Abstract: A system and method for providing supplemental power to a notification unit of a device in a fire alarm system. The notification unit generates alert signals for indicating an alarm. The device includes a power unit for providing the supplemental power to the notification unit and a device controller for charging the power unit. The device controller charges the power unit in response to receiving a charging synchronization signal from a system controller of the system.

Abstract: A system and method for providing supplemental power to a notification unit of a device in a fire alarm system. The notification unit generates alert signals for indicating an alarm. The device includes a power unit for providing the supplemental power to the notification unit and a device controller for charging the power unit. The device controller charges the power unit in response to receiving a charging synchronization signal from a system controller of the system.

Abstract: A system and method for providing supplemental power to a notification unit of a device in a fire alarm system. The notification unit generates alert signals for indicating an alarm. The device includes a power unit for providing the supplemental power to the notification unit and a device controller for charging the power unit. The device controller charges the power unit in response to receiving a charging synchronization signal from a system controller of the system.

Abstract: A system and method for providing supplemental power to a notification unit of a device in a fire alarm system. The notification unit generates alert signals for indicating an alarm. The device includes a power unit for providing the supplemental power to the notification unit and a device controller for charging the power unit. The device controller charges the power unit in response to receiving a charging synchronization signal from a system controller of the system.

Abstract: A transient electrical energy strike detector is disclosed. The detector may be integral with the circuitry of a fire alarm panel of a fire alarm system and may identify and record transient electrical energy strikes sustained by the electrical protection circuitry of the system. Particularly, voltage fluctuations in the fire alarm panel circuitry that are outside of a predefined operating voltage range may be identified by the pulse detector as representing transient electrical energy strikes. The pulse detector may increment a counter upon the occurrence of each identified transient energy strike, and may maintain a comprehensive record of such strikes in a memory unit, including a magnitude, duration, time, and date of each strike.

Abstract: A transient electrical energy strike detector is disclosed. The detector may be integral with the circuitry of a fire alarm panel of a fire alarm system and may identify and record transient electrical energy strikes sustained by the electrical protection circuitry of the system. Particularly, voltage fluctuations in the fire alarm panel circuitry that are outside of a predefined operating voltage range may be identified by the pulse detector as representing transient electrical energy strikes. The pulse detector may increment a counter upon the occurrence of each identified transient energy strike, and may maintain a comprehensive record of such strikes in a memory unit, including a magnitude, duration, time, and date of each strike.

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 monitoring system for a NAC (Notification Appliance Circuit) is provided. The monitoring system includes a system controller, and a NAC comprised of one or more 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. The system controller may control the voltage to the NAC in order to provide power to simulate operation of the NAC using battery power. A voltage may be measured during the simulation (such as at one end of the NAC). The measured voltage may be compared with a predetermined minimum operating voltage for the notification appliance. Based on the comparison, it may be determined whether the one or more appliances on the NAC may operate properly when the NAC is operated using battery power.

Abstract: A system for securing and releasing doors includes at least two electromagnetic latches and a controller. Each of the electromagnetic latches includes a coil configured to be energized by a power signal to create a magnetic field. The controller switches the power signal between the electromagnetic latches so that the power signal is supplied to the electromagnetic latches one at a time. The electromagnetic latches may be electromagnetic door holders, electromagnetic door locks, or any combination of the two.

Abstract: A monitoring system for a NAC (Notification Appliance Circuit) is provided. The monitoring system includes a system controller, and a NAC comprised of one or more 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. The system controller may control the voltage to the NAC in order to provide power to simulate operation of the NAC using battery power. A voltage may be measured during the simulation (such as at one end of the NAC). The measured voltage may be compared with a predetermined minimum operating voltage for the notification appliance. Based on the comparison, it may be determined whether the one or more appliances on the NAC may operate properly when the NAC is operated using battery 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 one or more 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. The system controller may control the voltage to the NAC in order to provide power to simulate operation of the NAC using battery power. A voltage may be measured during the simulation (such as at one end of the NAC). The measured voltage may be compared with a predetermined minimum operating voltage for the notification appliance. Based on the comparison, it may be determined whether the one or more appliances on the NAC may operate properly when the NAC is operated using battery power.

Abstract: A system for securing and releasing doors includes at least two electromagnetic latches and a controller. Each of the electromagnetic latches includes a coil configured to be energized by a power signal to create a magnetic field. The controller switches the power signal between the electromagnetic latches so that the power signal is supplied to the electromagnetic latches one at a time. The electromagnetic latches may be electromagnetic door holders, electromagnetic door locks, or any combination of the two.

Abstract: A monitoring system for a NAC (Notification Appliance Circuit) is provided. The monitoring system includes a system controller, and a NAC comprised of one or more 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. The system controller may control the voltage to the NAC in order to provide power to simulate operation of the NAC using battery power. A voltage may be measured during the simulation (such as at one end of the NAC). The measured voltage may be compared with a predetermined minimum operating voltage for the notification appliance. Based on the comparison, it may be determined whether the one or more appliances on the NAC may operate properly when the NAC is operated using battery power.

Abstract: A fire alarm system includes a fire alarm control panel (FACP) and an addressable signaling line circuit (SLC) operably coupled to the FACP for communicating with addressable components, including a plurality of sensors. The sensors can include a plurality of atmospheric sensors operably coupled to the SLC and each configured to provide information about their local atmospheric environment. Also provided is a mobile robot addressable and dispatchable by the fire alarm control panel (FACP) to an area indicated by sensors that are detecting a hazardous or potentially hazardous condition. The robot has mobile sensors that are configured to obtain verification of the hazardous or potentially hazardous condition and the robot is further configured to communicate the verification to the FACP.

Abstract: A hazard alarm includes: a detector for detecting a hazard parameter, trigger logic; and reset logic. The trigger logic triggers an alarm state when the measured parameter reaches a predetermined trigger threshold. The alarm state is maintained until a reset is successfully performed. The reset logic, upon a reset command, resets the alarm state if the measured parameter is below a predetermined reset threshold, and inhibits resetting of the alarm state if the measured parameter is above the predetermined reset threshold.

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: An alarm system with improved power is provided. The improved power comprises at least two batteries. Each battery has the capacity to individually back up the alarm system for a standby period. The alarm system selects either battery and operates from that battery. A switching network is coupled to a power source and to the batteries. The switching network is capable of transferring one battery to charge and the other battery to discharge, with the discharge battery providing power to the alarm system. A battery charger circuit is powered from a power source. The battery charger circuit is used to charge the battery that is not powering the alarm system. Circuitry and software can be provided to monitor the health of the batteries.

Abstract: An emergency lighting unit includes a lamp, a backup battery, controller, and a network interface. The controller connects the backup battery to the lamp upon detection of an emergency condition and loss of main power. The network interface interfaces with and receives commands from a fire alarm control panel via a fire alarm network. Each emergency lighting unit may have a unique identifier with respect to the fire alarm network.

Abstract: An emergency lighting unit includes a lamp, a backup battery, and controller and a network interface. The controller connects the backup battery to the lamp upon detection of an emergency condition and loss of main power. The network interface interfaces with and receives commands via a fire alarm network. Each emergency lighting unit has a unique identifier with respect to the fire alarm network.

Abstract: An alarm system with improved power is provided. The improved power comprises at least two batteries. Each battery has the capacity to individually back up the alarm system for a standby period. The alarm system selects either battery and operates from that battery. A switching network is coupled to a power source and to the batteries. The switching network is capable of transferring one battery to charge and the other battery to discharge, with the discharge battery providing power to the alarm system. A battery charger circuit is powered from a power source. The battery charger circuit is used to charge the battery that is not powering the alarm system. Circuitry and software can be provided to monitor the health of the batteries.