Fire alarm sounder connected to door entry system help please

[Ross Harvey]

Hi All

I have door entry system that i installed at a care home. it is a fail safe system but they didnt ask me to coonect to fire alarm system unitl after i had second fixed it all.

Long story short i have connected it (through a relay) to a local fire alarm sounder that gives out 24v on alarm conditions.
This works correctly but the fire panel shows a fault on the sounder system. Is there an easy fix? Maybe connecting a resistor? any help would be appreciated.

Thanks

 

[Andy78]

I'm no expert on fire alarms systems by any means, but there are usually outputs on the panel PCB to connect to for things like this.
Someone will be able to set you right soon I reckon.

 

[Ross Harvey]

Thanks for your reply.
The reason i have connected to a local sounder is that the fire panel is the other side of the building and not easily wired back from.

 

[telectrix]

maybe a blocking diode would get you out of trouble. however, it's not recommended to modify any fire alarm system without thoroughly considering the implications of failure to operate in case of a fire.

 

[Andy78]

Like I say, someone more expert than me will have to help you out with this one.

 

[telectrix]

where's tazz when he's wanted.

 

[Ross Harvey]

maybe a blocking diode would get you out of trouble. however, it's not recommended to modify any fire alarm system without thoroughly considering the implications of failure to operate in case of a fire.

Is a blocking diode what normally comes with detector bases?

 

[telectrix]

yep. it conducts d.c. one way with a 0.6 volt drop, but blocks the other way. the diode used is selected according to the current requirement. not sure if it will cure your problem though.

 

[Ross Harvey]

yep. it conducts d.c. one way with a 0.6 volt drop, but blocks the other way. the diode used is selected according to the current requirement. not sure if it will cure your problem though.

Thanks for your reply.

How would i connect that diode? across the positive and neg going to my relay or just on the positive out in series? and would it also stop the relay from operating?

 

[High Tower]

Are you sure it's a conventional fire alarm?

 

[Ross Harvey]

Are you sure it's a conventional fire alarm?

yeah im sure it is

 

[ayjay]

personally i wouldnt be messing around with a fire alarm in an old folks home
well risky if something goes wrong
lnstall a stand alone sounder

 

[High Tower]

Its not using the sounders, the idea is the the fire alarm releases the mags

 

[Guest77]

As tel mentioned a diode will do the job, however it isn't the right way and will need to be a very temporary fix, Tazz where are you ??

 

[High Tower]

Yea it needs to be triggered from the panel

 

[tazz]

Connecting any release or shutdown to the sounder circuit, is a breach of regs......reason being, the doors will relock when system is silenced....and must only relock when the system is fully reset. All release, shutdowns must be off panel fire relay, or addressable output unit.
Example, fire alarm activates in nursing home, doors release, then staff member silences system while evacuating...doors relock trapping residence in building