Jockey Pump Controller

By Darma Sentosa (22/09/2011)

Jockey Pump Controller is used as a tool for controlling the working of the pump to regulate water pressure in the hydrant. Jockey pump controller as a controller used to regulate pressure in the pipe so that when the pressure is reduced, the controller will generate a signal to fire pump works. Application of jockey pump is part of the fire pump control system, where its presence is required by NFPA 20 in clause A-2-19 that the pressure maintenance (jockey or make-up) pump to be used to maintain a relatively uniform high pressure on fire protection systems. The size of the jockey pump should load with the allowable leakage rate is within 10 minutes or 1 gpm (3.8 L / min), whichever is greater. The size of the jockey pump should be small than the fire pump. Schematic diagram of the jockey pump controller as follows:

Main Fire Control Panel

By Darma Sentosa (02/9/2011)

Main Fire Control Panel (MFCP) or often referred to as a Fire Alarm Control Panel (FACP) is an electrical panel which is a control component of a fire alarm system. The panel receives information signals from sensors designed to detect any changes associated with fire, monitor the operational integrity and provides automatic control equipment, and transmits the information necessary for fire fighting facilities according to a predetermined sequence. The panel also provides electrical energy for operation of the associated sensor, control, transmitting or relay. Some types of alarm control panel is: Coded Panels, Conventional Panels, Addressable Panels, and Multiplex Systems. Coded Type Panels is the earliest type of fire alarm control panel, which consists of sound codes for each zone. Conventional Panels type is the type that has been using an electronic circuit connected to the sensor but with a limited range. Panels Addessable type is the type who have used the microcontroller to detect a fire protection equipment based on the number of loops or a Signaling Line Circuit (SLC). Type Multiplex System is a modern transition between conventional and addressable systems, this type serves a large building with complex systems including HVAC, security, electronic door locks, etc. The block diagram of the Main Fire Alarm Control as follows:

Central Alarm System

By Darma Sentosa (17/7/2011)

Central Alarm System is an alarm monitoring system on a network connected between the Fire Alarm Panel with a Server & Monitor through a router. Central Alarm System to function as an integrated alarm system in which every event that generates an alarm will be detected by a central monitor. Monitor function to display the operating conditions of an alarm signal indicating a fire hazard at a site. Fire Alarm Panel is a panel that serves as a controller that receives input from sensors and sends a signal to the output as a fire alarm. Server serves as the central processing data coming from each of the Fire Alarm Panel at a site. While the router to function as a regulator of data traffic in the network. Overview of the Central Alarm System as follows:

Input from the sensors will be a signal to a central alarm system to work. The monitoring system is expected to provide early warning or notification system to quickly take corrective or preventive measures against fire that occurred by the Emergency Response Group (ERG). So with the existence of an alarm monitoring system is expected to minimize the damages resulting from the fire and prevent loss of operating time. This system is also often called the danger management system.

Motion Detector

By Darma Sentosa (22/6/2011)

Motion detector is a electronic device contain physical mechanism and sensor that use for catch or quantifies the motion image and can connected to other device that alert the user of the presence of a moving object within the field of view. Motion detector feature to reduce the burden of data storage. How it works is the motion detector detects a change pixel. If there is a movement, then the CCTV cameras consider changing its pixel values and finally record the changes. Motion detectors can also be used to provide a signal to the alarm to work so that we can monitor if there are any movements that we do not want. They form an integrated and comprehensive security system in the house or buildings.

An electronic motion detector contains a motion sensor that transforms the detection of motion into an electric signal. This can be achieved by measuring optical or acoustical changes in the field of view. Most motion detectors can detect up to 15–25 meters or 50–80 feet. A motion detector may be connected to a burglar alarm that is used to alert the home owner or security service after it detects motion. Such a detector may also trigger a recording device like red light camera and outdoor lighting.

An occupancy sensor is a motion detector that is integrated with a timing device. It senses when motion has stopped for a specified time period in order to trigger a light extinguishing signal. These devices prevent illumination of unoccupied spaces like public toilets. They are widely used for security purposes.

Placement of the sensors can be strategically mounted so as to lessen the chance of pets activating alarms. As interior motion detectors do not ‘see’ through windows or walls, motion-sensitive outdoor lighting is often recommended to enhance comprehensive efforts to protect your property. False alarms are those usually caused by technical errors such as electrical and mechanical failures. Nuisance alarms are system activations not commonly caused by attackers or intruders but rather from wind blown debris, animals, insects and foliage.

Smoke Detector

By Darma Sentosa (20/6/2011)

Smoke detectors detect smoke particles seen and unseen from the burning. Two types of smoke detectors commonly used are photoelectric type and ionization type. Description of each smoke detector as follows:

1. Photoelectric smoke detector

     In the photoelectric smoke detection system there are two beams, it is light source and light sensors that are designed so that both beams are not in touch. Smoke particles that enter the light source will be dissipated toward the light sensor and activate the fire alarm system.

2. Ionization smoke detector

     Ionization detectors have radioactive sources in them that give the air in the electric charge in a small space so that it can conduct electricity through the small space. When smoke enters the detector, the radiation will be blocked and is unable to give an electrical charge on the air and unable to deliver electricity through the space in it, when no electrical conductivity then the fire alarm will sound

Hydrant System

By Darma Sentosa (19/6/2011) 

Hydrant is the equipment needed by the firefighters, especially in residential facilities or buildings other than mild extinguishers, hoses and fire-resistant clothing. House or buildings that have a fire extinguisher system installation get a rebate of insurance premiums due to the installation of fire can reduce the damage to property or goods insured.

At first, the fire extinguishing system is done by calling the firefighters and then the officer will explore and drill for water. Water from the drilling pipe will meet the well-made temporary, then the distribution of water using a bucket or using a hand pump manually. When the fire can be extinguished, then the well will be closed / capped with a stopper, generally by using a block of wood / redwood later called fireplug. Locations where fireplug will be marked for use at another time when there is a fire around the fireplug. This is why until today sometimes still called fireplug hydrant. Today, the fastest growing hydrant installations where the installation of hydrant used are standardized throughout the world complete with supporting equipment and accessories.

 How it works is a hose connected to the hydrant and valve is opened, it will issue a torrential flow of water with a relatively high pressure. The resulting water pressure at the end of the hose is 350 kPa (this also depends on the size of the hose and water source). This hose can also be connected with a fire engine and then can be connected to a pump with greater power to produce greater water pressure so that it can be divided into several channels. Hoses can also be connected using a connection that has a screw / drat. One important thing to note is the opening of the hydrant line. Where the right method of opening and closing the hydrant is done slowly. This is to avoid the phenomenon of water hammer which can damage the piping system and accessories installation of fire extinguishing systems.

Alarm System

By Darma Sentosa (18/6/2011) 

Alarm is a part of home security that is needed as an early warning for indications of danger either to the fire hazard or danger against intruders. This serves as an alarm system on a home security monitoring system. The monitoring system is expected to provide early warning or notification system to quickly take corrective or preventive measures against fire that occurred by the emergency agent. With the existence of an adequate monitoring system is expected to minimize the damage resulting from fires and prevent loss of security.

The workings of the monitoring system can provide a good indication of a fire detection from the detector like fire detector (smoke, flame, heat); motion detector as well as those derived from manual call stations.

There are many type of alarm including home alarm that used for home security. This type of alarm is usually posted in the area of ​​the house to ensure and protect the property that is in the house from the danger of theft. Home alarm system can monitor home security and provide reports to the owner in case of actions that threaten the security of the home so that things that are unwanted can be minimized. While fire alarm system is an integrated system designed to detect symptoms of fire. Alarm to warn that the evacuation system and proceed with the installation of fire fighting system automatically or manually. The main equipment in the system controller is the Main Fire Alarm Control (MFAC) or Fire Alarm Control Panel (FACP) that receive incoming signal (input) from all detector and detector components and then gives a signal out (output) through the component outputs that have been defined.

The alarm is a tool that is capable of causing positive and negative reactions in humans. The advantages of the alarm is able to respond quickly to take corrective action to minimize the damage. The lack of alarm can make people who hear a loud alarm sound can be issued a panic reaction and save yourself irrationally that could harm him.

Usefulness of the alarm must be balanced with the supervision of false alarms caused by failed signal to avoid panic reactions in humans. The use of alarms should be placed in strategic places so it can carefully detect the possible dangers as accurate as possible.