Issue link: http://digital.canadawide.com/i/607779
DECEMBER 2015 | 47 PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY CHUBB EDWARDS FireWorks speaks most directly to developers and owners of large proper- ties. For smaller projects, the fire and technology experts at Tyco Integrated Fire & Security recently introduced a new alarm panel designed specifically for build- ings with 24 or fewer zones. The Simplex 4007ES has a colour touch screen display, and it supports Tyco's TrueInsight remote fire alarm system diagnostics solution. That means the panel can automatically send a message to a remote support team to troubleshoot the fire system from afar. Thus, technicians have the information they need to arrive on site ready to fix the problem as soon as possible. The Simplex 4007ES comes in two versions: an addressable panel and a hybrid option. Both enable remote system diagnostics, while the addressable version sup- ports addressable notification. That's a relatively new technology which provides simplified testing features and also pinpoints system problems and maintenance requirements. The hybrid version is for upgrade and retrofit projects. It works with conventional hard-wired alarm detection and notification devices, and it can be pro- grammed to connect to addressable detection devices, providing a stepping stone to addressable detection technology. In fact, addressable detection is one of the most significant advancements in fire safety over the last few decades, making it easier for first responders to identify the location of an emergency. Along the same lines, addressable technology makes it easier to test notification devices. This simplicity could help property owners and managers save time and money while enhancing safety. The newest and most advanced notification devices are especially fast and inex- pensive to test, says Michael Hugh, field sales engineer at Tyco. He points out that to test conventional notification devices, a technician has to go to each device to verify that it's working. Technicians may also have to sound the alarms for minutes at a time to confirm operation, which tends to annoy building occupants. Tyco's TrueAlert ES addressable appliances make for short and easy tests. The devices have built-in sensors that detect sound and illumination. That means a tech- nician can test the system right from the panel, and for just a second or two – enough time for the sensors to diagnose the devices. You can test devices individually, or schedule tests for times when tenants aren't in the building. The result: a procedure that is simple, short and less disruptive. Better yet, the panel generates a report that shows the specific results of the testing. Hugh adds that advancements such as appliance self-testing make the procedure simpler and lead to cost savings. For instance, he points out that addressable tech- nology significantly shortens verification testing time. With conventional systems, installers have to go to each notification device and remove a wire to confirm that the wiring is properly run and to make sure a "trouble" message shows up on the panel. Not so with addressable systems. Instead, technicians only have to remove a wire from the panel – and the system automatically shows just which devices are affected. It's a much faster verification process. Speed obviously spells savings, but Hugh wouldn't go so far as to say that install- ers would pass those savings on to property developers and managers. That's for contractors to decide. Nonetheless, judging from the innovative products and ser- vices on offer from companies like Tyco, Chubb Edwards and Affinity, it seems that the fire systems market as a whole is well placed to help builders ensure their latest projects are protected for the long term. A Fire Protection Systems The new FireWorks control system from Chubb Edwards.