Abstract: A component 1 for use in an alarm system includes a component controller 2 and a monitoring module 4. The component controller 2 is configured to control the component 1 when power is supplied to the component 1. The monitoring module 4 includes a power source 6 and is configured to monitor the component 1 when power is not supplied to the component 1, determine occurrence of a predetermined event 12 and to store an indication of the occurrence of the event.

Abstract: A method for the detection of restricted airflow to a smoke sensor in a central detector unit of an aspirating smoke detection system. An aspirator of the detector unit draws air into the central detector unit along a plurality of sampling pipes. A first portion of the air is directed along a sensing conduit via a filter to the smoke sensor, whilst a second portion of the air continues along a primary conduit and is not directed through the smoke sensor. A first flow meter is positioned on the sensing conduit, and a second flow rate meter is positioned on the primary conduit. A ratio of the flow rates measured by the first and second flow meters is calculated, and used to determine that the filter is restricting airflow to the smoke sensor when the ratio exceeds a predetermined threshold.

Abstract: A component 10 for use in an alarm system includes a component controller 12 and an offline configuration module 14. The offline configuration module 14 includes a passive RFID tag and is configured to receive and store an indication of at least one configuration parameter wirelessly transmitted to the configuration module. Upon initialisation of the component 10, the component controller 12 operates the component 10 in accordance with one or more protocol determined by the at least one configuration parameter indicated by the indication stored by the offline configuration module 14.

Abstract: A method of detecting leakage from a central detector unit 2 of an aspirating fire detection system 1 is described. The method includes actuating a valve 8 to block an outlet 8 of the detector unit 2, operating an aspirator 6 of the detector unit 2 at maximum power, and measuring a differential air pressure across the aspirator 6. If the resulting measured air pressure is below a predetermined threshold, it can be inferred that there is a leak within the central detector unit 2 downstream of the aspirator 6.

Abstract: A smoke detector for an aspirating smoke detection system includes a housing that defines a detection chamber, wherein the housing includes a metallic layer optically exposed to the detection chamber; a laser arranged to direct a beam of light through the detection chamber; a photodiode arranged to detect light scattered from the beam of light; and a heater positioned proximate the metallic layer and outside of the detection chamber, wherein the metallic layer is configured to conduct heat from the heater.

Abstract: A fire suppression system includes a controller; a plurality of nozzles to output a fire supressing agent to supress a fire; one or more sources of fire supressing agent; and a conduit for supplying the agent from the one or more sources to the plurality of nozzles; the conduit has a plurality of sections and a plurality of valves for controlling which of the plurality of sections the agent is supplied into from the one or more sources; and the controller is configured to, in response to a fire being detected: determine at least one nozzle of the plurality of nozzles that is required for supressing the fire; cause the agent to be supplied into the conduit from the one or more sources; and control the plurality of valves to supply the agent from the one or more sources to the at least one nozzle via the conduit.

Abstract: A short-circuit isolator includes a switch configured to selectively interrupt an electrical circuit connected to the short-circuit isolator. The short-circuit isolator is configured to cause the switch to interrupt the electrical circuit when a current at the short-circuit isolator exceeds a current threshold and at least one of a voltage at the short-circuit isolator is below a voltage threshold or a resistance of the electrical circuit measured at the short-circuit isolator is below a resistance threshold.

Abstract: An aspirating smoke detection unit 1 for limiting the spread of airborne contaminants. The aspirating smoke detection unit 1 includes a smoke detector 5 for detecting the presence of smoke particles suspended in air from a monitored region; an ozone generator 7 for producing ozone from oxygen contained in air from the monitored region 20; and an ionizer 8 for ionizing air molecules within air from the monitored region 20. A methods of reducing the spread of airborne contaminants within a monitored region 20 using the aspirating smoke detection unit 1.

Abstract: A manual call point and optical beam smoke detector. The manual call point includes a housing, a plurality of components located within the housing including a mechanism operable to trigger an alarm, and a self-regulating heater. The self-regulating heater is configured to maintain a constant temperature within the housing. The optical beam smoke detector includes a housing having a window, a transmitter and/or a receiver located within the housing, and a heater located within the housing. The heater is configured to maintain a temperature difference between an interior of the housing and an exterior of the housing below a threshold temperature difference.

Abstract: An aspirating detection system for detecting a fire event in a monitored environment, a method of determining when an aspirator for an aspirating detection system requires maintenance, and a method of calibrating a control module for an aspirating detection system. The aspirating detection system (1) includes an aspirator (2) for sampling air from the monitored environment (100), and a vibration sensor (3) configured to monitor a vibration signature of the aspirator (2). The aspirating detection system (1) may further include a control module (4) in communication with the vibration sensor (3). The control module (4) may be configured to determine if the aspirator (2) requires maintenance based on the vibration signature of the aspirator (2).

Abstract: An aspirating detection system for monitoring for the presence of a pathogen, the aspirating detection system including: a network of one or more pipes for sampling air from a plurality of locations monitored by the aspirating detection system; a sensor unit 3 comprising a housing 13 fluidly connected to the network of one or more pipes, and a biosensor 12 mounted within the housing, the biosensor being configured to monitor for the presence of the pathogen; and an aspirator 15 configured to draw airflow through the network of one or more pipes and through the biosensor 12.

Abstract: A fire detection system includes a heat detector configured to monitor a fire detection volume; a smoke detector configured to monitor the fire detection volume; and an occupancy sensor configured to detect the presence of at least one person within the fire detection volume. The fire detection system is configured to monitor for the presence of a fire within the fire detection volume using the heat detector and the smoke detector responsive to determining, using the occupancy sensor, that the fire detection volume is unoccupied. The fire detection system is configured to monitor for the presence of a fire within the fire detection volume using the heat detector and not using the smoke detector responsive to determining, using the occupancy sensor, that the fire detection volume is occupied.

Abstract: A fire detection system includes a heat detector configured to monitor a fire detection volume; a smoke detector configured to monitor the fire detection volume; and an occupancy sensor configured to detect the presence of at least one person within the fire detection volume. The fire detection system is configured to monitor for the presence of a fire within the fire detection volume using the heat detector and the smoke detector responsive to determining, using the occupancy sensor, that the fire detection volume is unoccupied. The fire detection system is configured to monitor for the presence of a fire within the fire detection volume using the heat detector and not using the smoke detector responsive to determining, using the occupancy sensor, that the fire detection volume is occupied.

Abstract: A system for distributing a suppression agent and a sterilization agent over an area, and a method for operating the distribution system are provided. The system includes a sterilization tank, a suppression tank, and a pipe network. The sterilization tank is used for holding the sterilization agent. The suppression tank is used for holding the suppression agent. The sterilization tank is operatively connected to a first valve. The suppression tank is operatively connected to a second valve. The pipe network is connected to the first valve and the second valve. The pipe network includes at least one spray head. The system may further include a control panel operatively connected to at least one of the first valve and the second valve. The control panel, when included, may be configured to switch at least one of the first valve and the second valve between the open position and the closed position.

Abstract: A method for the detection of restricted airflow to a smoke sensor in a central detector unit of an aspirating smoke detection system. An aspirator of the detector unit draws air into the central detector unit along a plurality of sampling pipes. A first portion of the air is directed along a sensing conduit via a filter to the smoke sensor, whilst a second portion of the air continues along a primary conduit and is not directed through the smoke sensor. A first flow meter is positioned on the sensing conduit, and a second flow rate meter is positioned on the primary conduit. A ratio of the flow rates measured by the first and second flow meters is calculated, and used to determine that the filter is restricting airflow to the smoke sensor when the ratio exceeds a predetermined threshold.

Abstract: A smoke detector for an aspirating smoke detection system includes a housing that defines a detection chamber, wherein the housing includes a metallic layer optically exposed to the detection chamber; a laser arranged to direct a beam of light through the detection chamber; a photodiode arranged to detect light scattered from the beam of light; and a heater positioned proximate the metallic layer and outside of the detection chamber, wherein the metallic layer is configured to conduct heat from the heater.

Abstract: A component 10 for use in an alarm system includes a component controller 12 and an offline configuration module 14. The offline configuration module 14 includes a passive RFID tag and is configured to receive and store an indication of at least one configuration parameter wirelessly transmitted to the configuration module. Upon initialisation of the component 10, the component controller 12 operates the component 10 in accordance with one or more protocol determined by the at least one configuration parameter indicated by the indication stored by the offline configuration module 14.

Abstract: A component 10 for use in an alarm system includes a component controller 12 and an offline configuration module 14. The offline configuration module 14 includes a passive RFID tag and is configured to receive and store an indication of at least one configuration parameter wirelessly transmitted to the configuration module. Upon initialisation of the component 10, the component controller 12 operates the component 10 in accordance with one or more protocol determined by the at least one configuration parameter indicated by the indication stored by the offline configuration module 14.

Abstract: A method of detecting leakage from a central detector unit 2 of an aspirating fire detection system 1 is described. The method includes actuating a valve 8 to block an outlet 8 of the detector unit 2, operating an aspirator 6 of the detector unit 2 at maximum power, and measuring a differential air pressure across the aspirator 6. If the resulting measured air pressure is below a predetermined threshold, it can be inferred that there is a leak within the central detector unit 2 downstream of the aspirator 6.

Abstract: A heat detection system for a fire alarm, the heat detection system including: a heat detection device including at least one heat sensor and an alarm system for triggering an alert when the heat sensor indicates a temperature exceeding a threshold; and a self-regulating heater operable to maintain the heat detection device at a predefined application temperature during use.