Linking two fire alarm panels

[Benzerari]

Hi All;

Is there any way to link two conventional fire alarm panels, both ways, using just 2 core cable run between them?

by means if alarm  goes  off in panel1 it set off the panel2
and vice-versa

You can add external relays as much as you need, also to get the triggering process should happen in either forward way or backward way at the time, by means the first triggered panel would not receive back fire signal from the second.

If best solution then
member receive ££££
Else
member receive -££££
End if

[Graeme]

Conventional -no you need a 4 core.

a/a i suppose you could wire a tee off the loop and install an i/o unit at one panel.

[Richard F]

Even with a 4 core it will require a relay/ reset arrangement if you are to avoid a lock up situation, ie reset one, other one still in alarm and will reactivate the first.

If both panels have class change inputs ie non latching bells you should be OK

[David Rooney]

Even with a 4 core it will require a relay/ reset arrangement if you are to avoid a lock up situation, ie reset one, other one still in alarm and will reactivate the first.

If both panels have class change inputs ie non latching bells you should be OK

What ever happened to fault monitoring of the cables if using class change ??

[Graeme]

Hi All;

Is there any way to link two fire alarm panels, both ways, using just 2 core cable run between them?

If a/a and both same make-then network them with a 2 core cable.

£50 please

[Wiz]

Hi All;

Is there any way to link two fire alarm panels, both ways, using just 2 core cable run between them?

If you have a twin-wire 'non-addressable' (formerly known as 'conventional') as one of the panels. It would be possible to use the same two wires as both the detection of the other panel, and the alarm to the other panel. Obviously you will need to use a relay and a twin-wire input device.

Please contact me for details of where to send the money you have promised me and confirmation of additional cost for full explanation of how to do it!

[Wiz]

Even with a 4 core it will require a relay/ reset arrangement if you are to avoid a lock up situation, ie reset one, other one still in alarm and will reactivate the first.

If both panels have class change inputs ie non latching bells you should be OK

What ever happened to fault monitoring of the cables if using class change ??

This is a good point David.

 However, I would argue that where each panel was part of it's own individual system and each was in a physically seperated building (i.e the two panels were not actually part of the same fire system as such) this wouldn't necessarily be a problem. The link, in this case, would not be an integral part of  either fire alarm system (i.e each system would function correctly, and that building's own fire alarm integrity would still be maintained without the link functioning).  The link, in this case, would have been provided just as an indication of what was happening in 'the other building'. Surely in this scenario, any monitoring of the link is not an important function to maintain the individual integrity of either system.

 What do you, or others, think of this argument?

[kurnal]

Depends on the circumstances Dr Wiz. I have found a number of modern commercial buildings, designed for letting as individual units and with full compartmentation, have been fitted each with a simple two or four zone panel, as stand alone systems.Then when a larger employer wants to occupy a number of units in the same building, and the staff need to move freely within the units, the best solution is to link the panels to create a one out all out situation - then the functionality and monitoring become more important.

[Wiz]

Depends on the circumstances Dr Wiz. I have found a number of modern commercial buildings, designed for letting as individual units and with full compartmentation, have been fitted each with a simple two or four zone panel, as stand alone systems.Then when a larger employer wants to occupy a number of units in the same building, and the staff need to move freely within the units, the best solution is to link the panels to create a one out all out situation - then the functionality and monitoring become more important.

Professor Kurnal! How nice to hear from you again. Keep up the good work in leading the unkowing to a better future!

Yes, in the circumstances you propose I agree totally. The overall system created by a number of systems should have the same integrity as a single system.

In my secenario, two 'standalone' systems in seprate buildings, with some sort of non-critical signalling between them, then it could be suggested that monitored linking cable is always preferable but not necessarily a requirement of BS

(p.s. - Have you heard from Lucky lately? I wonder if Matron has had him moved to another establishment? I myself have gone through a long period of boredom with the questions being asked lately and had hibernated. This one caused me to stir, however because there was talk of money being paid for my knowledge! (something that happens infrequently. Normally it is knowledge given for nothing!))

[kurnal]

In those circumstances I would defer to your wizdom old chap. Otherwise for me  argue it would be a case of the totally unsighted leading the visually impaired.

Lucky has been running around in other wings of the institution recently trying to encourage others to join our happy band and  from a couple of his posts I think he is still trying to work out how he found his way in.

[IrishFire]

Conventional -no you need a 4 core.

a/a i suppose you could wire a tee off the loop and install an i/o unit at one panel.

OMG a spur off a loop??

[Graeme]

Conventional -no you need a 4 core.

a/a i suppose you could wire a tee off the loop and install an i/o unit at one panel.

OMG a spur off a loop??

Hey Genius-did i say it was a great option?

No- but it is a way of doing it with a 2 core cable as per the very original post,if you have read it?

[IrishFire]

Conventional -no you need a 4 core.

a/a i suppose you could wire a tee off the loop and install an i/o unit at one panel.

OMG a spur off a loop??

Hey Genius-did i say it was a great option?

No- but it is a way of doing it with a 2 core cable as per the very original post,if you have read it?

Yes I did read it..... no you didn't say it was a great option but you didn't sat it was either...I'd hate to tracing a fault on one of your systems with a bucket load of spurs off it!!!!!!!

[Allen Higginson]

OMG a spur off a loop??

Hey Genius-did i say it was a great option?

No- but it is a way of doing it with a 2 core cable as per the very original post,if you have read it?

Yes I did read it..... no you didn't say it was a great option but you didn't sat it was either...I'd hate to tracing a fault on one of your systems with a bucket load of spurs off it!!!!!!!

This was a hypothetical solution to a question so I wouldn't go getting thick about it - obviously you woud wire a mini loop out and in to pick up any additional device.
In response to tracing faults on a system with a bucketload of spurs on it, if you're competant then it really shouldn't be an issue.

[IrishFire]

Hey Genius-did i say it was a great option?

No- but it is a way of doing it with a 2 core cable as per the very original post,if you have read it?

Yes I did read it..... no you didn't say it was a great option but you didn't sat it was either...I'd hate to tracing a fault on one of your systems with a bucket load of spurs off it!!!!!!!

This was a hypothetical solution to a question so I wouldn't go getting thick about it - obviously you woud wire a mini loop out and in to pick up any additional device.
In response to tracing faults on a system with a bucketload of spurs on it, if you're competant then it really shouldn't be an issue.

I not getting thick about it and yes it should be wired in a loop and that was my point but, for someone to come back with a smart assed answer like "hey genius" I think says a lot about them.. and yes I am a "competant" person but to think another person even suggesting the use of spurs off a loop  ( hypothetical solution or otherwise) says a lot about their standard of work!! God only knows what they are teaching other younger and less experienced engineers........ I take from the "if you're competant then it really shouldn't be an issue" statement that you also have engaged in this practice??. standards out the window!!! They are there for a reason.