Honeywell International Inc. WFSSM Manuale Utente

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SWIFT® Smart Wireless Integrated Fire Technology Manual — P/N LS10036-000SK-E:B  11/9/2017
Fire Alarm & Emergency Communication System Limitations
While a life safety system may lower insurance rates, it is not a substitute for life and property insurance!
An automatic fire alarm system—typically made up of smoke 
detectors, heat detectors, manual pull stations, audible warning 
devices, and a fire alarm control panel (FACP) with remote notifica-
tion capability—can provide early warning of a developing fire. Such 
a system, however, does not assure protection against property 
damage or loss of life resulting from a fire. 
An emergency communication system—typically made up of an 
automatic fire alarm system (as described above) and a life safety 
communication system that may include an autonomous control 
unit (ACU), local operating console (LOC), voice communication, 
and other various interoperable communication methods—can 
broadcast a mass notification message. Such a system, however, 
does not assure protection against property damage or loss of life 
resulting from a fire or life safety event. 
The Manufacturer recommends that smoke and/or heat detectors 
be located throughout a protected premises following the 
recommendations of the current edition of the National Fire 
Protection Association Standard 72 (NFPA 72), manufacturer's 
recommendations, State and local codes, and the 
recommendations contained in the Guide for Proper Use of System 
Smoke Detectors, which is made available at no charge to all 
installing dealers. This document can be found at http://
www.systemsensor.com/appguides/. A study by the Federal 
Emergency Management Agency (an agency of the United States 
government) indicated that smoke detectors may not go off in as 
many as 35% of all fires. While fire alarm systems are designed to 
provide early warning against fire, they do not guarantee warning or 
protection against fire. A fire alarm system may not provide timely or 
adequate warning, or simply may not function, for a variety of 
reasons: 
Smoke detectors may not sense fire where smoke cannot reach 
the detectors such as in chimneys, in or behind walls, on roofs, or 
on the other side of closed doors. Smoke detectors also may not 
sense a fire on another level or floor of a building. A second-floor 
detector, for example, may not sense a first-floor or basement fire. 
Particles of combustion or “smoke” from a developing fire may 
not reach the sensing chambers of smoke detectors because:
• Barriers such as closed or partially closed doors, walls, chim-
neys, even wet or humid areas may inhibit particle or smoke 
flow. 
• Smoke particles may become “cold,” stratify, and not reach the 
ceiling or upper walls where detectors are located. 
• Smoke particles may be blown away from detectors by air out-
lets, such as air conditioning vents. 
• Smoke particles may be drawn into air returns before reaching 
the detector. 
The amount of “smoke” present may be insufficient to alarm smoke 
detectors. Smoke detectors are designed to alarm at various levels 
of smoke density. If such density levels are not created by a devel-
oping fire at the location of detectors, the detectors will not go into 
alarm. 
Smoke detectors, even when working properly, have sensing limita-
tions. Detectors that have photoelectronic sensing chambers tend 
to detect smoldering fires better than flaming fires, which have little 
visible smoke. Detectors that have ionizing-type sensing chambers 
tend to detect fast-flaming fires better than smoldering fires. 
Because fires develop in different ways and are often unpredictable 
in their growth, neither type of detector is necessarily best and a 
given type of detector may not provide adequate warning of a fire. 
Smoke detectors cannot be expected to provide adequate warning 
of fires caused by arson, children playing with matches (especially 
in bedrooms), smoking in bed, and violent explosions (caused by 
escaping gas, improper storage of flammable materials, etc.). 
Heat detectors do not sense particles of combustion and alarm 
only when heat on their sensors increases at a predetermined rate 
or reaches a predetermined level. Rate-of-rise heat detectors may 
be subject to reduced sensitivity over time. For this reason, the rate-
of-rise feature of each detector should be tested at least once per 
year by a qualified fire protection specialist. Heat detectors are 
designed to protect property, not life. 
IMPORTANT! Smoke detectors must be installed in the same 
room as the control panel and in rooms used by the system for the 
connection of alarm transmission wiring, communications, signal-
ing, and/or power. If detectors are not so located, a developing fire 
may damage the alarm system, compromising its ability to report a 
fire. 
Audible warning devices such as bells, horns, strobes, speak-
ers and displays
 may not alert people if these devices are located 
on the other side of closed or partly open doors or are located on 
another floor of a building. Any warning device may fail to alert peo-
ple with a disability or those who have recently consumed drugs, 
alcohol, or medication. Please note that:
• An emergency communication system may take priority over a 
fire alarm system in the event of a life safety emergency.
• Voice messaging systems must be designed to meet intelligibility 
requirements as defined by NFPA, local codes, and Authorities 
Having Jurisdiction (AHJ).
• Language and instructional requirements must be clearly dis-
seminated on any local displays.
• Strobes can, under certain circumstances, cause seizures in 
people with conditions such as epilepsy. 
• Studies have shown that certain people, even when they hear a 
fire alarm signal, do not respond to or comprehend the meaning 
of the signal. Audible devices, such as horns and bells, can have 
different tonal patterns and frequencies. It is the property 
owner's responsibility to conduct fire drills and other training 
exercises to make people aware of fire alarm signals and 
instruct them on the proper reaction to alarm signals. 
• In rare instances, the sounding of a warning device can cause 
temporary or permanent hearing loss. 
A life safety system will not operate without any electrical power. If 
AC power fails, the system will operate from standby batteries only 
for a specified time and only if the batteries have been properly 
maintained and replaced regularly. 
Equipment used in the system may not be technically compatible 
with the control panel. It is essential to use only equipment listed for 
service with your control panel. 
Telephone lines needed to transmit alarm signals from a premises 
to a central monitoring station may be out of service or temporarily 
disabled. For added protection against telephone line failure, 
backup radio transmission systems are recommended. 
The most common cause of life safety system malfunction is inad-
equate maintenance. To keep the entire life safety system in excel-
lent working order, ongoing maintenance is required per the 
manufacturer's recommendations, and UL and NFPA standards. At 
a minimum, the requirements of NFPA 72 shall be followed. Envi-
ronments with large amounts of dust, dirt, or high air velocity require 
more frequent maintenance. A maintenance agreement should be 
arranged through the local manufacturer's representative. Mainte-
nance should be scheduled as required by National and/or local fire 
codes and should be performed by authorized professional life 
safety system installers only. Adequate written records of all inspec-
tions should be kept.
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