Louis T. Fiore

FIRE ALARM TRANSMISSION METHODS“NFPA 72 2013”

March 14, 2012

Methods in NFPA 72 Chapter 26Methods in NFPA 72 Chapter 26

DACTDACT

One-Way Private RadioOne-Way Private Radio

Two-Way RadioTwo-Way Radio

Performance Based TechnologiesPerformance Based Technologies

DACTDACT

““Digital Alarm Communicator Transmitter”Digital Alarm Communicator Transmitter”

First defined in NFPA 71First defined in NFPA 71

NFPA 72NFPA 72 The next edition (2013) will see DACT and a The next edition (2013) will see DACT and a

second technology (not two phone lines).second technology (not two phone lines).

The current (and perhaps final) version of The current (and perhaps final) version of NFPA 72-2013 requires a 6 hr DACT test NFPA 72-2013 requires a 6 hr DACT test rather than 24 hrs.rather than 24 hrs.

The 2016 Edition will probably “sunset” The 2016 Edition will probably “sunset” DACT altogether. DACT altogether.

Two-Way radio, Private One-Way Radio, Two-Way radio, Private One-Way Radio, Digital Cellular and IP will survive as your Digital Cellular and IP will survive as your only communications alternatives.only communications alternatives.

NITNAM ProcedureNITNAM Procedure

26.6.3.126.6.3.1Performance Based TechnologiesPerformance Based Technologies

Single PathSingle Path 60 second polling or check-in60 second polling or check-in

Multiple PathsMultiple Paths 6 hour polling or check-in on each side6 hour polling or check-in on each side

Digital CellularDigital Cellular IP/InternetIP/Internet

Current Version (2010):26.6.3.2.1.4 Transmission Channels. (A) A system employing a DACT shall employ one

telephone line (number). In addition, one of the following transmission means shall be employed:

(1) A second telephone line (number)(2) A cellular telephone connection(3) A one-way radio system(4) A one-way private radio alarm system(5) A private microwave radio system(6) A two-way RF multiplex system(7) A transmission means complying with new

technologies section

VoIP

Issues for Alarms with VoIPIssues for Alarms with VoIP1.1. Pass alarm DACT signal formats in an Pass alarm DACT signal formats in an

undistorted fashionundistorted fashion

2.2. Ensure Line Seizure is not compromisedEnsure Line Seizure is not compromised

3.3. The ability to provide for our control panels The ability to provide for our control panels to "see” a telephone line equivalent to "see” a telephone line equivalent (voltage and dialtone) (voltage and dialtone)

4.4. VoIP and cable/ISP hardware should have VoIP and cable/ISP hardware should have sufficient backup powersufficient backup power

MFVN in NFPA 72-2010MFVN in NFPA 72-2010Definition: 3.3.141Definition: 3.3.141

Manage and maintain their network to ensure service quality Manage and maintain their network to ensure service quality and reliabilityand reliability

Provide a service that is Provide a service that is functionally equivalent to traditional functionally equivalent to traditional analog phone service (dialing, dial plan, and loop voltage analog phone service (dialing, dial plan, and loop voltage treatment), treatment),

Provide real-time transmission of voice signals that Provide real-time transmission of voice signals that carry carry alarm system formats unchanged, alarm system formats unchanged,

Provide both professional installation and subscriber Provide both professional installation and subscriber information …….information …….which preserves primary line seizurewhich preserves primary line seizure for for alarm system interconnection, and alarm system interconnection, and

Have disaster recovery plans to address both individual Have disaster recovery plans to address both individual customer outages and widespread events of a catastrophic customer outages and widespread events of a catastrophic nature, including nature, including network power restoration equivalent to network power restoration equivalent to traditional landline telephone services.traditional landline telephone services.

One Way Private RadioOne Way Private Radio AES-IntellinetAES-Intellinet AlarmNet AAlarmNet A

Two-Way RF MultiplexTwo-Way RF Multiplex

• AlarmNet MAlarmNet M• AAGARDAAGARD• HolmesNetHolmesNet

Transmission ChannelsTransmission Channels(A) (A) A system employing a DACT shall employ one telephone A system employing a DACT shall employ one telephone

line (number).line (number).In addition, one of the following transmission means shall be In addition, one of the following transmission means shall be

employed:employed:

(1) A one-way private radio alarm system(1) A one-way private radio alarm system

(2) A two-way RF multiplex system(2) A two-way RF multiplex system

(3) A transmission means complying with 26.6.3.1 (3) A transmission means complying with 26.6.3.1 ( (performance-based technologies)

Exception: Where access to two technologies listed above is Exception: Where access to two technologies listed above is not available at the protected premises, with the approval not available at the protected premises, with the approval of the authority having jurisdiction, a telephone line of the authority having jurisdiction, a telephone line (number) shall be permitted to be used as the second(number) shall be permitted to be used as the second

transmission means.transmission means.

26.6.3 Communications Methods. The communications methods used to transmit

signals to supervising stations shall meet the requirements of 26.6.3.1 for performance-based technologies, or 26.6.3.2 (Digital Alarm Communicator Systems) or 26.6.3.3 (Radio Systems) for prescriptive-based technologies.

26.6.3.1 Performance-Based Technologies.26.6.3.1.1 Conformance. Communications

methods operating on principles different from specific methods covered by this chapter shall be

permitted to be installed if they conform to the performance requirements of this section and to

all other applicable requirements of this Code.

26.6.3.1.5 Single Communications Path. 26.6.3.1.5 Single Communications Path. Unless prohibited by the enforcing authority, governing laws, Unless prohibited by the enforcing authority, governing laws,

codes, or standards, a single transmission path shall be permitted, codes, or standards, a single transmission path shall be permitted, and the path shall be supervised at an interval of not more than and the path shall be supervised at an interval of not more than 60 minutes. A failure of the path shall be annunciated at the 60 minutes. A failure of the path shall be annunciated at the supervising station within not more than 60 minutes. The failure to supervising station within not more than 60 minutes. The failure to complete a signal transmission shall be annunciated at the complete a signal transmission shall be annunciated at the protected premises in accordance with 10.12. protected premises in accordance with 10.12.

26.6.3.1.6 Multiple Communications Paths. 26.6.3.1.6 Multiple Communications Paths. If multiple transmission paths are used, the following requirements If multiple transmission paths are used, the following requirements

shall be met:shall be met:(1) Each path shall be supervised within not more than 6 hours.(1) Each path shall be supervised within not more than 6 hours.(2) The failure of any path of a multi-path system shall be (2) The failure of any path of a multi-path system shall be

annunciated at the supervising station within not more than 6 annunciated at the supervising station within not more than 6 hours.hours.

(3) The failure to complete a signal transmission shall be annunciated (3) The failure to complete a signal transmission shall be annunciated at the protected premises in accordance with 10.12.at the protected premises in accordance with 10.12.

26.6.3.1.7 Single Technology26.6.3.1.7 Single Technology. A single technology shall be . A single technology shall be permitted to be used to create the multiple paths provided the permitted to be used to create the multiple paths provided the requirements of 26.6.3.1.6(1) through 26.6.3.1.6(3)requirements of 26.6.3.1.6(1) through 26.6.3.1.6(3)..

26.6.3.1.5 Single Communications Path. 26.6.3.1.5 Single Communications Path. Unless prohibited by the enforcing Unless prohibited by the enforcing authority, governing laws, codes, or authority, governing laws, codes, or standards, a single transmission path shall standards, a single transmission path shall be permitted, and be permitted, and the path shall be the path shall be supervised at an interval of not more than supervised at an interval of not more than 60 minutes.60 minutes. A failure of the path shall be A failure of the path shall be annunciated at the supervising station annunciated at the supervising station within not more than 60 minutes.within not more than 60 minutes. The The failure to complete a signal transmission failure to complete a signal transmission shall be annunciated at the protected shall be annunciated at the protected premises in accordance with 10.12. premises in accordance with 10.12.

26.6.3.1.6 Multiple Communications Paths. 26.6.3.1.6 Multiple Communications Paths. If If multiple transmission paths are used, the multiple transmission paths are used, the following requirements shall be met:following requirements shall be met:

(1) (1) Each path shall be supervised within not more Each path shall be supervised within not more than 6 hours.than 6 hours.

(2) The failure of any path of a multi-path system (2) The failure of any path of a multi-path system shall be annunciated at the supervising station shall be annunciated at the supervising station within not more than 6 hours.within not more than 6 hours.

(3) The failure to complete a signal transmission (3) The failure to complete a signal transmission shall be annunciated at the protected premises in shall be annunciated at the protected premises in accordance with 10.12.accordance with 10.12.

26.6.3.1.7 Single Technology26.6.3.1.7 Single Technology. A . A single technology shall be permitted single technology shall be permitted to be used to create the multiple to be used to create the multiple paths provided the requirements of paths provided the requirements of 26.6.3.1.6(1) through 26.6.3.1.6(3)26.6.3.1.6(1) through 26.6.3.1.6(3)..

Questions?Questions?

Thank you!Thank you!