Elevator Shunt Trip with Sprinkler Heads

A big part of the elevator recall and control functions is Shunt Trip.  Elevator Shunt Trip is a function that involves the fire alarm system via heat detectors, shunting the breaker that controls the elevator equipment (typically set to activate 5 degrees before the actual automatic sprinkler head pops.).  This in turn powers down the elevator equipment before any automatic sprinkler water is released.


Not just any heat detector within the facility activates the elevator shunt trip.  The only heat detectors that will tell the fire alarm control panel to shunt the elevator breaker are the ones located in the elevator shaft and elevator equipment room.  REMEMBER: when testing or installing these devices make sure to note if the heat detectors are located within 2 feet of each automatic sprinkler head. 

Notifier by Honeywell

Notifier offers a great arrangement of fire alarm and life safety products.  Be sure to check out this

video courtesy of www.notifier.com.  At www.notifier.com you will also be able to locate cutsheets, data sheets, calculations, specifications and other documentation for their product line.

.

Hyper Terminal Commands for FCI 7100

Here are some of the Hyper Terminal commands for the Fire Control Instruments FCI 7100 series fire control panel.  Look here for the FCI E3 Hyper Terminal Commands. 

FCI-7100 Hyper Terminal Commands


Password Access - [P22] [22] [22] You replace the 2's with whichever level you're needing to access with the correct level's password.

Version - [V]

Report - [R] This will print out loop device configuration, loop, address, and device type for all devices.

Test - [T] [Loop #] [Device Address] This will perform a self-test of the device you choose as long as it is testable then it will report its findings.

Monitor - [M] [0] [SLC Loop# = 0 for loop one or 1 for loop two] [Device Address #] This will begin monitoring of the chosen device on the selected loop.

Stop Monitor - [M] [0] [0] [0] or just by Reseting the FACP.

Reset - [Xn] This will reset the FACP as you would via the front panel.

Hyper Terminal Commands for FCI E3

Okay a lot of people have been asking me for this information.  I constantly get asked if I know the Hyper Terminal commands for the Fire Control Instruments (FCI) E3.  In this post I have put down a few to get you guys started.  I will try to get more and update this list as they are found. 

If you know any other ones besides the list I have provided, then please be sure to leave a comment with them.

E3 Hyper Terminal / OTS Commands

Level 2 Password for access - [P22] [22] [22] You replace the 2's with whichever level you're needing to access with the correct level's password.

Reset - [R]

Silence - [S] [1] also there is [S] [0] to unsilence.

Version - [V]

Sensitivity Report - [DS]

History Events: Last 20 events - [LP] [2] Also there is this one, All events - [LP] [1]

This should be good to get you started.  I have also put together a small list for the Fire Control Instruments 7100  series fire alarm control panel.  See it here.

Why is Copper So Popular in Electronics

The electron theory is a good way to explain why copper wire is widley used with electronic equipment and in electrical power distribution. Every substance whether in earth or in space is made up of tiny particles called atoms. These atoms are so small that a piece of copper the size of the head of a needle would contain millions of atoms. Each one of these copper atoms could be considered an actual piece of copper. An atom is not a solid piece of material. The atom itself contains a nucleus in the center which has a positive electrical charge. Traveling around the nucleus in elliptical rings are electrons which have a negative electrical charge. Every electron has the same mass and the same negative charge. There will notmally be just enough electrons in the atom to balance the positive charge of the nucleus.

In the diagram below, you will notce that each ring can only contain a certain amount of electrons. The first ring can house 2 electrons, the second ring can hold 8 electrons, the third ring can handle 18 electrons and the fourth ring can hold 32 electrons.

The copper atom's nucleus has a positive charge of 29 in the nucleus. There are typically 29 electrons within the copper atom. With that said, the fourth ring will only house one electron.

When the outer ring of electrons in an atom is filled to the maximum amount possible, that atom will be very stable electronically and chemically. It is almost impossible to remove an electron or to force in an electron.  If the outter ring only has one electron in it, than that electron is not held very closely to the atom and can be easily moved out of its position into space or another atom. This will leave the atom short of one electron to neutralize the positive charge of its nucleus. This will leave the atom with a positive charge.

This is the reason copper wire is so widely used in the electronics industry. It is highly conductive due to its makeup.

Hardware Stores Say CO Detection is the LAW

You may have seen your local hardware store trying to push you on Carbon Monoxide detectors stating its the law.  Read below to know for yourself!

The new requirements in the 2012 edition of the International Fire Code (IFC) and the International Building Code (IBC) require the installation of CO detection in new and existing Group-R and Group-I occupancies, such as hotels, dormitories, apartment buildings, hospitals and nursing homes.

Section 908.7 of the 2012 IFC and IBC requires CO detection to be installed in “newly” constructed Group-R and Group-I occupancies if the building contains a fuel-burning appliance or an attached garage. Also CO alarms shall be installed and maintained in accordance with NFPA 720, Standard for the Installation of Carbon Monoxide (CO) Detection and
Warning Equipment, and the manufacturer’s instructions.

Section 1103.9 of the IFC covers the requirements for existing Group-R and
Group-I occupancies, these requirements are the same as those in 908.7 for newly
constructed occupancies.

If sleeping units or dwelling units do not contain a fuel-burning appliance or have an attached garage, however are located within a building with a fuel burning appliance or an attached garage, CO detection is not required if any of the following conditions are present:

• The sleeping unit or dwelling unit is located more than one story above or below any
story that contains a fuel-burning appliance or an attached garage
• The sleeping unit or dwelling unit is not connected by duct work or ventilation shafts to
an attached garage or any room containing a fuel-burning appliance
• The building is provided with a common area CO alarm system.
Also, Section 908.7.1 of the 2012 IBC and IFC clearly permits system connected
CO detectors to be installed as a primary form of protection if they are
installed and maintained in accordance with NFPA 720 and listed as complying
with ANSI/UL 2075.

NFPA 72 2010 Secrets

Well the title says secrets but to be honest it really is public information.  However not to many readers are aware ot it.  Check this out.  The new 2010 edition of NFPA 72 National Fire Alarm and Signaling Code has a few items throughout the text that can help the readers better understand the changes and new layout.

• A vertical bar in the margin indicates that a change other than editiorial has been made.
• A bullet indicates that one or more complete paragraphs have been deleted.
• A reference in parebthesis () follwing a paragraph indicates technical committee reponsibility.
• A reference in brackets [] indicates exacted material from another document.

Why Did NFPA 72 2010 Change Its Name

A lot of people always ask why the new 2010 edition of NFPA 72 changed its name from "The National Fire Code" to "National Fire Alarm and Signaling Code".  The answer is simple.  The new 2010 edition of NFPA 72 now covers a multitude of items in addition to fire alarms.  With the introduction of mass notification systems along with other means of notification and detection, the name had to change.

Some of the additional systems that NFPA 72 National Fire Alarm and Signaling Code now covers are as follows:

• Combination Systems
• Video Imaging Detection
• Carbon Monoxide Detection
• Supervisory Service of Sprinkler Control Valves
• Water Level Supervisory
• Water Temperature Supervisory
• Room Temperature Supervisory
• Fire Extinguisher Monitoring

Click here to see some secrets of the new NFPA 72 2010 edition that may help you better understand its new layout.

NUP Connector for Notifier ONYX Panels

If you are faced with the task of creating a NUP connector for your Notifier ONXY panels this follow this simple step process.

Take a standard DB9 cable and cut off the male end (end with the prongs sticking out).  Now strip back the cable and use a mutimeter to vertifiy the following three pins (#2, #3, and #5).  Once you have these verified, mark them down on a paper with the wire color and the pin number.

Now on the NUP connector, pull off the red and black cables as these are used for power.  Simply pull them out of the NUP connector completly and dicard. 

You should be left with three cables on your NUP connector.  White, Green and Brown.  With a soldering iron splice the following pairs togerther.  The brown NUP cable to pin #2 on the DB9, the white NUP cable to the #3 pin on the DB9 and the green NUP cable to the #5 pin on the DB9.

Once you are done, make sure to seperate each splice with tape or shrink wrap and finally shrink wrap the entire connection.

You should now have a functional DB9 to NUP cable for programming the Notifier ONYX panles and NCM Network Control Module boards.

No Fishtape! Get Out the Pull String and Shop Vac

Are you having trouble pushing your trusty fish tape through conduits?  Try a vacuum, better yet a shop vac as they are more powerful and versatile.  You will also need some painters plastic, pull string, duct tape and a device to reduce the size of the shop vac hose down to the size of the conduit in question.  Don't worry about it being a perfect fit as this is what the duct tape is for.

Now take the pull a string and tie a simple knot around a piece of the painters tape.  When doing this, make sure to leave enough plastic out to catch the suction created by the shop vac.  Now shove the plastic and pull string into the conduit as far as you can.

On the opposite end of the conduit run, take a standard plastic coke bottle and cut off the wider end.  Now place the shop vac hose into the bottle and use the duct tape to make a tight air seal.  With that done simply remove the screw off bottle cap and insert it into the conduit.  This is our reducing device.

Almost done.  turn on the shop vac to suction mode and have someone at the opposite end feed the pull string if necessary.  Once the thin pull string makes it through, it is recommend to replace it with a tougher version.

Now you are set.  Go out and give it a try.

Fire Caulk the Wrong Way

It is always fun to compare your work to others.  Especially when you have a habit of doing things to current codes and applicable standards.  Today we came across a problem seen all to often on constructions sites both old and new. 

Fire Caulk.

It always seems that contractors become very lazy at this stage of the installation.  9 out of 10 times it appears that the installer just slaps some fire caulk around a penetration and calls it a day.  Not realizing how important the fire caulk stage is, most people just leave it.

To install fire caulk the correct way, follow these simple steps:

1. Cut a piece of EMT conduit long enough to penetrate the entire wall (both sides) and have the pipe stick out approximately 6 inches on each side.
2. Pull your wires trough the EMT and then place the EMT through a hole in the fire rated wall.
3. Use mineral wool to pack the ends of the EMT.  Make sure to wrap the mineral wool around the wires and center the wires within the EMT as much as possible.  Now shove the mineral wool inside the conduit.
4. Fire caulk the ends  of the EMT (over the mineral wool) 1" deep and have the fire caulk stick out of the conduit approximately 1/2" to 3/4".
5. Now use the fire caulk around the EMT and the actual fire rated wall.  Make sure to get the fire caulk in 1" and at least 3/4" all around.
6. Make sure to do this on both sides.

Using a Manometer on a System Sensor D4120

A Manometer is an electronic device commonly referred to as a liquid column hydrostatic instrument.  A Manometer measures pressure and vacuum within the actual System Sensor D4120 duct smoke detector.  Now they can be used with other manufacturer's duct detectors but for this example we will stick with the System Sensor D4120. 

The Manometer we chose to use is very simple to operate.  It is manufactured by SDI.  Simply connect the two provided hoses with variable size end plugs and power it on.  Once on hold down the "hold" button for three seconds to zero out the machine.  Sort of like a scale.  Now press the "unit" button until you arrive at the selection of "inH2O" on the bottom left of the screen.

Now you will notice that the two hoses are connected to specific ports.  One is marked as negative and the other positive.  Make sure to place the hose end of the positive into the actual sample tube inlet.  The negative tube will go into the exhaust port. 

With the System Sensor D4120 duct detector you will be looking for a reading of anywhere between 0.01 min and 1.11 max.

I don't expect you will be coming across this very often as the mechanical contractor usually will install the duct mounted smoke detector therefor being responsible for testing it with a Manometer.  However, now if someone asks, you can say you know what a Manometer is.