Abstract: A fire alarm system for graphically illustrating a fire alarm event is provided. The fire alarm system may receive fire alarm information from one or more fire sensors in a building, and may determine a rate of change of at least one aspect of the fire sensor. The rate of increase of temperature, the length that the fire sensor has been activated, the progression of the fire, etc. The rate of change may be graphically illustrated to enable the operator to quickly assess the fire alarm event. A fire alarm system, whose actions are modified by the rate of change of the fire alarm event, is also provided. Depending on the rate of change, one or more input devices (e.g., cameras or other sensors) one or more output devices (e.g., sprinklers, notification appliances, etc.) in the fire alarm system may be controlled.

Abstract: A building plenum is provided. The building plenum may include an assembly or housing and multiple building utility and safety infrastructures (such as fire, lighting, ventilation, and other building infrastructure). The building plenum may be constructed at a manufacturing facility for subsequent installation in a building. In this way, the building infrastructure may be quickly and efficiently installed in the building, such as by mounting the building plenum on a ceiling as part of a ceiling cover, ceiling tile, or the like. The building plenum may have different configurations (including different building utility and safety infrastructures), different lengths and widths, and different cover appearances (or other ornamentation).

Abstract: A fire alarm system includes a fire alarm notification appliance, and a warning detector which detects a warning alert from a military agency. The fire alarm notification appliance provides notification of the warning alert in response to detection of the warning alert.

Abstract: A system for providing emergency communication within a building comprises a command center and muster stations. A command module is located at the command center. Control modules are located at respective muster stations which are located in different areas within the building. At least one communication link provides communication between the command module at the command center and each of the control modules at the muster stations.

Abstract: A jumper, by its insertion at a particular position of a circuit board, selects one of plural strobe intensities. The jumper includes a flag listing available strobe intensity values. The flag is seated in a pocket when the jumper is inserted onto the circuit board, one face of said pocket comprising a viewing slot. The selected strobe intensity value on the jumper flag is observable through the viewing slot during normal operation of the visual notification appliance.

Abstract: A fire alarm system includes a fire alarm notification appliance, and a warning detector which detects a warning alert from a military agency. The fire alarm notification appliance provides notification of the warning alert in response to detection of the warning alert.

Abstract: A jumper, by its insertion at a particular position of a circuit board, selects one of plural strobe intensities. The jumper includes a flag listing available strobe intensity values. The flag is seated in a pocket when the jumper is inserted onto the circuit board, one face of said pocket comprising a viewing slot. The selected strobe intensity value on the jumper flag is observable through the viewing slot during normal operation of the visual notification appliance.

Abstract: A pneumatic sensing device is presented which automatically senses the motion of a ball falling into a can. A sensing arm protrudes into the pathway of the dropping ball. When the ball hits one end of the arm, the other end of the arm rotates upward and closes off an exhaust port, creating a back pressure in a proximity switch. The proximity switch then sends a pneumatic signal to a four-way valve that allows the now filled can to move on to the next work station. Also presented is a method of using the sensing arm which uses a regulator and indicator to display when the ball drop station has been energized but the ball has failed to drop.