Fire and Intrusion: New Products are Off the Hook
New wireless fire and intrusion products remove the wires, and the restraints, in specifications for integrators. We’ve got the low down on new products in both categories.
Commercial Wireless Systems International, LLC (WirelessFireAlarm.com) is coordinating a Dealer Network to install their new commercial wireless fire alarm system. CWSI’s system uses frequency-hopping spread-spectrum technology, a bi-directional RF communication network that supports up to 1,024 points on a single control panel. Wireless repeaters extend coverage and report all device information to the CP3000 Control Panel. The system currently offers two wireless smoke detectors: the audible 300 and the 301 tandem smoke detector. Their wireless transmitters allow for connection to any other UL listed device such as flow and tamper switches and manual pull stations. Output signals to operate fire safety control functions can be transmitted (and repeated) to a Relay Box providing 10 to 40 outputs. The Repeaters use supervised outputs to activate notification appliances. NACs built into the AR3 repeaters simplify this process. While you still have to wire notification appliances, a nearly all-wireless commercial fire alarm installation is doable.
In addition to all these options, using this Napco panel you can duplicate all the conventional/wireless/addressable fire features (except the four NAC circuits) with a security alarm device build-out on the same panel. The panel will accept another SLC module dedicated to addressable security devices. Adding a Burg Bus gets you the same conventional and wireless capabilities used for the fire devices, which allows you to add security to your fire alarm project. You can then use a burg expansion module to add conventional and wireless security devices.
Digital Monitoring Products (www.dmp.com) introduced a totally wireless light commercial/residential security/access control system which is also listed for residential fire protection. Its main feature is that it can be totally wireless. The XTL series panels utilize DMP’s 900MHz frequency-hopping spread-spectrum, two-way radio communication. (Is it just me, or does the term “radio” sound old-fashioned now?) The XTL has 28 wireless zones and over 25 wireless devices available. The wireless residential smoke detectors have built-in sounders to satisfy all residential code requirements.
The DMP XTL panel isn’t just a wireless residential smoke/fire detection system; it’s wireless everything, even the keypads are wireless. If pushing buttons on the wireless keypads are too much for you, then try using the optional proximity cards for wireless arming and disarming. Even though the panel includes both an IP and DACT module, reporting can also be wireless through its standard, built-in cellular GPRS transmitter. The cellular feature also provides a wireless SMS text messaging configuration for wirelessly informing the customer of the system’s status by calling up to three cell numbers. These three cell phones can also wirelessly arm and disarm the system. Wireless key fobs and wireless output relays are available.
The XTL uses a separate supervised wireless siren, tampered, with a visual status LED. Now the sounder can be positioned away from the panel/keypad and attack, and where it is best suited for its own protection. (I have always considered it a design flaw for wireless security system manufacturers to build the siren into the surface mounted plastic control panel/keypad. The beeping keypad or wailing siren leads the intruder right to the weakest link and subjects it to attack. Destroying the siren means destroying the dialer, sometimes before it can complete its transmission.) However, with a “distributed system” with up to four wireless keypads, the main keypad/controller containing the GPRS transmitter can be positioned where it can best receive and transmit signals, such as the second floor master bedroom—not by the side door where it can be subject to immediate attack. You can even configure the wireless PIRs “over the air.”
Wireless Keeps on Getting Better
On the intrusion side of the wireless equation, better range, reliability and security has upped the use of detectors in residential and now increasingly in the commercial protected premises. Here’s a roundup of some of the latest products.
Honeywell (www.mytotalconnect.com) launched a Total Connect app with video for BlackBerry wireless handheld devices. BlackBerry users can now control their Honeywell security systems and view live, streaming video from any remote location using the Internet. In the Security mode, the app replicates a keypad, letting users arm/disarm their systems, bypass zones and control lights and garage doors. Combined with anti-theft and environmental sensors, end-users can receive alerts when valuable objects have been moved or flood or extreme temperatures are detected.
The ST8 is the flagship of the Sequel Technologies (www.sequeltechnologies.com) line. It is a full-featured alarm system with the latest technology built-in. Unique among all wireless alarm systems is the ability for the ST8 to listen not only to Sequel wireless sensors but also most of the wireless security sensors from UTC/GE and Honeywell. Add the Ethernet Automation module for seamless integration to home automation systems including Control4 and Crestron.
