Classifications

• • G—PHYSICS
  • G08—SIGNALLING
  • G08B—SIGNALLING SYSTEMS, e.g. PERSONAL CALLING SYSTEMS; ORDER TELEGRAPHS; ALARM SYSTEMS
  • G08B29/00—Checking or monitoring of signalling or alarm systems; Prevention or correction of operating errors, e.g. preventing unauthorised operation
  • G08B29/02—Monitoring continuously signalling or alarm systems
  • G08B29/06—Monitoring of the line circuits, e.g. signalling of line faults
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G08—SIGNALLING
  • G08B—SIGNALLING SYSTEMS, e.g. PERSONAL CALLING SYSTEMS; ORDER TELEGRAPHS; ALARM SYSTEMS
  • G08B29/00—Checking or monitoring of signalling or alarm systems; Prevention or correction of operating errors, e.g. preventing unauthorised operation
  • G08B29/18—Prevention or correction of operating errors

Definitions

• the invention relates to a fire alarm control panel for connecting a detector line with a plurality of detectors connected thereto.
• the invention further relates to an arrangement for building automation with a fire alarm control panel according to the invention.
• the invention further relates to a method for commissioning hazard detectors in a detector line.
• the alarm system comprises a central monitoring station configured to receive operational measurements and to apply maintenance rules to the operational measurements and a maintenance history for the alarm system in order to determine the maintenance requirements of the alarm system.
• a method for commissioning or maintaining an alarm system comprises: receiving a fault report containing one or more faults from an alarm system; categorizing the one or more faults; prioritizing the one or more faults in a highest priority list; determining a first root cause of a first of the one or more faults in response to an alarm system configuration of the alarm system, a device association of the alarm system, and/or an event history of the alarm system; providing instructions via a user interface regarding how to correct the first fault in response to the first root cause; and detecting whether the first fault is corrected.
• Paragraph [0041] therein discloses that a device of the alarm system may have been removed from the detector line, that a wire of the detector line may be open, that a device of the alarm system may have a hardware failure, or that a device of the alarm system may be improperly installed.
• the task is solved by a fire alarm control panel for connecting a detector line with a plurality of detectors connected to it.
• the fire alarm control panel can be operated in an installation mode for the installation and/or commissioning of the detectors.
• the fire alarm control panel In installation mode, the fire alarm control panel is in communication with a mobile communications terminal of a user (e.g., commissioning engineer).
• the fire alarm control panel sends a corresponding error message for output to the detector affected by the installation error or to the installed device.
• One or more monitoring units for checking the electrical properties of the detector line are installed in the fire alarm control panel and/or in the respective detectors.
• Another possible information output could be an LED built into the installed device, e.g., the internal alarm indicator or the external alarm indicator when connected to a point detector.
• a specific flashing pattern or a specific tone can confirm correct wiring. This makes it possible to check the correctness of the installation at the time of installation of the detector line.
• Installation errors can be detected, for example, by one or more monitoring units for checking the electrical properties of the detector line, e.g. by one or more short-circuit detection units and/or by one or more overcurrent detection units and/or by one or more voltage detectors.
• the fire alarm control panel sends the mobile communication terminal (additionally) a corresponding error message for output on an output device (e.g. display, audio output device) of the mobile communication terminal.
• the installer A "push service” immediately alerts the installer (preferably in real time) to a detected installation error. This is done by sending a corresponding message (e.g., an error message) to the installer's mobile communication device (e.g., smartphone, tablet computer, smart watch, smart glasses).
• the message can be displayed as a text message and/or as a graphic and/or as an audio message, e.g., on the display and/or through the speaker.
• the mobile communication device is preferably a device that is capable of or supports augmented reality.
• the fire alarm control panel is configured to apply a suitable line voltage to the detector line in installation mode.
• the applied line voltage is within a range that allows wiring work on the detector line to be carried out safely.
• a further advantageous embodiment of the invention is that the line voltage is essentially 30 volts. If the applied line voltage is essentially 30 volts (e.g., in the range of 30 ⁇ 4 V), wiring work on the detector line is possible without danger.
• the detector line can also be powered by other line voltages without any danger to the commissioning engineer.
• the line voltage can be essentially 24 volts (e.g., in the range of 24 ⁇ 3 V).
• the line voltage can also be essentially 5 volts (e.g., in the range of 5 ⁇ 1 V).
• the ability to use different line voltages allows, among other things, scaling of the testing options for fault detection.
• Line voltage is typically DC.
• the line voltage for the detector line is essentially not more than 30 volts.
• a further advantageous embodiment of the invention is that the installation mode can be operated in a work step mode, in which, after each work step of the installation and/or commissioning, the status of the respective work step can be output on the mobile communications terminal.
• installation errors can be detected at the work step level and assigned to a work step.
• Another advantage is the ability to remotely monitor the cabling progress. This is best achieved by connecting the mobile device to a project planning tool (e.g., MS Project) used by a construction manager or architect.
• a project planning tool e.g., MS Project
• This is highly relevant, as the commissioning of the fire alarm control panel (BMZ) requires flawless cabling and often occurs during the critical timeframe for the opening of a new building.
• BTZ fire alarm control panel
• Today, fire safety system commissioning engineers often travel to the construction site several times to check on the electricians' progress. This is no longer necessary with the invention.
• a further advantageous embodiment of the invention is that an installation error is a short circuit on the detector line and/or an interruption of the detector line and/or an earth fault of the detector line and/or a polarity reversal of a respective connected
• the detector line is continuously monitored electrically; polarity reversals, overcurrents, and interruptions are detected immediately.
• Checks for installation errors are therefore already performed during the installation process.
• Today, checks for installation errors are only performed once the system is more or less fully commissioned.
• a further advantageous embodiment of the invention is that the fire alarm control panel is already connected to a cloud service during the installation phase, among other things for communication with the mobile communication device.
• the fire alarm control panel has an internet connection (e.g., Wi-Fi, 5G modem), and the installer is continuously connected to the fire alarm control panel and the cloud service via their mobile device (e.g., smartphone, tablet, smart watch, smart glasses, AR device) during work.
• the cloud service advantageously has access to building plans and/or a building information model (BIM). Installations completed on the detector line are advantageously entered directly in the building plan and/or the building information model.
• BIM building information model
• a further advantageous embodiment of the invention is that the cloud service is part of an internet-based ecosystem for a building automation system, in which the fire alarm control panel and the mobile communications terminal (for a user or for a user group) are registered.
• This allows, among other things, information about the building (e.g., assets present and/or installed in the building (e.g., HVAC infrastructure)) to be provided on the mobile communications terminal, e.g., in the form of augmented reality information/animations).
• a further advantageous embodiment of the invention is that a detector to be installed in the detector line is connected to the cloud service and receives its respective configuration data from the cloud service via a suitable communication connection. If configuration data for the respective installation is already available in the cloud, the detector type can also be checked and the detector can be configured by downloading the configuration data. This increases installation efficiency.
• a further advantageous embodiment of the invention is that the fire alarm control panel is configured to automatically synchronize information about an installed detector with the cloud service. This ensures data consistency between detector data and documentation (I-Base) about installed detectors. Synchronization is advantageously performed via an automatic comparison with a building information model (BIM). This ensures that data stored in the building information model or in a building plan is consistent with the detector data in the field.
• I-Base detector data and documentation
• BIM building information model
• the arrangement can be implemented using commercially available components.
• the arrangement allows for the correctness of the installation to be verified at the time of installation of the detector line.
• the installer is advantageously alerted immediately (preferably in real time) to any detected installation errors via a "push service.” This is done via a corresponding output (e.g., in the form of an error message) on the installer's mobile communication device (e.g., smartphone, tablet computer, smart watch, smart glasses).
• the output can be provided as a text message and/or as a graphic and/or as an audio message, e.g., on the display and/or through the speaker.
• the mobile communication device is advantageously a device that is capable of or supports augmented reality.
• a further advantageous embodiment of the invention is that the arrangement comprises a position determination system, in particular, an indoor positioning system, wherein the position of the mobile communications terminal can be determined by the positioning system and assigned to the respective installed detector.
• Indoor positioning systems IPS are widespread in buildings today. Indoor positioning systems can be based, for example, on Wi-Fi and/or iBeacons (BLE, Bluetooth Low Energy). Positioning can also be carried out via access to building plans and/or a building information model (BIM) and sensors of the mobile communications terminal (e.g., a smartphone with, for example, acceleration sensors, magnetic field sensors).
• BIM building information model
• a further advantageous embodiment of the invention is that a detector to be installed is connected to the cloud server via a suitable communication connection and receives its respective configuration data from the cloud service via this communication connection through a download initiated by the mobile communication device. If configuration data for the respective installation is already available in the cloud, the detector type can also be checked and the detector can be configured via a download of the configuration data. This increases the efficiency of the installation.
• the system is preferably configured as a fire alarm system. Installation and programming of the system (fire alarm system and/or fire alarm control panel) are preferably carried out in parallel, which leads to greater efficiency (optimizing the deployment of the required personnel), faster deployment of the fully configured system, and higher quality.
• a further embodiment of the invention is that the fire alarm control panel (additionally) sends a corresponding error message to the mobile communication device (e.g., smartphone, tablet computer) for output on an output device (display, audio) of the mobile communication device.
• the mobile communication device e.g., smartphone, tablet computer
• the output device display, audio
• This method can be implemented using commercially available components (COTS, commercial off-the-shelf).
• a further advantageous embodiment of the invention is that the line voltage is essentially 30 volts. If the applied line voltage is essentially 30 volts (e.g., in the range of 30 ⁇ 4 V), wiring work on the detector line is possible without danger.
• the detector line can also be powered by other line voltages without any danger to the commissioning engineer.
• the line voltage can also be essentially 24 Volts (e.g., in the range of 24 ⁇ 3 V).
• the line voltage can also be essentially 5 volts (e.g., in the range of 5 ⁇ 1 V).
• the respective line voltage is typically a DC voltage.
• a further advantageous embodiment of the invention is that the installation mode is operated in a work step mode, in which, after each work step of the installation and/or commissioning, the status of the respective work step for a particular detector is displayed on the mobile communications terminal. This allows installation errors to be detected at the work step level and assigned to a work step.
• a further advantageous embodiment of the invention is that an installation error is a short circuit in the detector line and/or an open circuit in the detector line and/or a ground fault in the detector line and/or a polarity reversal of a connected detector.
• the line In installation mode, the line is essentially supplied with a line voltage of 5 volts and continuously monitored electrically; polarity reversals, overcurrents, and open circuits are detected immediately.
• FIG. 1 shows an exemplary arrangement with a fire alarm control panel Z according to the invention.
• the fire alarm control panel Z is set up to connect a detector line ML with a plurality of detectors M1 - M3 connected thereto, wherein the fire alarm control panel Z can be operated in an installation mode for the installation and/or commissioning of the detectors M1 - M3, wherein the fire alarm control panel Z in installation mode is in a communication connection KV 1 - KV3 with a mobile communication terminal MG of a user B (e.g. installer, commissioning engineer), wherein in the event of a detected installation error the fire alarm control panel Z sends the mobile communication terminal MG a corresponding error message FM1 for output on an output device D (e.g.
• the display, audio output unit, loudspeaker of the mobile communication terminal MG (e.g. smartphone, tablet computer, smart watch, smart glasses) and/or sends a corresponding error message FM2, FM3 for output on the detector M1 - M3 affected by the installation error.
• the mobile communication terminal MG e.g. smartphone, tablet computer, smart watch, smart glasses
• the mobile communication terminal MG can be connected directly to the fire alarm control panel Z via a suitable communication connection KV1, e.g., via Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, or a mobile data network (GSM, UMTS, 4G, 5G).
• the mobile communication terminal MG can be connected indirectly to the fire alarm control panel Z via suitable communication connections KV2, KV3, e.g., via a cloud service CS, e.g., via the internet, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, or a mobile data network (GSM, UMTS, 4G, 5G).
• the fire alarm control panel Z can send a corresponding error message FM1 via the communication connection KV1 directly to the mobile communication terminal MG of a user B.
• the error message FM1 can be output textually and/or graphically and/or acoustically on suitable output devices (e.g. display D, loudspeaker) on the communication terminal MG.
• the fire alarm control panel Z can also send a corresponding error message indirectly via a corresponding cloud service CS to the mobile communication device MG of user B, e.g. via corresponding communication connections KV2, KV3.
• the fire alarm control panel Z can also send a corresponding error message FM3 via the detector line ML to the detectors M1 - M3 affected by the installation error.
• the detector line ML preferably includes an electrical supply line that can also be used for information transmission.
• the detectors M1 - M3 each include output elements AE1 - AE3 for textual and/or optical and/or graphical and/or acoustic output of the error message FM3.
• the fire alarm control panel Z can send a corresponding error message FM2 to the detector M1 - M3 affected by the installation error, but also indirectly via the corresponding cloud service CS, e.g. via corresponding communication connections KV2, KV4, e.g. via WLAN, Bluetooth or via a mobile data network (GSM, UMTS, 4G, 5G).
• a mobile data network GSM, UMTS, 4G, 5G.
• the arrangement is advantageously configured for building automation (e.g. for a building automation system) for a building.
• the arrangement makes it possible to verify the correctness of the installation at the time of installation of the ML detector line.
• the installer is advantageously alerted immediately (preferably in real time) to any detected installation errors via a "push service.” This is done by a corresponding output (e.g., in the form of an error message) on the installer's mobile communication device (MG) (e.g., smartphone, tablet computer, smart watch, smart glasses).
• the output can be in the form of a text message and/or a graphic and/or an audio message, e.g., on the display (D) and/or through the loudspeaker.
• the mobile communication device (MG) is advantageously a device that is capable of or supports augmented reality.
• the fire alarm control panel Z is advantageously set up to connect the detector line ML in installation mode with a suitable Line voltage LS.
• the line voltage should preferably not exceed 30 volts.
• the installation mode can advantageously be operated in a work step mode in which the status of the respective work step can be output on the mobile communication terminal MG after each work step of the installation and/or commissioning.
• An installation error can, for example, be a short circuit on the detector line and/or an open circuit in the detector line and/or a ground fault in the detector line and/or a polarity reversal of a connected detector.
• Installation errors can be detected, for example, by one or more monitoring units for checking the electrical properties of the detector line ML, e.g., by one or more short-circuit detection units and/or by one or more overcurrent detection units and/or by one or more voltage detectors.
• the one or more monitoring units can be installed in the fire alarm control panel Z and/or in the respective detectors M1 - M3.
• the fire alarm control panel Z is connected to a cloud service CS, among other things, for communication with the mobile communication terminal MG.
• the cloud service CS is advantageously part of an internet-based ecosystem (eco-system) for a building automation system, in which the fire alarm control panel Z and the mobile communication device MG are registered.
• the cloud service CS and the ecosystem are advantageously implemented on a cloud server S.
• the ecosystem has access to a database DB containing the building information model (BIM) for the building.
• BIM building information model
• a detector M1 - M3 of the detector line ML can be installed to be connected to the cloud service CS, whereby it can receive its respective configuration data from the cloud service CS via a suitable communication connection KV4 (e.g. Internet, radio connection), e.g. via a download initiated by the mobile communication terminal MG.
• a suitable communication connection KV4 e.g. Internet, radio connection
• the fire alarm control panel Z is advantageously configured to automatically synchronize information about an installed detector M1 - M3 with the cloud service CS and/or the building information model BIM.
• the arrangement advantageously comprises a positioning system (IPS), in particular an indoor positioning system, whereby the position of the mobile communication terminal (MG) can be determined by the positioning system and assigned to the respective installed detectors (M1-M3).
• IPS positioning system
• the indoor positioning system (IPS) can be based, for example, on WLAN data analysis and/or iBeacons.
• the Z fire alarm control panel has a specific installation mode in which the ML line is continuously monitored electrically, especially during installation and/or commissioning. Short circuits, interruptions, earth faults, or reversed polarity detectors are thus immediately detected, i.e., during the installation process. If necessary for safety or medical reasons, the line voltage is reduced in installation mode, e.g., to 5V, so that wiring work on the live line is possible without any problems.
• the fire alarm control panel Z preferably has an internet connection (e.g., via a 5G modem). This connects it to a cloud service CS, which continuously provides the installer with feedback during work via a mobile device MG (e.g., smartphone, tablet, smart watch, smart glasses, etc.) and/or via the light patterns of the installed device's built-in display elements (e.g., alarm indicator on the automatic fire detector) as to whether the last step was completed successfully.
• a mobile device MG e.g., smartphone, tablet, smart watch, smart glasses, etc.
• the light patterns of the installed device's built-in display elements e.g., alarm indicator on the automatic fire detector
• a corresponding message would be issued immediately, e.g., via an acoustic signal.
• the message can be output on the detectors M1 - M3 and/or on the mobile device MG of user B.
• the detector type can also be checked and the corresponding detector M1 - M3 can be configured.
• the smartphone or tablet MG of the installer B it is advantageous for the smartphone or tablet MG of the installer B to have position information via a well-known indoor positioning method (IPS).
• IPS indoor positioning method
• the cloud service CS requests the current position and links it to the location (installation location) of the detector M1 - M3.
• plans of the building and/or a building information model (BIM) are also available in the cloud CS, C, the detector can be positioned directly in these plans or in the BIM, including a unique identification.
• a manual link is also possible using an app (e.g. smartphone app) of the mobile communication device MG is possible.
• the information about newly added devices M1 - M3 is automatically synchronized by the fire alarm control panel Z with the cloud service CS, so that they can be used for simultaneous work on programming the fire alarm system
• Figure 2 shows an example flow chart for a procedure for commissioning hazard detectors (e.g. fire detectors) of a detector line.
• hazard detectors e.g. fire detectors
• the mobile communication device can be connected directly to the fire alarm control panel via a suitable communication connection, e.g., via Wi-Fi or radio.
• the mobile communication device (MG) can also be connected indirectly to the fire alarm control panel via suitable communication connections, e.g., via a cloud service (CS), e.g., via the internet, Wi-Fi, or radio connections.
• CS cloud service
• the fire alarm control panel can send a corresponding error message directly to a user's mobile communication device via a suitable communication connection.
• the corresponding error message can be displayed on the mobile communication device in text form, graphically, and/or acoustically on suitable output devices (e.g., a display, loudspeaker, LED).
• the fire alarm control panel can also send a corresponding error message indirectly via a corresponding cloud service to the user's mobile communication device, e.g. via appropriate communication connections (Internet, radio).
• the fire alarm control panel can also send a corresponding error message via the detector line to the detector(s) affected by the installation error.
• the detector line preferably includes an electrical supply line that can also be used for information transmission.
• the detectors preferably each include output elements for textual and/or optical and/or graphical and/or acoustic output of the error message.
• the fire alarm control panel can also send a corresponding error message indirectly via the corresponding cloud service to the detector affected by the installation error, e.g. via corresponding communication connections KV2, KV4 (Internet, radio).
• the line voltage for the detector line is essentially not more than 30 volts.
• the installation mode is advantageously operated in a work step mode in which, after each work step of the installation and/or commissioning, the status of the respective work step for a respective detector is output on the mobile communication terminal device.
• An installation error could be, for example, a short circuit in the detector line and/or an open circuit in the detector line and/or a ground fault in the detector line and/or reversed polarity of a connected detector.
• Installation errors can be detected, for example, by one or more monitoring units for checking the electrical properties of the detector line (ML), e.g., by one or more short-circuit detection units and/or by one or more overcurrent detection units and/or by one or more voltage detectors.
• the one or more monitoring units can be installed, for example, in the fire alarm control panel and/or in the respective detectors.
• the invention allows in particular to shorten the installation and commissioning process of a fire alarm system significantly, since errors in the installation are immediately detected and corrected, while the installer has access to the This also eliminates the time required to locate the fault, especially if the cabling installation and testing take place at different times and may be performed by different employees. Furthermore, the likelihood of errors is significantly reduced (improving quality).
• the described method also enables monitoring and tracking of progress and quality during the installation process, which, depending on the contract scenario, can be of significant economic interest (a prerequisite for on-time completion).
• monitoring requires a trip to the construction site (which is time-consuming).
• the described method is very flexible with regard to the technical requirements of each individual case (e.g., availability of building plans in the cloud, indoor positioning, etc.). Available information is utilized to the best of its ability, but is not a prerequisite for the general applicability of the method.

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• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Computer Security & Cryptography (AREA)
• Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
• General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
• Alarm Systems (AREA)
• Fire Alarms (AREA)

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• 2020
  • 2020-10-06 DE DE102020212573.2A patent/DE102020212573B4/de active Active
• 2021
  • 2021-09-08 EP EP21777957.8A patent/EP4226351A1/fr not_active Withdrawn
  • 2021-09-08 WO PCT/EP2021/074641 patent/WO2022073708A1/fr not_active Ceased
  • 2021-09-08 CN CN202180068556.2A patent/CN116348929A/zh active Pending
  • 2021-09-08 EP EP25200585.5A patent/EP4636725A3/fr active Pending
  • 2021-09-08 US US18/247,712 patent/US12456361B2/en active Active

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