Abstract: An automatic addressing system for a fire loop and a method for automatically addressing a plurality of remote units electrically connected to a fire panel in a fire loop, the method including: (1) requesting an initial identifier from each remote unit; (2) for each remote unit which responds with a unique initial identifier: (a) assigning a unique address to the remote unit; and (b) silencing the response of the configured remote unit to further identifier requests; (3) for each remote unit which responds with an initial identifier matching the initial identifier of at least one other remote unit: (a) initialising an identifier array with the initial identifier for the remote unit in question; (b) requesting a further identifier and adding it to the identifier array for the remote unit; (c) for each remote unit which responds with a unique identifier array: (i) assigning a unique address to the remote unit.

Abstract: A detector unit for use in a fire detection system is provided, comprising: a sensor for monitoring an environmental condition; an indicator for generating a visible indication; and a controller in connection with the sensor and the indicator, wherein the controller is configured to communicate with a fire alarm control panel of the fire detection system; wherein the controller is configured to operate the detector unit in a testing mode, the testing mode being for testing a response of the fire detection system to an environmental condition that is indicative of a fire; and wherein the controller is configured to cause the indicator to indicate an outcome of a test carried out on the detector unit when the detector unit is operating in the testing mode.

Abstract: An optical smoke detector 1 includes an ultrasonic transducer 4 configured to cause oscillations in its housing 2 so as to dislodge accumulated particulate matter from the walls of a sensor chamber or a labyrinth of the smoke detector 1. Additionally or alternatively, the ultrasonic transducer 4 may be configured to cause oscillations that dislodge accumulated particulate matter from a light source or a light receiver of the smoke detector 1.

Abstract: A fire system for a building is provided, the fire system including a fire panel for monitoring the building and activating an alarm; and a plurality of remote units electrically connected to the fire panel in a circuit having a loop configuration. At least some of the plurality of remote units including an indicating device for modulating a current in the circuit. The plurality of remote units are in communication with the fire panel in a master-slave relationship. The fire panel includes a calibration module for polling each indicating device to obtain a current response value and for storing said current response values, the current response value of an indicating device being based on the amplitude of the current when modulated by that indicating device.

Abstract: A fire detection system (10) includes a plurality of smoke detectors (14) positioned for detection of smoke within one or more smoke detection volumes (12a, 12b). The fire detection system (10) is configured to monitor occupancy of the smoke detection volumes (12a, 12b) or to receive data indicative of occupancy of the smoke detection volumes (12a, 12b), for example from an intrusion detection system (20). The fire detection system (10) is configured to adjust a smoke sensitivity associated with each of the smoke detectors (14) based on the occupancy of the respective smoke detection volume (12a, 12b), with the smoke sensitivity being decreased when the respective smoke detection volume (12a, 12b) is occupied.

Abstract: A detection system (10) for hazard detection is provided. The detection system (10) includes a control loop (16); an addressable base unit (18) connected to the control loop (16), the base unit (18) including a first near-field communication module (22) storing a unit address; and a mounting unit (20) removably coupled to the base unit (18), the mounting unit (20) including a second near-field communication module (24) operable to read the unit address from the first near-field communication module (22) and store the unit address so that the mounting unit (20) is thereby addressable via the control loop (16).

Abstract: An automatic addressing system for a fire loop and a method for automatically addressing a plurality of remote units electrically connected to a fire panel in a fire loop, the method including: (1) requesting an initial identifier from each remote unit; (2) for each remote unit which responds with a unique initial identifier: (a) assigning a unique address to the remote unit; and (b) silencing the response of the configured remote unit to further identifier requests; (3) for each remote unit which responds with an initial identifier matching the initial identifier of at least one other remote unit: (a) initialising an identifier array with the initial identifier for the remote unit in question; (b) requesting a further identifier and adding it to the identifier array for the remote unit; (c) for each remote unit which responds with a unique identifier array: (i) assigning a unique address to the remote unit.

Abstract: A fire detection system (10) includes a plurality of smoke detectors (14) positioned for detection of smoke within one or more smoke detection volumes (12a, 12b). The fire detection system (10) is configured to monitor occupancy of the smoke detection volumes (12a, 12b) or to receive data indicative of occupancy of the smoke detection volumes (12a, 12b), for example from an intrusion detection system (20). The fire detection system (10) is configured to adjust a smoke sensitivity associated with each of the smoke detectors (14) based on the occupancy of the respective smoke detection volume (12a, 12b), with the smoke sensitivity being decreased when the respective smoke detection volume (12a, 12b) is occupied.

Abstract: A fire system 10 for a building is provided, the fire system 10 including a fire panel 12 for monitoring the building and activating an alarm; and a plurality of remote units 14, 16, 18 electrically connected to the fire panel 12 in a circuit 20 having a loop configuration. At least some of the plurality of remote units 14, 16, 18 including an indicating device 14, 18 for modulating a current in the circuit 20. The plurality of remote units 14, 16, 18 are in communication with the fire panel 12 in a master-slave relationship. The fire panel 12 includes a calibration module 22 for polling each indicating device 14, 18 to obtain a current response value and for storing said current response values, the current response value of an indicating device 14, 18 being based on the amplitude of the current when modulated by that indicating device.

Abstract: A fire detection system (10) includes a plurality of smoke detectors (14) positioned for detection of smoke within one or more smoke detection volumes (12a, 12b). The fire detection system (10) is configured to monitor occupancy of the smoke detection volumes (12a, 12b) or to receive data indicative of occupancy of the smoke detection volumes (12a, 12b), for example from an intrusion detection system (20). The fire detection system (10) is configured to adjust a smoke sensitivity associated with each of the smoke detectors (14) based on the occupancy of the respective smoke detection volume (12a, 12b), with the smoke sensitivity being decreased when the respective smoke detection volume (12a, 12b) is occupied.

Abstract: A short-circuit isolator for electrically isolating a short circuit in a fire protection system includes a wireless communication module. The wireless communication module may transmit a status of short-circuit isolator and/or additional data that can be detected by a tool carried by an operator. The wireless communication module may additionally allow the operator to locate the short-circuit isolator, based on an intensity of a wireless signal from the wireless communication module.

Abstract: An optical smoke detector 1 includes an ultrasonic transducer 4 configured to cause oscillations in its housing 2 so as to dislodge accumulated particulate matter from the walls of a sensor chamber or a labyrinth of the smoke detector 1. Additionally or alternatively, the ultrasonic transducer 4 may be configured to cause oscillations that dislodge accumulated particulate matter from a light source or a light receiver of the smoke detector 1.

Abstract: A fire detection system (10) includes a plurality of smoke detectors (14) positioned for detection of smoke within one or more smoke detection volumes (12a, 12b). The fire detection system (10) is configured to monitor occupancy of the smoke detection volumes (12a, 12b) or to receive data indicative of occupancy of the smoke detection volumes (12a, 12b), for example from an intrusion detection system (20). The fire detection system (10) is configured to adjust a smoke sensitivity associated with each of the smoke detectors (14) based on the occupancy of the respective smoke detection volume (12a, 12b), with the smoke sensitivity being decreased when the respective smoke detection volume (12a, 12b) is occupied.

Abstract: A short-circuit isolator for electrically isolating a short circuit in a fire protection system includes a wireless communication module. The wireless communication module may transmit a status of short-circuit isolator and/or additional data that can be detected by a tool carried by an operator. The wireless communication module may additionally allow the operator to locate the short-circuit isolator, based on an intensity of a wireless signal from the wireless communication module.

Abstract: Apparatus and methodologies for aeroponically growing a large crop of plants are provided, comprising at least one climate-controlled growth chamber containing a plurality of independently rotatable plant support structures for receiving and supporting a plurality of plants in close proximity to one another, providing easy access to the plants within the growth chamber without interruption delivery of a nutrient-rich solution to the plants. Where desired, each plant support structure may also be quickly and easily removed from the growth chamber, via at least one quick-release mechanism.

Abstract: A system includes a capacitor, a plurality of notification devices connected in parallel with the capacitor, and a controller. The controller is capable of determining capacitance of the capacitor during charge-up of the capacitor, and the controller is capable of determining the wiring impedance of the emergency notification circuit during discharge of the capacitor.

Abstract: A system includes a capacitor, a plurality of notification devices connected in parallel with the capacitor, and a controller. The controller is capable of determining capacitance of the capacitor during charge-up of the capacitor, and the controller is capable of determining the wiring impedance of the emergency notification circuit during discharge of the capacitor.