COMMUNICATIONS

AND SIGNAL SYSTEMS

1.1 General 3. Time Equipment
clock and program equipment
1.1.1 Types of
Communication & Signal 1.1.2 Parts of the
Systems Communication & Signal
1. Surveillance and Signal Systems
Equipment
Fire, smoke and intruder detection 1. Detectors
and alarm systems
2. Control Unit or Panel
In general, all signal systems require
a surveillance system to process 3. Alarm Devices
information including transmitting it
and a means of indicating the signal, 4. Wiring or Circuitry
either audibly, visually or
permanently on “hard copy”.

2. Audio and Visual

Communication Equipment
telephone, intercom, public TV and
closed circuit television (CCTV)
1.2 Fire Alarm System
1.2.1 Types of Fire Alarm
Systems
1. Automatic System
uses detectors to trigger the alarm
system.
2. Manual System
uses visual detection and the alarm
is triggered by hand.
b) Coded Manual Stations
Each manual station is coded and
this code is received at the control
panel, processed and transmitted
audibly on the system gongs. The
code usually comprises of 3 to 4
digits; the first number may identify
the building number, the second the
building floor and the third the
individual station.

a) Non-Coded Manual Stations

the station locations are not
identifiable at the control panel when
it is manually triggered. An
annunciation panel, however, can be
added to the system, to convert
each station as a non-coded
indicating zone. Beyond 10 stations,
coding should be considered.
1.2.2 Detectors
1. Temperature Detector
the most common is the
Temperature Detector called the
“thermostat”
a) Fixed Temperature Unit
triggers a set of contacts when a
present temperature is reached.
This unit is available in a one-time
non-renewable design that uses a
low melting alloy fusible plug.
b) Rate-of-Rise Unit
activates when the rate of ambient
temperature differential exceeds a
predetermined amount. This unit
may be combined with the fixed
temperature unit in a single housing
such as in the case of an automatic
resetting unit.
Detectors are rated by temperature
and coverage. For example in
ordinary rooms, detectors are rated
at 135 deg F per 200 sqft. For
kitchens, attics and basements
where ambient temperature is
higher, units are rated at 190 deg to
200 deg F.
2. Photoelectric Detector
These detectors react to the
obscuration of a light beam by
smoke. They are best applied where
fires produce considerable quantities
of smoke and gas, such as those
caused by slow burning plastics.
4. Flame Detectors
These detectors are of two types;
the Infrared (IR) and Ultraviolet (UV)
Detectors. Applications are generally
industrial and are highly sensitive.

projector sensor

3. Ionization Detector
These detectors operate by
detecting ionized particles in the air.
They do not detect fires producing
heavy smoke but few particles such
as alcohol and plastic fires.

Photoelectric and Ionization

Detectors are classed respectively
as early warning smoke and fire
detection devices.
1.2.3 Control Unit or Panel
the function of the control panel is to
energize the audible devices (bells,
buzzers, gongs) upon receipt of a
signal from the detector. Other
functions include shut-off of oil and
gas lines, shut off of attic fans to
prevent fire spread, and turning off
of lights. Most units are serviced
with an emergency standby battery.

The typical control functions in the

Fire Alarm Panel are:

1. Non-Coded Systems
These are continuous ringing
evacuation type alarm devices,
manual or automatic, which can be
zoned and identifiable by means of
an annunciator.
1.1 General

1.2 Fire Alarm

System
2. Master Coded Systems
1.3 Intrusion
(Burglar) Alarm
This system is also called the
System common coded or fixed coded
system and generates 4 rounds of 3. Zone Coded Systems
1.4 Sprinkler Alarm code. When the code is set to ring Manual stations are grouped by
the bells at 108 strokes per minute, circuit into zones which transmits to
1.5 Industrial the alarm is known a “march time” the panel and ring the zone’s code
Building Security because of the rhythmic cadence. on the single stroke gong or chimes,
System thus immediately identifying the
This alarm best applies in the rapid
evacuation of a building and is station.
1.6 Television
Antenna System frequently used in schools.

1.7 Sound
Amplifying Systems
or Public Address
System

1.8 Telephone and

Intercommunications
Systems
4. Dual Coded Systems
This system is a combination of the
non-coded and the zone coded
systems. When an alarm device
operates, it initiates two different
functions – an identifying coded
alarm located in the maintenance
office and a continuous ringing
evacuation alarm for the whole
building.
5. Selective Coded Systems
This is a fully coded system in which
all manual devices are coded and all
automatic devices are arranged to
trip code transmitters at the panel.
6. Pre-signal System
When it is desired to alert only key
personnel, a system called pre-
signaling is used, where it is also
selectively coded. The personnel
can immediately investigate and turn
on the general alarm manually.
1.2.4 Alarm Devices
usually audible such as, bells,
buzzers, gongs and horns. Most
common is the a-c vibrating bell and
a weatherproof external bell to alert
neighbors and passersby

1.2.5 Circuit Design

A system which is usually de-
energized and functions only when
activated is called an open circuit
system. An open circuit system
which integrates a trouble light to
indicate a malfunction is called a
“supervised system”.
1.3 Intrusion (Burglar)
Alarm System
Intrusion detection is similar to the
fire detection system, except that
instead of thermal detection, devices
such as metallic tape and micro-
and magnetic- switches are used to
detect door and window motion and
glass breakage. An eye or a laser
light beam may also be used to
detect movement once blocked.
1.4 Sprinkler Alarm
Water flow switches are installed to
monitor the flow of water in a
sprinkler head and when triggered
will trip a coded transmitter, setting
off a sprinkler code to show up on a
sprinkler annunciator board (called a
sprinkler alarm panel).
1.5 Industrial Building 2. Personnel Entry Control
Security System by use of a card reader

a) The first level is by simple

1. Door and Exit Controls
insertion of a card by the holder to
These cover electrified security door
an electric device which grants entry
hardware that triggers an alarm
when a card is inserted into it for
when a door is opened without
identification.
authorization, such as, in exterior
doors and doors to restricted areas.
 3. Watchmen’s Tour Equipment
this type of station allows a guard to
call in through an intercom and
permits a general alarm to ring
through operation of a key.

b) The second level requires the

encoding of a three-digit number
simultaneously with the insertion of
a card. This bars the entry of
unauthorized card holders.

c) The third level involves an

attendant who compares card data
through a computer screen with the
person’s appearance providing a
further check.
1.6 Television Antenna 1.7 Sound Amplifying
System Systems or Public
Address Systems
The system functions by amplifying
the signal received by the TV Consists of the following:
antenna and by means of a special
cable, distribute these amplified 1. Microphone
signals into the various wall outlets. to pick up the sound and convert it
A system with two or more outlets to an alternative electric current.
generally needs a booster amplifier.
2. Amplifiers
amplifies and controls the current.

3. Loudspeaker
converts amplified electric current
back into sound much louder than
the original sound entering the
microphone.
1.8 Telephone and
Intercommunications
Systems

1. The intercom
system comprises
one or more master
stations
(administrative) and
several remote
stations (staff), one of
which monitors the
front door. The master
station allows
selective calling while
remote stations
operating through the
masters are non-
selective.
2. The Private Automatic
Branch Exchange or PABX is
based on solid-state technology,
thus the entire system can handle
up to 500 lines and trunks, 4
operator consoles, and over 140
simultaneous conversations plus
full intercom facilities, all
occupying a cabinet 0.60 M x
0.70M x 1.8 M. The operational
features of this system include:

• direct internal and external

dialing
• consultation hold ( ability to hold
an outside call while making an
inside call)
• conference call capability for
internal and external units
• call transfer and camp-on feature
• automatic call back
• call forwarding
• distinctive ringing for different
functions
• paging, executive priority,
dictation access, personnel
location and other options
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