Addressable Smoke Head Protocol

[@@]

Hi all:

Anyone have any details on the protocol used by Honeywell Notifier
Addressable smoke heads. I have a large facility (approx. 700 heads) and I
remove and clean heads when I get a "Maintenance Required" message. However
I'd like to know how clean I've got them before I place them back into
service. Thinking of building a tester using a microcontroller, of course
if there's already a device for this application, that'd work to...just not
as much fun.

Thanks in advance

Will

 

[Frank Olson]

Hi all:

Anyone have any details on the protocol used by Honeywell Notifier
Addressable smoke heads. I have a large facility (approx. 700 heads) and
I
remove and clean heads when I get a "Maintenance Required" message.
However
I'd like to know how clean I've got them before I place them back into
service. Thinking of building a tester using a microcontroller, of course
if there's already a device for this application, that'd work to...just
not
as much fun.

Thanks in advance

Will

What control panel do you have?? Depending on the head end equipment, you
should be able to call up the sensitivity and status of each of the
detector's sensing elements.

 

[@@]

Frank:

I have a Notifier 640, and while you are correct, I can view information on
the status of each head once installed, the facility I operate is a maximum
security jail. Installing heads is quite time consuming. If there was a
way I could realize say 20% better cleaning it would save great deal of time
by yeilding longer service intervals.

Thanks for your interest and assistance.

Will

 

[MikeyB]

Will,

There used to be a tester that would work on Notifier and other System
Sensor addressable devices called a Mod 400. The older detectors had a
socket for this tester and it connected to a DMM and let you read the
sensitivity directly. Unfortunately the newer style heads no longer have
this feature so even if you could get a Mod 400 it would be useless. Also
the head in question had to be operating when tested. I am assuming you
have FSP-751 or FSP-851 smokes.

My suggestions is to purchase a 640 panel and about 20 extra heads and bases
and hang them on the wall in your shop. When a smoke shows dirty, replace
it with a new unit and clean the old smoke and plug it into the shop 640
panel. You can use the panel to read the sensitivity. A technician using
Verifire Tools can also connect directly to the panel through the
programming port or network and query the sensitivity of any addressable
sensor. There is also a web based interface that allows you to do the same
thing with a browser if you have a Notifier network. I think the chances of
Notifier letting you have their protocol are exactly zero. I know System
Sensor provides their protocol to OEM manufacturers but the Notifier
protocol has always been different, especially on a Flashscan capable panel
like the 640.

Mike

 

[@@]

Mike:

Thanks for the response. I figured I was SOL as far as a standalone tester
went, just hoped someone knew something about the protocol. I am using
FSP851 heads, I really don't want to purchase another 640 panel, doubt the
higher ups will go for it. I guess I'll hook one up to my O'scope and see
what it's doing.

Thanks again.

Will