Abstract: A building management system includes a plurality of network-connected sensors installed in or around a place comprising at least one space. The building management system also includes a control engine configured to identify a space profile associated with the space. The space profile is one of a plurality of selectable space profiles for the space. At least two of the plurality of space profiles are associated with a different type of space serving a different function. The space profile includes one or more attributes for the space and a corresponding target value for each of the attributes. The control engine is also configured to receive and process data from the sensors to determine an actual value of each of the attributes and control one or more devices that serve the space to drive the actual value of each attributed toward the corresponding target value defined by the space profile.

Abstract: A building management system includes a plurality of network-connected sensors installed in or around a place comprising at least one space. The building management system also includes a control engine configured to identify a space profile associated with the space. The space profile is one of a plurality of selectable space profiles for the space. At least two of the plurality of space profiles are associated with a different type of space serving a different function. The space profile includes one or more attributes for the space and a corresponding target value for each of the attributes. The control engine is also configured to receive and process data from the sensors to determine an actual value of each of the attributes and control one or more devices that serve the space to drive the actual value of each attributed toward the corresponding target value defined by the space profile.

Abstract: A device and method for facilitating convenient measurement of airflow in a duct detector. The device may include a detector assembly and an airflow sensor mounted within the detector assembly. The airflow sensor may be coupled to a remote control device, such as via control circuitry. A method for testing airflow in the duct detector may be performed by measuring airflow in the detector assembly, generating a signal that corresponds to the measured airflow in the detector assembly, and determining whether the generated signal exceeds a predetermined threshold signal level. If the generated signal does not exceed the threshold signal level, alarms may be activated and/or blowers in a ventilation system may be deactivated.

Abstract: A device and method for facilitating convenient measurement of airflow in a duct detector. The device may include a detector assembly and an airflow sensor mounted within the detector assembly. The airflow sensor may be coupled to a remote control device, such as via control circuitry. A method for testing airflow in the duct detector may be performed by measuring airflow in the detector assembly, generating a signal that corresponds to the measured airflow in the detector assembly, and determining whether the generated signal exceeds a predetermined threshold signal level. If the generated signal does not exceed the threshold signal level, alarms may be activated and/or blowers in a ventilation system may be deactivated.

Abstract: A particle detection unit including a detection chamber and a duct detector is disclosed. The duct detector is disposed within the detection chamber. The duct detector has a rod with a first and a second end where the first end is distal the second end. A reflector may be attached to the rod adjacent the first end. A sensor and emitter device may be attached to the rod and spaced apart from the reflector.

Abstract: A monitoring system for a NAC (Notification Appliance Circuit) is provided. The monitoring system includes a system controller, and a NAC comprised of notification appliances that may be in a series. The NAC and its appliances may be operatively coupled to the system controller. The system controller is operable to determine whether a notification appliance has sufficient voltage at a low voltage operation.

Abstract: In accordance with the embodiments of the present invention, an alarm system is provided. The alarm system includes a system controller coupled to at least one initiation device. At least one textual notification device such as for example a signboard is coupled to the system controller. In one embodiment, the textual notification device is a multi-line signboard having an alarm input and a secondary input. The textual notification device is supervised, controlled, and powered integrally with the system controller. In an additional embodiment, an audible generator can be provided that provides an audible message in conjunction with the visual message on the textual notification devices.

Abstract: A self-testing notification appliance includes a notification emitter, a verification circuit, and a controller. The notification emitter is operable to output light or light and sound based on a control signal. The verification circuit includes a notification sensor to detect the light or light and sound and generate a verification signal. The controller sends the control signal to the notification emitter and receives information based on the verification signal from the verification circuit. The self-testing notification appliance may be part of a network including a fire control panel and a plurality of additional self-testing notification appliances. The self-testing notification appliances may be assigned addresses on the network.

Abstract: A particle detection unit including a detection chamber and a duct detector is disclosed. The duct detector is disposed within the detection chamber. The duct detector has a rod with a first and a second end where the first end is distal the second end. A reflector may be attached to the rod adjacent the first end. A sensor and emitter device may be attached to the rod and spaced apart from the reflector.

Abstract: A self-testing notification appliance includes a notification emitter, a verification circuit, and a controller. The notification emitter is operable to output light or light and sound based on a control signal. The verification circuit includes a notification sensor to detect the light or light and sound and generate a verification signal. The controller sends the control signal to the notification emitter and receives information based on the verification signal from the verification circuit. The self-testing notification appliance may be part of a network including a fire control panel and a plurality of additional self-testing notification appliances. The self-testing notification appliances may be assigned addresses on the network.

Abstract: In a fire alarm system, a message is sent on a pair of power lines to a notification appliance. The notification appliance responds to the message by activating one or more of its notification devices. In a standby mode, only enough power is supplied to the plural notification appliances, at a first voltage level, to support two-way communications between a system controller and the notification appliances. In an active mode, power is supplied at a second voltage sufficient to operate audible and visible alarms of the notification appliance. The notification appliance may include an addressable speaker. The addressable speaker connects to and receives messages over the pair of power lines, has plural taps for selecting audio power. In response to a command, a selector in an addressed smart speaker selects a tap to select a particular audio power.

Abstract: A monitoring system for a NAC (Notification Appliance Circuit) is provided. The monitoring system includes a system controller, and a NAC comprised of notification appliances that may be in a series. The NAC and its appliances may be operatively coupled to the system controller. The system controller is operable to determine whether a notification appliance has sufficient voltage at a low voltage operation.

Abstract: A method for verifying operation of notification appliances on a notification appliance network during low input voltage conditions is provided. An output voltage is supplied to a network and is measured at a control panel. An input parameter is measured at a notification appliance connected to the network. A supply line impedance is calculated for the notification appliance based on at least one of the output voltage and the input parameter. At least one of the supply line impedance, the output voltage and the input parameter are used to determine a pass/fail condition for the notification appliance during a low voltage condition.

Abstract: In a fire alarm system, a message is sent on a pair of power lines to a notification appliance. The notification appliance responds to the message by activating one or more of its notification devices. In a standby mode, only enough power is supplied to the plural notification appliances, at a first voltage level, to support two-way communications between a system controller and the notification appliances. In an active mode, power is supplied at a second voltage sufficient to operate audible and visible alarms of the notification appliance.

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: In a fire alarm system, a message is sent on a pair of power lines to a notification appliance. The notification appliance responds to the message by activating one or more of its notification devices. In a standby mode, only enough power is supplied to the plural notification appliances, at a first voltage level, to support two-way communications between a system controller and the notification appliances. In an active mode, power is supplied at a second voltage sufficient to operate audible and visible alarms of the notification appliance.

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: An alarm system is provided which includes multiple notification appliances for signaling an alarm condition. The system controller intelligently controls the notification appliances including notification devices such as an audible or visual alarm through multi-bit digital messages sent over communication lines. The alarm system has both a standby and active mode of operation in which communication between the controller and notification appliances is possible in both modes of operation. In the standby mode, the notification appliances are powered at a first voltage level. Communication between the notification appliances and the system controller is provided by sending data pulses along the communication lines relative to the first voltage level.

Abstract: An alarm system includes a plurality of alarm devices connected to a load sensor. The load sensor senses the electrical load in the alarm system and indicates both the failure of the alarm devices in the system and the likely location of the failed devices.

Abstract: A building alarm system includes addressable notification appliances connected to a system controller, with each notification appliance having a status indicator and an alarm indicator. The status indicator, such as an LED, provides for system test modes that avoid disruption of building occupants. To test the alarm system, the system controller selects which notification appliances to operate in response to a test alarm input and communicates to each selected appliance an instruction to operate its associated status indicator without operating its associated audible or flashing visible alarm indicators. In a troubleshooting mode, the system controller polls each of the notification appliances and receives an answer in response to the poll from any of the appliances. The controller operates the LED indicators of those appliances which answer the poll.