Alarm Control Specifications

Panel Construction

• Alarm control must have sufficient durability to protect the interior components against the intrusion of various elements, such as water, dust or debris. For example, one manufacturer's specification calls for an alarm control panel constructed of 1.2-mm thick steel and finished with a light gray textured finish. Installers need flexibility when mounting these panels; therefore, the housing construction has to allow for flush-mounted, semi-flush-mounted or surface-mounted configurations. In addition, the panel must have openings for connecting main power cables and separate openings for the low-voltage cables used for connecting the input and audio output devices and equipment.

Zones

• Standard alarm controls have zones that covet information to the panel. The zones are actually separate wiring circuits that relay information to the control panel regarding groups of initiating devices wired on the same circuit. Standard alarm controls have the capacity for up to eight zones. An example of a zone may involve wiring all the window sensors in the family room on one zone.

Fault Reporting

• Alarm control specification includes the technology to ascertain system failures or other malfunctions. The brains of the panel monitor various components and connections. When these items do not work according to specifications, configurations and indicator lights respond and send a message -- shown on the alphanumeric display -- with a specific period, such as 90 seconds. Some examples of malfunctions may include battery fault or disruption of an alarm circuit fault due to a broken wire.

System Management

• Many designs call for alarm controls to have the capacity to enable or disable various conditions. Users can enable or disable alarm device zones or perform one-person tests of specific devices, such as a silent test of a detector. Alarm control panels also permit users to identify disabled devices or view and print event logs. Other management features include the ability to view events in the order of occurrence. Users may also modify the alarm panel's real time clock date or time.

Control Configurations

• The control panel and system has a list of configuration information and operating programs that govern various functions of the alarm system. One such configuration makes the fire alarm operate until it is reset manually. Another option allows the zone alert to operate the cause of the alert clears. Case in point, a smoke detector activates the alarm signal until the smoke has cleared the area. Another configuration standard consists of the ability to have a daytime delay activation of a device for 10 minutes and even allows the ability to enable or disable this particular feature.