Louis T. Fiore

FIRE ALARM TRANSMISSION METHODS

“NFPA 72 2013”

March 14, 2012

Methods in NFPA 72 Chapter 26Methods in NFPA 72 Chapter 26

�� DACTDACT

�� OneOne--Way Private RadioWay Private Radio

�� TwoTwo--Way RadioWay Radio

�� Performance Based TechnologiesPerformance Based Technologies

DACTDACT

““Digital Alarm Communicator TransmitterDigital Alarm Communicator Transmitter””

First defined in NFPA 71First defined in NFPA 71

NFPA 72NFPA 72

�� The next edition (2013) will see DACT and a The next edition (2013) will see DACT and a second technology (not two phone lines).second technology (not two phone lines).

�� The current (and perhaps final) version of The current (and perhaps final) version of NFPA 72NFPA 72--2013 requires a 6 hr DACT test 2013 requires a 6 hr DACT test rather than 24 hrs.rather than 24 hrs.

�� The 2016 Edition will probably The 2016 Edition will probably ““sunsetsunset””DACT altogether. DACT altogether.

�� TwoTwo--Way radio, Private OneWay radio, Private One--Way Radio, Way Radio, Digital Cellular and IP will survive as your Digital Cellular and IP will survive as your only communications alternatives.only communications alternatives.

26.6.3.126.6.3.1

Performance Based TechnologiesPerformance Based Technologies

�� Single PathSingle Path

60 second polling/check60 second polling/check--inin

�� Multiple PathsMultiple Paths

6 hour polling/check6 hour polling/check--in on each sidein on each side

Digital CellularDigital Cellular

IP/InternetIP/Internet

Current Version (2010):

26.6.3.2.1.4 Transmission Channels.

(A) A system employing a DACT shall employ one telephone line (number). In addition, one of the following transmission means shall be employed:

(1) A second telephone line (number)

(2) A cellular telephone connection

(3) A one-way radio system

(4) A one-way private radio alarm system

(5) A private microwave radio system

(6) A two-way RF multiplex system

(7) A transmission means complying with new technologies section

VoIP

Issues for Alarms with VoIPIssues for Alarms with VoIP

•• Pass alarm DACT signal formats in an Pass alarm DACT signal formats in an

undistorted fashionundistorted fashion

•• Ensure Line Seizure is not compromisedEnsure Line Seizure is not compromised

•• The ability to provide for our control The ability to provide for our control

panels to "seepanels to "see”” a telephone line equivalent a telephone line equivalent

(voltage and dialtone) (voltage and dialtone)

�� VoIP and cable/ISP hardware should have VoIP and cable/ISP hardware should have

sufficient backup power.sufficient backup power.

MFVN in NFPA 72MFVN in NFPA 72--20102010

Definition: 3.3.141Definition: 3.3.141Manage and maintain their network to ensure service quality Manage and maintain their network to ensure service quality

and reliabilityand reliability

Provide a service that is Provide a service that is functionally equivalent to traditional functionally equivalent to traditional analog phone service (dialing, dial plan, and loop voltage analog phone service (dialing, dial plan, and loop voltage treatment), treatment),

Provide realProvide real--time transmission of voice signals that time transmission of voice signals that carry carry alarm system formats unchanged, alarm system formats unchanged,

Provide both professional installation and subscriber Provide both professional installation and subscriber information information …………..which preserves primary line seizurewhich preserves primary line seizure for for alarm system interconnection, and alarm system interconnection, and

Have disaster recovery plans to address both individual Have disaster recovery plans to address both individual customer outages and widespread events of a catastrophic customer outages and widespread events of a catastrophic nature, including nature, including network power restoration equivalent to network power restoration equivalent to traditional landline telephone services.traditional landline telephone services.

One Way Private RadioOne Way Private Radio

�� AESAES--IntellinetIntellinet

�� AlarmNet AAlarmNet A

TwoTwo--Way RF MultiplexWay RF Multiplex

•• AlarmNet AAlarmNet A

•• AAGARDAAGARD

•• HolmesNetHolmesNet

Transmission ChannelsTransmission Channels

(A) (A) A system employing a DACT shall employ one telephone A system employing a DACT shall employ one telephone line (number).line (number).

In addition, one of the following transmission means shall be In addition, one of the following transmission means shall be employed:employed:

(1) A one(1) A one--way private radio alarm systemway private radio alarm system

(2) A two(2) A two--way RF multiplex systemway RF multiplex system

(3) A transmission means complying with 26.6.3.1 (3) A transmission means complying with 26.6.3.1 ((performance-based technologies)

Exception: Where access to two technologies listed above is Exception: Where access to two technologies listed above is not available at the protected premises, with the approval not available at the protected premises, with the approval of the authority having jurisdiction, a telephone line of the authority having jurisdiction, a telephone line (number) shall be permitted to be used as the second(number) shall be permitted to be used as the second

transmission means.transmission means.

26.6.3 Communications Methods.

The communications methods used to transmit signals to supervising stations shall meet the requirements of 26.6.3.1 for performance-based technologies, or 26.6.3.2 (Digital Alarm Communicator Systems) or 26.6.3.3 (Radio Systems) for prescriptive-based technologies.

26.6.3.1 Performance-Based Technologies.

26.6.3.1.1 Conformance. Communications methods operating on principles different from

specific methods covered by this chapter shall be permitted to be installed if they conform to the

performance requirements of this section and to all other applicable requirements of this Code.

26.6.3.1.5 Single Communications Path. 26.6.3.1.5 Single Communications Path.

Unless prohibited by the enforcing authority, governing lawsUnless prohibited by the enforcing authority, governing laws, , codes, or standards, a single transmission path shall be permittcodes, or standards, a single transmission path shall be permitted, ed, and the path shall be supervised at an interval of not more thanand the path shall be supervised at an interval of not more than60 minutes. A failure of the path shall be annunciated at the 60 minutes. A failure of the path shall be annunciated at the supervising station within not more than 60 minutes. The failuresupervising station within not more than 60 minutes. The failureto complete a signal transmission shall be annunciated at the to complete a signal transmission shall be annunciated at the protected premises in accordance with 10.12. protected premises in accordance with 10.12.

26.6.3.1.6 Multiple Communications Paths. 26.6.3.1.6 Multiple Communications Paths.

If multiple transmission paths are used, the following If multiple transmission paths are used, the following requirements shall be met:requirements shall be met:

(1) Each path shall be supervised within not more than 6 hours.(1) Each path shall be supervised within not more than 6 hours.

(2) The failure of any path of a multi(2) The failure of any path of a multi--path system shall be path system shall be annunciated at the supervising station within not more than 6 annunciated at the supervising station within not more than 6 hours.hours.

(3) The failure to complete a signal transmission shall be (3) The failure to complete a signal transmission shall be annunciated at the protected premises in accordance with 10.12.annunciated at the protected premises in accordance with 10.12.

26.6.3.1.7 Single Technology26.6.3.1.7 Single Technology. A single technology shall be . A single technology shall be permitted to be used to create the multiple paths provided the permitted to be used to create the multiple paths provided the requirements of 26.6.3.1.6(1) through 26.6.3.1.6(3)requirements of 26.6.3.1.6(1) through 26.6.3.1.6(3)..

26.6.3.1.5 Single Communications Path. 26.6.3.1.5 Single Communications Path. Unless prohibited by the enforcing Unless prohibited by the enforcing authority, governing laws, codes, or authority, governing laws, codes, or standards, a single transmission path shall standards, a single transmission path shall be permitted, and the path shall be be permitted, and the path shall be supervised at an interval of not more than supervised at an interval of not more than 60 minutes. A failure of the path shall be 60 minutes. A failure of the path shall be annunciated at the supervising station annunciated at the supervising station within not more than 60 minutes. The within not more than 60 minutes. The failure to complete a signal transmission failure to complete a signal transmission shall be annunciated at the protected shall be annunciated at the protected premises in accordance with 10.12. premises in accordance with 10.12.

26.6.3.1.6 Multiple Communications Paths. 26.6.3.1.6 Multiple Communications Paths. If If multiple transmission paths are used, the multiple transmission paths are used, the following requirements shall be met:following requirements shall be met:

(1) Each path shall be supervised within not more (1) Each path shall be supervised within not more than 6 hours.than 6 hours.

(2) The failure of any path of a multi(2) The failure of any path of a multi--path system path system shall be annunciated at the supervising station shall be annunciated at the supervising station within not more than 6 hours.within not more than 6 hours.

(3) The failure to complete a signal transmission (3) The failure to complete a signal transmission shall be annunciated at the protected premises in shall be annunciated at the protected premises in accordance with 10.12.accordance with 10.12.

26.6.3.1.7 Single Technology26.6.3.1.7 Single Technology. A . A

single technology shall be permitted single technology shall be permitted

to be used to create the multiple to be used to create the multiple

paths provided the requirements of paths provided the requirements of

26.6.3.1.6(1) through 26.6.3.1.6(3)26.6.3.1.6(1) through 26.6.3.1.6(3)..

Questions?Questions?

Copy of this presentation:Copy of this presentation:

www.ltfiore.com/NYFAA.htmlwww.ltfiore.com/NYFAA.html

Thank you!Thank you!