United States
Interconnected fire zone alarm is an EN54 Line system feature for multi-apartment buildings and complex facilities with independent areas. It allows the system to raise a fire alarm locally first and then, after an adjustable delay and postponement, expand it to participating zones.
System requirements
Only systems with EN54 Fire Hub Jeweller running OS Malevich 2.42 or later support Interconnected fire zone alarm.
The feature is available in the following or later Ajax app versions:
- Ajax Security System 3.55 (iOS/Android)
- Ajax PRO: Tool for Engineers 2.55 (iOS/Android)
- Ajax Desktop 5.55 (Windows/macOS)
- Ajax PRO Desktop 5.55 (Windows/macOS)
Operating principle
Automatic alarm delay
When a fire detector is triggered in a zone with Local fire alarm enabled, the system starts the configured Automatic alarm delay. During this period, the alarm remains local and is not distributed to the other participating zones.
While the delay is active:
- Fire alarm scenarios configured for the affected zone are activated, causing the corresponding sounders and VADs to signal the alarm.
- Users receive a fire alarm notification with information about the detector and the affected zone.
- The alarm is not transmitted to the monitoring station.
- The CIE does not enter the Fire alarm state; however, it provides the affected zone LED indicator lights up.
If Automatic alarm delay expires while the fire detection is ongoing, the system enters the Fire alarm state. This activates the configured building-wide fire alarm scenarios. Alarm events are then transmitted to the monitoring station.
Manual alarm delay
During the automatic alarm delay, users can postpone the alarm distribution by pressing Button Jeweller configured for the affected zone in Fire alarm delay operating mode. The system starts the configured Manual alarm delay and mutes all devices activated by the local alarm scenario. The alarm distribution can be postponed only once.
If the triggering detector restores during Manual alarm delay and no new fire detection occurs, the alarm is reset. If Manual alarm delay expires while the detector continues to detect a fire, the system enters the Fire alarm state and distributes the alarm.
Alarm delay override
If a new fire is detected in any participating zone during an active delay, the system immediately enters the Fire alarm state. This distributes the alarm according to the configured building-wide fire alarm scenarios.
If a fire is detected in a zone where Local fire alarm is disabled, the system immediately enters the Fire alarm state without starting Automatic alarm delay or Manual alarm delay.
Evacuation alarm
An alarm triggered by a manual call point or EN54 I/O Module (2X2) Jeweller input operating in Evacuation mode is processed instantly. It overrides the interconnected fire zone alarm delays, regardless of the zone in which the device is located.
Setting up Interconnected fire zone alarm
An admin or user with Access level 2 can configure Interconnected fire zone alarm. To do this, in an Ajax app:
Go to the Devices
tab.
Find the CIE in the list and go to its Settings
.
Go to the Fire system settings menu.
Ensure that EN 54 compliance mode, fire delays, and coincidence detection are disabled. Go to the Local fire alarm menu.
Tap Local fire alarm and enable the option. Go back to the menu settings.
Go to the Building-wide alarm delay menu. Specify:
Automatic alarm delay. An initial delay that starts when a fire is first detected, allowing time to investigate the alarm cause before building-wide alarm activation. The delay can be set from 1 to 5 minutes.
Manual alarm delay. An extended delay that starts when a user presses Button Jeweller, providing additional time to handle false alarm triggers. The delay can be set from 1 to 10 minutes.
It is recommended that the total duration of Automatic alarm delay and Manual alarm delay does not exceed 10 minutes.
Tap Save.
Go to the Fire zones with local alarm menu. Select the zones where Local fire alarm should apply. Go back to the menu settings.
Go back to the CIE settings.
Go to the Scenarios and schedule menu.
Configure the scenario for each participating zone. Tap Add scenario and select the Fire scenarios (EN-54) type.
Specify:
Name of the scenario.
Triggers. Select the CIE and enable the General fire alarm scenario option to ensure that the system activates the alarm in all zones simultaneously if the delay is overridden. Select other devices that run the scenario when fire conditions, faults, or disablements are detected.
Performers. Select devices that respond to triggers by alerting people or controlling building systems.
Tap Save.
Repeat the scenario configuration for each participating zone.