This video explains how monitor modules are commonly used to connect conventional devices to intelligent fire alarm control panels. It uses an example of connecting a sprinkler waterflow switch and valve tamper to a monitor module.
This video series is great! I just started in the fire alarm field. I have no experience in alarms or anything close. ... this series has helped me understand how things work. Thank you!
hi Joe just an a comment that i think will take ahead your video information on fire systems ., Fire alarm is an a national fire proteccion association were all these standard was made to protect life,. With that said I witch to see in your videos an explanation bases on code, why those devices gotta hook up in that way and why is the reason. Thank you joe for open this channel to all of them how wants to learn fire. att Niels.
The only thing I would add to this is to put the resistor in the field instead of putting it with the module or panel. That way the wire itself is also monitored. Other than that, this is great stuff for review! Thank you.
Would you be able to make a video on isolating modules? I'm wondering how they are being used in the USA. Are they being installed on each side of a fire rated wall? Etc
Aleksey, I haven't found many good books on fire alarms. It's one of the reasons I started this series (which I plan to expand on at some point). The National Training Center Brown Book is pretty good, but it's expensive. It only covers fire alarm systems though. I haven't looked for any in several years.
You wrote the digital book. Number One on my New York (actually L.A.) Best Seller list. Wish we had digital video back then, I would have done the same.
Thanks for the comments guys! Frank, I'd be in over my head answering that question. I don't have experience with unique systems such as the one you're describing. I've dealt very little with releasing systems in general, so I'd have to defer to someone with more experience. Sorry I couldn't be more helpful.
Hey joe, just out browsing trying to learn new stuff. I’ve been a commercial industrial electrician for over ten years and have done very little F/A. I will be very honest I’m not super confident in this area. So That’s why I’m watching your videos even though I don’t do F/A there are aspects I feel can definitely still benefit me in other areas. This may be a dumb question but the resistors y’all put in at the device between the wires (and I know sometimes you just put the resistor back at the module/panel. Can you please explain to me what the purpose of that resistor is and how it is providing obviously something crucial to the success of this installation . I mean I have an idea what a resistor is, I just never understood what it does in the FA scenarios . Any knowledge or input would be greatly appreciated. Thanks joe.
Mike, the purpose of the resistor is to supervise the integrity of the circuit. The panel is designed to "see" the resistor. By adding it to the end of the circuit, it provides proof that the circuit is still fully intact. If someone were to cut a wire, the Panel would no longer "see" the resistor (I.E., no current would be flowing) and so the panel would go into trouble, indicating a problem on that circuit. My first 2 videos should clear it up.
Joe Klochan thanks for the reply joe. Appreciate you taking the time and I will definitely watch those tonight. I guess my next question is if the resistor is not there , there is still current returning back to the source and the panel acknowledges that still correct? I’ve done some control work as well so I have a little bit of an idea what an input is. So it is the AMOUNT of current the panel detects when there is a resistor ? Ughh lol I know there’s just knowledge I haven’t attained yet (which is why I’m still missing something ) lol but I’m gonna go watch those other videos.
That's a good question, and it depends on the type of circuit. If it's a horn strobe circuit, there would be no current flowing through the circuit at all if the resistor isn't there. Ever horn strobe has an internal diode preventing current from flowing through the device in a standby state (that is, when the panel isn't in alarm). So the diodes prevent current from entering every horn strobe. Then when the panel goes into alarm, the polarity reverses at the panel, and so the current can then pass through the diodes. On an old conventional smoke detector circuit, it works more like you suggested. The smoke detectors do draw an extremely small amount of current, but not enough to affect the panel's ability to supervise the circuit using the EOL resistor. My first several videos hopefully do a better job of explaining this than I can via text.
Joe Klochan So I watched the first two and you were absolutely right ! I totally have a good understanding of what the resistor is for FINALLY!!! Can’t wait to continue on with all your other videos! Love learning ! Thanks for all your help and for taking the time to help me !! 👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼
Joe, Videos are great! Thank you… I am looking into a fire shut-down system and it will need to meet UL, CSFM, and FM approvals and I have a few questions… which heat detectors are best suited in a industrial area in case of a fire and shutdown machinery? CNC machines, presses, hydraulic-units, pumps etc..? What brand FACP controllers are commonly used? Can a standard PLC be used with UL/FM approved heat sensors, (302 Series), if it's failsafe wired/configured? Thanks again.
Does it works in conventional panel? Do I need to install fdm-1 module into my conventional panel or I will directly wire my flow switch into zoning of my conventional panel Thanks in advance for your answer
It does not. The whole point of a monitor module is to interface between an intelligent panel and a conventional device. If you have a conventional panel, conventional devices connect directly to the zones.
Hi Jeo, Can we wire Flow-switch in any terminal Common and NC with Black and NO contact with Red .similar to Monitor Valve. I am confused since dont we have to wire it NC since Monitor Valve needs to be NO contact. Can you please help me with it.
If it's a class B loop (circuit goes out but doesn't come back), you'll have a lot of "missing" devices. Different panels show these troubles by different terms: "missing", "invalid reply" "no answer" "comm fail", etc. If it's a class A loop (circuit goes to each device then returns to panel), you may have a single trouble that says something like "style 6 open", "loop break", "class A trouble", or something to that effect. If it's a class A (style 6) loop, you can disconnect the circuit at the panel and meter for continuity between the two negative legs of the circuit, and between the two positive legs of the circuit.
Following up on my question on connecting fmm1 to notifier beam detector...i connected the T9(-) and T8(+) to Com and NO then placed resistor between T9 amd T8 is the connection okey??
The fact that you came in at and out of T1 and T2 It's halfway home to a class A as long as you return that final loop back to the panel. So...why does this not qualify as a class A?
Yeah I think you're right. I made this video a long time ago, and I've never wired one of these things class A. I always thought the resistor went at the module, but recently I think I came across a scenario where I found out that wasn't the case.