Selected Issues Associated with the Operational and Power Supply Reliability of Fire Alarm Systems

Abstract

The article reviews issues associated with the use of electronic fire alarm systems (FAS). They are operated in various environments and buildings with varying volumes. FAS have to function properly under different operating conditions associated with their operation, as well as power supply and information inflow. Due to their functions, i.e., ensuring the safety of people, vehicles, logistics bases, airports, etc., FAS have to exhibit an appropriately organized reliability structure associated with their implementation and power supply. Operational studies involving FAS operated in various facilities were conducted to this end. The authors determined damage and recovery time intensities. FAS reliability indicators were also determined. The article presents graphs associated with developing the energy balance for selected FAS. The graphs are consistent with the latest and applicable legal regulations. The next stage of the work related to this article was developing an FAS operation process model and conducting computer simulations in order to determine reliability indicators. Such an approach to the FAS operation process enables a rational selection of technical and organizational solutions aimed at guaranteeing reliability in the course of executing operational tasks associated with ensuring fire safety. FAS operational analysis, developing balance graphs and models, as well as the computer simulation, enabled inferring conclusions that might be useful to the process of engineering and operating such systems.

Method for Evaluating the Effectiveness of Electrical Circuit Protection with Miniature Fuse-Links

“…Equation ( 7) explicitly indicates a possibility of further reduction in the values of obtained uncertainties (of course, within reason in the case of destructive tests) through conducting additional measurement series. It is also demonstrated by comparing Equations ( 6) and (7).…”

“…It would be necessary to strive for further minimization of the measurement error as part of more advanced research work. One such possibility is directly demonstrated by Equation (7), which suggests increasing the number of measurement series. But please bear in mind the nature of destructive testing, as well as costs and restrictions associated with such tests.…”

“…It is also important that they are resistant to different adverse external factors [1][2][3][4]. This especially applies to their power supply [5][6][7][8]. This is why ESSs apply various solutions aimed at improving reliability (e.g., redundant structures), while increasing the real-time subsystem diagnosis range [9,10].…”

The Dynamic Change in the Reliability Function Level in a Selected Fire Alarm System during a Fire

“…Electronic security systems (ESSs) are intended to provide security in buildings and over vast areas [1,2]. FASs play a particular role in providing safety [3,4].…”

“…FASs play a particular role in providing safety [3,4]. In most cases that require ensuring a specific safety level, buildings or entire areas decommissioned from public use are often classified as so-called 'state critical infrastructure' (SCI) [2][3][4]. The possibilities offered by the integration of individual ESSs used during fire situations and in fire-fighting operations are applied to ensure the specific operational safety of these facilities located within SCI areas [5][6][7].…”