Honeywell NOTIFIER NFN-GW-PC-HNMF Installation And Operation Manual

Honeywell NOTIFIER NFN-GW-PC-HNMF Installation And Operation Manual Manual pdf 2 page image

2 High-speed PC NFN Gateway Installation and Operation Manual — P/N LS10078-000NF-E:C6 5/6/2022Fire Alarm & Emergency Communication System LimitationsWhile a life safety system may lower insurance rates, it is not a substitute for life and property insurance!An automatic fire alarm system—typically made up of smokedetectors, heat detectors, manual pull stations, audible warningdevices, and a fire alarm control panel (FACP) with remotenotification capability—can provide early warning of a developing fire.Such a system, however, does not assure protection against propertydamage or loss of life resulting from a fire.An emergency communication system—typically made up of anautomatic fire alarm system (as described above) and a life safetycommunication system that may include an autonomous control unit(ACU), local operating console (LOC), voice communication, andother various interoperable communication methods—can broadcasta mass notification message. Such a system, however, does notassure protection against property damage or loss of life resultingfrom a fire or life safety event.The Manufacturer recommends that smoke and/or heat detectors belocated throughout a protected premises following therecommendations of the current edition of the National FireProtection Association Standard 72 (NFPA 72), manufacturer'srecommendations, State and local codes, and the recommendationscontained in the Guide for Proper Use of System Smoke Detectors,which is made available at no charge to all installing dealers. Thisdocument can be found at http://www.systemsensor.com/appguides/.A study by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (an agencyof the United States government) indicated that smoke detectors maynot go off in as many as 35% of all fires. While fire alarm systems aredesigned to provide early warning against fire, they do not guaranteewarning or protection against fire. A fire alarm system may notprovide timely or adequate warning, or simply may not function, for avariety of reasons:Smoke detectors may not sense fire where smoke cannot reach thedetectors such as in chimneys, in or behind walls, on roofs, or on theother side of closed doors. Smoke detectors also may not sense afire on another level or floor of a building. A second-floor detector, forexample, may not sense a first-floor or basement fire.Particles of combustion or “smoke” from a developing fire may notreach the sensing chambers of smoke detectors because:• Barriers such as closed or partially closed doors, walls, chimneys,even wet or humid areas may inhibit particle or smoke flow.• Smoke particles may become “cold,” stratify, and not reach theceiling or upper walls where detectors are located.• Smoke particles may be blown away from detectors by air outlets,such as air conditioning vents.• Smoke particles may be drawn into air returns before reaching thedetector.The amount of “smoke” present may be insufficient to alarm smokedetectors. Smoke detectors are designed to alarm at various levels ofsmoke density. If such density levels are not created by a developingfire at the location of detectors, the detectors will not go into alarm.Smoke detectors, even when working properly, have sensinglimitations. Detectors that have photoelectronic sensing chamberstend to detect smoldering fires better than flaming fires, which havelittle visible smoke. Detectors that have ionizing-type sensingchambers tend to detect fast-flaming fires better than smolderingfires. Because fires develop in different ways and are oftenunpredictable in their growth, neither type of detector is necessarilybest and a given type of detector may not provide adequate warningof a fire.Smoke detectors cannot be expected to provide adequate warning offires caused by arson, children playing with matches (especially inbedrooms), smoking in bed, and violent explosions (caused byescaping gas, improper storage of flammable materials, etc.).Heat detectors do not sense particles of combustion and alarm onlywhen heat on their sensors increases at a predetermined rate orreaches a predetermined level. Rate-of-rise heat detectors may besubject to reduced sensitivity over time. For this reason, the rate-of-rise feature of each detector should be tested at least once per yearby a qualified fire protection specialist. Heat detectors are designedto protect property, not life.IMPORTANT! Smoke detectors must be installed in the same roomas the control panel and in rooms used by the system for theconnection of alarm transmission wiring, communications, signaling,and/or power. If detectors are not so located, a developing fire maydamage the alarm system, compromising its ability to report a fire.Audible warning devices such as bells, horns, strobes, speakersand displays may not alert people if these devices are located on theother side of closed or partly open doors or are located on anotherfloor of a building. Any warning device may fail to alert people with adisability or those who have recently consumed drugs, alcohol, ormedication. Please note that:• An emergency communication system may take priority over a firealarm system in the event of a life safety emergency.• Voice messaging systems must be designed to meet intelligibilityrequirements as defined by NFPA, local codes, and AuthoritiesHaving Jurisdiction (AHJ).• Language and instructional requirements must be clearly dissemi-nated on any local displays.• Strobes can, under certain circumstances, cause seizures in peo-ple with conditions such as epilepsy.• Studies have shown that certain people, even when they hear afire alarm signal, do not respond to or comprehend the meaning ofthe signal. Audible devices, such as horns and bells, can have dif-ferent tonal patterns and frequencies. It is the property owner'sresponsibility to conduct fire drills and other training exercises tomake people aware of fire alarm signals and instruct them on theproper reaction to alarm signals.• In rare instances, the sounding of a warning device can causetemporary or permanent hearing loss.A life safety system will not operate without any electrical power. IfAC power fails, the system will operate from standby batteries onlyfor a specified time and only if the batteries have been properlymaintained and replaced regularly.Equipment used in the system may not be technically compatiblewith the control panel. It is essential to use only equipment listed forservice with your control panel.Alarm Signaling Communications:• IP connections rely on available bandwidth, which could be lim-ited if the network is shared by multiple users or if ISP policiesimpose restrictions on the amount of data transmitted. Servicepackages must be carefully chosen to ensure that alarm signalswill always have available bandwidth. Outages by the ISP formaintenance and upgrades may also inhibit alarm signals. Foradded protection, a backup cellular connection is recommended.• Cellular connections rely on a strong signal. Signal strength canbe adversely affected by the network coverage of the cellular car-rier, objects and structural barriers at the installation location. Uti-lize a cellular carrier that has reliable network coverage where thealarm system is installed. For added protection, utilize an externalantenna to boost the signal.• Telephone lines needed to transmit alarm signals from a premiseto a central monitoring station may be out of service or temporarilydisabled. For added protection against telephone line failure,backup alarm signaling connections are recommended.The most common cause of life safety system malfunction isinadequate maintenance. To keep the entire life safety system inexcellent working order, ongoing maintenance is required per themanufacturer's recommendations, and UL and NFPA standards. At aminimum, the requirements of NFPA 72 shall be followed.Environments with large amounts of dust, dirt, or high air velocityrequire more frequent maintenance. A maintenance agreementshould be arranged through the local manufacturer's representative.Maintenance should be scheduled as required by National and/orlocal fire codes and should be performed by authorized professionallife safety system installers only. Adequate written records of allinspections should be kept.Limit-F-2020