Smoke Zones using Definition 11 Fire Verified

[pjjameso]

Replacing my old Napco with an M1 system. Reading the manual before I embark on the project I noticed it has a Def 10 and 11 for the smoke alarms. Def 10 is for instant alarm Def 11 is for a verified alarm which gives you a 5 20 and 60 second delay for high-risk false alarm locations. I was thinking this would be good for the kitchen as wife burns food at times. (Not looking to upgrade the wife)

 

So a couple of basic questions, Currently all the smoke detectors are 4 wire and are home run connected together terminating at the panel.

 

If I wanted to have the kitchen separate assume would just hook to another zone, correct?

 

Wouldnt it be good practice to wire each smoke or heat detector to its own zone so when the alarm went off you would know where the fire is? Realize it would take up more zones and one would have to buy an expander board. Is it worth the cost and effort?

[DennisC]

I also replaced a Napco alarm with the Elk M1. I don't have my manuals handy, but if I recall correctly you can not add a smoke detector to an expander. The 4 wire smokes can only be connected to the zone Elk indicates.

 

Regards,

 

Dennis

[gatchel]

Replacing my old Napco with an M1 system. Reading the manual before I embark on the project I noticed it has a Def 10 and 11 for the smoke alarms. Def 10 is for instant alarm Def 11 is for a verified alarm which gives you a 5 20 and 60 second delay for high-risk false alarm locations. I was thinking this would be good for the kitchen as wife burns food at times. (Not looking to upgrade the wife)

 

So a couple of basic questions, Currently all the smoke detectors are 4 wire and are home run connected together terminating at the panel.

 

If I wanted to have the kitchen separate assume would just hook to another zone, correct?

 

Wouldn't it be good practice to wire each smoke or heat detector to its own zone so when the alarm went off you would know where the fire is? Realize it would take up more zones and one would have to buy an expander board. Is it worth the cost and effort?

 

Most people, especially some professionals that I know, think that separating fire zones is a waste. If there's a fire, get out! If you want to investigate a false alarm then the LED's on the smokes will tell you.

 

If you do decide to separate each fire smoke to it's own zone you'll need a separate power supervision relay (and EOLR) for each zone. Test often....

 

Also, concerning your kitchen, read the section "Where Not To Place Detectors" (or the whole document for that matter) of this manual:

 

http://www.manualslib.com/manual/167897 ... =10#manual

 

If you are not sure of code or other installation factors, educate yourself. Forums are only a good place to start, if that...

[apostolakisl]

You should not put a smoke detector in the kitchen. Use a heat detector. Even heat detector can be tricked by rate of rise if over an oven or dishwasher (when you open the door a big gush of hot air can hit them).

 

Heat detectors are passive 2 wire devices. They can be included in a 4 wire system, but you only use the 2 zone wires, not the 2 power wires. Heat detectors are normally open and close (short) when in alarm.