Frequently Asked Questions
The Fire-Link II System
Signalink Technologies has several hundred system currently installed in North America and more are being installed every month.
Fire-Link® and Fire-Link®II products are listed to the following UL and ULC Standards: Fire-Link® NMC-100 Series Network Monitoring Controller and ISD-1000 Series In-Suite Device UL 864 - Control Units and Accessories for Fire Alarm Systems (Accessory) UL 985 - Household Fire Warning Systems ULC S527 - Standard for Control Units for Fire Alarm Systems (Accessory) ULC S545 - Standard for Residential Fire Warning System Control Units Fire-Link®II NMC-100 Series Network Monitoring Controller UL 864 - Control Units and Accessories for Fire Alarm Systems (Accessory) UL 985 - Household Fire Warning Systems ULC S527 - Standard for Control Units for Fire Alarm Systems (Accessory) ULC S545 - Standard for Residential Fire Warning System Control Units Fire-Link®II ISD-2500 Series In-Suite Device UL 464 - Audible Signal Appliances UL 1971 - Signaling Devices for the Hearing Impaired ULC S525 - Standard for Audible Signal Devices for Fire Alarm Systems ULC S526 - Standard for Visible Signal Devices for Fire Alarm Systems Fire-Link® and Fire-Link®II Phase Coupler UL 508 – Industrial Control Equipment For further information regarding the UL Fire Alarm Listing process, please visit: http://www.ul.com/global/eng/pages/offerings/industries/lifesafetyandsecurity/alarmsystems/fire/
The Fire-Link® system has complete electrical approvals. The Phase Coupler is both UL and CSA approved for connection into a 3-phase circuit breaker panel. The In-Suite Device (ISD) and the Network Monitoring Controller (NMC) are also both approved electrically for connection into the AC power system as well as FCC approved for power line applications. Please refer to the individual catalogue sheet for specific approval listings.
The Fire-Link® system is designed to be an accessory to an existing fire alarm system to enhance signalling capabilities. However, it can also be used in conjunction with a new or upgraded fire alarm system installation. Under ULC-S545 and UL 985, it can be used in large residential applications as a fire alarm system. However, it cannot be used as both an ‘Accessory’ and a fire panel with detection devices in the same application.
Numerous features are provided: a) Programmable signalling rate (Temporal, Continuous, March time) b) Silence inhibit and Auto Silence in stand alone mode c) Model selection US or Canadian d) Strobe operation (Canada) e) ISD Buzzer—Strobe testing directly from the NMC without having to enter each suite f) Printed report showing pass or fail when the NMC is connected to a laptop
Fire-Link®II systems operate with every know FACP that has a 24 volt NAC output or is capable of supporting auxiliary relays.
Fire-Link®II devices do not operate in a manner similar to a conventional fire alarm system. The power line is used as communications path, an AC power source to provide operating power and a power source to recharge the batteries. Each In Suite Device has its own rechargeable battery as does the NMC. The ISD batteries are nominally 12 VDC; where as the NMC battery is typically 13.7 VDC. The ISD typically consumes about 3 Watts of AC power during charging operation and significantly less than that amount when not charging. No DC power is passed over the AC lines under any operating condition.
The NMC and ISD have battery backup that meets or exceeds the requirements of NFPA, UL and ULC.
Signalink operates at 160 kHz, well below the Radio Frequency band; no other known device uses this particular frequency.
The ISDs are horn or horn/strobe units only and cannot be used for voice communication. However several Fire-Link® Systems have been installed in occupancies employing voice evacuation systems provided by others. The ISD wakes the occupants which allow them to seek paged instructions.
Onboard ISD diagnostics continually test the operation of the ISD’s circuits and communications functions. Each ISD is also capable of sounding a test pulse, evaluating horn operation and reporting back a pass/fail on every device.
Each device in the Fire-Link® system is equipped with battery back up power capable of maintaining standby operation for 24 hours followed by a further 30 minutes of alarm after the stand by period. AC power is not required for signaling.
Logs can be easily reviewed and printed. In addition, dedicated and very knowledgeable Technical Support group is available to assist with any technical issues that may arise.
Yes, the Network Monitoring Controller (NMC) is basically a two zone fire panel. However, it does not have any signal circuits. The AC connection that powers the unit is also the signal path (NAC) from our NMC to the remotely installed ISDs in each suite. It is intended that the NMC be interconnected to the Fire Alarm System Control Unit for both alarm and trouble functions. System software contains individual ISD identification numbers and correlate to suite numbers or locations. The NMC continually communicates with, and monitors the condition of ISDs in the suites.
A complete verification of the system is required after the installation. This verification must be performed by the factory trained technician. A written report will be issued validating the system as to being installed and working according to Signalink’s specifications.
Yes and no. The NMC has two alarm initiating zones as well as a 12VDC resettable power supply for smoke detector. However, the NMC is listed only for residential applications under UL985 and ULC-S545. It is also listed under ULC-S 527 in Canada as an accessory to a fire alarm control unit for supplemental fire signalling. Both detection and accessory modes cannot be utilized in the same application.
Building power distribution systems are complex by nature. Signalink has extensively tested and optimised all aspects of the Fire-Link® communication system. A Fire-Link® system will work in nearly all building environments without additional components. However, time to time certain electrical devices, which inherently generate a large degree of electrical noise, may interfere with proper Fire-Link® operation. If a device is discovered to be a source of interference Signalink offers noise filters to prevent these devices from obstructing normal Fire-Link® operation.
Fire-Link and Fire-Link®II products are approved for installation in most applications including individual dwelling units and guest room, sleeping rooms and living areas within guest suites of multi-unit residential buildings such as hotels, condo units, apartment units, dormitories, etc.
Signalink provides a UL listed phase coupling device that, when installed at each transformer, allows the Fire-Link® signal to be equally distributed across all building phases. Currently up to three transformers may be interconnected using three phase couplers. Typically only one phase coupler is required with a single transformer. The phase coupler is wired to a common or house electrical panel in such a manner as to apply a signal to all phases. In multi-transformer applications, it may be necessary to contact Technical Support to determine the feasibility based on the electrical distribution configuration in that particular building.
The combination Network Monitoring Controller (NMC) and In Suite Devices (ISDs) act like any other Bell Boosting power supply; except Fire-Link® does not provide power to bells, buzzers, gongs or horns. The signaling rate can be set for Continuous, Marching or Temporal patterns. However, the NMC cannot operate in a two stage system as it currently lacks pre-alert pattern followed by an evacuate pattern; nor is the NMC capable of providing “floor above, floor below” or voice operation for high rise buildings requiring such signaling. Two stage (pre-alert) and selective floor signaling will be available in the second quarter of 2012.
Signalling over the power line will continue uninterrupted. The NMC and each ISD has rechargeable battery backup rated for a minimum of 24 hours of standby power and 30 minutes of alarm sounding.
In-suite Devices
When the main Fire Alarm Control Unit goes into alarm, field wiring to the NMC will activate it. The NMC then sends a signal throughout the power lines, causing all ISDs to sound.
All individual ISDs are fully addressable and supervised. The system supervises the ISD for network connectivity, battery faults, AC power and communications faults. Additionally, the NMC is capable of remotely testing the ISD’s horn and strobe elements via the ISD’s on-board diagnostics.
Control functions are generated by the NMC and sent to the ISDs. These functions may reach the ISD directly from the NMC or may be passed to other ISDs to send the message to an ISD not directly reachable by the NMC. This process is known as repeating.
The ISD’s horn produces 87dBA (decibels - A weight) of sound pressure at 10 feet. It should meet the 75dBA requirement measured with the intervening bedroom door closed between the ISD and the pillow. A certified Fire-Link® technician can measure this level to ensure compliance with Fire Code regulation.
Only the bottom half of a duplex receptacle is required for an ISD.
The Canadian version has a 10 minute silence switch on the front of the unit. By pushing this button, a timer is activated. If the NMC is not reset within that 10 minute period, then the ISD will re-sound. The 10 minute silence can be re-initiated. In the U.S., the NMC ‘silence alarm’ button must be pressed. This will silence all ISDs on the network.
Within a predetermined supervisory period, the NMC will display a trouble message consisting of the device location (suite number) and the type of trouble (missing or AC Loss).
An NMC can monitor a maximum of 225 ISDs. Signalink recommends that at least 2/3 of all suites in a building up to this maximum number to be installed in any building.
This portion of the code is in reference to Public mode applications and not Sleeping Area Requirements. The requirement of NFPA 72 is 75dBA sound pressure measured at the pillow.
There are two (2) methods of programming the location (suite numbers) and VID numbers (identifier number) in to the NMC. The first method requires Signalink System Configurator software to be installed on the laptop before programming the NMC. a) Scan or type the bar-coded VID number (on the back of the ISD housing) and type the location in the Device list in SSC b) Directly through the NMC keypad. Key in all VID and suite numbers. This last method is the most time consuming method and should only be used when adding (or deleting) individual ISDs, or less than 20 or so units in to the NMC.
If necessary, more than one ISD can be installed into a unit to ensure 75dB at all pillows. This is very easy to test before installation to ensure the entire system meets regulation.
During alarm the horn and strobe pattern is continuously synchronized as required by UL/ULC & NFPA.
Each dealer or distributor will keep replacement battery packs for the ISD’s.
The ISD-2500 Series devices have an accessible battery compartment on the back of the unit. Batteries must be purchased from a Fire-Link® dealer.
Installers
Installation of the Fire-Link® system is comprised of two parts: a) Electrical installation of the NMC (near the Fire Alarm Control Unit) and the Phase Coupler (in or near the building’s main electrical circuit breaker panel) should be performed by a qualified person such as an electrician. b) The NMC program must be implemented and installed by a trained Fire Alarm Technician. Each Fire-Link® Dealer receives factory-authorized training and is capable of performing this work.
This will be a jurisdictional issue and will vary with each Municipality or County. In many cases, all that will be required is an electrical permit. However, in other cases, a Building Permit may be required simply because the Fire-Link® system is considered a fire/life-safety system.
A Factory certified Fire-Link® technician should be able to design most systems; however, in the event of a very complicated power distribution or other building characteristics Signalink’s engineering team will assist in the design.
Most Authorities will accept the devices; both UL and ULC list Fire-Link® for residential fire signalling applications. The devices are fully supervised and have a battery backed up power supply. Some Authorities require, and Signalink recommends, the ISD to be permanently affixed to the wall with appropriate hardware, such as dry-wall anchors and security screws.