. PN 51344:C. Rev: C. ECN 03-419. Technical Manuals Online! - fire Alarm System Limitations While a fire Alarm system may lower insurance rates, it is not a substitute for fire insurance! An automatic fire Alarm system typically made up of Heat detectors do not sense particles of combustion and smoke detectors, heat detectors, manual pull stations, audible Alarm only when heat on their sensors increases at a predeter- warning devices, and a fire Alarm Control Panel with remote mined rate or reaches a predetermined level.

2 Rate-of-rise notification capability can provide early warning of a develop- heat detectors may be subject to reduced sensitivity over time. ing fire . Such a system, however, does not assure protection For this reason, the rate-of-rise feature of each detector against property damage or loss of life resulting from a fire . should be tested at least once per year by a qualified fire pro- The Manufacturer recommends that smoke and/or heat detec- tection specialist. Heat detectors are designed to protect tors be located throughout a protected premise following the property, not life.

3 Recommendations of the current edition of the National fire IMPORTANT! smoke detectors must be installed in the Protection Association Standard 72-1999 (NFPA 72-1999), same room as the Control Panel and in rooms used by the sys- manufacturer's recommendations, State and local codes, and tem for the connection of Alarm transmission wiring, communi- the recommendations contained in the Guide for Proper Use of cations, signaling, and/or power. If detectors are not so System smoke Detectors, which is made available at no located, a developing fire may damage the Alarm system, crip- charge to all installing dealers.

4 A study by the Federal Emer- pling its ability to report a fire . gency Management Agency (an agency of the United States Audible warning devices such as bells may not alert people government) indicated that smoke detectors may not go off in if these devices are located on the other side of closed or as many as 35% of all fires. While fire Alarm systems are partly open doors or are located on another floor of a building. designed to provide early warning against fire , they do not Any warning device may fail to alert people with a disability or guarantee warning or protection against fire .

5 A fire Alarm sys- those who have recently consumed drugs, alcohol or medica- tem may not provide timely or adequate warning, or simply tion. Please note that: may not function, for a variety of reasons: Strobes can, under certain circumstances, cause seizures smoke detectors may not sense fire where smoke cannot in people with conditions such as epilepsy. reach the detectors such as in chimneys, in or behind walls, on roofs, or on the other side of closed doors. smoke detectors Studies have shown that certain people, even when they also may not sense a fire on another level or floor of a building.

6 Hear a fire Alarm signal, do not respond or comprehend the A second-floor detector, for example, may not sense a first- meaning of the signal. It is the property owner's responsi- floor or basement fire . bility to conduct fire drills and other training exercise to make people aware of fire Alarm signals and instruct them Particles of combustion or smoke from a developing fire on the proper reaction to Alarm signals. may not reach the sensing chambers of smoke detectors because: In rare instances, the sounding of a warning device can cause temporary or permanent hearing loss.

7 Barriers such as closed or partially closed doors, walls, or chimneys may inhibit particle or smoke flow. A fire Alarm system will not operate without any electrical power. If AC power fails, the system will operate from standby smoke particles may become cold, stratify, and not reach batteries only for a specified time and only if the batteries have the ceiling or upper walls where detectors are located. been properly maintained and replaced regularly. smoke particles may be blown away from detectors by air Equipment used in the system may not be technically com- outlets.

8 Patible with the Control Panel . It is essential to use only equip- smoke particles may be drawn into air returns before ment listed for service with your Control Panel . reaching the detector. Telephone lines needed to transmit Alarm signals from a The amount of smoke present may be insufficient to Alarm premise to a central monitoring station may be out of service smoke detectors. smoke detectors are designed to Alarm at or temporarily disabled. For added protection against tele- various levels of smoke density. If such density levels are not phone line failure, backup radio transmission systems are rec- created by a developing fire at the location of detectors, the ommended.

9 Detectors will not go into Alarm . The most common cause of fire Alarm malfunction is inade- smoke detectors, even when working properly, have sensing quate maintenance. To keep the entire fire Alarm system in limitations. Detectors that have photoelectronic sensing excellent working order, ongoing maintenance is required per chambers tend to detect smoldering fires better than flaming the manufacturer's recommendations, and UL and NFPA stan- fires, which have little visible smoke . Detectors that have ion- dards. At a minimum, the requirements of Chapter 7 of NFPA.

10 Izing-type sensing chambers tend to detect fast-flaming fires 72-1999 shall be followed. Environments with large amounts better than smoldering fires. Because fires develop in different of dust, dirt or high air velocity require more frequent mainte- ways and are often unpredictable in their growth, neither type nance. A maintenance agreement should be arranged of detector is necessarily best and a given type of detector through the local manufacturer's representative. Maintenance may not provide adequate warning of a fire . should be scheduled monthly or as required by National and/.