Trouble with Resetting the Fire Alarm System?

The use of fire security alarm systems is gaining popularity day by day. Though your fire alarm system manufacturer or fire alarm panel suppliers assures you regarding its installation, monitoring and maintenance but he may not be available 24x7 for you. By any circumstances your system triggers the alarm during a power outage in the house or even when there is excess smoke while cooking the food. What next? How will you reset your fire alarm system? However, you may disconnect the battery of the system to switch off the alarm but the situation is still the same – trouble with resetting the system!

You may ask your fire alarm manufacturer or supplier to guide you on the same over a phone call or over an internet chat, but that is not a permanent solution. You should be aware of the basic working procedure of this system. Follow these basic steps to overcome such a situation:

1. Get the manual first to know about the make of the system, its type and model number / serial number.
2. Go through the manufacturer's website to know about the process of installation.
   If you are switching off the system because of any reason, disconnect the power first. You can do it by disconnect the battery. Leave the system off at least for five minutes.
3. The moment you turn or power or connect the battery to the system, press the * (star) and # (pound) keys at the same time.
4. Once the power is on, feed the unique installer code for your fire alarm system or smoke detector.

Now your fire alarm system is reset. The process is quite similar to rebooting a computer system. You may face this situation in case of cooking food, fireworks in the premises or even in case of a technical failure. At that time, you should be aware of the working process of your fire alarm system.

Optical Smoke Detectors : New Technology Fire Alarm System

The optical smoke detector includes a light source like incandescent bulb or infrared LED, a lens throws light into a beam, and a photodiode or other photoelectric sensor.

An optical detector can be related to a light sensor. When an optical detector is being used like a smoke detector the following aspects are included:

1. A light source such as an incandescent bulb or an infrared LED is used.
2. A lens that throws light into a beam
3. A photodiode or other photoelectric sensor placed at an angle to a beam

Where there is no smoke the light tends to pass in front of the detector in a straight line. As soon as the smoke enters the optical chamber and crosses the path of the light beam the light gets scattered due to the smoke particles. This gets directed at the sensor and it triggers off the alarm.

These detectors are visible in the auditorium or gymnasium. They are installed to detect the projected beam. A beam is sent out by the unit installed in the wall. This beam is being received back by the receiver or it is reflected back through the mirror. An alarm signal is sent to the fire alarm control panel as soon as the beam gets less visible to the sensor’s ‘eye’.

The optical smoke detectors can detect particulate or the smoke that is being generated by the cool, smoky smoldering fires. Certain tests have indicated that these detectors detect particulates or smoke about 30 seconds later from the flaming hot fires than the ionization smoke detectors.

The optical smoke detectors are not so sensitive to false alarms arising out of the steam or cooking fumes that are generated from the kitchen. Or to steam that arises from the bathroom. For this purpose the ionization smoke alarms are more sensitive. That’s why they are also called “toast proof” smoke alarms.

Fire Alarm Panel : Choose The Right Type

When it comes to home and business security / safety, fire alarm panel manufacturers are coming up with advanced and very sensitive technologies. The sighting for this particular technology came into existence in the late 1800s. Right from detecting the smoke or heat to controlling the situation, these specialized devices are designed for complete protection from fire.

Types of Fire Alarm Control Panels

The fire alarm control panels (FACP) are broadly categorized in to four types. The difference among all these types lies in the manufacturing and technology used.

• Coded Panels

Considered as the pioneers in fire alarm panel industry, these devices served the globe since the late 1800s to the 1970s. Usually large in size, these panels used to capture a huge area while installed in a room. However the technology used in these alarm panels was quite similar to the modern conventional panels. As the name suggests, the devices were based on the code wheels technology, in which the codes had to be maintained.

• Conventional Panels

With better technology, these alarm panels were based on the initiating circuits and electronic sensors. Every time in the situation of fire or excess of heat, the resistance in the electronic circuit is decreased in these conventional panels. This automatically triggers an alarm.

• Addressable Panels

High-end technology and high-end programming is what these panels are based on. Invented in the late 1980, these alarm panels are clubbed with advanced heat sensors that pioneered the technology and concept for single point heat / fire detection. This technology was much sensitive than the primitive ones.

• Multiplex Panels

Programmed to work as large conventional systems, Multiplexer Alarm are the advanced version of addressable panels. Apart from the fire detection, this technology is helpful in security devices or electronic door locks also. Due to such added benefits, it has become popular in terms of secondary applications like burglary security, gas leak monitoring, power distribution and various other applications also.

The latest technology, used in the releasing panel is based on the phenomenon of fire detection as well as fire fighting. Such panels are fitted with special automatic sprinklers that release water or a special chemical in the affected area. The heavy use of these fire alarm panels has increased the safety manifolds.