Fire Alarm Systems

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GE FireworX Conventional
Fire Alarm Control Panels

GE FireworX Addressable
Fire Alarm Control Panels

Fire Alarm Control Panels
There are two types of Fire Alarm Control Panels (FACP):

Conventional Fire Alarm Systems - Similar to a burglar alarm system, a conventional fire control panel is an alarm system that can only detect on/off signals. Conventional systems use separate wiring circuits called zones to relay information to the panel regarding the condition of the initiating devices. The panel monitors the condition of the detection devices throughout the whole system, with separate zones used to help pinpoint the location of the alarm. These systems allow the use of inexpensive detection devices and fire alarm control panels.

Conventional fire alarm control panels are often specified by the number of zones or alarm points covered by the FACP. Zones are groups of initiating devices wired on a common circuit (signaling line circuit). Each wiring circuit is used to relay information to the panel regarding the condition of the initiating devices, which can include smoke, heat, or fire detectors, manual pull stations or any circuit closure device.
Intelligent or Addressable Fire Alarm Systems - An addressable control panel is a system using a signaling technique, which allows a control unit to identify a specific initiating device or group of devices by location.

Addressable fire alarm control panels, or intelligent fire alarm control panels, usually specify the number of detectors and modules that will be operated by the FACP. This is the same as the number of addressable devices. These are separate circuits or paths directly connected to a notification appliance.

Secondary applications for fire alarm panels include: security, burglary / theft, machine failure or malfunction, medical, process control panels (such as: heat and temperature, power and power surge, computer systems, gas monitoring, and water level and leak monitoring), power distribution, personal safety monitoring, smoke, structural failure, or other unlisted, specialized, or proprietary applications.

Fire alarm control panels may have a long list of specialty features which may include (but are not limited to): acknowledge or silence, back-up batteries, built-in printer, data storage, explosion-proof housing, pre-alarm, intrinsically safe (IS) operation, a paging system for voice evacuation, modular construction, outdoor ratings, fire alarm control panels with a PC interface, programming options, remote telephone interface, submersible ratings, volume control adjustments, or web enabling.

Check with us to see which features are available for any particular system.

Devices & Accessories
Devices that are labeled "Conventional" will work only with conventional systems; those labeled "Intelligent" will work only with intelligent or addressable systems
Check with us to see which of the below devices and accessories will work with both types of fire alarm systems. Addtional devices and accessories are also available.

	Remote Annunciators LED and LCD annunciators for status indication and optional common controls. LED-based expander available. All models include an internal sounder. Red or white housings.

	Wall Horns and Strobes Horns, horn-strobes and strobes. Multi-candela and high/low dB settings. Available in while or red — with or without "FIRE" marking.

	Ceiling Horn-Strobes Horn-strobes include multi-candela strobes with light output of up to 177 cd. Available in Red or White.

	Conventional Fire Alarm Stations Single action, break glass initiating station OR a pre-signal station. The pull of the lever sounds an alarm on all pre-signal indicating devices. Inserting a key and turning it will initiate a general evacuation alarm.

	Single- and Double-Action Pull Stations Presignal or general alarm action. Break glass operation. Either a key or tool (depending on station selected) is required to reset mechanism.

	Intelligent Manual Pull Stations One-stage and two-stage models available for Intelligent Fire Alarm Systems.

	Conventional Initiating Detectors Optical smoke detectors, fixed temperature/rate-of-heat-rise detectors, and explosion proof smoke detectors.

	Intelligent Detectors Optical, fixed temperature, or rate of rise and combination optical/fixed temperature models available.

	SuperDuct Series Smoke Detectors The SuperDuct duct smoke detector is ideally suited to applications where early indication of combustion is required within the confined space of ventilation ductwork. Its primary purpose is to provide early warning of an impending fire and to prevent smoke from circulating throughout the building. It is typically used to detect smoke in the supply side of the HVAC system but can provide supervision of the return side as well.

	Intelligent Duct Smoke Detector The duct smoke detector's primary purpose is to provide early warning of an impending fire and shut down the HVAC unit in order to prevent smoke from circulating throughout the building. The duct smoke detector is designed for use in duct applications where temperatures can exceed standard detector capabilities.

	Voice Annunciation - Audio Notification System Can be added to any FireworX installation — a self-contained system that includes an amplifier, tone generator, digital message repeater and supervisory interface. Speakers and speaker-strobes are available for the ANS.

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Fire Alarm Systems