12

TVL-IA-EIM
Quarter 2 – Module 3a:
FIRE ALARM SYSTEM COMPONENTS
AND ALARM SIGNALING SYSTEMS
TVL-IA-Electrical Installation and Maintenance NCII – Grade 12
Alternative Delivery Mode
Quarter 2 – Module 3A: Fire Alarm System Components and
Alarm Signaling System
First Edition, 2020

Republic Act 8293, section 176 states that: No copyright shall subsist in any
work of the Government of the Philippines. However, prior approval of the government
agency or office wherein the work is created shall be necessary for exploitation of such
work for profit. Such agency or office may, among other things, impose as a condition
the payment of royalties.

Borrowed materials (i.e., songs, stories, poems, pictures, photos, brand names,
trademarks, etc.) included in this module are owned by their respective copyright
holders. Every effort has been exerted to locate and seek permission to use these
materials from their respective copyright owners. The publisher and authors do not
represent nor claim ownership over them.

Published by the Department of Education

Secretary: Leonor Magtolis Briones
Undersecretary: Diosdado M. San Antonio

Development Team of the Module

Writer: Mat E. Gacho

Editor: Howel Jay M. Caluyo
Reviewers: Gemuel C. Ibero, Dennis S. Calinao, Howel Jay M. Caluyo, Alden B. Deguit
Typesetter: Mat E. Gacho
Layout Artist: Alden B. Deguit
Management Team: Senen Priscillo P. Paulin, CESO V Rosela R. Abiera
Fay C. Luarez, TM, Ed.D., Ph.D. Maricel S. Rasid
Adolf P. Aguilar, Ed.D., TM Elmar L. Cabrera
Nilita R. Ragay, Ed.D.
Antonio B. Baguio Jr., Ed.D.

Printed in the Philippines by ________________________

Department of Education –Region VII Schools Division of Negros Oriental

Office Address: Kagawasan, Ave., Daro, Dumaguete City, Negros Oriental

Tele #: (035) 225 2376 / 541 1117
E-mail Address: negros.oriental@deped.gov.ph
 12

TVL-IA-EIM
Quarter 2 – Module 3a:
Fire Alarm System Components
and
Alarm Signaling System
Introductory Message
For the facilitator:

Welcome to the Electrical Installation and Maintenance Grade-12 Alternative

Delivery Mode (ADM) Module on Human Resource Development
This module was collaboratively designed, developed and reviewed by
educators both from public and private institutions to assist you, the teacher
or facilitator in helping the learners meet the standards set by the K to 12
Curriculum while overcoming their personal, social, and economic
constraints in schooling.

This learning resource hopes to engage the learners into guided and
independent learning activities at their own pace and time. Furthermore, this
also aims to help learners acquire the needed 21st century skills while taking
into consideration their needs and circumstances.

In addition to the material in the main text, you will also see this box in the
body of the module:

Notes to the Teacher

This contains helpful tips or strategies that
will help you in guiding the learners.

As a facilitator, you are expected to orient the learners on how to use this
module. You also need to keep track of the learners' progress while allowing
them to manage their own learning. Furthermore, you are expected to
encourage and assist the learners as they do the tasks included in the module.

ii
For the learner:

Welcome to the Electrical Installation and Maintenance Grade-12 Alternative

Delivery Mode (ADM) Module Human Resource Development!

This module was designed to provide you with fun and meaningful
opportunities for guided and independent learning at your own pace and time.
You will be enabled to process the contents of the learning resource while
being an active learner.

This module has the following parts and corresponding icons:

This will give you an idea of the skills or

What I Need to Know competencies you are expected to learn in the
module.

This part includes an activity that aims to

check what you already know about the
What I Know
lesson to take. If you get all the answers
correct (100%), you may decide to skip this
module.
This is a brief drill or review to help you link
What’s In the current lesson with the previous one.

In this portion, the new lesson will be

What’s New introduced to you in various ways; a story, a
song, a poem, a problem opener, an activity
or a situation.
This section provides a brief discussion of the
What is It lesson. This aims to help you discover and
understand new concepts and skills.

This comprises activities for independent

practice to solidify your understanding and
What’s More
skills of the topic. You may check the
answers to the exercises using the Answer
Key at the end of the module.
This includes questions or blank
What I Have Learned sentence/paragraph to be filled in to process
what you learned from the lesson.
This section provides an activity which will
What I Can Do help you transfer your new knowledge or skill
into real life situations or concerns.

iii
 This is a task which aims to evaluate your
Assessment level of mastery in achieving the learning
competency.
In this portion, another activity will be given
Additional Activities to you to enrich your knowledge or skill of the
lesson learned.

Answer Key This contains answers to all activities in the

module.

At the end of this module you will also find:

References This is a list of all sources used in

developing this module.

The following are some reminders in using this module:

1. Use the module with care. Do not put unnecessary mark/s on any part
of the module. Use a separate sheet of paper in answering the exercises.
2. Don’t forget to answer What I Know before moving on to the other
activities included in the module.
3. Read the instruction carefully before doing each task.
4. Observe honesty and integrity in doing the tasks and checking your
answers.
5. Finish the task at hand before proceeding to the next.
6. Return this module to your teacher/facilitator once you are through
with it.
If you encounter any difficulty in answering the tasks in this module, do
not hesitate to consult your teacher or facilitator. Always bear in mind that
you are not alone.

We hope that through this material, you will experience meaningful

learning and gain deep understanding of the relevant competencies. You
can do it!

iv
 What I Need to Know

Content Standard
The Learner demonstrates understanding on the concepts and principles in
Fire Alarm System Components and Alarm Signaling System.
Performance Standard
The Learner independently demonstrates core competencies in Fire Alarm
System Components and Alarm Signaling System.
Unit Code:

The module contains the lesson:

• Fire Alarm System Components and Alarm Signaling System

After going through this module, you are expected to:

1. Identify the Fire Alarm System Components.
2. Describe the different types of Alarm Signaling System.
3. Apply their new knowledge in the worksite.

1
 What I Know

A. Identification: Inside the box are answers of the questions below, read
each item carefully and write the answer in your test notebook.

Initiating Device Fire Alarm Control Units

Notification Appliance A trouble signal
Remote Supervising Station Central Supervising Station

1. What component serves as the brain of the alarm system?

2. What kind of device that is manually or automatically activated by the presence of

fire, smoke, flame, or heat?

3. Bells, Horns, Speakers, Strobe lights and other warning appliances are examples
of_______?

4. Is a type of alarm signaling system that indicates a problem with a monitored

circuit or component of the fire alarm system or the system’s power supply.

5. What kind of supervising station that is considered as recognized and most

reliable?

Lesson Fire Alarm System Components

1 and
Alarm Signaling System

Fire Alarm System Components

Modern detection and signaling systems vary in complexity from those

that are simple to those that incorporate advanced detection and signaling
equipment. Such systems are typically designed and installed by qualified
individuals.

The design, installation, and approval of a fire detection and alarm system
may also require acceptance testing by regulatory agencies before new
buildings are occupied or the system is placed in service.

2
 What’s In

Kids can cause a fire out of curiosity, to see what would happen if they
set fire to an object. Keep any matches or lighters out of reach of children, to
avoid any curiosity turned disaster. Delay detection of flames can cause
dearly.

What’s New

Think that you are in a hotel room resting until dinner. Suddenly you
smell that something is burning. There is nothing wrong in the room. When
you go outside, you realize that a carpet in corridor is burning. What should
you do?

What is It

Fire Alarm Control Units

The fire alarm control unit (FACU),
formerly called the fire alarm control panel
(FACP), contains the electronics that
supervise and monitor the integrity of the
wiring and components of the fire alarm
system. The FACU basically serves as
the brain for the alarm system. It
receives signals from alarm-initiating
devices, processes the signals, and
produces output signals that activate
audible and visual appliances. The FACU
also transmits signals to an off-site
monitoring station when provided. Power
and fire alarm circuits are connected
directly into this panel.
.

3
Primary Power Supply
The primary electrical power supply
usually comes from the building’s main
power connection to the local utility
provider. In rare instances where electrical
service is unavailable or unreliable, an
engine-driven generator can provide the
primary power supply. If such a generator
is used, either a trained operator must be
on duty 24 hours a day or the system must
contain multiple engine- driven
generators. One of these generators must
always be set for automatic starting. The
FACU must supervise the primary power
supply and signal an alarm if the power
supply is interrupted.

Secondary Power Supply

All fire alarm systems must have a secondary
power supply. This requirement is designed so
that the system will be operational even if the
main power supply fails. The secondary power
supply must be capable of providing normal,
standby conditions capacity and power to fully
operate an alarm condition. The time period
requirements for secondary power operation
capabilities. Secondary power sources can
consist of batteries with chargers, engine-
driven generators with a storage battery, or
multiple engine-driven generators, of which
one must be set for automatic starting.

4
Initiating Devices
A fire detection system consists of manual and automatic alarm-initiating devices
that are activated by the presence of fire, smoke, flame, or heat. The devices then
send a signal to the FACU using one of two methods: a hard-wire system or a
generated signal conveyed by radio wave over a special frequency to a radio
receiver in the panel. Both automatic and manual alarm- initiating devices are
addressed in more detail in the next sections and include but are not limited to the
following devices:

• Manual pull stations

• Smoke detectors
• Flame detectors
• Heat detectors
• Combination detectors
• Waterflow devices

Notification Appliances
Audible notification signaling appliances are the most common types of alarm-
signaling systems used for signaling a fire alarm in a structure. Once an alarm-
initiating device is activated, it sends a signal to the FACU, which then processes the
signal and initiates actions. The primary action initiated is usually local notification,
which can take the form of:

• Bells
• Buzzers
• Horns
• Speakers
• Strobe lights
• Other warning appliances

Depending on the system’s design, the local alarm may either activate a single
notification appliance, notification appliances within a specific zone, designated
floor(s), or the entire facility. Notification appliances fall under the following
categories:

Audible — Approved sounding devices, such as horns, bells, or speakers, that

indicate a fire or emergency condition.

Visual — Approved lighting devices, such as strobes or flashing lights, that indicate
a fire or emergency condition.

Textual — Visual text or symbols indicating a fire or emergency condition.

Tactile — Indication of a fire or emergency condition through sense of touch or

vibration.

5
 Alarm Signalling System

Fire detection and alarm systems are designed to receive certain types of
signals from devices and perform an action based upon the type of signal received.
Some signals may indicate a fire condition, while others may indicate that a device
on the system needs to be serviced. The FACU should be programmed to respond to
different signal types in an appropriate manner.

Fire detection and alarm systems are equipped with three types of specialty
signals, depending on the type and nature of the alarm they are reporting:

A. An alarm signal is a warning of a fire emergency or dangerous condition that

demands immediate attention. Locally adopted codes may require fire alarm signals
from systems monitored by a supervising station to notify the responding fire
department. Activation of smoke detectors, manual pull stations, waterflow switches,
and other fire extinguishing systems are all initiating devices that send fire alarm
signals.

B. supervisory signal indicates an off-normal condition of the complete fire

protection system. Supervisory signals also include a returned-to-normal signal,
meaning that the condition has been resolved. These signals are used to monitor the
integrity of the fire protection features of the system.

C. A trouble signal indicates a problem with a monitored circuit or component of

the fire alarm system or the system’s power supply. Each signal must be audibly and

6
visually displayed at the FACU in a distinct manner that differentiates one type of
signal from another. Trouble conditions include loss of primary power or failure or
removal of an initiating device, such as a smoke detector.

A simple fire alarm system may only sound a local evacuation alarm. A more
complex system may sound a local alarm, activate building services, and notify fire
and security agencies to respond. The type of system required depends upon the type
of occupancy of the building and is affected by the following factors:

• Level of life safety hazard

• Structural features of the building
• Hazard level presented by the contents of the building
• Availability of fire suppression resources, such as water supply, hydrants, and
automatic sprinkler systems
• State and local code requirements

Inspectors should be able to recognize each type of system and understand

how each system operates. This recognition is important when performing
inspections or conducting pre-incident planning. Several types of systems include
the following:

• Protected premises (local)

• Supervising station alarm systems
• Public emergency alarm reporting system
• Emergency communications systems

Protected Premises Systems (Local)

A protected premises system is designed to provide notification to building occupants
only on the immediate premises. Where these systems are allowed, there are no
provisions for automatic off-site reporting.

7
 The protected premises system can be activated by manual means, such as a
pull station, or by automatic devices, such as smoke detectors. A protected premises
system may also be capable of annunciating a supervisory or trouble condition to
ensure that service interruptions do not go unnoticed.
Conventional Alarm Systems
A conventional system is the simplest type of protected premises alarm system. When
an alarm-initiating device, such as a smoke detector, sends a signal to the FACU, all
of the alarm signalling devices operate simultaneously. The signalling devices usually
operate continuously until the FACU is reset. The FACU is incapable of identifying
which initiating device triggered the alarm; therefore, building and fire department
personnel must walk around the entire facility and visually check to see which device
was activated. These systems are only practical in small occupancies with a limited
number of rooms and initiating devices.

8
Zoned Conventional Alarm Systems

A zone is a defined area within the protected premises.

Fire-alarm system annunciation enables emergency responders to identify the

general location, or zone, of alarm device activation. In this type of system, an
annunciator panel, FACU, or a printout visibly indicates the building, floor, fire zone,
or other area that coincides with the location of an operating alarm-initiating device.

Alarm-initiating devices in common areas are arranged in circuits or zones.

Each zone has its own indicator light or display on the FACU. When an initiating
device in a particular zone is triggered, the notification devices are activated, and the
corresponding indicator is illuminated on the FACU. This signal gives responders a
better idea of where the problem is located.
An annunciator panel may be located remotely from the FACU, often in a
location designated by the fire department. Such an installation may be found at the
driveway approach to a large residential retirement complex, for example. This type
of annunciator panel usually has a map of the complex coordinated to the zone
indicator lamps. Arriving fire fighters use the information provided on the
annunciator panel to locate the building involved. Another type of annunciator panel
may be found in the lobby area of a building. It will have a graphic display of the
involved area.

9
Addressable Alarm Systems
Addressable alarm systems display the
location of each initiating device on the
FACU and an annunciator panel if
provided. This connection enables
emergency responders to pinpoint the
specific device that has been activated.
Addressable systems reduce the amount
of time that it takes to respond to
emergency situations. These systems also
allow repair personnel to quickly locate
and correct malfunctions in the system.

Supervising Station Alarm Systems

Fire alarm systems are required by model fire codes to be monitored at a constantly
attended location. For buildings that are not constantly attended by qualified
personnel, initiating device signals are required to be transmitted to a supervising
station. A supervising station is a facility that receives signals from a protected
premises fire alarm system and where the signal is processed by personnel.

NFPA® 72 designates supervising stations as:

Central — A central supervising station is an independent business that is also listed

by a nationally recognized testing laboratory. A central station is recognized as the
most reliable type of supervising station.
Proprietary — A proprietary supervising station is a supervising station under the
same ownership as the buildings protected by the fire alarm systems. At a proprietary
supervising station, personnel are constantly in attendance to supervise and
investigate fire alarm system signals.
Remote — A remote supervising station is not listed and operates as a business.
Personnel are in attendance at all times to supervise and investigate signals.

10
Central Station System
Is a listed supervising station that
monitors the status of protected
premises alarm systems and provides
inspection, testing, and maintenance
through contracted services.
Typically, a central station is a
company that sells its services to many
customers. When an alarm is activated
at a particular client’s location, central
station employees receive that
information and contact the fire
department and representatives of the
occupancy. The alarm systems at the
protected property and the central
station are most commonly connected
by dedicated telephone lines. All central
station systems should meet the
requirements set forth in NFPA® 72.
When meeting the listing requirements,
central stations must be listed by UL.

The primary difference between a central station system and a proprietary

system is that the receiving point for alarms in a central station system is located
outside the protected premises and is monitored by a contracted service. The external
receiving point is called the central station.

Central station receiving sites are housed in an off-site location that receives alarms
and routes them to the responding fire department.

11
Proprietary System
A proprietary system is used to protect large commercial and industrial buildings,
high-rise structures, and groups of commonly owned facilities,
such as a college campus or industrial complex in single or multiple loca-
tions. Each building or area has its own system that is wired into a common receiving
point that the facility owner owns and operates. The receiving point must be in a
separate structure or a part of a structure that is remote from any hazardous
operations.

The receiving station of a proprietary system is continuously staffed by trained

personnel who can take necessary actions upon alarm activation. The operator
should be able to automatically summon a fire department response through the
system controls or by using the telephone. Many proprietary sys-
tems and receiving points are used to monitor security functions in addition to fire
and life safety functions. Modern proprietary systems can be complex and have a
wide range of capabilities, including:

• Coded-alarm and trouble signal indications

• Building utility controls
• Elevator controls
• Fire and smoke damper control

12
Remote Receiving System
A listed supervising station that
monitors the status of protected
premise alarm systems through
contracted services is called a
remote receiving station. Remote
receiving stations do not provide
inspection, testing, or maintenance
services.

Depending on local
requirements, the fire department
may approve other organizations to
monitor the remote system. In some
small communities, the local
emergency services
telecommunications center
monitors the system. This
arrangement is particularly
common in communities that have volunteer fire departments whose stations are not
continuously staffed. In these cases, emergency services telecommunications
personnel must be aware of the importance of these alarm signals and trained in the
actions that must be taken upon alarm receipt.

Public Emergency Alarm Reporting Systems

In some communities, fire alarm signals from a protected premises are transmitted
directly to the fire department. Instead of being connected to the fire department
telecommunications center through a municipal fire alarm box system, the public
emergency alarm reporting system is connected by another means, usually a leased
telephone line. Where permitted, a radio signal over a dedicated fire department radio
frequency may also be used.

A local energy system has its own power source and does not depend on the
supply source that powers the entire municipal fire alarm system. In these systems,
initiating devices can be activated even when the power supply to the municipal
system is interrupted. However, interruption may result in the alarm only being
sounded locally and not being transmitted to the fire department
telecommunications center. The ability to transmit alarms during power
interruptions depends on the design of the municipal system.

A shunt system is electrically connected to an integral part of the mu-

nicipal fire alarm system and depends on the municipal system’s source of electric
power. When a power failure occurs in this type of system, an alarm indication is
sent to the fire department communications center. NFPA® 72 allows only manual
pull stations and waterflow detection devices to be used on shunt systems. Fire
detection devices are not permitted on a shunt system.

13
Emergency Communications Systems
An emergency communications system is a supplementary system that may be
provided in facilities in conjunction with detection and alarm signaling systems. The
purpose of emergency communications systems is to provide a reliable
communication system for occupants and firefighters. This system may either be a
stand-alone system or it may be integrated directly into the overall fire detection and
alarm-signaling system. System types include voice notification, two-way
communication, and mass notification.

Voice Notification Systems

A one-way voice notification system warns building occupants that action is needed
and tells them what action to take. This type is most commonly used in high-rise
buildings, places of assembly, and educational occupancies. Occupants can be
directed to move to areas of refuge in the building, leave the building, or stay where
they are if they are in an unaffected area.

Two-Way Communication Systems

This system is most helpful to fire suppression
personnel who are operating in a building,
particularly in high-rise structures that
interfere with portable radio transmissions.
These two-way emergency communication
systems use either intercom controls or
special telephones. Emergency phones are
connected in the stairwells and other
locations. These phones enable firefighters to
communicate with the Incident Commander at
the Fire Command Center. Most building
codes require these systems in high-rise
structures.

Mass Notifi cation Systems (MNS)

The purpose of a mass notification system
(MNS) is to provide emergency
communications to a large number of people
on a wide-scale basis. This communication
can be directed to the occupants of a building
or even an entire community.

Mass notification systems may be

incorporated into an emergency
communications system. Those individuals
designing this type of system must take into
consideration the building being protected as
well as the needs of the occupants. When
installed, mass notification systems may have
a higher priority and override the fire alarm

14
based on risk analysis. Specifications for mass notification systems are included in
NFPA 72® and should be consulted for more information.

What I Have Learned

I have learned that ________________________________________.

I have realized that ________________________________________.

I will apply ________________________________________________.

What I Can Do

Matching Type. Match column A from column B. Write only the letter of your choice
in your notebook.

A B

1. A. Strobe Light

B. Remote Receiving System

C. Electric Bell

D. Proprietary Alarm System

E. Two-way Communication System

15
2.

3.

4.

5.

16
 Assessment

Multiple Choice: Read the questions carefully and write the letter of your
choice in your activity notebook.
1. The acronym FACU means?
a. Fire Alarm Control Unit c. Fire Alarm Center Unit
b. Fire Alarm Counter Unit d. Fire Alarm Compound Unit

2. The following are the other functions of FACU but except.

a. Providing two-way firefighter communication
b. Providing remote annunciator integration
c. Controlling elevators, HVAC, fire doors, dampers, locks, or other fire protection
features
d. Shuts down all power of the building

3. It is a requirement that the system is still operational even if the main power
supply fails. This statement is talking about?
a. Primary Power Supply c. Voltage Drop
b. The entire alarm system d. Secondary Power Supply

4. Which notification appliances uses approved sounding devises horns, bells, or

speakers to indicate fire emergency condition?
a. Tactile b. Visual c. Textual d. Audible

5. What kind of device that is manually or automatically activated by the presence

of fire, smoke, flame, or heat?
a. Notification Device c. Heating Device
b. Initiating Device d. Warning Device

6. Which alarm signaling system indicates an off-normal condition of the complete

fire protection system?
a. Trouble Signal c. Supervisory Signal
b. Switch Signal d. Alarm Signal

7. What type of Supervising Station Alarm System that is used to protect large
commercial and industrial buildings, high-rise structures and groups of commonly
owned facilities?
a. Proprietary System c. Central Station System
b. Remote Receiving System d. Manual Station System

8. Mr. Dominic Vidal wants to protect his establishment through a contracted private
company using the Supervisory Station Alarm System. Which of the following is
appropriate for Mr. Vidal’s establishment?
a. Proprietary System c. Primary Station System
b. Remote Receiving System d. Manual Station System

17
9. Is a listed supervising station that monitors the status of the protected premises
alarm systems and provides inspection, testing and maintenance through contracted
services?
a. Proprietary System c. Central Station System
b. Remote Receiving System d. Manual Station System

10. What type of Emergency Communication System that uses either intercom or
special telephones?
a. Voice Notification System c. Mass Notification System
b. Two-way Communication System d. Radio Notification System

18
 19
What I Know
1. Fire Alarm Control Unit
2. Initiating Device
3. Notification Appliance
4. A trouble signal
Assessment 5. Central Supervising Station
1. a
2. d
3. d What I Can Do
4. d 1. D
5. b 2. E
6. c 3. B
7. a 4. C
8. b 5. A
9. c
10. b
Answer Key
References

www.ifsta.org
Fire Detection and Alarm Systems-IFSTA

https://www.realinsurance.com.au/home-insurance/home-safety/the-most-
common-causes-of-house-fires
https://www.mavili.com.tr/en/manual-call-point/1188-how-can-we-use-manual-
call-points.html

https://www.autocall.com/products/4006-fire-alarm-control-unit
https://mircom.com/product-listing/fire-alarm-detection/power-supplies-fire-
alarm-accessories/remote-power-supplies/bps-1100-signal-booster-power-
supplies/
https://www.alibaba.com/product-detail/4-Zone-Wired-Conventional-Fire-
Alarm_60005298382.html
For inquiries or feedback, please write or call:

Department of Education – Schools Division of Negros Oriental

Kagawasan, Avenue, Daro, Dumaguete City, Negros Oriental

Tel #: (035) 225 2376 / 541 1117

Email Address: negros.oriental@deped.gov.ph
Website: lrmds.depednodis.net