If you want to adapt buildings to current legal requirements and investor expectations, you should first of all take into account the solutions available on the market. Currently, one of the most important aspects is the flow of information and the immediate ability to take appropriate actions. That is why good design and installation of systems in accordance with applicable standards is such a critical moment.

A properly thought-out solution allows you to:

  • increase the level of security of the facility along with reducing the costs associated with its operation,
  • improve ergonomics,
  • automate some processes thanks to two-way communication,
  • present a coherent visualization of states and processes occurring in the facility.

All this helps to reduce the risk of error and shortens the time needed to detect the threat. Additionally, concentrating information about events on an object often contributes to simplifying the analysis of even complex situations and, consequently, making the right decision.

Challenges in integrating fire protection systems

At the very beginning, it should be noted that the signaling system often includes several dozen or even several hundred devices. It all depends on the extent of the installation, which is directly dependent on the size of the facility. Special control units are necessary to control individual groups of devices. Passive and active fire protection are now commonly found in hospitals, shopping centers and high-rise buildings. Due to the limited number of plots for construction in cities, the latter will certainly increase in number in the coming years. Buildings of this type, due to their large area and size, as well as the number of fire zones, require an individual approach to design. This is why it is so important to properly locate elements such as manual fire alarms, sirens, detectors and the system control panel in the space. Within large facilities, in addition to fire alarms, automation systems, vision systems and advanced IT systems often operate in parallel. In a threat situation, the key issue is the time of access to the most important information. It can be shortened through intelligent solutions and skillful management of security systems.

How does the fire protection equipment integration system (SIUP) work?

Reducing the complexity of operating fire protection systems installed in the facility translates into improved safety. The system integrating fire protection devices (SIUP) is a tool supporting the control and operation of devices included in the fire alarm system. Clear presentation of data allows you to provide information about the status of individual components, including: part of the signaling system. This, in turn, makes it easier to make and execute decisions.

The main tasks of SIUP include [1]:

  • supervision of the operating status of integrated fire protection devices/installations;
  • analysis and hierarchy of operating states of integrated fire protection devices/installations;
  • graphical presentation of integrated fire protection devices/installations (site plans, floor plans, technical views) and text presentation (alarm descriptions, instructions);
  • supervision and registration of operations undertaken by the operator/authorized SIUP staff;
  • supervision of fire scenarios implemented by integrated fire protection devices/installations (graphic visualization of the sequence of fire scenario events);
  • manual stopping, starting, overriding fire scenarios implemented by the control panels as part of the fire protection installation.

SIUPs are often perceived as advanced IT systems that allow the performance of the previously described tasks. The key components of SIUP include: hardware, software and data. It is worth mentioning that SIUP can cooperate with other systems, such as security management system (SMS), building management system/building automation system (BMS/BAS), video management system (VMS), access control system (SKD). It is worth emphasizing that the design and installation of systems including, among others: FAS system, automation systems or vision systems should be preceded by an analysis of needs and available solutions.

How to control the required signaling system?

Despite advanced technologies and IT systems, a dedicated system control panel should be used to control individual devices: fire alarm, sound warning, extinguishing or smoke removal systems. Additionally, control panels for fire-fighting devices and control and power supply panels for fire-fighting devices are also used. In addition to control panels, control modules are also often used, which can be used, for example, to control the operation of alarm devices. It is worth mentioning that control modules can be equipped with: short-circuit isolators, one or more monitored inputs and one or more potential-free outputs. Some devices also allow you to program I/O and set output delay times.

How to install the system and integrate fire protection?

At the very beginning, we should consider what integration actually means. According to [2], integration is the combination of security and building systems into one whole in such a way that data exchange between them is possible. At the basic level, device integration can be performed by connecting individual control panels together, which is most often done via a relay interface. I/O systems should be monitored for line continuity. The use of integration allows you to significantly increase the level of management of fire protection devices (possibility of condition monitoring and management). It is also important to correctly locate the fire protection equipment integration system within the facility. SIUP can work in three configurations: with a single integrating device, with a redundant integrating device or in a system with a fire protection device control panel. It is worth mentioning that the integration process itself should be carried out in accordance with the fire scenario. This document describes the sequence of operation of individual devices and systems in the event of a fire hazard in a specific place. The scenario includes the functioning of individual fire protection devices along with their mutual interactions and influence. It is on the basis of the fire scenario that the designer is able to prepare a control matrix for a given fire protection installation.

What should SIUP be like?

Due to the role it plays in ensuring safety, the fire protection equipment integration system should be checked first of all. Therefore, the solution should have legally required documents that confirm the stability of its functional properties in target conditions. Another feature that can be mentioned is scalability. Thanks to this, it is possible to use a specific system in both smaller and larger facilities, and there is also a chance to further expand the system if necessary. It is also important to tailor specific solutions to the needs of a given building. Each object should be approached individually and its characteristics should be taken into account. Based on the prepared analysis, it is possible to present potentially effective devices and systems. It is also important to remember that no solution is perfect. Modern fire safety systems based on data exchange are susceptible to cyber threats, such as hacker attacks. Their implementation is more expensive due to the need for additional cabling. You should also remember that installing the system is not everything. To ensure reliable operation, it is also necessary to provide regular services and maintenance, which also involves additional costs.

[1] https://inzynierbudownictwa.pl/jak-zintegrowac-systemy-bezpieczenstwa-pozarowego/ (dostęp: 02.07.2024)
[2] Stępkowski Ryszard, Integracja systemów bezpieczeństwa w budynkach wysokich i wysokościowych. Wpływ na ochronę przeciwpożarową obiektu.