The access control system consists of putting in place means to filter the access of people to certain places. It allows authorized people to enter through the controlled doors. However. In case of fire. It could prevent people from escaping or prevent the fire department from entering the building. So we need access control and fire alarm to communicate. This is where integration comes into play
In this article, we show access control and fire alarm integration
Locks are very important in access control and fire alarm
click here to read our post on Fail-safe and fail-secure locks
Locks can be fail safe or fail secure. To allow people to escape from fire and fire fighters to enter into the building. Fail-safe locks are required. Meanwhile fail secure locks prevent entering to the building
Fire relay to make access control and fire alarm communicate
A fire relay cuts a power in a fire case to keep the doors open. In general, the relay is related to a fire alarm system. In case of a fire the relay switches from close position to an open then the circuit opens and cuts power. Therefore, the doors open.
Read our post for more informations about relays
The following diagram shows the fire relay wiring in access control doors
Certain manufacturers provide power supplies with fire relays. Further relay modules can be added to integrate a fire alarm system with an access control system. In any case, the wiring diagram is the same as in the diagram above.
Altronix AL600 is an example of a power supply with a fire alarm relay and Von duprin 900-FA is an example of a relay fire module
Panic bars and delayed egress modules
A push bar that delays the door opening. The principle is to prevent people from passing through a door. However, if someone pushes 3 seconds on the push bar. That means it is a panic or a fire situation. An alarm would be heard and the door opens within 15 seconds. An agent must observe the situation and reset the module.
In some cases. When there is no fire alarm system. We use an exit buttons to release the door and let people out. Also we can configure a door to open on a request to exit.
Conclusion
The fire alarm connection can be very different from a city to another one. Because of the legislations and a fire codes
When the fire alarm detects a fire. The electric doors should open to allow people to exit and the fire department to enter. In the mean time, other doors must be maintained close to prevent people from coming back or to secure areas in any cases like server rooms
