Throughout the building, the system also features Network Graphic Annunciators (NGA) placed in seven key locations. With a touchscreen display made to function as intuitively as the common automatic teller machine (ATM), the NGA provides critical fire alarm information, including the location and reason for alarms, current system status and off-normal conditions. Capable of displaying more than 500 different text messages, the NGA can also be programmed to show information key to a specific event, such as emergency contacts information and the types of occupants or contents typically present within a specific area.
New System Already Proving Its Value
Overall, says Curtis, the engineer, the flexibility of the system was key to being able to set up the smoke-zone system.
“We really did like the node capability of the system — it is such a distributed network system. That really met the needs of the whole defend-in-place and smoke-zoning strategy, so we would have survivability,” says Curtis.
The system has been called into action already. We had a boiler incident, causing multiple detectors in the plant to go off. Central dispatch was called, the fire department rolled, and the system work as designed says Rothfuss. No one was hurt and the damage was contained, thanks to the quick response.
“Everything so far that we’ve had has worked the way it’s supposed to work,” says Rothfuss.
There’s on-going improvements and additions to the system, says Lopez. The integrator is currently working with St. Luke’s to create new smoke zones while considering the addition of more infant abduction areas.
“Hospitals are renowned for constantly remodeling certain suites and areas, based on the different technological updates inherent in health care,” says Curtis. “This system will be able to very easily accommodate that now, and through quite a bit of the future.”
Beth Welch is Honeywell Fire Systems’ public relations manager.
