Protection Built-in

Michael Troiano discusses the need for innovative solutions for fire systems and mass notification.

“Fire detection systems are a vital element in providing life safety protection and solutions”
-Michael Troiano

Correctly installing a fire system and insuring that it is properly maintained has never been a simple task – even for the most experienced fire specialist. This problem has slowly evolved over the years.  As technology advanced and features expanded, the time to install, test, troubleshoot and maintain fire systems has increased dramatically. Advanced Fire Systems Inc. (AFSI) has recently introduced the AX series of fire controls and accessories and the technology built into this new line of products has taken great strides in reducing the time required to design, install and test systems. AFSI has also introduced innovative tools to aid in routine system maintenance and service.

When installing a fire system, it is extremely critical to prevent overloading of a circuit – especially those circuits that power smoke detectors, pull stations, annunciators, elevator controls, air handlers, sounders, bells, sprinkler sensors and speakers. AFSI fire panels contain built-in intelligent voltage and ammeters that monitor circuits 24/7, even during alarm condition; they insure that the mission critical circuits and devices are operating within functionally safe parameters; and can be easily accessed by service technicians at any time on-site or from remote locations.

With the advancement of fire system technology, circuits supporting intelligent smoke detectors and I/O modules utilize alternating voltages and currents during communications. This type of circuitry has made the diagnosis of circuit problems extremely difficult. However, AFSI's built-in intelligent meters compensate for the alternating voltages and currents to provide technicians with highly accurate readings. These intelligent meters also monitor and properly adjust the charging current to the system battery, which is dependent upon temperature readings and helps prolong battery life. In addition, the battery cells are supervised to determine if they can sustain system operation during an AC power failure. If they cannot, a service alert message to replace the batteries is generated.

One more feature supported by these intelligent meters is the triggering of a system ‘booster’ circuit during the loss of AC power.  This insures that power to the smoke detectors and other critical devices is sustained at the appropriate levels and helps to prevent false alarms as battery voltage decreases.

The AX series of panels also provide an IP interface along with powerful tools that allow instant system status review, remote diagnostic interrogation and programmable email alerts when the system requires service or there is a trouble or alarm condition. Today's fire systems require customized cause and effect programming for each application. Advanced tools are provided to perform design checks on these programs and to flag any errors that would be time consuming and costly to find manually on the job site.

Fire detection systems are a vital element in providing life safety protection and solutions. The increasing demands to provide mass notification systems presents yet another critical element. Here at AFSI, we see the two working hand-in-hand and following successful product trials, AFSI will soon announce the introduction of IPX, an innovative mass notification solution. IPX will interact with IP infrastructure and take full advantage of internet communications as a solution to this complex life safety challenge.

AFSI is a member of the Advanced Group of companies with offices in the UK and UAE. AFSI products meet both the NFPA/UL864 and EN54 Standards and are currently sold in over 40 countries.

Michael Troiano is a 32-year veteran of the fire and security industries. He has held leadership positions in technology, operations and business management for premier companies in the US and Europe. He has received awards for product innovation, manufacturing operations and business growth while serving on industry advisory councils.