APS is a short name for an automatic fire alarm. This is a special system, the basis of which is contained in complex equipment, with which you can find the central part of the fire. Minor devices in this installation are devices for supplying an automatic speech signal, as well as for extinguishing a fire and quickly removing smoke. In addition, there is an automatic response and a signal to the ACS, which stands for access control and management system.
APS system - what is it?
APS or APS, which means automatic installation of a fire alarm, has the following components:
- Fire alarm.
- SOUE. This abbreviation refers to systems responsible for organizing and managing evacuation. Typically, the SOUE is constructed according to the light-sound principle, that is, the APS (warning system) gives conditional signals, but in some cases it can notify people about the occurrence of a fire by speech. Its appearance depends on the type of object on which it is installed.
Work principles
The APS system is capable of performing such functional actions:
- Detects the source of ignition and detects a fire at the very beginning.
- Connects and activates the work of the SOUE.
Opportunities
The APS system automatically controls the signal to various objects:
- Fire extinguishing system, which, when connected, works according to an automatic principle.
- Ventilation unit working according to the supply and exhaust principle.
- A system for air inlet, which is pre-installed on the stairwells provided for in the evacuation plan.
- Smoke system.
- ACS.
- A system for monitoring the condition and functioning of elevators.
APS purpose
The automatic fire alarm is designed for several purposes. APS system purpose:
- Identification of the primary signs of fire: smoke, open flames or carbon monoxide production. This is included in the capabilities of the system due to the presence of fire alarm sensors.
- Transmission of a conditional alarm directly to a guard post or monitoring station. The second case occurs in the absence of a permanent guard post. In this case, the signal reaches the central monitoring console. Signal transmission is facilitated by the presence of a video surveillance system, that is, special cameras. With their help, you can easily see the condition of the room in a certain place, if you connect the visualization of the compartment from which the alarm went off. This will help to immediately begin actions to eliminate the fire or to eliminate the false alarm when a minor fire or the alarm went off for objective reasons that are under control.
- SOUE is responsible for informing people about the fire and organizes evacuation according to a pre-developed plan. This system is necessary for the timely transmission of information to people in the event of any emergency, in particular a fire. Also, with its help, most of the evacuation control is carried out. At the same time, all precautions are taken so that people without panic and strong stampede can easily reach their destination without harming themselves and others.
- Automatically return elevators to the 1st floor and open doors. The use of elevators is blocked so that the shaft is not smoky. Evacuation is carried out exclusively by stairs. If there are several additional outputs, one that is not smoky is selected.
- Connecting the fans to artificially create high pressure in space. This helps to protect the smoke and prevent it from entering additional spaces, such as fenced halls or stairwells necessary for evacuation.
- Automatic fire extinguishing system connection . This aspect is regulated by the MTA system. This moment is not immediately recognized, however, all necessary actions occur after the signal from the alarm.
Types of automatic fire extinguishing systems
These systems work according to various principles, which provide their own substances for extinguishing a fire, from which their variety changes:
- Water or water foam. This species, in turn, is subdivided into several areas, among which one can distinguish sprinkler and deluge extinguishing, as well as the elimination of fire with thin streams of water. This substance does not harm human health, therefore it is used for fire fighting in public places, such as offices, various shops or shopping centers.
- Powder is used where water is prohibited. This substance is cheaper than special water or gas, also used to extinguish fires. Usually, the powder is used in substations that generate electricity or contain transformers, as well as in boiler rooms or special car parks.
- Gas. This method is necessary when extinguishing with water or powder does harm, which is commensurate with the damage caused by the fire. This applies to compartments with valuable documents, objects classified as objects of cultural value, books, as well as equipment operating on electric current.
Smoke removal systems and ventilation
Automatic removal of smoke from the room when it is localized in a minimum space is a particularly important system that allows you to save people's life and health, since it is precisely the smoke that often causes death. People are less likely to die from direct fire. The signal for smoke removal depends on the APS system. After it sounds, the dampers open almost instantly, and special fans begin work on the removal of smoke.
The forced ventilation is turned off when the fire-retardant valves instantly close as soon as they receive a conditional signal from the APS. With this system, the oxygen supply is significantly reduced, due to which the flame intensity decreases, and the fire spreads much more slowly.
Installation of an automatic fire alarm
Before installation, the equipment is subjected to incoming inspection. The health check of each element of the system is carried out. Based on the results of this check, a special act is formed in which data for each component of the equipment is indicated. All elements that are installed in the room must have a certificate confirming their compliance with fire safety standards.
When the APS system is installed, it is possible to carry out commissioning, and you should also check the correct functioning of the device as a whole. For this, a specially trained worker performs programming. This is necessary not only for the proper operation of the equipment, but also for the successful synchronization of the APS with other systems.
A technical survey of the equipment and its further commissioning are being carried out. Quite often, the installation of an APS system is ordered from a large company. Typically, such providers are more credible. Here you can save a lot on installation, if you order maintenance of the APS system at the same time.
THAT automatic fire alarm
In order for the APS system to work in accordance with all the rules, as well as to prevent its breakdown, at the most inopportune moment, maintenance is regularly carried out. Sometimes the inspection bodies of the State Fire Supervision inspect the equipment, and it is always necessary to provide an agreement for maintenance of the APS, and it is necessary to conclude it only with an organization that has the appropriate license.
Maintenance Rules
Maintenance of the APS system must be carried out at least once a month. The system is checked for damage, all necessary measurements are carried out. If a malfunction is noticed, then a specialist call and subsequent repairs are free of charge. There is also a maintenance journal, where all the information about the repairs made is entered, as well as information about the inspections carried out. It also records information about breakdowns in the system, equipment failure, or cases of APS failure.
Automatic fire alarms must be installed at all public facilities. For this, the owner or tenant of the premises is responsible. His responsibilities include not only the acquisition and installation of this system, but also its maintenance in good condition through regular maintenance and careful handling of equipment.