Trends in the development of fire alarm system controllers for fire alarm systems

Introduction. Fire alarm system controllers are the main technical aids that serve as the backbone of a fire alarm system (a unit) at a facility. They consolidate fire alarm messages, coming from fire detectors, analyze, process, and deliver them to the user and display them in the pre-set format. The technical capacity of fire alarm system controllers is constantly improving in line with the technical progress and tightening fire safety requirements. Aims and purposes. The purpose of the article is to analyze the state of and trends in the development of fire alarm system controllers, that improve the fire safety of protected facilities. The task encompasses the retrospective review of principal tactical and technical characteristics of fire alarm devices for the period starting from the early 1950s to the present time in Russia, as well as the statistical analysis of the pace of their supply on the market of automatic fire fighting systems. Methods. Methods of system analysis and mathematical statistics were used. Results and discussion. The main stages of development of instruments for fire alarm systems that are reflective of the technical progress, primarily in the field of radio electronics, as well as the socio-economic transformations in Russia are specified. The article presents the results of statistical studies, carried out by the co-authors at different times and characterizing a change in the Russian market based on the comparative data on domestic and foreign alarm systems. The main trends in the development of the product mix and technical specifications of devices during the analyzed period are identified. The co-authors focus on the generalized layout of a blockmodular apparatus of a fire alarm system controller and determine the requirements for communication between functional modules to ensure the reliable operation of a fire alarm system. Conclusions. The main trends in the development of fire alarm system controllers, designated for fire alarm systems, focus on the application of new communication technologies and microelectronic devices that solve comprehensive safety problems with regard for the top-priority requirements of fire safety. The pace of improvement of tactical technological characteristics of devices is reflective of the state of and trends in the development of automatic fire fighting systems in Russia.