Intelligent component management for fire and other life safety systems

• US 20050285730A1
• Filed: 06/28/2004
• Published: 12/29/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 06/28/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
• Original Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
• Inventors: Turner, Gregory N.
• Granted Patent: US 7,161,481 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/514
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/10 Office automation; Time management
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 3/08 Registering or indicating the production of the machine either with or without registering working or idle time
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 17/00 Fire alarms; Alarms responsive to explosion
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 25/14 Central alarm receiver or annunciator arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 29/12 Checking intermittently signalling or alarm systems

Abstract

Automated systems and methods provide for enhanced management of components of fire safety systems. Components are identified which require action to ensure compliance with a schedule associated with the components. User and/or electronic output is generated that identifies components and required actions, such actions including inspections, functional testing, maintenance and calibration activities. A record of the identified components may be stored in a system log along with maintenance information. The system log may be reviewed against the schedule based on conformance to ordinances or maintenance requirements. Required actions may be annunciated for the identified components, and the system log may be updated to indicate actions performed on system components. Components may be identified that will require action within a predetermined timeframe and an alert or report may be generated for components that are not in compliance with their associated schedule.

Claims

9-1. The method of claim 1, wherein the output comprises a display concerning the identified components.

20. A fire/security or other life safety system, the system comprising:

means for maintaining a system log comprising a list of components of the fire safety system, and a record of one or more of inspecting, testing, maintenance, and calibration of the components;

means for determining which components require one or more of inspecting, testing, maintenance, and calibration based on a schedule associated with the component; and

means for identifying the components that need one or more of inspecting, testing, maintenance, and calibration using a prioritization scheme.

21. The system of claim 20, comprising means for identifying new components attached to the system.

22. The system of claim 20, comprising means for indicating components that are out of compliance relative to an ordinance or specification.

23. The system of claim 20, comprising means for broadcasting maintenance alerts to a plurality of nodes controlled by the fire safety system.

24. The system of claim 20, comprising means for generating a user perceivable output concerning one or more of the components.

25. The system of claim 20, comprising means for generating an electronic output or electrical signal output concerning one or more of the components.

26. The system of claim 20, comprising means for generating component maintenance log reports.

27. The system of claim 20, comprising means for accessing the system from a remote location.

28. A fire/security or other life safety system, the system comprising:

a system controller;

a plurality of system components, the plurality of system components comprising a plurality of sensors;

a memory coupled to the system controller and configured to maintain a system log comprising a record of each of the plurality of system components, the records comprising information concerning one or more of inspecting, testing, maintenance, and calibration of the system components, the memory further configured to support a schedule of actions associated with the system components;

a communications system configured to provide communications between the system controller and the system components; and

a notification system configured to produce an output concerning the schedule of actions associated with the system components, wherein the controller is configured to determine, using the system log and schedule of actions, which of the system components requires one or more of inspecting, testing, maintenance, and calibration.

29. The system of claim 28, comprising at least one node communicatively coupled to the system controller, the at least one node comprising:

a node controller;

a plurality of node components associated with the node; and

a node memory coupled to the node controller and configured to maintain a node log, the node log comprising a node record of each of the node components, the node records comprising information concerning one or more of inspecting, testing, maintenance, and calibration of the node components.

30. The system of claim 28, wherein the notification system is configured to generate a report indicating the system components that require one or more of inspecting, testing, maintenance, and calibration.

31. The system of claim 28, wherein the notification system is configured to generate a list indicating the system components that are due for one or more of inspecting, testing, maintenance, and calibration within a pre-defined time frame.

32. The system of claim 28, wherein the notification system is configured to generate a report indicating the system components that have been subject to one or more of inspecting, testing, maintenance, and calibration.

33. The system of claim 28, wherein the notification system is configured to generate a report concerning actions performed on the system components.

34. The system of claim 28, wherein the notification system is configured to generate a report of the system log.

35. The system of claim 28, wherein the plurality of system components comprises one or more of a fire alarm pull and an intrusion switch.

36. The system of claim 28, wherein the plurality of system components comprises one or more of a glass break sensor, a motion detector, and a smoke detector.

37. The system of claim 28, wherein the communications system is configured to effect communications between the fire safety system and a network.

38. The system of claim 37, wherein remote operational control of the fire safety system is effected via the network.

39. The system of claim 37, wherein the notification system is configured to generate an information bearing signal indicative of system and component information for transmission over the network.

40. The system of claim 28, wherein the notification system comprises one or both of a display and a visual annunciator arrangement.