FIRE System User Guide

Fire System

National Security Systems Inc [phone]

User’s Guide

Table of Contents

Introduction 3
Command Center Function Keys 4
Viewing System Events 5
Warning Displays and Tones 5
Fire Alarms 6
Silencing Fire Troubles 7
Detector Reset Key 8
Annunciator Reset Key 9
The Idle Display 10
How the System Reports Alarms 11
System Functions 12
View Memory 13
Fire Test 14
View Log 16
Remote Program 17
View Point Status 19
Display Rev 20
System Trouble Displays 21
Log Event Definitions 23
System Glossary 26
Maintenance and Service 27

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2

Introduction

Using the Command Center

Your system’s command center is an advanced digital
device that offers a variety of features. Its highly visible,
back-lit keypad and built-in sounder alert you to a
number of system events.

About This User’s Guide

This user’s guide covers basic system features. It is
designed to be an everyday type of reference for system
users. The functions described in this guide are
programmed by your security company. Some of them
may not be included in your system.

Throughout this guide the # symbol refers to a variable
numerical quantity, such as the number of points to test.
Messages that appear in the command center display
appear in this guide LIKE THIS. Keys that you must
press appear [LIKE THIS].

Your system provides access to functions through the
Menu. Access the Menu by pressing the [ESC] key.
Pressing the [PREV] or [NEXT] key allows you to scroll
up or down through the list of functions programmed by
your security company. Pressing the [ENT] key initiates
the function displayed. To exit the Menu, press the [ESC]
key.

What is a Point?

A “point” is a detection device, or group of devices
connected to your system. Points display individually at
the command center with custom text. The text can
describe a single smoke detector, or an area such as
FIRST FLOOR or LOBBY.

3

Command Center Function Keys

ENT (Enter)

Your command center has four function keys. These
keys are used to control your system.

ESC (Escape)

The [ESC] key has two functions. First, the [ESC] key is
used to enter the Menu. Pressing this key takes you to
the first item in the menu.

Second, pressing [ESC] will take you back to the idle
display.

PREV (Previous)

When viewing a list, pressing the [PREV] key will take
you back to the previously shown item.

NEXT

Press the [NEXT] key to view the next item in a menu or
list.

The function of the [ENT] key is to select the menu item
displayed.

Command Center Quiets for Keystrokes

Pressing [ESC], [PREV], [NEXT], or [ENT] lights the keys
and quiets any warning tones. If you don’t press another
key within 20 seconds, the keypad lights go out and the
warning tones resume.

4

Viewing System Events

Warning Displays and Tones

Your system will automatically display fire alarm events
or fire trouble events as they occur. Fire trouble events
include such things as a broken wire or a closed sprinkler
system valve.

Your command center emits one of several distinct tones
and displays custom text to alert you to system events.
Additional bells or horns may also be connected to your
system. Audible and visual devices such as horns and
strobes alert you to emergencies.

Priority of Events

If more than one event occurs, your system sorts them
into one of three groups. The groups (highest priority
first) are: Fire Alarms, Fire Troubles, and Non-Fire
Troubles.

The group with the highest priority scrolls first in the
command center’s display. Descriptions of the tones and
displays for each group and instructions for silencing the
tones are included in the descriptions that follow.

5

Fire Alarms

Alarm Silence Key

Fire alarms are the highest priority events. When a fire
point activates, your command center emits a pulsating
high-pitched fire tone. Evacuate all occupants and
investigate for smoke or fire. The tone sounds for the
time set by your servicing company.

The command center display shows only the point text of
the first point that went into fire alarm. Pressing the
[NEXT] key will manually display additional points (if any)
that went into alarm. Events scroll from the oldest to the
newest.

Press the [ALARM SILENCE] key to silence a fire alarm.
After pressing [ALARM SILENCE], the system will briefly
display * FIRE SYSTEM * followed by ALARM

SILENCED and then the number of fire points in alarm

(A1 ## FIRE ALARM) in the area and then the custom
text of all the points in alarm in the order of occurrence.
Your system may be programmed so that you cannot
silence some fire alarms until the fire event is cleared.
The example below illustrates the displays one would
see with two points in alarm. See the description of the
Detector Reset key and the Annunciator Reset key for
more information.

* FIRE SYSTEM *

ALARM SILENCED

A1 2 FIRE ALARM

LOBBY SMOKE

1ST FLOOR

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Silencing Fire Troubles

Special System Trouble Display

After an alarm has been silenced, the device that caused
the alarm is usually still faulted or activated. In the case
of a smoke detector, it must be reset by pressing the
[DETECTOR RESET] button (see page 8). An off-normal
device will create a fire trouble condition. Examples of
trouble conditions include such things as a closed valve
or broken wire. When a fire trouble occurs, your
command center emits three warble tones, then a pause
(repeatedly).

The system displays the number of fire points with
troubles (A1 ## FIRE TRBLE) in an area and will then
repeatedly display the custom text for all the points in
trouble in the order of occurrence.

SERVC AC FAIL and SERVC BATT LOW are

examples of special system trouble displays. These
displays appear on all keypads in the system. These
trouble displays begin with SERVC. See

Displays

display. Pressing the [TROUBLE SILENCE] key will
silence a system trouble tone, but the SERVC display will
not clear until the faulted condition is corrected.

for a description of each system trouble

System Trouble

Trouble Silence Key

Pressing the [TROUBLE SILENCE] key silences a fire
trouble. If the fault condition is still present, the display
will repeatedly scroll from * FIRE SYSTEM * to FIRE
TROUBLE. Manually press the [NEXT] key repeatedly to
display all of the devices that are still off normal. When all
devices return to normal, the FIRE TROUBLE display will
automatically clear. If you wish to review cleared
troubles, this can be done by pressing the [ESC] key to
enter the Menu and then pressing [NEXT] until VIEW
MEMORY ? is displayed. See the VIEW MEMORY ?
function for more information.

7

Detector Reset Key

Description

Detection devices, such as smoke detectors, must be
reset after being activated. Pressing the [DETECTOR
RESET] key momentarily removes power from these
sensors to reset them.

If the fault condition is still present, the display will
repeatedly scroll from * FIRE SYSTEM * to FIRE
TROUBLE. Manually press the [NEXT] key repeatedly to
display all of the devices that are still off-normal. When
all devices return to normal the FIRE TROUBLE display
will automatically clear. Check to be certain that there is
no smoke, fire, or other danger present.

Detector Reset Key

After pressing this key, the display shows
SENSORS RESETING for approximately 3 seconds and
then goes blank before returning to the repeated display
of * FIRE SYSTEM * followed by ALARM SILENCED.
This function clears alarm point information from the
display. The ALARM SILENCED message continues to
display as a reminder that the VIEW MEMORY ? function
can still be used to view cleared point information.
Pressing the [ANNUNCIATOR RESET] key will clear
both the View Memory buffer and the ALARM SILENCED
display. For more information see the description of the
View Memory function.

If you can’t reset the detector or sensor contact your
service company.

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