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Fire protection expanded

Siemens has expanded its Sinteso fire protection product line with additional components and functions, making flexible modernisation concepts possible with increased safety and lower operating costs. Siemens has also launched a new, precise, multisensor detector for carbon monoxide and a new video fire controller, which automatically records images of a fire event.

Siemens Sinteso is a scalable and networkable fire protection system, which is suitable for all building uses and can be adapted or expanded without restrictions. Since Sinteso’s introduction nearly three years ago, Siemens has integrated over a million Sinteso detectors in fire protection systems, making a substantial contribution to the protection of people, infrastructure, and assets.

The Sinteso system is based on a uniform technology platform with standardised interfaces (BACnet), an essential requirement for the optimum interaction of individual components such as sensors, alarm devices, control panels and connection networks, ensuring reliable protection and flawless operation. Sinteso fire detectors guarantee reliable response behaviour for all types of fires. C-LINE detectors are suitable for standard applications in offices, shopping centres and hotels, while detectors in the S-LINE are intended for challenging environmental conditions.

Thanks to the patented ASA-technology (advanced signal analysis), the detectors in the Sinteso S-LINE achieve unique detection accuracy. With these detectors, false alarms from deceptive phenomena such as steam, dust or electromagnetic interference almost never occur. The S-LINE includes optical wide-spectrum detectors, heat detectors, flame detectors, linear smoke detectors, and neural multisensor detectors. The ASA parameter sets used in each detector can be adapted precisely to the expected types of fires and deceptive phenomena, and can also be programmed for day-/night-time operation or processes being performed.

The latest multisensor model in the S-LINE, the FDOOTC241, is equipped with two optical sensors, two heat sensors, and one electrochemical gas sensor. Any fire characteristics like smoke, heat or carbon monoxide (CO) that occur will be detected by the sensors, linked with one another in a suitable manner, and analysed. This intelligent signal processing provides a very precise estimate of the risk situation in advance, while simultaneously offering maximum immunity to false alarms. The CO multisensor is used for the early detection of smouldering fires that develop little smoke or heat. This is useful, for example, in nursing homes or in hotels, where sleeping or handicapped people could be endangered by hazardous carbon monoxide.

A feature of the Sinteso fire protection system is the intelligent integration of video technology with the new video fire controller. In case of an alarm, the fire control panel activates video cameras. The live images transmitted or recorded can be used to verify the alarm or for subsequent clarification of the event. Safety personnel can therefore react appropriately, avoiding false alarms and unnecessary evacuations. The video fire controller covers a series of new applications without greater expense, for example in schools, hotels or underground train stations with higher risk potential for vandalism or arson. Any attempt to manipulate or cover the cameras automatically triggers an alarm.

Sinteso can be integrated smoothly into existing networks, and can be adapted flexibly to new building utilisations or regulations that have changed. Existing collective or addressable detectors or detector lines can simply be replaced by S-LINE detectors without new cabling, making it possible to gradually update existing detectors that no longer satisfy requirements.

For other types of modernisations like capacity expansion of buildings or for integration with security and building management systems, it makes sense to replace the fire control panels as a first step. For this approach, the new modular Sinteso FC2030 and FC2060 control panels can adopt addressable collective lines of older generations of detectors without any problem.

The FC2030 is designed for two loops with up to 252 field devices. The FC2060 is designed for four loops with up to 512 field devices, and can in addition be equipped line cards – for example for addressable collective detector lines – and operate up to 1512 field devices. Existing detector groups and alarm concepts can be adopted simply, by means of auto configuration and auto addressing, and existing controls of fire doors, elevators and ventilation can be integrated easily via input/output modules. As a result, modernisation concepts can be implemented flexibly and with low expense in terms of both money and time, safety is assured anytime during business operation, and long disruptions or interruptions during the risky modernisation phases are avoided.

Sinteso detectors and peripheral devices are connected via the specially developed FDnet (field device network). Remotely located floor repeater displays and floor repeater terminals can also be incorporated into the system as needed. These compact display and operating units make clear communication possible on site; for example in a remote treatment station of a hospital. Alarms, malfunctions, and disconnections are unmistakably indicated on the floor repeater display. In addition, events can be confirmed or reset using the floor repeater terminal. The operating and display units also function reliably in the case of a power outage or short circuit. If the connected control panel should fail, the floor repeater terminal assumes its communication functions and additionally supports safety and reliability of the system.

The events of other FDnet loops are correspondingly displayed on the floor repeater terminal, and can also be programmed from there. The FDnet is also used to supply power to all field devices, which is reflected in lower energy and cabling costs.

The FCnet (fire control network) central bus can network up to 32 control panels and remotely located floor repeater terminals. The FCnet is characterised by quick data transmission and a redundant network node for maximum safety against failures. The control display of all Sinteso control panels and terminals is designed to be uniform and clearly understandable. All functions meet their designated standards (EN54), and can be intuitively executed for all occurring events.

Sinteso can be integrated via the BACnet interface into a danger management system. This allows several FCnet networks and fire safety systems to be centrally monitored from one control centre. The Siemens MM8000 Danger Management Station consolidates different subsystems for safety and building operation into one uniform, clear software platform, and supports safety personnel through coordinated, efficient management of all critical alarms.

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