Fire and Intrusion: New Products are Off the Hook

Commercial Wireless Systems International, LLC (WirelessFireAlarm.com) is coordinating a Dealer Network to install their new commercial wireless fire alarm system. CWSI’s system uses frequency-hopping spread-spectrum technology, a bi-directional RF communication network that supports up to 1,024 points on a single control panel. Wireless repeaters extend coverage and report all device information to the CP3000 Control Panel. The system currently offers two wireless smoke detectors: the audible 300 and the 301 tandem smoke detector. Their wireless transmitters allow for connection to any other UL listed device such as flow and tamper switches and manual pull stations. Output signals to operate fire safety control functions can be transmitted (and repeated) to a Relay Box providing 10 to 40 outputs. The Repeaters use supervised outputs to activate notification appliances. NACs built into the AR3 repeaters simplify this process. While you still have to wire notification appliances, a nearly all-wireless commercial fire alarm installation is doable.

Napco Security Technologies Inc. (www.napcosecurity.com), introduced its new commercial fire alarm panel, the Gemini C-Series, with up to 254 points/addresses. It has a built-in DACT, Fire Bus and four NACs. From this commercial platform you can expand to 254 inputs and up to 96 outputs. This can be accomplished by adding conventional zoned fire input modules; one eight-zone fire module may be added to the FACP and the rest are supported by the standard Fire Bus circuit and may be distributed throughout the building. By adding a radio receiver, you can go all wireless with your 254 fire addresses. Wireless smoke and heat detectors are available and for devices such as manual pull boxes, sprinkler waterflow switches and supervisory devices, a fire-listed wireless transmitter can be used. Three additional receivers may be added to the Fire Bus to extend the radio coverage to all parts of the building. This conventional fire panel may also combine addressable devices using an optional fire SLC module. Of course, as with all commercial fire alarm systems, the NACs must be wired to the panel. Or, this panel has the option to add up to 24 NACs using five optional, seven Amp, intelligent power boosters supported by the Fire Bus circuit.

In addition to all these options, using this Napco panel you can duplicate all the conventional/wireless/addressable fire features (except the four NAC circuits) with a security alarm device build-out on the same panel. The panel will accept another SLC module dedicated to addressable security devices. Adding a Burg Bus gets you the same conventional and wireless capabilities used for the fire devices, which allows you to add security to your fire alarm project. You can then use a burg expansion module to add conventional and wireless security devices.

Digital Monitoring Products (www.dmp.com) introduced a totally wireless light commercial/residential security/access control system which is also listed for residential fire protection. Its main feature is that it can be totally wireless. The XTL series panels utilize DMP’s 900MHz frequency-hopping spread-spectrum, two-way radio communication. (Is it just me, or does the term “radio” sound old-fashioned now?) The XTL has 28 wireless zones and over 25 wireless devices available. The wireless residential smoke detectors have built-in sounders to satisfy all residential code requirements.

The DMP XTL panel isn’t just a wireless residential smoke/fire detection system; it’s wireless everything, even the keypads are wireless. If pushing buttons on the wireless keypads are too much for you, then try using the optional proximity cards for wireless arming and disarming. Even though the panel includes both an IP and DACT module, reporting can also be wireless through its standard, built-in cellular GPRS transmitter. The cellular feature also provides a wireless SMS text messaging configuration for wirelessly informing the customer of the system’s status by calling up to three cell numbers. These three cell phones can also wirelessly arm and disarm the system. Wireless key fobs and wireless output relays are available.

The XTL uses a separate supervised wireless siren, tampered, with a visual status LED. Now the sounder can be positioned away from the panel/keypad and attack, and where it is best suited for its own protection. (I have always considered it a design flaw for wireless security system manufacturers to build the siren into the surface mounted plastic control panel/keypad. The beeping keypad or wailing siren leads the intruder right to the weakest link and subjects it to attack. Destroying the siren means destroying the dialer, sometimes before it can complete its transmission.) However, with a “distributed system” with up to four wireless keypads, the main keypad/controller containing the GPRS transmitter can be positioned where it can best receive and transmit signals, such as the second floor master bedroom—not by the side door where it can be subject to immediate attack. You can even configure the wireless PIRs “over the air.”

Wireless Keeps on Getting Better
On the intrusion side of the wireless equation, better range, reliability and security has upped the use of detectors in residential and now increasingly in the commercial protected premises. Here’s a roundup of some of the latest products.

The ALEXOR 2-Way Wireless Panel is the center component of DSC’s (www.dsc.com) two-way wireless security suite. ALEXOR communicates wirelessly to DSC wireless peripherals, both two-way and all other DSC 433MHz wireless devices. Alternate communications via GSM/GPRS and IP enables ALEXOR to instantly switch over to back-up communications if the connected phone line is tampered with.

Honeywell (www.mytotalconnect.com) launched a Total Connect app with video for BlackBerry wireless handheld devices. BlackBerry users can now control their Honeywell security systems and view live, streaming video from any remote location using the Internet. In the Security mode, the app replicates a keypad, letting users arm/disarm their systems, bypass zones and control lights and garage doors. Combined with anti-theft and environmental sensors, end-users can receive alerts when valuable objects have been moved or flood or extreme temperatures are detected.

Inovonics (www.inovonics.com) unveiled Radius, a situational awareness system utilizing Inovonics’ wireless positioning technology. Radius combines mass notification capabilities with advanced positioning technology to pinpoint mobile duress alarm devices for use in multiple industries, including manufacturing/industrial plants, retail, education, government and the financial sector. Radius monitors Inovonics’ security and sensor end devices and interfaces to fire, access control and environment systems, providing instant notification to mass communication alert devices.

The Linear (www.linearcorp.com) DVS-2400 residential wireless security console, part of the full line of wireless security solutions from this company, monitors up to 24 zones. It’s highly adaptable to many different environments, is easy to program and is compatible with the industry’s widest line of transmitters and sensors.

The ST8 is the flagship of the Sequel Technologies (www.sequeltechnologies.com) line. It is a full-featured alarm system with the latest technology built-in. Unique among all wireless alarm systems is the ability for the ST8 to listen not only to Sequel wireless sensors but also most of the wireless security sensors from UTC/GE and Honeywell. Add the Ethernet Automation module for seamless integration to home automation systems including Control4 and Crestron.

Visonic Ltd. (www.visonic.com) released the PowerMaxExpress Surveillance QuickFit. The kit is designed for system integrators and monitoring stations interested in broadband IP solutions for event notifications and video alarm verification. PowerMaxExpress Surveillance QuickFit sets new standards in quick installation and ease-of-use by delivering a wireless, pre-enrolled broadband-based security and surveillance system that requires zero programming and installs in minutes.