Introduction
Early detection of fires can prevent major
catastrophes protecting valuable assets and saving lives. This
predicates high reliability and rapid response time as critical
requirements in Fire Alarm Panels. Hence, it is natural for customers to
demand reliable, rugged and maintenance-free fire alarm panels.
The mission of a fire control system is to
protect life, property and resources from hazardous scenarios like fire,
explosion chemical spill or even radiation. It becomes a herculean task
to identify and suppress a fire in real time for any organization
without a perpetual fire monitoring and detection system.
Presenting Matrix PROPAC - A powerful and
proactive CFAP (Conventional Fire Alarm Panel) used to continuously
monitor smoke, heat, flame or spark in the immediate vicinity of an
office, building, apartment, home or small industrial plant. It is fully
geared to identify the smallest spark accurately, and is vital in
critical situations for providing a real time response and thus reducing
the risk of equipment damage and loss of life.
Matrix PROPAC is built using latest
micro-controllers and ADCs for rapid and accurate response to the
external events. It offers an easy to use interface through LCD, colored
status indicators and touch sense keys. There are direct keys for
various zones and other important actions such as status acknowledgement
or routine system checks. Additional settings are offered through menu
options on the LCD display, making it easy to setup and operate. Matrix
PROPAC is housed in a rugged yet sleek weather-proof enclosure.
A wide range of sensors and detectors are
supported by PROPAC, ensuring that it can be used with the existing
installation seamlessly without the need to change IDC circuits. Front
panel programming makes it easier for the user to configure the system
in few seconds. It also offers one-person device testing so that a user
can test it from his place remotely.
PROPAC has state-of-the-art technology and
uses it to satisfy key requirements like fire and fault detection and
reporting, panel reset, acknowledge fire and fault, evacuation for fire
drill, alarm silence, event download through Ethernet, walk test,
sounder test etc. Together, these features make it an ideal safety and
security solution for small to large enterprises.
Architecture
The Matrix PROPAC family consists of 2, 4
and 8 zones Conventional Fire Alarm Control Panels integrated with fire
relay, fault relay, auxiliary input and RS485 relay ports. All these
panel devices are controlled though a powerful microcontroller which
handles the whole system effectively and efficiently. This includes 2, 4
and 8 style-Y (Class-B) Initiating Device Circuits and 2 and 4 style-Y
(Class-B) Notification Appliance Circuits.
Preventive Maintenance
Regular Preventive Maintenance is essential
for any fire protection system to evaluate its reliability and
functional capability. Many of the functions are monitored automatically
by the system but it still requires proper inspection and testing by
responsible occupants/ persons. PROPAC offers a Preventive Maintenance
or supervisory mode. It allows deactivation of any zone on a temporary
basis for maintenance purpose. It offers a variety of inspection tests
like Sounder Test, Lamp Test and Walk Test. These tests are mandatory to
evaluate proper functionality of the system time-to-time.
Integration
Matrix PROPAC supports integration to third
party hardware devices like water sprinklers, PA/VA system, gas release
panels etc. to suppress the fire in an emergency. Panel also provides
its integration with third party repeater panels like Mimic Panel and
other devices through a RS485 port on the serial link, for up to 32
devices in a row. Access control system and other relay based devices
can also be interfaced with the fire or fault relay port which makes
fire control system fully automated. In case of an alarm, the access
control system can open all doors to allow rapid exit from the danger
zone.
Web Configuration Tool
Installation and commissioning has been
greatly simplified through the use of Matrix designed user friendly Web
Configuration Tool called Jeeves. This easy to use tool allows the
system to be easily programmed and ready to use within few minutes.
Furthermore, event log files can be downloaded from the controller to
Jeeves and converted to user readable format. This enables users to
download, store and get the latest event logs into their computers.
Reduce False Alarm Potential
False alarms have the potential to cause
substantial disruption to the smooth running of a business and
additionally place an unwanted burden on fire service resources. Regular
false alarms can cause building users to neglect alarm signals leading
to incorrect actions in the event of a real fire situation. Matrix
PROPAC eliminates such kind of possibilities like unwanted alarms,
equipment false alarms and malicious false alarms.
Zones and Sounder Circuits
PROPAC is equipped with 2, 4 and 8 style-Y
(Class-B) Initiating Device Circuits(IDCs) for connecting various fire,
flame, smoke or heat sensors, detectors or Manual Call Points (MCPs).
These devices are connected through a 2-wire interface terminated with
an End of Line Resistor (EOL) which forms a zone. PROPAC incorporates 2,
4 and 8 zones with 32 sensors and detectors including MCPs which
ensures unrestricted and perpetual monitoring and detection of fire or
fault.
The 2-wire interface of PROPAC provides 24
VDC power to the sensors and detectors so there is no need of external
power supply. It is also equipped with 2 and 4 style-Y (Class–B) Sounder
Circuits or Notification Appliance Circuits (NACs) for the prompt
declaration of fire and Class Change events. It allows connection for up
to 4 devices like sounder, strobe, sounder-strobe etc. per NAC.
Fire Detection and Notification
This is the core function of PROPAC CFAP. It
offers multi-zone Fire Detection and Notification. PROPAC provides
rock-solid reliability without failure to detect fire, flame, smoke, and
heat in any zone. Fire detection is achieved by sensors or Manual Call
Points and notification is achieved through fire alarm indicator (LEDs),
zone alarm, panel buzzer, sounder and strobe. PROPAC provides fire
alerts through audio-visual appliances like Notification Appliance
Circuits (NACs), panel buzzer and LEDs. Furthermore, it also actuates
the fire relay for the next action that needs to be taken to suppress
the fire in time.
Fire Relay and Integration
Whenever a fire occurs, the fire relay ports
should be activated in order to control the fire and to initiate further
control procedures. PROPAC offers flexible integration with an access
control system and other devices through the fire relay which makes the
system fully automated. If any organization is using Matrix PROPAC fire
control panel integrated with access control system, then whenever fire
is detected in any zone, it will open all the doors to evacuate the
place. Furthermore, PROPAC can send information about fire to other
location such as a central monitoring station.
Fault Detection and Reporting
PROPAC ceaselessly monitors the deployed fire
alarm system for different faults like general faults, sounder faults
and zone faults. These alerts are reported to the admin via audio-visual
indicators provided on the Fire Alarm Panel viz. zone fault LEDs, fault
LED, other specific fault LEDs and panel buzzer. The panel also
activates the fault relay for further processing.
Specific Faults Indicators
PROPAC has various special fault indicators
displayed on the panel with LEDs and buzzer for quick identification and
reporting. It includes mains fault, battery fault, battery low, sounder
fault, ground fault, zone fault and system fault.
User Friendly Menu
PROPAC offers a user friendly, interactive, LCD
display based menu to configure, activate or deactivate features. The
menu can handle tasks such as status check, maintenance, configuration,
setting default password, clear log events, reset the system etc. PROPAC
also allows assigning and editing LAN settings like IP address, subnet
mask and gateway address from the menu itself.
User Access Levels and Codes
Higher level of security keeps the panel safe
and secure. PROPAC CFAP has a security feature called User Access Levels
and Codes, to protect the panel from unauthorized access and provide a
role based access. PROPAC offers 4 different user levels and codes which
provide level based rights to different users to access different
functions of the panel. A user is given the facility to view zone
status, battery status, event logs, and mute buzzer, silence sounders,
reset panel, evacuate fire drill etc. Each level is assigned with
default code and PROPAC has the flexibility to change the code from
panel itself.
User Interface and Display
PROPAC provides multiple communication pathways
between panel and the user. It comprises Touch Sensitive Keypad and
Web based Jeeves for programming, monitoring and controlling the panel
locally or remotely. Furthermore, audio visuals such as 2×24 characters
LCD, 33 colored status LEDs and built-in buzzer together, provide system
status and response effectively and efficiently.
Touch Sensitive Keypad
PROPAC is equipped with an attractive Touch
Sensitive Keypad with 22 membrane keys and 32 LEDs. Four special
function keys activate or deactivate intended functions without going
through menu including functions such as EVACUATE, SILENCE, ACK and
RESET.
Normal Mode
It is essential for any fire alarm system
switch to the normal mode once it completes the booting process after
power on reset. PROPAC completes these processes quickly and starts
monitoring various zones, all sounder circuits and other input ports for
detection faults and fire alarms under Normal Mode.
Delayed Mode
Some organization would like to postpone the
activation of sounders for sometime after fire is detected to avoid a
panic situation in sensitive areas like server rooms, hospitals,
pharmaceutical companies etc. PROPAC permits those authorized users to
configure delayed mode which having user access level-3.For this
feature, PROPAC offers a 0-9 minutes delay timer for sounder activation.
Evacuation or Fire Drill
PROPAC has a special key EVACUATION provided on
the panel to activate the NACs (Sounder) for the period decided by the
user. It is mainly used to arrange a fire drill or manual evacuation to
indicate/alert the occupants to empty the building / premises. The panel
also supports LEDs to indicate the status of the feature.
Reset Panel
The Reset function normalizes the zones after
an alarm condition is cleared and resets the panel (LEDs, Buzzers etc)
with respect to the zone. PROPAC has a key called RESET for this
purpose. Once the Reset is applied, the system should reset all zones,
clear the alarm condition and deactivate any sounder if active.
Alarm Silence
Whenever panel detects any alarm through the
sensors or MCPs, panel generates a notification to user through audio
and visual alarm using the output devices like sounder, strobe and
buzzer. Alarm can be easily silenced through the on-board alarm SILENCE
key, which is equipped with an LED indication to show active or
de-active states.
Acknowledge Fire/Faults
Whenever PROPAC detects any fire or fault,
system declares it as a fire alarm or fault alarm and activates the
built-in buzzer output. Once, this alarm or fault state is noticed by
the user, system provides a facility to mute the activated buzzer with
special key ACK/MUTE with status indication.
Sounder Test
The Sounder Test is a maintenance feature of
PROPAC to monitor proper functioning of the sounder circuit. It is a
part of the preventive maintenance capabilities. The Sounder Test is
selected from the menu using the keypad. PROPAC offers a range of
sounder test timer from 0-9 minutes.
Lamp Test
Lamp Test is a testing and maintenance feature
of PROPAC that allows user to activate all the LEDs and internal buzzer
to verify their proper functioning.
Walk Test
PROPAC offers preventive maintenance or fault
reactivation maintenance facility through Walk Test Mode available from
the user menu. It is essential to conduct routine maintenance on the
installed system to ensure PROPAC is healthy and ready to detect the
fire. PROPAC supports testing of individual zones, multiple zones or a
set of sounders in sequence.
Walk Test Inactivity Timer/Stop Test
PROPAC offers the flexibility to select Walk
Test inactivity timer ranges, from 10-60 minutes using the menu. If
multiple zones are activated for Walk Test then it activates the test
LEDs corresponding to these zones. PROPAC also provides a facility
called Stop Test from the menu. Stop Test will terminate all active walk
tests from all the zones.
Events Log
PROPAC can log up to 999 events or transactions
during its normal, alarm or fault mode of operation. The Event Log
consists of alarm, fault and enable/disable events. Sometimes, it is
necessary to record all users created and system generated events for
further processing and reports. These reports can be downloaded in a
user friendly format using Jeeves.
Class Change Facility
Sometimes a user wishes to make use of the
sounders of fire alarm for some other purpose. Class Change is used for
the application where alarm output is activated but fire relay is not
activated. Especially useful in schools where the sounders are installed
for fire reporting, but are activated to indicate changing of student’s
class also.
Configuration through Ethernet
PROPAC provides an alternate option to
configure the system other than menu provided. The alternate option is
configuring the system through Ethernet. A user can use the Ethernet
connectivity to configure zone setting, sounder setting, general
setting, LAN setting, download events and upgrade firmware.
Firmware upgrade through Ethernet
It is essential to upgrade the software to the
controller whenever there are changes made in the firmware. Firmware
upgrade feature allows system to upload the latest firmware to the
controller. This allows the end user to get the latest version of the
firmware at a single click.
Event Log Download through Ethernet
The events download feature allows system to
download event log files from the controller to the application software
and converts the files to user readable format.
Mimic Panel
PROPAC provides remote panel interface and
protocol to connect third party Mimic Panel on a RS485 serial link.
PROPAC allows a total of 32 Mimic Panels to be connected in series on a
RS485 link. Mimic Panel on the network repeats the display and all the
LED indicators of the Fire Alarm Control Panel. PROPAC allows full
monitoring on the Mimic Panel which is especially useful in multi-floor
situations.