Modules
Fire Alarm addressable modules are used by every intelligent and addressable fire alarm control panels to monitor a condition or output. In these examples, the use of Notifier Modules will be used however, many companies have very similar devices available for the same purpose.
There are so many types of modules - Mini Monitor, Monitor, Zone Monitor, Dual Monitor, Power Monitor, and the list can just keep going. The fact is that basically any device or situation can be monitored by some kind of module, and then it's just left up to programming in the panel to decide how to handle it. For example, we may have a severe weather pull station, and a water-flow detector tied to the same kind of module, and signals received are the same, but the panel knows the difference between the two thanks to the programming.
Fault isolator modules
Fault isolator modules are placed on SLCs to reduce the impact of a short circuit, as a short circuit would otherwise render the entire loop unusable. When a short occurs on either side of an isolator module, the module disconnects the two sides, allowing operation to continue on the side without the short, provided that power is supplied to that side. The isolator module itself may or may not occupy an address on the SLC, depending on the manufacturer.
NFPA 72 requires any single fault on an SLC pathway to not take out devices on more than one zone, which can be satisfied either by placing different zones on separate SLCs or separating the zones with isolator modules.
In Class B loops, the SLC "trunk" leaving the FACP is wired into a number of isolators on one side, and each isolator has a branch from the other side that serves one zone. If a short circuit occurs on any branch, the isolator for that branch will open, disconnecting the devices on that branch and keeping the trunk powered, which allows the other branches to remain powered. This is commonly used when replacing a conventional FACP, as each IDC on the old system can be converted to an isolated zone on the SLC and the conventional devices can be replaced with equivalent addressable devices.
In Class A loops, devices are placed on a single branch as they would be without isolators, but isolators are placed between zones. This ensures that if a fault occurs on any zone on a previously closed loop, the last isolator before the fault will open, disconnecting all devices past the isolator. The FACP will then detect the loop opening and energize the redundant side of the loop, connecting to all devices past the first isolator after the fault. In this way, the only devices lost are those in the same zone as the isolator.
Class X loops are wired similar to Class A loops, but every component of the loop must be zoned separately. In particular, an isolator module must be placed on either side of every device in close proximity, which creates a zone for every device and a zone for every segment of wire between devices. Detectors are often placed in isolator bases to reduce the number of parts needed, but isolator modules are still required around pull stations, addressable modules, and detectors mounted in other bases.
Examples
| Brand | Module | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Notifier | ISO-X | Fault isolator module |
| Fire-Lite Alarms | I300 | Fault isolator module |
| I300-6 | 6 fault isolator modules on one board | |
| Silent Knight | SK-ISO | Fault isolator module |
| System Sensor | M500X | Fault isolator module |
| ISO-6 | 6 fault isolator modules on one board |
Monitor modules
Monitor modules are used to monitor the state of a specific input for opens (generating a trouble condition) or shorts (generating an alarm/supervisory condition). The use of these devices is to basically make any conventional input to have an address and be able to be "seen" by the Fire Alarm Control Panel (FACP).
Monitor modules may be connected to individual devices such as conventional pull stations, waterflow switches, tamper switches, hazard alert buttons, and much more. In these applications, it is common to use a mini-monitor module inside a backbox behind the device being monitored. Monitor modules may also be connected to entire zones, provided that the devices on the zone do not draw power from the IDC, providing an efficient method of replacing a conventional FACP with an addressable FACP without replacing initiating devices.
Monitor modules can also be used to generate troubles when a trouble relay or power supervision relay opens. This is accomplished by wiring the relay contacts in series with the end-of-line resistor, so that the monitor module reads an open circuit when the contacts open.
A common example:
L1M1 Monitor Security T (Tracking) Main Office Lockdown Button
This module is used to monitor a Lockdown Button in the Main Office. When it is activated, the FACP will indicate a Security Condition. The T or Tracking identifier will indicate that once the device is reset, the panel will be normal.
Examples
| Brand | Module | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Simplex | IAM (4090-9001) | |
| Siemens | TRI | |
| Edwards | SIGA-MM1 | |
| Potter | PAD100-SIM | |
| Notifier | FMM-1 | Class B/A monitor module with 1 zone |
| FMM-101 | Class B mini-monitor module with 1 zone | |
| FDM-1 | Class B monitor module with 2 zones | |
| XP10-M | Monitor module with 8-10 Class B zones or 4-5 Class A zones | |
| Fire-Lite Alarms | MMF-300 | Class B/A monitor module with 1 zone |
| MMF-301 | Class B mini-monitor module with 1 zone | |
| MDF-300 | Class B monitor module with 2 zones | |
| MMF-300-10 | Monitor module with 8-10 Class B zones or 4-5 Class A zones | |
| Silent Knight | SK-MONITOR | Class B/A monitor module with 1 zone |
| SK-MINIMON | Class B mini-monitor module with 1 zone | |
| SK-MONITOR-2 | Class B monitor module with 2 zones | |
| SK-MON-10 | Monitor module with 8-10 Class B zones or 4-5 Class A zones | |
| Johnson Controls | M300MJ | |
| Gamewell-FCI | AMM-4F | Class B/A monitor module with 1 zone |
| AMM-2F | Class B mini-monitor module with 1 zone | |
| AMM-2IF | Class B monitor modules with 2 zones | |
| MMI-10F | Monitor module with 8-10 Class B zones or 4-5 Class A zones |
Relay modules
Relay modules provide dry contact relays that are controlled by the FACP. These are commonly used to have an FACP control other functions of the building that do not support the same communication protocols. Not all applications require addressable relay modules, as FACPs often have a few built-in relays, and non-addressable relays can be connected to NACs.
Relay modules are commonly used for building integrations such as Door Holder Release, Elevator Recall Functions, and Air Handler Unit Shutdown. Depending on the application, the module may either be connected in series with the device's power supply to interrupt power upon fire alarm activation, or it may be connected to a dry contact input on another system that controls the building service.
Relay modules also have applications within fire alarm systems. For example, a relay module on one FACP can be connected to an input zone on another FACP (such as a monitor module) to allow the FACPs to cross-trip, or as an input of a power supply or voice evacuation system. Some FACPs also allow relay modules to be programmed to only transfer state when the system is reset, allowing resettable power to be sourced from any auxiliary power supply.
A common example:
L1M2 Control Relay Door Holders
This module is used to activate and release door holders in a specific building. With Notifier, you can program this to activate on Zone Activation.
Examples
| Company | Relay Module | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Simplex | RIAM (4090-9002) | |
| Siemens | TRI-R | |
| Edwards | SIGA-CR | |
| Potter | PAD100-RM | |
| Notifier | FRM-1 | Relay module with 2 Form C relays and one address |
| XP6-R | Relay module with 3-6 Form C relays and 3-6 addresses | |
| Fire-Lite Alarms | CRF-300 | Relay module with 2 Form C relays and one address |
| CRF-300-6 | Relay module with 3-6 Form C relays and 3-6 addresses | |
| Silent Knight | SK-RELAY | Relay module with 2 Form C relays and one address |
| SK-RELAY-6 | Relay module with 3-6 Form C relays and 3-6 addresses | |
| Johnson Controls | M300RJ | Relay module with 2 Form C relays and one address |
| Gamewell-FCI | AOM-2RF | Relay module with 2 Form C relays and one address |
| MMO-6RF | Relay module with 3-6 Form C relays and 3-6 addresses |
Signal control modules
Signal control modules (also known as supervised control modules or signal modules) provide NACs that can be activated by the FACP. When the module is inactive, it supervises the NAC for opens and shorts, generating a trouble condition in either case. When the FACP activates the NAC, the supervision stops and the NAC is instead connected to an external power supply, allowing the notification appliances to activate.
Signal control modules are often used when a single NAC source needs to be split into multiple zones. For example, an amplifier on a voice evacuation system may have one high-power audio output that needs to be divided to several zones. Signal control modules can also be connected to auxiliary power to create additional NACs. One common application of this is to connect the auxiliary power terminals of a power supply or voice evacuation panel to its trigger input through a signal control module, allowing the trigger input to be activated upon command from the FACP.
Signal control modules are also commonly used to activate notification appliances inside dwelling units in response to the smoke detector inside the unit. It is more common for the detector to instead be mounted on a sounder base for more compactness, but dwelling units with strobes still need to have separately controlled strobes.
Examples
| Brand | Module | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Notifier | FCM-1 | Class B/A signal control module |
| XP6-C | Signal control module with 3-6 Class B NACs or 0-3 Class A NACs (one address per NAC) | |
| Fire-Lite Alarms | CMF-300 | Class B/A signal control module |
| CMF-300-6 | Signal control module with 3-6 Class B NACs or 0-3 Class A NACs (one address per NAC) | |
| Silent Knight | SK-CONTROL | Class B/A signal control module |
| SK-CONTROL-6 | Signal control module with 3-6 Class B NACs or 0-3 Class A NACs (one address per NAC) | |
| Gamewell-FCI | AOM-2SF | Class B/A signal control module |
| MMO-6SF | Signal control module with 3-6 Class B NACs or 0-3 Class A NACs (one address per NAC) | |
| Eaton | SUB-NAC | 2-wire signal control module for use with INC NACs |
Zone interface modules
Zone interface modules monitor conventional zones with 2-wire detectors to detect alarms and open troubles. These are functionally similar to monitor modules, but because they must supply enough power to support 2-wire detectors, they typically require a connection to external power in addition to the SLC connection.
Zone interface modules are commonly recommended for use when replacing a conventional FACP with an addressable FACP when a conventional zone has 2-wire detectors, as this allows the new FACP to be installed without replacing any of the conventional devices. However, panel upgrades often instead simply convert the zone to part of an SLC using fault isolator modules. Beyond this, zone interface modules are generally not used, since most devices that require monitoring provide dry contacts and source power externally when needed, making them compatible with monitor modules.
Examples
| Brand | Module | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Notifier | FZM-1 | Class B/A single zone interface module |
| XP6-MA | Zone interface module with 4-6 Class B zones or 1-3 Class A zones | |
| FMM-4-20 | 4-20 mA analog input module (NFS2-3030 only) | |
| NZM-100 | Class B/A single zone interface module (FireWarden series only) | |
| NZM-100-6 | Zone interface module with 4-6 Class B zones or 1-3 Class A zones (FireWarden series only) | |
| Fire-Lite Alarms | MMF-302 | Class B/A single zone interface module |
| MMF-302-6 | Zone interface module with 4-6 Class B zones or 1-3 Class A zones | |
| Silent Knight | SK-ZONE | Class B/A single zone interface module |
| SK-ZONE-6 | Zone interface module with 4-6 Class B zones or 1-3 Class A zones | |
| Gamewell-FCI | AMM-4SF | Class B/A single zone interface module |
| MMI-6SF | Zone interface module with 4-6 Class B zones or 1-3 Class A zones | |
| Honeywell | IDP-ZONE | Class B/A single zone interface module (Farenhyt series) |
| IDP-ZONE-6 | Zone interface module with 4-6 Class B zones or 1-3 Class A zones (Farenhyt series) | |
| TC841A1000 | Class B/A single zone interface module (XLS series) | |
| TC809C1004 | 4-20 mA analog input module (XLS series) | |
| System Sensor | M502M | Class B/A single zone interface module |
| CZ-6 | Zone interface module with 4-6 Class B zones or 1-3 Class A zones | |
| M500M-4-20 | 4-20 mA analog input module |