This presentation discusses fire detection and alarm systems. It covers various types of fire detection devices including smoke detectors, heat detectors, flame detectors and manual pull stations. It also describes the components of a fire alarm system including control panels, initiating devices and notification appliances. The presentation discusses different types of fire alarm systems like conventional, addressable and zoned systems. It covers standards for fire alarm systems and additional functions that fire alarm systems can perform like controlling HVAC, fire doors etc.

1. Presentation on
Fire Detection & Alarm Systems
AR. AFAQ AHMED
AR. SHADAB SAIFI

2. Fire Detection and Alarm System is electronic equipment which detects fire and
raises alarm as warning of fire.
A fire alarm system is number of devices working together to detect and warn people
through visual and audio appliances when smoke, fire, carbon monoxide or other
emergencies are present.
INTRODUCTION
FIRE PROTECTION
ACTIVE FIRE DETECTION
LIFESAFETY
PASSIVE LIFE SAFETY
is an integral part of the
building layout and
materials of construction
come into play only when
a fire is present and
require activation through
a combination of sensors
or mechanical means.
FIRE DETECTION AND ALARM SYSTEMS

3. Heat
Light
Underlying
principle for
detection
Smoke
Three things produced by fire
forms the basis of detection
It protects by:
•Detecting a fire at an early stage
•To alert occupants, so that they escape the building safely.
•Notifying the relevant personnel
•To initiate automatic fire control and suppression system.
•Identifying and guiding fire fighters
FIRE DETECTION AND ALARM SYSTEMS

4. VARIOUS STANDARDS FOR FIRE DETECTION AND ALARM SYSTEMS
NBC:2016 : Fire and life safety – Part 4
IS:2189 : Indian Standard for Selection, installation and Maintenance of Automatic
Fire Detection And Alarm System – Code of Practice
NFPA :72 : National Fire Alarm Code, USA
BS: 5839-1 : Fire detection and alarm systems for buildings —Part 1
FIRE DETECTION AND ALARM SYSTEMS

5. FIRE DETECTION AND ALARM SYSTEMS
1. CONTROL PANEL
2. INITIATION DEVICE
3. ALARM NOTIFICATION DEVICE
FIRE ALARM SYSTEM COMPONENTS
CASE 1
CASE 2
INITIATION DEVICE
CONTROL PANEL
NOTIFICATION DEVICE

6. a. Control panel serves as the “brain” of the system.
b. Manages and monitors the proper operation of the system
c. It can indicate the source of an alarm so that responding fire personnel will know what
activated the alarm and where the initial activation occurred.
d. Also manages the primary power supply and provides a backup power supply for the system.
e. It may perform additional functions, such as notifying the fire department when the alarm
system is activated, and may interface with other systems and facilities.
f. Control panels vary greatly, depending on the age of the system and the manufacturer.
g. Fire alarm control panels are used to silence the alarm and reset the system.
h. Many buildings have an additional display panel, called a remote annunciator, in a separate
location.
i. The fire alarm control panel should also monitor the condition of the entire alarm system to
detect any faults.
j. A fire alarm system is usually powered by a 110-volt line, even though the system’s
appliances may use a lower voltage.
k. In some systems, a battery in the fire alarm control panel will automatically activate when the
external power is interrupted.
l. The control panel in a large building may be programmed to perform several additional
functions.
1. CONTROL PANEL
FIRE DETECTION AND ALARM SYSTEMS

7. FIRE ALARM CONTROL UNITS (NFPA 3.3.99)
•The fire alarm control unit (FACU), formerly called the fire
alarm control panel (FACP), contains the electronics that
supervise and monitor the integrity of the wiring and
components of the fire alarm system.
•The FACU --- the brain for the alarm system.
• It receives signals from alarm-initiating devices--- processes
the signals,& produces output signals that activate audible and
visual appliances.
•The FACU also transmits signals to an off-site monitoring
station .
•Power and fire alarm circuits are connected directly into this
panel.
FACU can also perform other functions, such as:
•Providing two-way firefighter communication
•Controlling elevators, HVAC, fire doors, dampers, locks, or
other fire pro- tection features
•The FACU can also provide public address messages and
mass notifications alerts through prerecorded evacuation
messages or independent voice communications.
This schematic shows the different components of a re alarm control unit
(FACU), the central hub of an alarm system.
FIRE DETECTION AND ALARM SYSTEMS

8. PRIMARY POWER SUPPLY
On the power supply circuit
board, one switch should be
permanently labeled as the FACU
(sticker in the photo) to ensure
that anyone doing maintenance
on the circuit board does not
deactivate that switch and
create a safety hazard.
The primary electrical power supply usually comes from
the building’s main power connection to the local utility
provider
The FACU must supervise the primary power supply and
signal an alarm if the power supply is interrupted
SECONDARY POWER SUPPLY
All fire alarm systems must have a secondary power
supply. This requirement is designed so that the system will
be operational even if the main power supply fails.
Secondary power sources can consist of batteries with
chargers, engine-driven generators with a storage battery,
or multiple engine-driven generators, of which one must be
set for automatic starting
A backup battery, like the one
under the circuit board in the
photo, should be available to all
components of a re detection
system if primary power is
unavailable.
An FACU can monitor alarms,
control elevators, and public
address messages.
The system shall be capable of powering the
required load for a duration of not less than 24
hours, as required in NFPA 72.
FIRE DETECTION AND ALARM SYSTEMS

9. 2. INITIATING DEVICES A ceiling-mounted re alarm
speaker and strobe light
combination unit.
A fire detection system consists of manual and
automatic alarm-initiating devices that are
activated by the presence of fire, smoke, flame, or
heat.
 Smoke detectors
 Flame detectors
 Heat detectors
Different types of smoke
detectors.
Smoke and carbon mono-oxide
combination detector
 MANUAL ALARM-INITIATING DEVICES
 Manual pull stations
 AUTOMATIC ALARM-INITIATING DEVICES
FIRE DETECTION AND ALARM SYSTEMS

10. NOTIFICATION APPLIANCES (NFPA 3.3.102)
Audible notification signaling appliances are the most
common types of alarm-signaling systems used for
signaling a fire alarm in a structure.
Once an alarm-initiating device is activated, it sends a signal
to the FACU, which then processes the signal and initiates
actions. The primary action initiated is usually local
notification, which can take the form of: • Bells • Buzzers •
Horns • Speakers • Strobe lights • Other warning
appliances
Notification appliances fall under the following categories :
• Audible — Approved sounding devices, such as horns,
bells, or speakers, that indicate a fire or emergency
condition.
• Visual — Approved lighting devices, such as strobes or
flashing lights, that indicate a fire or emergency condition.
• Textual — Visual text or symbols indicating a fire or
emergency condition.
• Tactile — Indication of a fire or emergency condition
through sense of touch or vibration.
Noti fication devices include bells, horns, strobe lights, and speakers
FIRE DETECTION AND ALARM SYSTEMS

11. ADDITIONAL ALARM SYSTEM FUNCTIONS (NFPA 3.3.278.1) Magnetic door closures
like this one are designed
to remain open during
normal building activity
and release when alarms
are activated
Building codes have special requirements for some types of
occupancies in case of fire. In these cases, the fire detection
and alarm system can be designed to initiate the following
actions:
• Turn off the heating, ventilating, and air-conditioning
(HVAC) system
• Close smoke dampers and/or fire doors .
• Pressurize stairwells and/or operate smoke control
systems for evacuation purposes
• Unlock doors along the path of egress
• Provide elevator recall to the designated floor and
prevent normal operations .
• Operate heat and smoke vents
• Activate special fire suppression systems, such as
preaction and deluge sprinkler systems or a variety of
special-agent fire extinguishing systems
Override of elevators
controls to be only
controlled by firefighters.
FIRE DETECTION AND ALARM SYSTEMS

12. ALARM SIGNALLING SYSTEMS
Several types of systems include the following:
•Protected premises (local)
•Supervising station alarm systems
•Public emergency alarm reporting system
•Emergency communications systems
A local alarm system alerts
occupants of one building
to an incident occurring on
that property.
PROTECTED PREMISES SYSTEMS (LOCAL)
A protected premises system is designed to provide
notification to building occupants only on the immediate
premises .
The protected premises system can be activated by manual
means, such as a pull station, or by automatic devices, such
as smoke detectors. A protected premises system may also
be capable of annunciating a supervisory or trouble
condition to ensure that service interruptions do not go
unnoticed.
FIRE DETECTION AND ALARM SYSTEMS

13. 1. CONVENTIONAL ALARM SYSTEMS
A conventional alarm system is the simplest type of protected premises alarm system. When
an alarm-initiating device, such as a smoke detector, sends a signal to the FACU, all of the
alarm-signaling devices operate simultaneously.
FIRE DETECTION AND ALARM SYSTEMS

14. FIRE DETECTION AND ALARM SYSTEMS
2. ADDRESSABLE ALARM SYSTEMS
Addressable alarm systems display the location of each initiating device on the FACU and an
annunciator panel if provided . This connection enables emergency responders to pinpoint
the specific device that has been activated.

15. 3. ZONED CONVENTIONAL ALARM SYSTEMS
(NFPA 3.3.102)
Fire-alarm system annunciation enables emergency
responders to identify the general location, or zone, of
alarm device activation. In this type of system, an
annunciator panel, FACU, or a printout visibly indicates the
building, floor, fire zone, or other area that coincides with
the location of an operating alarm-initiating device
Zoned systems are
designed to help
emergency responders
quickly identify the
location of a fire
FIRE DETECTION AND ALARM SYSTEMS

16. 1. CENTRAL STATION SYSTEM
A central station system is a listed supervising station that
monitors the status of protected premises alarm systems
and provides inspection, testing, and maintenance through
contracted services .
Multiple properties can be
monitored in a central
station system.
Wire pairs to
other
buildings
I
n
p
u
t
s
Outputs
Telephone
Exchange
Central Office Area
Central Station
Alarm Console
Direct Connection to
Fire Department
Protected
Property
No. 3
Protected
Property
No. 2
Protected
Property
No. 1
Central Station System Components
2. PROPRIETARY SYSTEM
A proprietary system is used to protect large commercial
and industrial buildings, high-rise structures, and groups of
commonly owned facilities, such as a college campus or
industrial complex in single or multiple locations.
Modern proprietary systems can be complex and have a
wide range of capabilities, including:
•Coded-alarm and trouble signal indications
•Remote Receiving System
•The municipal fire department’s alarm communications
center sending an alarm signal to the FACU.
•Building utility controls Elevator controls
•Fire and smoke damper controls
A proprietary alarm system is
used to monitor several
commonly owned facilities,
such as a number of
university buildings, with one
receiving point.
SUPERVISING STATION ALARM SYSTEMS
Fire alarm systems are required by model fire codes to be
monitored at a constantly attended location. For buildings
that are not constantly attended by qualified personnel.
FIRE DETECTION AND ALARM SYSTEMS

17. EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEMS
An emergency communications system is a supplementary
system that may be provided in facilities in conjunction
with detection and alarm signaling systems. The purpose of
emergency communications systems is to provide a reliable
communication system for occupants and firefighters.
One-way voice
communication systems
are commonly used to
provide occupants in a
structure with instructions
during an emergency
1. Voice Notification Systems
A one-way voice notification system warns building
occupants that action is needed and tells them what action
to take. This type is most commonly used in high-rise
buildings, places of assembly, and educational occupancies
2. Two-Way Communication Systems
This system is most helpful to fire suppression personnel
who are operating in a building, particularly in high-rise
structures that interfere with portable radio transmissions.
3. Mass Notification System (MNS) — System that
notifies occupants of a dangerous situation and
provides information and instructions.
The purpose of a mass notification system (MNS) is
to provide emergency communications to a large
number of people on a wide-scale basis . This
communication can be directed to the occupants of
a building or even an entire community.
FIRE DETECTION AND ALARM SYSTEMS

18. FIRE DETECTION AND ALARM SYSTEMS

19. FIRE DETECTION AND ALARM SYSTEMS
 A smoke detector is a device that detects smoke, typically as an indicator of fire.
 Smoke detector consists of two parts:
1. A sensor to sense the smoke.
2. An electronic horn to horn the people
SMOKE DETECTOR (NFPA 3.3.65)
1. IONIZATION SMOKE DETECTORS
An ionization smoke detector contains a sensing
chamber consisting of two electrically charged
plates (one positive and one negative) and a
radioactive source for ionizing the air between
the plates.
 Products of Combustion particles are produced
(<0.3 microns).
 No visible smoke or detectable heat.
 May occur for milliseconds or days.
 Provides earlier detection than other detectors
such as thermal detectors.

20. FIRE DETECTION AND ALARM SYSTEMS
2. PHOTOELECTRIC SMOKE DETECTORS A refractory
photoelectric smoke
sends an alarm
when light reaches a
sensor after
reflecting off smoke.
•Photoelectric smoke detection works on all
types of fires and usually responds more quickly
to smoldering fires than ionization smoke
detection.
•Photoelectric smoke detection is best suited for
areas containing overstuffed furniture and other
areas where smoldering fires can occur.

21. FIRE DETECTION AND ALARM SYSTEMS
HEAT DETECTOR
Ideally suited to locations where high sensitivity is required for change in heat and where smoke
detectors are found unsuitable
response temperature of a heat detector should be a minimum of 29°C above the maximum
ambient temperature likely to be experienced for long periods of time
Fixed temperature heat Detector
Types of Heat detectors
Rate of rise heat detector

22. FLAME DETECTORS
(NFPA 3.3.65)
A flame detector is a sensor
designed to detect and
respond to the presence of a
flame or fire.
There are three basic types:
•Those that detect light in
the ultraviolet wave
spectrum (UV detectors).
•Those that detect light in
the infrared wave spectrum
(IR detectors) .
•Those that detect light in
both UV and IR waves.
UV DETECTORS
 Fire alarm gets
activated when a set
threshold value gets
exceeded.
 Good for Hydrogen
and methane fuelled
flames.
IR DETECTORS
 Requires the
flickering action of a
flame before it
activates to send an
alarm.
 Good for
hydrocarbon based
flames.
 Effective in
monitoring large
areas, such as an air-
craft hangar or
computer room
COMBINATION
DETECTORS
 Previously described
detection devices
may be used in a
single device.
 Both UV “AND” IR
sources must be
present and
exceeding their
threshold levels to
activate the alarm.
They are also easily activated by such nonfire
condi- tions as welding, sunlight, and other
bright light sources
FIRE DETECTION AND ALARM SYSTEMS

23. FIRE DETECTION AND ALARM SYSTEMS

24. FIRE DETECTION AND ALARM SYSTEMS

25. CHOICE OF DETECTORS
• Computer / EDP centre / other electronic equipment which have high a value should be
protected by smoke detectors or combination of smoke and heat detectors (multi criteria).
• Heat detectors are suitable in areas where heat producing equipment like kitchen, pantry etc.
• Flammable liquid storage area, where chances of rapid heat build- up exists like garages,
repair shops, battery rooms etc., heat or Flame detector should be used.
SITTING AND SPACING OF DETECTORS
1. Under flat ceilings, the horizontal distance between any point & the detector shall not
exceed 7.5 m in case of smoke detector and 5.3m in case of heat detector.
2. Detectors shall not be mounted within 500 mm of any walls, partitions or obstructions to
flow of smoke, such as beams and duct work.
3. Ceiling obstructions like beams are deeper than 10 % of the overall ceiling height shall be
considered as a wall. That is each bay shall be treated as a separate enclosure.
4. Detectors shall not be mounted within 1.0 m of any air inlet or forced ventilation system.
5. Voids as in false ceiling / flooring is more than 800 mm shall be protected with detectors
with spacing like normal installation.
6. Bathroom, lavatories, WC etc., need not be protected
7. For irregular shaped areas, the spacing between the detectors and any point of the area is
not greater than 0.7 times the determined spacing
FIRE DETECTION AND ALARM SYSTEMS

26. SELECTION & DESIGN AS PER IS:2189
HEIGHT LIMITS
1. Smoke detectors can be used height up to 10.0 m
2. Beyond 7.0 m height Heat detectors are not allowed
3. Beyond 10.0 m height – Only Beam detectors or Aspirating type detectors
shall be used.
4. Optical Beam detector shall be installed at every 15.0 m.
FIRE DETECTION AND ALARM SYSTEMS

27. SPACING AS PER BS:5839
1. Under flat ceiling, the horizontal distance between any point in protected area and the
detector nearest to that point should not exceed:
• 7.5 m if the nearest detector is a smoke detector
• 5.3 m if the nearest detector is a heat detector
2. Corridor not exceeding 2 m width:
• 15.0 m for Smoke detector
• 10.6 m for Heat detector
3. Ceiling obstructions, such as structural beams, greater than 150 mm in depth and deeper
than 10 % of the overall ceiling height should be treated as walls
FIRE DETECTION AND ALARM SYSTEMS

28. MANUALLY ACTUATED ALARM-INITIATING
DEVICES (NFPA 3.3.102)
Manually actuated fire alarm boxes, commonly
called manual pull stations, allow occupants to
manually initiate the fire alarm signaling system.
Manual pull stations may be connected to
systems that sound local alarms, off-premise
alarm signals, or both. Manually operated alarm-initiating devices may look slightly different, but
all are important tools for signaling emergencies.
According to NFPA® 72, the pull station should be
mounted on walls or columns so that the
operable part is not less than 42 inches and not
more than 48 inches above the floor.
Single-action pull stations
require only a single
motion to trigger an
alarm
A double-action pull
station has a panel that
must be lifted so the
operator can access and
operate the pull station.
FIRE DETECTION AND ALARM SYSTEMS

29. FIRE DETECTION AND ALARM SYSTEMS
POSITIONING
1. Manual call points shall be located
that, no person has to travel
distances of more than 30 m to
reach them.
2. Manual call points shall be located
preferably near entry to staircases
at every level.
3. When manual call points are also
installed external to the building,
the travel distance shall be 45 m.
4. Where necessary, the travel
distance may require to be reduced
to less than 30 m, where there is
difficulty in free access or
potentially dangerous risks.
5. Call points shall be fixed at a height
of 1.4 m above the surrounding
floor level.

30. BIBLIOGRAPHY
Books
NFPA 72
NBC -2016
IFC - 2018
Websites
https://www.facilitiesnet.com/lighting/article/Occupancy-Sensors-Passive-Infrared-Ultrasonic-and-Dual-Technology--9608
THANK YOU