Personnel Must Be Trained on New Systems
Not every integrator is a fan of increasing integration in certain instances. Mike Hard, president of Hard Fire Suppression Systems, a Gamewell-FCI ESD in Columbus, Ohio, warns of the potential impact of tying other mission-critical systems such as HVAC, access control and video into life safety systems like fire detection and suppression.
Hard relates one instance where there was a security issue in a building with an integrated system. Untrained personnel — including first responders — took over the integrated system.
“It really threw a monkey wrench into the system, them hitting switches, trying to control systems they didn’t understand,” says Hard. “Video and access control overloaded. The systems locked-up and no one was happy.”
Regardless of the level of integration, most life safety integrators will agree all personnel who could potentially touch a fire alarm system must be thoroughly trained on its use and function. While code mandates regular fire alarm system tests, all users, including facility management, security officers and local municipal police and fire fighters should receive ongoing refresher trainings on the system.
When dealing with integration’s technical challenges, Mike Betten of TED Systems feels his expertise as an integrator can help avoid catastrophes.
“There’s nothing wrong with involving integrators in the process,” he says. “We’re going to have the most experience with the systems that are actually compatible. Through our experience, we know where there might be issues.”
Hard notes there are solutions that allow security directors and building managers to monitor and control various systems through one interface. Additionally, this can be done without necessarily tying those systems together and exposing them all to potential processor failures or other technological weaknesses.
“All that said, they make systems out there — Gamewell-FCI’s is called FocalPoint — that can take standalone systems and integrate them in a way that makes sense to me and a lot of other people,” said Hard. “You can monitor all these systems and have some controls without directly affecting the functionality of the building safety systems.”
All-in-all, integration of multiple building systems with the fire alarm can lead to cost efficiencies and tighter control for facility and security management. However, upfront coordination of key stakeholders, system experts and technical information is essential for success. And for those weary of true integration, today’s graphical workstations from proven life safety manufacturers can provide extensive monitoring and control of multiple systems without the actual merging of technologies.
Beth Welch is the public relations manager for Honeywell Fire Systems.
Related Articles:
