Fire Alarm vs Supervisory vs Trouble
What is the difference between a fire alarm signal, a fire supervisory signal, and fire trouble?
A fire alarm event (ie..smoke detector) triggers actions to alert occupants and notify authorities of the event. Everyday fire events include pull stations, smoke detectors, water flows, and heat detectors.
A fire alarm panel is often installed to also monitor the Fire Suppression System. This includes sprinklers, FM-200, CO2, and foam suppression systems. These "Suppression Systems" should be monitored to ensure that all valves and pressure levels are in their normal position and the system is ready to perform its intended function. In many cases, authorities do not require supervision of the components, and a chain or other means to secure the system are utilized to prevent unauthorized tampering of valves.
Fire alarm panels monitor the fire suppression system valves using a "Supervisory" event type. The wiring method for a Water Flow switch is the same as that used for a valve position switch. The difference is how the Fire Alarm Control Panel is programmed. The alarm code type transmitted to the monitoring center is also different. When a water valve is closed for maintenance, thus now "OFF-NORMAL," the panel does not sound alarms. A Supervisory alert is triggered, usually resulting in a beeping panel, and the customer is notified that a supervised point is not in its usual position. In most cases, the maintenance personnel called the monitoring center and placed the account in "TEST," so the monitoring center takes no action. When the test period ends, if the valve is not restored to its proper setting, the customer is called and notified. At the main Fire Alarm Control Panel, which started beeping and most likely silenced, will start beeping again after 24 hours. The panel will continue to beep every 24 hours, even when silenced, until the valve is restored to its proper position.
A fire alarm Trouble Signal, is an alert by the Fire Alarm Control Panel when it detects an issue with the equipment or wiring of the Fire Alarm Detection and Notification System, and can no longer properly detect fire or supervisory events, or notification zones.
SOMETHING IS WRONG!!
Trouble signals should never activate because a water valve was closed, or the dry sprinkler system has low air pressure.
There is also a response to consider for each of these Fire Events.
Fire Alarm - Call the fire department, then the owner.
Supervisory Event - Call the owner, so the owner can investigate.
Trouble Event - Call the owner so the owner can call a service company.
To summarize:
A Fire Detection and Notification System (Fire Alarm System) can detect fire, notify occupants, and supervise the readiness of the Fire Suppression System to perform its intended function.
A trouble condition is the inability of the Fire Alarm System to perform its intended function.
On old or improperly wired systems, supervisory zones are often wired to create trouble conditions due to wiring limitations, the installer's lack of understanding, poor oversight, or reporting limitations. Sometimes, there is nothing an installer can do to change the design. These deficiencies are usually more of an annoyance than a life safety issue.