BACKGROUND
[0001] The subject matter disclosed herein relates to fire detection systems. More particularly,
the present disclosure relates to systems for addressing devices of fire detection
systems and applications of the addressing systems.
[0002] Fire detection systems, especially those in large facilities, such as office buildings
or industrial facilities, have multiple fire devices located throughout the facility,
often connected to a central control panel, which in turn, can communicate with firefighting
authorities. In some systems, the fire device has a unique identifier, or address,
assigned to it, such that when the fire device communicates with the control panel,
the location of the device in the facility is known. These addresses are typically
established via rotary switches or DIP switches located in the fire device. When a
fire device is replaced, such as when broken or obsolete, the fire device is removed
from its base, which remains installed, and a new fire device is installed to the
base. When the new fire device is installed, the address of the previous fire device
in that location must be duplicated, which can lead to errors in addressing.
[0003] Further, while firefighting authorities can be directed to a site of fire based on
the address or addresses of fire devices sounding alarms, nothing in present fire
detection systems allows them to efficiently locate personnel in a building, whether
they are firefighters or personnel in need of assistance or rescue.
BRIEF SUMMARY
[0004] In one embodiment, a method of operating a fire detection system includes arranging
a plurality of fire devices in an array. Each fire device includes a base portion
fixed in a location in the array and a replaceable device portion installed to the
base portion; the device portion configured to detect fire and/or smoke. A radio frequency
identification (RFID) tag is affixed to the base portion or to the physical device
and uniquely identifies a location of the fire device in the array. A transceiver
is located at the device portion to receive a signal from the RFID tag. The location
of each fire device is communicated to a control panel operably connected to the plurality
of fire devices.
[0005] Additionally or alternatively, in this or other embodiments the method includes receiving
a personnel RFID signal emitted from personnel RFID tag in a vicinity of a select
fire device of the plurality of fire devices.
[0006] Additionally or alternatively, in this or other embodiments the method includes communicating
the personnel RFID signal and the location of the fire device to the control panel,
and identifying a location of the personnel RFID tag.
[0007] Additionally or alternatively, in this or other embodiments the method includes communicating
the location of the personnel RFID tag to a selected communication device.
[0008] Additionally or alternatively, in this or other embodiments the selected communication
device is one of a smartphone, personal computer or tablet.
[0009] In another embodiment, a fire device includes a base portion fixed in a location
and a replaceable device portion installed to the base portion; the device portion
configured to detect fire and/or smoke. A radio frequency identification (RFID) tag
is affixed to the base portion or to the physical device. The RFID tag uniquely identifies
a location of the fire device in a structure. A transceiver is located at the device
portion to receive a signal from the RFID tag and is operably connected to a control
system.
[0010] Additionally or alternatively, in this or other embodiments the RFID tag includes
a programmed unique address to uniquely identify the location of the fire device.
[0011] Additionally or alternatively, in this or other embodiments the transceiver is configured
to read the unique address.
[0012] Additionally or alternatively, in this or other embodiments the RFID tag is positioned
at a recess or ridge of the base portion.
[0013] Additionally or alternatively, in this or other embodiments an antenna of the transceiver
is disposed at a same vertical axis relative to the RFID tag.
[0014] Additionally or alternatively, in this or other embodiments the transceiver is configured
to receive an RFID signal emitted from personnel RFID tag in a vicinity of the fire
device, or emitted from the diagnostic tool.
[0015] Additionally or alternatively, in this or other embodiments the transceiver is configured
to communicate the personnel RFID stored information to a control panel.
[0016] These and other advantages and features will become more apparent from the following
description taken in conjunction with the drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0017] The subject matter, which is regarded as the invention, is particularly pointed out
and distinctly claimed in the claims at the conclusion of the specification. The foregoing
and other features, and advantages of the invention are apparent from the following
detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:
FIG. 1 is a schematic view of an embodiment of a fire detection system;
FIG. 2 is a partial cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a fire device;
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a base for a fire device; and
FIG. 4 is a schematic view of another operational mode of an embodiment of a fire
detection system.
[0018] The detailed description explains embodiments of the invention, together with advantages
and features, by way of example with reference to the drawing.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0019] Shown in FIG. 1 is a schematic view an embodiment of a fire detection system 10 for,
for example, a building 12 or a portion of a building. The system 10 includes a plurality
of fire devices 14 arranged in an array 16 in the building 12, each fire device 14
configured to detect fire, smoke and/or other properties in the area near the fire
device's location in the array 16. The fire devices 14 are connected to a central
control panel 18. In some embodiments, the fire detection system 10 is connected with,
for example, a fire department 20 to communicate a status of the fire detection system
10 and/or sound an alarm in the case of a fire.
[0020] Shown in FIG. 2 is a partial cross-sectional view of the fire device 14. Some fire
devices 14 includes a base 22 fixed to the building 12, and a replaceable device 24
installed to and connected to the base 22, and in communication with the control panel
18. The base 22 or the device 24 includes a passive radio frequency identification
(RFID) element, or RFID tag 26 secured thereto. The RFID tag 26 contains a programmed
unique address and/or other information, utilized by the control panel 18 to define
the location of the fire device 14 in the array 16 and to facilitate communication
between the control panel 18 and the fire device 14. The device 24 includes an RFID
circuit 28, which is an active element connected to and capable of communicating with
the RFID tag 26 to read the address on the RFID tag 26. The RFID circuit 28 is also
connected to and communicates with the control panel 18. The RFID tag 26 acts as a
transmitter, while the RFID circuit 28 acts as a transceiver. In the cases where the
tag 26 is located in the device 24, the tag 26 and the transceiver are in the same
circuitry.
[0021] Referring now to FIG. 3, the base 22 is shown. The base 22 could include a tag location
30, such as a recess or ridge, to assist in locating the RFID tag 26 in the base 22.
The tag location 30 assures that the RFID tag 26 is placed such that the RFID circuit
28 can read the RFID tag 26 when the device 24 is installed to the base 22. For an
installation of an array 16 of fire devices 14 in a building 10, in some embodiments,
the RFID tags 26 could be preprogrammed at a manufacturing facility and distributed
to an installer in, for example, sheets or rolls with the associated addresses. The
installer will place the appropriate RFID tag 26 in each base 22 before installing
the device 24 to the base 22. Referring again to FIG. 2, the device 24 is positioned
such that an antenna 30 of the RFID circuit 28 is in close proximity, in some embodiments
at a minimum distance along the same vertical axis relative to the RFID tag 26 thereby
simplifying the design and optimizing communication between the RFID tag 26 and the
RFID circuit 28. If the device 24 needs to be replaced, the RFID tag 26 remains fixed
to the base 22, so the RFID circuit 28 in the replacement device 24 will read the
same RFID tag 26. Keeping the RFID tag 26 with the base 22 allows for a reduction
in installation time of the system 10 and improved management of installations. Further,
addressing errors occurring during maintenance or service are eliminated. Other information,
such as a type of device 24 that is supposed to be installed in a particular location,
may be stored in the RFID tag 26 further reducing installation and/or maintenance
errors. In addition, the RFID circuit 28 may be utilized to communicate and report
data stored in the device 24 to the control panel 18 for maintenance, service or calibration
purposes. In addition, the RFID circuit 26 may be utilized to store manufacturing
data during manufacture of the device 24.
[0022] Alternatively the tag 26 can be located at the device 24 itself. The address of the
device 24 in this case will be programmed using an external tool via RFID communication.
No reader will be installed on the device 24 in this case. The rest of functionality
is the same as in the previous point.
[0023] Referring to FIG. 4, the antenna 30 of the RFID circuit 28 can detect signals 36
of RFID tags 26 in the vicinity of the antenna 30. In the case of an alarm, the antenna
30 and RFID circuit 28 of the device 24 will detect the signals 36 from personnel
RFID tags 46, such as those embedded in identification cards carried by personnel
in vicinity 40 of the antenna 30. In some embodiments, the vicinity 40 is a circular
area having a diameter of a number of meters covering the maximum distance between
two devices 24 in a fire installation. The RFID circuit 28 communicates the signal
36 to the control panel 18 along with the address of the fire device 14 where the
signal 36 has been detected, allowing the system 10 to identify a location or locations
where a person is located in the building 10. This information may be sent to a selected
communication device 42, such as smartphone, personal computer or tablet, and/or to
a building management system (not shown) and may be utilized to direct evacuation
and/or rescue operations.
[0024] While the invention has been described in detail in connection with only a limited
number of embodiments, it should be readily understood that the invention is not limited
to such disclosed embodiments. Rather, the invention can be modified to incorporate
any number of variations, alterations, substitutions or equivalent arrangements not
heretofore described, but which are commensurate with the spirit and scope of the
invention. Additionally, while various embodiments of the invention have been described,
it is to be understood that aspects of the invention may include only some of the
described embodiments. Accordingly, the invention is not to be seen as limited by
the foregoing description, but is only limited by the scope of the appended claims.
1. A method of operating a fire detection system comprising:
arranging a plurality of fire devices in an array, each fire device including:
a base portion fixed in a location in the array;
a replaceable device portion installed to the base portion, the device portion configured
to detect fire and/or smoke;
a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag affixed to the base portion or to the
fire device itself, the RFID tag uniquely identifying a location of the fire device
in the array; and
a transceiver disposed at the device portion to receive a signal from the RFID tag;
and
communicating the location of each fire device to a control panel operably connected
to the plurality of fire devices.
2. The method of Claim 1, further comprising receiving a personnel RFID signal emitted
from personnel RFID tag in a vicinity of a select fire device of the plurality of
fire devices.
3. The method of Claim 2, further comprising:
communicating the personnel RFID signal and the location of the fire device to the
control panel; and
identifying a location of the personnel RFID tag.
4. The method of Claim 3, further comprising communicating the location of the personnel
RFID tag to a selected communication device.
5. The method of Claim 4, wherein the selected communication device is one of a smartphone,
personal computer or tablet.
6. A fire device comprising:
a base portion fixed in a location;
a replaceable device portion installed to the base portion, the device portion configured
to detect fire and/or smoke;
a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag affixed to the base portion, the RFID
tag uniquely identifying a location of the fire device in a structure; and
a transceiver disposed at the device portion to receive a signal from the RFID tag,
the transceiver operably connected to a control system.
7. The fire device of Claim 6, wherein the RFID tag includes a programmed unique address
to uniquely identify the location of the fire device.
8. The fire device of Claim 7, wherein the transceiver is configured to read the unique
address.
9. The fire device of any of Claims 6-8, wherein the RFID tag is positioned at a recess
or ridge of the base portion.
10. The fire device of any of Claims 6-9, wherein an antenna of the transceiver is disposed
at a same vertical axis relative to the RFID tag.
11. The fire device of any of Claims 6-10, wherein the transceiver is configured to receive
an RFID signal emitted from personnel RFID tag in a vicinity of the fire device.
12. The fire device of Claim 11, wherein the transceiver is configured to communicate
the personnel RFID signal to a control panel.