FAQ

Yes, it is possible. If you buy such an alarm device you should be aware of the fact that the Technical Opinion and Certificate of Admittance issued by the CNBOP (Scientific and Research Centre for Fire Protection) expire.

Yes, it is possible. If you buy such an alarm device you should be aware of the fact that the Technical Opinion and Certificate of Admittance issued by the CNBOP (Scientific and Research Centre for Fire Protection) expire.

The SA-K7 sounder does not have a built-in power supply, it is necessary to provide an outside power supply. Device terminal s should be provided with voltage in the range of 16- 32.5V DC.

Yes, it is possible. In order to switch off sound and remain an optical signal on, you should use the WSD-1 switch.

No, it isn’t.

Yes, SA-K7 sounders have got reverse-polarity voltage protection.

When designing an fire alarm system using optical signalling devices, the main criterion for selecting the appropriate signalling device is the photometric solid generated by the device. The distinction for 3m, 6m, 9m versions for the O (open) category devices from the W2 offer means the optimal mounting height for the alarm device.

The WSD-1 switch is a fire alarm audible signal switch. It is intended to be used together with acoustic and optical alarm devices. Thanks to the use of the WSD-1 switch a user can turn off sound of an alarm device with an optical signal on. The WSD-1 switch is connected straight to device terminals. It is not necessary to fix a switch through a fire resistant cable junction box. There applies the following principle: one alarm device – one WSD-1 switch.

No, additional protection is not required for the WSD-1 switch, because the alarm device to which the switch is connected, is connected to the FAS installation through a cable junction box of required fire resistance with a built-in fuse.

The practical application of WSD-1 makes it easier to conduct rescue and evacuation operations. At the time we turn off the sound signal, leaving at the same time the optical signalon it is possible to issue commands that are not deafened by the fire alarm signal.

WSD-1 switch should be installed in places where persons authorized to turn off the fire alarm signal have access, it is not permitted that the WSD-1 switch is mounted in places where unauthorized persons have access.

In case of designing FAS installations it is necessary to consider legal requirements. The legal act which implies the necessity of applying fire resistant cable junction boxes is:

The Regulation by Minister of Infrastructure of April 12, 2002 concerning technical conditions with which buildings and their location shall comply (Journal of Laws No. 75, item 690 as amended).

§ 187.3. Conductors and cables along with mountings, which are applied in power supply and control systems for fire protection devices, shall ensure the continuity of power supply in case of fire for a demanded operation period of a fire protection device, for no less than 90 minutes though.

§ 187.4. A reduced period of the continuity of power supply is acceptable for fire protection devices, specified in section 3, to 30 minutes, for conductors and cables within the area protected with fire sprinkler system and for conductors and cables which supply power to and control smoke dampers.

In accordance with the above regulation, the connections of conductors / cables shall be carried out in such a way so that they would meet the fire resistance requirement E30 or E90 to ensure fire resistant installation. Such a connection is guaranteed by using cable junction boxes of fire resistance E30 or E90.

No, it is not possible. The customer should specify the type and value of a fuse, e.g. a time fuse 1 A when placing an order.

PIP-1AN and PIP-2AN cable junction boxes differ in the kind of leading the conductor. The PIP-1AN box is additionally adjusted to fixing an alarm device on the box shade. The PIP-2AN box does not enable fixing an alarm device on the box shade. Additionally the PIP-2AN box is in the version which enables connecting cables (intermediate box) and the version which enables connecting cables of 6mm2 cross-section.

No, an alarm device is not required to be placed straight on the box. It is essential though that an alarm device could be connected through the box to the FAS installation.

An Visual Alarm Device is a device that generates a flashing light intended to signal a fire hazard to persons in the building.

VADs should be used wherever there is a possibility that hearing impaired people are present or hearing protectors are used. Relevant provisions regarding the use of VADs can be found in CEN/TS 54-14:2004 Fire detection and fire alarm systems – Part 14: Guidelines for planning, design, installation, commissioning, use and maintenance

• In zones where acoustic signals may be ineffective, e.g. due to the background noise being too high, hearing impaired among users, or where hearing protectors are probably worn, in addition to acoustic signals, optical signals should be used
• VADs should only be used to supplement acoustic alarm devices and should not be used alone. Each optical fire alarm should be clearly visible and distinguished from other optical signals used in the facility

Each acoustic or optical signaling device used in the fire alarm system must have appropriate documents confirming compliance with legal requirements.

The first legally required document is a Certificate issued for compliance with a harmonized standard. Currently, compliance with the EN 54-23: 2010 standard, which includes VADs, is issued by the CNBOP-PIB document called Certificate of Constancy of Performance. The standard defines international requirements.

Additional country requirements may exist for some product groups. In the case of sounders and VADs sold in Poland, they are included in the Annex to the Regulation of the Minister of Interior and Administration of 27 April 2010 (item 553). These devices are part of group 11, i.e. elements of warning and evacuation systems. Therefore, it is necessary to issue a Certificate of Approval for them, which confirms the fulfillment of the requirements contained in the above mentioned Regulation. Paragraph 11.5.2.1 defines the required device color and optical signal:

• The VAD housing and light color should be red. The inscription “FIRE” should be placed on the visible surface of the VAD.

It is worth adding that the current harmonized standard EN 54-23: 2010 also includes white as a possible color of the emitted light. Therefore, in countries where there are no additional local restrictions (e.g. similar to the above mentioned regulation), it is also possible to use VADs with white light as well as without the word FIRE. Devices with a certified optical element manufactured by W2 (SO-Pd13, SA-K7N, SAOZ-Pk2) have been tested in accordance with the harmonized standard and can also be ordered with white light if necessary.

The EN 54-23: 2010 harmonized standard introduces the division into type A (for indoor applications) and type B (for outdoor applications) VADs. This is important from the point of view of the requirements that the device must meet. In short, devices classified as type B must undergo more stringent tests, e.g. they must have a higher degree of IP protection and undergo additional tests that are not required for type A devices. All this means that they can be used both outside and inside buildings where, for example, prolonged high humidity may occur and / or be exposed to high temperatures.

In the EN 54-23: 2010 standard, apart from the division due to the working environment, a division of devices according to the coverage category has been introduced:

• ‘C’, ceiling mounted devices
• ‘W’, wall mounted devices
• ‘O’, open class devices

In [1], the division according to the coverage category has been characterized. For category C signaling devices, the manufacturer must specify the maximum mounting height: 3 m, 6 m or 9 m and the diameter (in meters) of the cylindrical area that is the operating range of the device installed at ceiling height, where the signaling device achieves the required light intensity. For example, the designation C-3-6 means that the VAD mounted at a height of 3 m provides the required light intensity in a cylinder with a diameter of 6 m and a height of 3 m.

For category W devices the maximum height for mounting the device on the wall (minimum 2.4 m) and the width (in meters) of the cubic area where the required luminance complies with the standard have to be specified. For example, the designation W-2.4-4 means that the VAD mounted on the wall at a height of 2.4 m will provide the required light intensity in a 2.4 x 4 x 4 m space.

The signaling devices manufactured by W2, which have an optical element certified in accordance with EN 54-23: 2010, have been classified as category O devices. This means that they can be mounted both, on ceiling and wall and the declared coverage area is represented by a photometric solid. The exact shape of the solid for devices has been made available on the W2 website.

[1] Borysewicz Jarosław, Stępień Paweł, Chołuj Łukasz, Requirements, test methods and criteria for assessing optical signaling devices (VAD). The method of measuring light distribution, BiTP Vol. 44 Issue 4, 2016, pp. 159-164

Classifying devices as category O is the most flexible approach. The following are the main advantages of the O category over the other two (C and W):

• thanks to any mounting position (ceiling, wall), the need for double inventory is eliminated (devices of categories C and W can be installed only within their category)
• no restrictions on the mounting height – for VADs classified as O only the suggested mounting height is given. In the case of a device classified as C-3-y, installation at a height higher than 3 m is not allowed. In this case, use another device, e.g. C-6-y. Suggested mounting height for the O category, e.g. 3 m, does not preclude mounting the device above this height. It should be borne in mind however, that a device with a suggested mounting height of 3 m is likely to cover a smaller area than installed e.g. at a height of 4 m
• category O devices are not subject to any restrictions – it is possible to create the largest possible coverage area in the form of any cuboid

VADs manufactured by W2 (SO-Pd13, SA-K7N, SAOZ-Pk2) have category O.

When designing a fire protection system (FPS) with the use of VADs, the main criterion for choosing the right VAD is the photometric solid that the device generates. The distinction between 3m, 6m and 9m versions for O category signaling devices from available W2 products means the suggested mounting height for the signaling device.

EN 54-23:2010, NFPA 72 and LPCB CoP 0001 contain provisions specifying the use of synchronization of flash signals generated by VADs. When devices are installed in close proximity, their frequency / flashing pattern can lead to undesired effects – such as triggering seizures at people suffering from photosensitive epilepsy (for a detailed description of the issue, see LPCB CoP 0001). The NFPA 72 standard additionally states that synchronization should be used when at least two optical VADs are visible from one place in the building.

Certified signaling devices manufactured by W2 with a certified optical element are equipped with the synchronization function (SO-Pd13, SA-K7N, SAOZ-Pk2).

In buildings where, for various reasons, acoustic signaling may be insufficient (e.g. high background noise levels, work requiring the use of personal protective equipment in the form of hearing protectors), optical signaling should also be used, in addition to acoustic signaling. Optical signaling is a supplement to acoustic signaling and should not be used alone.

Relevant provision can be found in CEN/TS 54-14:2004 Fire detection and fire alarm systems – Part 14: Guidelines for planning, design, installation, commissioning, use and maintenance.

For type A signaling devices, the manufacturer should ensure a minimum degree of 21C (in accordance with EN 60529: 1991. Degrees of protection provided by enclosures (IP code) – this standard specifies “… a system of classification of degrees of protection, marked with a code, provided by enclosures of electrical devices with rated voltage not more than 72.5 kV … “), which is synonymous with the fact that the device itself is protected against access by foreign bodies with a diameter greater than or equal to 12.5 mm and against the harmful effects of dripping water penetrating the housing of the device. For the user himself, this is a protection against accessing hazardous parts with fingers.

On the other hand, B type devices should have a degree of protection of at least 33C. According to the standard referred to above, this means protection against the access of foreign objects with a diameter greater than or equal to 2.5 mm and against the harmful effects of sprayed water penetrating the housing of the device. The user is protected against access to hazardous parts, even when using a tool. However, it has to be said that the product should be provided with appropriate measures to restrict access to its interior to remove a part or the entire device, as well as change the mode of operation, e.g. through special tools, codes, hidden screws, seals.

Shapes of photometric solids for signaling devices manufactured by W2 are available on the website. Depending on the version of the signaling device and the mounting height, the radius of the coverage area changes (part of the space in which the required light intensity is achieved).

For example, for the SO-Pd13 / 3m, the radius of the coverage area (R) for the suggested mounting height (h = 3 m) is 4.9 m. This allows to calculate the side length (a) and the square area (Sa) for which the light intensity of 0.4 lux is provided.

Considering that a = (2 * 4.9 m) / √2 ≈ 6.93 m, the square area where the required level of light intensity is assured is ?? = ?2 ≈ 48.03 ?2. Based on this, it is possible to estimate the number of signaling devices needed on the x (??) axis and y (??) axis.

Example

For example, suppose the room in question has the dimensions of x = 20 m, y = 10 m. In this case, the number of signaling devices needed on the x side will be ?? = 20 ? / 6.93 ? ≈ 2.89, while the number of signaling devices on the y side will be ?? = 10 ? / 6.93 ? ≈ 1.44. Of course, integers should be taken for further estimates, so ?? = 3 and ?? = 2. The total number of VADs needed will finally be ?? * ?? = 3 * 2 = 6.

If the room has an irregular shape, it should be divided into smaller squares. For more detailed calculations, use * .ies files available for download from the website and applications such as DIALux or Calculux, where it is possible to take into account more variables. More information about the arrangement of VADs can be found in the American standard NFPA 72 National Fire Alarm and Signaling Code.

NOTE: The above example is used to illustrate the issue of VADs placement. It is illustrative. Under real conditions, many additional factors should be considered.

The required illuminance according to EN 54-23: 2010 is 0.4 lm / m2 on the surface perpendicular to the direction of the light emitted by the device.

The SO-Pd13 / 3m / s, SO-Pd13 / 6m / s, SO-Pd13 / 9m / s devices in addition to synchronization also have the option of setting flash time delays between devices. Using the D0, D1, D2 micro switches, it is possible to set the time delay in the range from 0 – 0.7 s in 0.1 s increments. In the case when several signaling devices are installed in the corridor, it is possible to create the so-called “Wave effect” with time delays between signaling devices in such a way that the flash will indicate the direction of evacuation.

Attention! This mode is outside the scope of EN 54-23:2010

The SO-Pd13 devices use the power line for synchronization. In other devices with the synchronization option manufactured by W2, this function is achieved by using an additional wire

between signaling devices working in the network. Using the power line for synchronization in SO-Pd13 devices, allows to reduce the number of needed wires (only two). The task of the FS-1 filter, which should be placed between the power source and the first device working in the network, is to suppress synchronization impulses that are sent along the power line. In this way, the power source is protected against possible damage.

The synchronization function in SO-Pd13 devices is implemented along the power line. If it becomes necessary to install additional devices, it is recommended to separate the power lines e.g. acoustic signaling devices on one line, and optical ones on a separate line. Alternatively, you can install acoustic signaling devices on the line where SO-Pd13 with synchronization are installed, before the FS-1 filter (not recommended).

It should be noted that the SO-Pd13 flash signal cannot be synchronized with other device’s optical signal (e.g. SA-K7N, SAOZ-Pk2).

It is possible to build a network consisting of following devices: SA-K7N, SA-K5N, SAOZ-Pk2. These signaling devices have the same synchronization mechanism which allows creating networks (synchronization).

Yes, it is, though it depends on the number of ordered alarm devices, such devices have a different price. If you are interested, please send an inquiry to us on biuro@w2.com.pl.