Category: Fire

Syosset, NY – AFA Protective Systems, Inc. (AFA), A Pavion Company, a fire safety and security systems integrator recently hosted and sponsored a building life safety symposium at the New York City Fire Museum.

The event, hosted by AFA’s New York office included updating building owners, building managers, property managers, and consulting engineers with the latest information on current NYC fire alarm codes, along with planned changes anticipated for the near future and how it will affect them.

AFA has always been on the forefront when it comes to fire alarm codes and standards, with numerous employees on NFPA 72 technical committees. “Keeping our clients updated and making sure their systems are code compliant is an important part of the services we provide,” said Joe Ranaudo, AFA’s NY Operations Manager.

Invited attendees to the symposium had the opportunity to hear from and interact with industry experts as new technologies were presented and discussed. Along with fire alarm and central station, ARC systems (Auxiliary Radio Communication Systems) were also included on the agenda (where and when).

The event was hosted by Peter Tabatneck, AFA’s Class “E” Fire Alarm Sales Engineer and Cameron Frey, also a Class “E” Fire Alarm Sales Engineer for AFA. 

Guest speakers and participants at this event included:

• Wanda Nazar of Expediting Support Services
• Rocco Bonavita (FDNY-Director of Fire Alarm Inspection and Plan Examination Units)
• Executive Officer to the Chief of Technology Management Captain Battalion Paul Brincat
• Chief of Technology Management Brian Cordasco
• Executive Officer to the Chief of Technology Captain Anthony Pasquin
• Robert Norris of Technology Management EPPG Group
• Steve Vendetti of Sparc Fire Protection
• Dan Corbett of Honeywell/Notifier
• Chris Godwin of RF Solutions

“I’d like to thank AFA for hosting the AFA Life Safety Symposium on September 22^nd. Great venue, topics and attendance at the event,” said Dan Corbett, Regional Sales Manager at Notifier. “I had the pleasure to present our next generation INSPIRE series life safety system, industry first self-testing detectors and Connected Life Safety Services that combine to bring fire alarm/life safety systems into the 21^st.”

Main Takeaways from the event:

• FDNY’s presentation on the future organizational structure
• Improved timeframe of plan examination approvals and inspections
• The “What, Where, and When” of RF Solution’s Auxiliary Radio Communication System
• Notifier’s new line of Inspire Series Life Safety Systems
• Sparc Engineering’s discussion on Battery Energy Storage Systems used for building emergency power

Besides technology, code and ARCS discussions, plan examination, navigating the FDNY website, filing, permits, plan variances, and emergency action plans were all touched upon.

AFA’s Building Life Safety Symposium made a significant impact on the attendees and provided important information to keep NYC buildings in compliance with the latest codes. For further information, contact AFA Protective Systems, Inc. at 877-232-1873 or visit www.pavion.com. 

You’ve decided it’s time to replace your existing fire alarm system. Maybe you’ve significantly expanded your facility’s footprint, bringing on more staff and therefore increasing your safety concerns. Or perhaps you’ve downsized your square-footage and want to explore how this may have changed your fire alarm needs. Or it could be that your current system is simply aging past its useful life, inspiring you to investigate the latest options. Whatever the reason, the next decision you’re faced with is determining the type of system—conventional or addressable—to buy. Although a Pavion fire alarm specialist is best suited to analyze your situation and guide you through the decision-making process, here’s a bit of information about both types to get you started.

Conventional Fire Alarms

In these hardware-based, analog systems, each detection device is connected to a zone which has its own wire connected to a central control panel. Because this equipment is fairly inexpensive, conventional systems cost less to purchase compared to addressable systems. But labor costs are higher because each zone of detection devices must be individually wired and connected to the control panel, making this a fairly time-consuming process.

Another consideration is that these systems cannot pinpoint which device was activated; alarms are identified by zone, usually identifying one floor or area only. This is why conventional systems are usually installed in smaller properties where there is less need for such specificity.

Addressable Fire Alarms

These systems are able to monitor every detection device—fire, smoke and carbon monoxide—installed in a building, pinpointing exactly where and what type of an alarm has been activated and what has triggered that activation. This capability is why addressable fire alarms are also known as “intelligent systems.” Even though a single wire can connect hundreds of alarm devices to a control panel, each one has its own unique identifier making it possible to swiftly assess the situation and respond.

These systems also afford properties greater flexibility and have more capabilities compared to conventional systems. And because only one wire can connect hundreds of devices to the control panel, less labor is required, lowering that cost. (Both ends of this wire are looped into the panel. If one end is disconnected, the devices will still function, making this system more reliable than some conventional systems.)

However, the equipment is more expensive compared to conventional systems, resulting in a higher purchase price. Typically, addressable systems are installed in larger, more complex buildings where the need to immediately identify and locate a threat is acute.

Decisions, Decisions

Even though conventional systems have their limitations, they should not automatically be ruled out. Depending on the property and the budget they may offer the perfect solution—not every business is going to need the expanded capabilities of an addressable system. Contact a Pavion fire safety expert who will help you determine exactly what is right for you.

You’ve decided it’s time to replace your existing fire alarm system. Maybe you’ve significantly expanded your facility’s footprint, bringing on more staff and therefore increasing your safety concerns. Or perhaps you’ve downsized your square-footage and want to explore how this may have changed your fire alarm needs. Or it could be that your current system is simply aging past its useful life, inspiring you to investigate the latest options. Whatever the reason, the next decision you’re faced with is determining the type of system—conventional or addressable—to buy. Although a Pavion fire alarm specialist is best suited to analyze your situation and guide you through the decision-making process, here’s a bit of information about both types to get you started.

Conventional Fire Alarms

In these hardware-based, analog systems, each detection device is connected to a zone which has its own wire connected to a central control panel. Because this equipment is fairly inexpensive, conventional systems cost less to purchase compared to addressable systems. But labor costs are higher because each zone of detection devices must be individually wired and connected to the control panel, making this a fairly time-consuming process.

Another consideration is that these systems cannot pinpoint which device was activated; alarms are identified by zone, usually identifying one floor or area only. This is why conventional systems are usually installed in smaller properties where there is less need for such specificity.

Addressable Fire Alarms

These systems are able to monitor every detection device—fire, smoke and carbon monoxide—installed in a building, pinpointing exactly where and what type of an alarm has been activated and what has triggered that activation. This capability is why addressable fire alarms are also known as “intelligent systems.” Even though a single wire can connect hundreds of alarm devices to a control panel, each one has its own unique identifier making it possible to swiftly assess the situation and respond.

These systems also afford properties greater flexibility and have more capabilities compared to conventional systems. And because only one wire can connect hundreds of devices to the control panel, less labor is required, lowering that cost. (Both ends of this wire are looped into the panel. If one end is disconnected, the devices will still function, making this system more reliable than some conventional systems.)

However, the equipment is more expensive compared to conventional systems, resulting in a higher purchase price. Typically, addressable systems are installed in larger, more complex buildings where the need to immediately identify and locate a threat is acute.

Decisions, Decisions

Even though conventional systems have their limitations, they should not automatically be ruled out. Depending on the property and the budget they may offer the perfect solution—not every business is going to need the expanded capabilities of an addressable system. Contact a Pavion fire safety expert who will help you determine exactly what is right for you.